Golden Retriever Fun Facts

8 reasons why this dog breed is so popular.

Feb 28, 2020

You can’t mistake a Golden Retriever. With its lustrous ginger-colored coat and loving nature—not to mention how adorable and fluffy it is as a puppy—This dog breed is splashed everywhere from your TV screen to dog food promotions to countless peoples’ yards. The Golden Retriever is consistently ranked in the top 3 popular dog breeds in America. Why? These fun facts may shed some light.

The Golden Retriever is currently the 3rd most popular dog breed in America.

Golden Retriever Fun Facts

The first Golden Retrievers were bred in the 1860’s by Lord Tweedmouth of Inverness, Scotland. The first litter’s parents were Tweedmouth’s “yellow Retriever,” Nous, and a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel (a breed that is now extinct) named Belle.

A Golden can get along with anyone--Even the family cat!

The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Golden Retriever as a breed in 1925.

Goldens excel at dock diving competitions because of their love for water.

If you want a couch potato dog, the Golden Retriever isn’t it! They’re a member of the “sporting group” of dogs, meaning they were bred to work with hunters to “retrieve” quarry, or to find game shot down by hunters. They are natural athletes and need lots of invigorating exercise. They’re always up for a game of frisbee or fetch because of their “retrieving” nature. Goldens excel in dog competitions like agility, obedience and dock-diving. The first three dogs ever to achieve the AKC Obedience Champion title were Golden Retrievers.

You'll often see a toy in a Golden's mouth. This comes from their retriever instinct.

Golden Retrievers love the water. They have double water-repellent coats, and they even have webbed toes!

Goldens' gentle nature make them perfect for therapy work.

Goldens work hard. You find them everywhere because they learn quickly, are eager to please and excel in a variety of situations. People use them for sniffing and tracking at places like airports, for disaster search and rescue, for service dog work, and of course, as Hollywood actors!

Have you seen this well-known Subaru commercial?

The Golden is regarded as the 4th smartest dog breed, but it’s also one of the most soothing breeds. Goldens seem to have unconditional love and empathy for everyone, and that’s why they’re often used as therapy dogs to calm anyone from a child to an elderly patient. Goldens are known to take care of other animals such as cats. But their trusting nature also makes them terrible guard dogs!

Goldens are playful creatures. They sometimes come off as goofy, but they're actually very intelligent.

Goldens are playful and silly well past puppyhood. When a Golden grows from a sweet little furball to an adult, it takes much longer for its behavior to catch up! Goldens often remain puppy-like long after they’ve become adults.
Goldens don’t have much of a “bite.” They love to put stuff in their mouths, but when it comes to people, they’re known to be especially gentle. This comes from their history of picking up and carrying game in their mouths without damaging it. It’s said they can hold a raw egg in their mouths without breaking it.

President Gerald Ford playing with his dog Liberty.

Presidents Ford and Reagan both had Golden Retrievers as pets while in office. Ford named his pooch Liberty and Reagan’s was called Victory (I’m sensing a theme here?). 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren’s Golden, Bailey, has become a celebrity on social media.

Goldens can range from white to a dark red color. "English cream" is pictured here.

There are three types of Golden Retrievers: British, American and Canadian. British-type Golden Retrievers are more muscular than North American varieties, with thick coats and heavier weights. Although most of them have different shades of gold fur, they can range from white to “English cream” to dark red.

Bailey, Elizabeth Warren's dog, was named after George Bailey from the movie "It's A Wonderful Life."

A Golden Retriever loves being with its family. It’s a very pack-oriented breed and will become depressed if left alone for long periods of time. This, along with its gentleness toward children and other animals, plus its kind and loyal nature, makes the Golden a perfect family dog. A research study found that Goldens are among the six least likely breeds to show aggression.
The first image ever uploaded to Instagram was a picture of a Golden Retriever in 2010!

Goldens can befriend other animals, from birds to cats to hamsters.

Goldens can hold up to six tennis balls in their mouths. Augie of Texas, who held the Guinness Book of World Records, held five balls. Finley of New York just broke that record with his six!