On February 3rd, we celebrate National Golden Retrievers Day. Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the U.S., and no wonder why! These dogs are sweet, loyal, and kind, and they make excellent family dogs.
If you consider yourself a Golden Retriever fan, then you MUST know these fun facts!
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Like human freckles, some of these dogs have black spots on their tongues. Some might be born with it, and some may develop them over time, but in both cases: there is nothing to worry about.
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Buddy, the famous Golden who played AirBud, also played Comet, the family dog of FullHouse. These dogs are often Hollywood stars due to their easy-going personality and their fast ability to learn.
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They have webbed toes. Yes, their toes are connected by thin webs of skin that act like flippers, making them excellent swimmers.
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62% of Golden Retrievers are overweight. They are eager eaters, so they need at least 1 or 2 hours a day of exercise! Therefore, they are prone to develop joint issues.
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Finley, a Golden Retriever from New York, owns The Guinness World Record for holding the most tennis balls in its mouth. SIX!
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Approximately 60% of Golden Retrievers are impacted by cancer. Thus, it is very important to have regular check-ups. The Morris Animal Foundation is currently conducting a study to figure out the causes behind this elevated number.
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These dogs are prone to suffer from hot spots. Their long hair, humidity, and heat are the perfect environment for hot spots to develop.
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Breaking Bark. Charlie, a senior Australian Golden Retriever, has The Guinness World Record for the louder bark! His record bark was at 113.1 decibels, which is almost as loud as a rock concert. Luckily for us, Golden Retrievers don’t bark often.
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They are super affectionate and don’t like to be left alone. Actually, experts say that Golden Retrievers can get depressed after long periods of being all by themselves. (If your dog suffers from anxiety, you can learn more about it in How to calm anxiety).
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The largest litter of Golden Retrievers was 17 puppies. Poor mom!
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The first Instagram photo EVER is from a Golden Retriever on a taco stand. Who else could it be?!
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They are known for their ‘soft mouths’. Yes, Retrievers love to pick up and carry every little thing they find with their mouth, but relax: they won’t break it!
- According to the AKC annual list published in 2020, Goldens are the 1st and most popular breed in America, followed by French Bulldogs, and German Shepherds.
Are golden retrievers hypoallergenic?
These are sweet, gentle, obedient dogs; however, they are anything but hypoallergenic. They are actually heavy shedders, especially during spring and fall, when they get rid of their extra hair to get ready for winter and summer. Golden Retrievers have a double coat, which is made out of two parts: the long and smooth outer coat, and the fuzzy and woody inner coat. This double coat isolates them from water, heat, moisture, and cold. If you pass your hand through a Golden Retrievers’ hair, you will easily feel the difference between the two coats.
Are Golden retrievers Smart?
As if being the cutest-fluffiest dog on earth wasn’t enough, Golden Retrievers are super smart. They are the 4th most intelligent breed, behind Border Collies, Poodles, and German Shepherds. Usually, these dogs are super obedient, easygoing, and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable.
Are Golden Retrievers aggressive?
Generally speaking, these dogs are friendly, sweet, and patient. They make excellent family dogs, especially for families with children. However, even though it is highly unusual, they might show aggressive behavior if they feel threatened or in the need to protect their territory.
