For years, Golden Retrievers have been the most popular dog breed in the U.S. They are most known for their long, golden fur coats and their energetic personalities. They are also known for being overly friendly. Their friendliness and retriever instincts are why many people emphasize the importance of keeping them on leashes when out for walks. Here are some fun facts about Golden Retrievers that you may not have known.
Origins
For years, many people believed that Golden Retrievers descended from circus dogs in Russia. One man even wanted them to be named Russian Retrievers. It was not until the 1950’s when the truth was discovered. In the mid-1800s, a man named Dudley Marjoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, bred golden retrievers. The records of studbooks were discovered by his descendants and handed over to be studied. Lord Tweedmouth wanted a dog that could help with hunting while also being a great companion. The long and water-resistant fur is great for swimming through water to retrieve birds. The friendly personalities that were also bred into them make them great family pets. Although they had been around since the mid-1800s, Golden Retrievers did not gain recognition until the 1920s.
Currently, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., second only to Labrador Retrievers. It was one of Lord Tweedmouth’s descendants who first brought the Golden Retriever to the U.S. in the 20th century.
Swimming
One of the most well-known fun facts about Golden Retrievers is that they enjoy swimming. Their love of swimming comes from their history of retrieving ducks and birds for their humans and the water spaniel in them. Although most golden retrievers love to swim, it is important to remember that not all of them do. You should never force a golden retriever to swim if they do not want to. However, they can be trained to eventually enjoy it if done gently and in an enjoyable way for them. Forcing a dog to swim will only leave feelings of fear. Do not forget that keeping a Golden Retriever’s floppy ears clean after a swim is also important. Using an ear cleaner for dogs can help keep away infections.
Easy to Train
According to a phycologist, Golden Retrievers rank as the fourth smartest dog breed in the world. They are placed just under German Shepherds. This makes Golden Retrievers easy to train. For this reason, many people use Golden Retrievers as hunting companions, service dogs, rescue dogs, and even for stiffing out drugs. Keep in mind that because they are so smart, you also need to make sure they have strict training. Otherwise, they will be clever enough to discover what they can get away with. With the right training, however, Golden Retrievers can make fun and well-behaved family pets.
Sources
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/
https://www.grca.org/about-the-breed/breed-history/the-origins-of-the-golden-retriever-revisited/
