25 Mind-Blowing Golden Retriever Facts

Golden retrievers gained recognition as an official breed only in 1925 (that’s a bonus fact) but have since become some of the most popular dogs globally.

But despite such popularity, these dogs are surrounded by numerous myths. For example, did you know that golden retrievers don’t come in black and white?

Whether you’re a happy golden retriever owner or only dream of becoming one, we bet these intelligent, loving dogs still can surprise you.

1. Their Average Lifespan Is 12 Years

Every dog owner wants their furry friend to live as long as possible. Unfortunately, golden retrievers have a relatively short lifespan of 10-12 years.

That’s a standard life expectancy for large dog breeds, but small dogs tend to live much longer.

Interestingly, in the 1970s, the golden retriever’s lifespan used to be 16-17 years.

We don’t yet know what caused such a decrease in life expectancy, but the most plausible hypotheses are reckless breeding and environmental changes.

2. They Need at Least an Hour of Exercise Daily

Golden retrievers are hunting dogs, and, like any hunting breed, they need sufficient exercise. Adult golden retrievers need at least an hour of exercise daily, and individual goldens may require even more activity.

A golden retriever turns into a messy destruction machine that chews furniture and runs around the house without sufficient exercise.

For this reason, golden retrievers are among the worst dog breeds for retirees despite their wonderful temperament.

3. It’s The Third Most Popular Dog Breed

According to the American Kennel Club, golden retrievers are the third most popular dog breed in the U.S. The first place takes the Labrador retriever, a relative of goldens, and the second takes the French bulldog.

German shepherd dog loses golden retrievers by one position, and the fifth position belongs to poodles. Golden retrievers also rank as the sixth most popular dog breed globally.

4. They Originated in Scotland

Golden retrievers originate from the picturesque Scottish Highlands, where the Baron of Tweedmouth, Dudley Marjoribanks, bred them to retrieve waterfowl. The first golden retriever was born in 1868.

Lord Tweedmouth created the new breed by mixing the Irish setter, Saint John’s water dog, the black retriever, and the bloodhound. Irish setters, black retrievers, and bloodhounds still exist today, while Saint John’s water dog is extinct.

5. Obesity Is a Common Problem Because They Love to Eat

Golden retrievers are real gluttons. This breed is highly food motivated, so the best way to train a golden is to give it a treat. However, such a love for food has more risks than benefits.

Golden retrievers are prone to obesity, particularly senior and neutered or spayed goldens. Owners should be mindful of their dog’s serving sizes to prevent weight gain and health conditions associated with it.

5. They Will Destroy Your Furniture

Many dogs like to chew, but golden retrievers hold the title of the chewiest breed. A bored or anxious golden retriever can destroy your furniture, so training the dog and keeping it entertained is essential.

Usually, dogs only chew things while they’re small and their teeth change. However, golden retrievers don’t stop chewing when they get older because it’s rooted in their genetics.

7. They Are Friendly with Kids & Cats

Many dog breeds are friendly towards people but can’t stand other pets. Golden retrievers are an exception. These loving, harmless dogs want to be friends with everyone and typically don’t mind other pets in the house, including cats.

Of course, friendship goes both ways, and whether two pets will bond depends not solely on the golden retriever. However, a golden will never attack another animal first.

Golden retrievers are also super-patient, perfect for families with small kids who don’t always understand when to stop playing with a dog.

8. They Are Perfect Service Dogs

Golden retrievers top the list of the best service dogs due to their intelligence, obedience, friendliness, and devotion.

These dogs will go over and beyond to please their favorite human being and can safely attend public places because they aren’t aggressive.

Golden retrievers easily memorize commands and can perform complex tasks. Their relatively large size enables them to carry out tasks impossible for smaller dogs, such as opening doors and pushing elevator buttons.

9. They Have Doubled Coats

A gorgeous, silky cost is the most notable trait of golden retrievers, but it isn’t solely beautiful. A golden retriever coat is also practical, helping these dogs stay warm and dry in cold water.

Golden retrievers have a double coat. The top layer is long and soft, while the undercoat is fuzzy and dense. Together, the two layers effectively protect golden retrievers from sun, heat, cold, and other natural hazards.

10. Their Color Change as They Age

If you fell in love with a golden retriever puppy due to its light cream coat, you may be disappointed because the golden retriever coat color changes as they age.

Golden retrievers don’t change their coat color from cream to red, but they get darker. When goldens enter the senior phase, their hair begins slowly turning white.

Golden retriever breeders say that one can find out a dog’s future hair color by checking its ears. Goldens allegedly change color as they grow to match their ear color.

11. They Shed a Lot

Due to their double coat structure, golden retrievers shed a lot. It’s one of the most shedding dog breeds, along with Akita, Alaskan malamute, and Chow Chow.

Golden retriever owners quickly get used to finding dog hair in the most unexpected places and never leaving the house without cleaning their jeans with a lint roller.

Golden retriever topcoat renews at a normal pace, but their undercoat sheds at an accelerated rate twice a year to accommodate changing climate – in spring and autumn.

12. They Don’t Come in Black

One of the most common myths about golden retrievers is that they come in black. Black dogs resembling golden retrievers indeed exist; they aren’t Photoshop. However, they aren’t purebred golden retrievers either.

Black retrievers are a mix of flat-coated retrievers and Labradors.

These dogs have the same ancestors as golden retrievers but carry recessive genes, so the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize black retrievers as golden retrievers.

13. They Don’t Come in White Either

Another golden retriever myth is that these dogs can be white. “White” or “platinum” golden retrievers are simply very light cream golden retrievers, and white isn’t registered as an official golden retriever color.

Golden retriever puppies are born very light and may appear almost white, especially in pictures under specific lighting. But if you look closer, you will notice a faint cream undertone.

14. They Have a “Soft Mouth”

Golden retrievers have soft mouths – when they carry objects, they don’t bite them harshly.

The reason lies in the breed’s genetics – goldens were trained to pick up birds without damaging them. The soft mouth makes golden retrievers harmless for smaller animals and kids.

15. They Love to Swim

Golden retrievers were bred to hunt waterfowl, so their love for swimming isn’t surprising.

These dogs are natural-born swimmers with strong legs, dense coat that keeps them dry, and swimming instincts deeply rooted in their brains.

16. The Oldest Golden Retriever Was Almost 21 Years Old

Although the average golden retriever’s life expectancy is 10-12 years, some dogs can live much longer than that.

The oldest golden retriever in the world was Augie. She lived in Tennessee and passed away at the age of 20 years and 11 months.

17. There Are Three Types of Golden Retrievers

Golden retrievers come in three types: Canadian, English, and American. These golden retriever types make equally excellent companions but slightly differ visually.

Canadian golden retrievers have a darker fur and less feathering on legs than English and American goldens.

Only the English golden retriever standard allows cream color. Lastly, an American golden retriever can be recognized by a wavy, rich red coat.

18. They Have Webbed Toes

Here’s one of the most surprising facts about golden retrievers – they have webbed feet, similar to ducks or frogs.

This unusual trait allows them to swim faster and retrieve birds from water more efficiently.

19. They Are Among the Most Intelligent Breeds

Researchers have ranked golden retrievers as the fourth most intelligent dog breed, following German shepherds, border collies, and poodles.

20. They Don’t Respond Well to Punishment

Golden retrievers quickly learn commands when they receive rewards but don’t respond well to punishment.

In fact, physical punishment can have the opposite effect, causing a golden to fear the owner and misbehave.

21. Presidents Love Golden Retrievers

Not only American citizens admire golden retrievers but also American presidents.

President Gerald Ford had a golden retriever Liberty, and President Ronald Raegan had a golden Victory – names worthy presidential dogs.

22. They Can Suffer from Separation Anxiety

Golden retrievers are sociable dogs that hate being alone. They genuinely suffer when their favorite human isn’t around and can develop separation anxiety.

Goldens with separation anxiety may bark and cry for hours, destroy furniture, and have potty accidents.

23. They Are Obedience Champs

According to American Kennel Club, golden retrievers are among the most trainable dog breeds.

Golden retrievers may appear goofy at times, but they always obey commands and are eager to please the owner.

24. They Hold a Record for The Loudest Bark

The Guinness world record for the loudest bark belongs to a golden retriever Charlie from Adelaide.

He barked at an astounding 113.1 decibels, an equivalent of a live music concert.

25. But They Don’t Bark a Lot

Despite holding the Guinness world record for the loudest bark, golden retrievers are among the quietest dog breeds.

They don’t bark a lot because otherwise, they would scare off fowl while hunting. So, if a golden retriever barks, that’s usually for a good reason.

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