15 Fun Facts About Golden Retrievers People Can't Resist

Maybe I have a strong bias given the fact that my family dog is mixed with this breed, but I firmly believe it is difficult to find a better dog than a Golden Retriever.

Goldens are one of the top dog breeds in the world, ranked usually within the top 10. In 2023, the breed was listed as the third most popular breed by the American Kennel Club, behind only the Frenchie and the Labrador Retriever.

While there are a million and one well-known reasons to love a Golden Retriever, from their playful personality to their adorable smile, there are some other fun facts you might not know about these lovable pups.

15 Reasons to Love Golden Retrievers

Add these to support your "Why We Need a Golden Retriever " persuasive essay to your family or spouse.

1. They're presidential.

Did you know that two U.S. presidents have proudly had Golden Retrievers in the White House ? President Gerald Ford was well-known for his beloved pup named Liberty, who eventually gave birth to a baby, Misty. Ronald Reagan also had a Golden named Victory.

2. They're still relatively new.

The first litter of Goldens was born in 1868 in the Scottish Highlands to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, and every Golden Retriever can trace their lineage back to that litter . Marjoribanks bred Flat-Coated Retrievers with Tweed Water Spaniels, and the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1913.

3. They're incredibly intelligent.

Goldens are known for being smart pups, but did you know they're actually one of the top breeds for intelligence? Ranked at number four in Forbes' list of the 20 most intelligent dogs , Goldens come only behind Border Collies, Poodles, and German Shepherds.

4. Puppy ears are linked to adult coloring.

If you have a Golden Retriever puppy and you want to know what he or she might look like when they're full grown, some say all you have to do is look at their ears! It is said that the darker color of pups' ears will most likely match their adult coloring .

5. They're wonderful service and therapy dogs.

According to U.S. Service Animals , Golden Retrievers are incredible at learning to guide and comfort humans. The breed is a popular choice for seeing-eye dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and therapy dogs. Their loving personality is a much-needed characteristic for a service animal.

6. Their mouths are incredibly soft.

Want a dog who's extra gentle with your little ones? Goldens are known for having extremely gentle and soft mouths. Chances are, you've heard the myth that they can carry a raw egg in their mouths without breaking it! This is true and was helpful in the breed's hunting days when they had to carry birds back to their humans without causing damage.

7. They save lives.

There have been dozens of national news stories of Goldens saving human lives, so it's no surprise that the breed is often used for rescue and service dog work. Their intelligence helps them to train quickly and perform on sites of disaster. In 2023, two Golden Retrievers saved the lives of five boys when they were caught in a riptide at an Italian beach.

8. They were in one of the first-ever posts on Instagram.

Instagram has been around for so long that it can be difficult to remember a time without it. Believe it or not, Golden Retrievers were part of that monumental day in history: the first Instagram posts. While it is debated which photo came first, founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Kriger both posted pics on July 16th, 2010. While Mike's was of a harbor, Kevin's was of his Golden Retriever.

9. Their coats are water-repellent.

These pups were bred to bring back waterfowl to hunters, so it's no surprise that their coats were made to work in and out of the water. Golden Retrievers have a two-layered water-repellent coat , with a sleek outer layer and a soft inner layer for warmth.

10. There are three types.

Nope, there's not just one kind! While very similar, English, Canadian, and American Golden Retrievers have some small differences between them. English Goldens are short and stocky, and Americans are lankier with longer coats. Canadian Goldens, meanwhile, are tall, lean, and typically darker-colored.

11. They might experience depression.

It's no surprise that dogs have been found to feel emotion , but Golden Retrievers specifically have been said to experience intense disorders like depression or anxiety. The breed's bond with humans is extremely close, and these feelings can come to light as behaviors like nervousness or aggression.

12. They weren't always called Golden Retrievers.

Before the pups were officially named "Golden Retrievers" in 1920 , the breed was titled "Yellow or Golden Retriever" in order to differentiate it from its flat-coated retriever ancestor.

13. One of the heaviest Golden Retrievers was over 150 pounds.

While they typically weigh anywhere from 55 to 75 pounds, Goldens mixed with other breeds can weigh more, especially when mixed with large breeds. The largest Golden allegedly ever recorded was a male named Kai, who weighed in at a whopping 170 pounds . Today, Kai is only 70 pounds and is living a healthy, happy life!

14. One was appointed as town mayor.

This is the definition of a "good boy." Maximum Mighty-Dog Mueller II was sworn in as the second mayor of an unincorporated area of Idyllwild–Pine Cove in California. The land has no local government so of course, local townspeople voted for pets to be the next mayor. Maximum finished the term for Max, the recently elected canine mayor who had just passed away. Sweet Maximus passed away at the age of 9 in July of 2022 after serving for nearly his entire life.

15. Next year is their 100th Kennel Club birthday.

In November of 1925, the first Golden Retriever was registered with the American Kennel Club. This means November 2025 will signal the 100th official year of Golden Retrievers in the U.S.! We'd better start planning that celebration ASAP.

If you weren't convinced enough to add a Golden Retriever to your family, then this list should definitely be enough to make you say, "Absolutely, yes." You just can't top them!