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10 Things you Didn’t Know about the Golden Retriever

golden retriever

They are one of the most popular dogs in the world, and it’s because they are beautiful and make such great family dogs. The Golden retriever is a beautiful breed, and it gets along well with anyone. Playful and fun, sweet and affectionate, this is a dog that is loyal to a fault and that makes your life so much more enjoyable. It’s a wonderful animal and we just can’t get over how much this dog makes a family feel even more complete. They are patient and intelligent, beautiful and fun and they love being active which means your entire family is about to get a little bit healthier since you’re going to be outside a bit more often. This is a beautiful dog and we are just so excited to share with you some surprising facts and little known details about the breed. You might know some if you know anything about the Golden retriever, but we bet we have a few fun facts that might just surprise you.

It was a First Dog

It’s always fun when a breed has its own first dog. President Ford was a Golden retriever owner who had one in the White House when he served as president. The dog was aptly named Liberty, and she was a fan favorite when the president was in the position. She even had her own litter of puppies right inside the white house. Though we still think things far more scandalous have happened in and around the white house over the years.

It’s Very Popular

According to the American Kennel Club, the Golden retriever is the third most popular dog in the country. This is because it is so friendly, easy and well-behaved. A dog with this much physical appeal, this much to offer and with this much common sense is something that people just love, and this is a breed that is no different. People adore the Golden retriever, and it’s because it’s a dog worth adoring.

The Real Name

If we told you that the name Golden retriever was not the name these dogs were originally born with, would you believe us? The name was changed because the original name was just not that good. A golden flat coat sounds more like a type of paint than a dog breed, so someone decide to change the name. Actually, that’s not why they decided to change the name, but you get what we are saying so you know what we mean.

They’re Popular Assistance Dogs

It might not seem strange to see this dog leading the blind and helping those who need assistance. These are some of the most popular dogs just for this line of work because they are so smart. They are loyal, smart and they pick up on things very quickly, so you know that they are going to be dogs that can do the job with honor. The intelligence and physicality of these dogs were created when they were hunting dogs, but they are the same features that do make them such wonderful help dogs, too.

They Weren’t Recognized Right Away

Despite the fact that they are a dog that was brought into the country a long time ago, the American Kennel Club did not recognize this breed officially until 1925. People loved the breed from the start, but that did not change the fact that it was still a breed that did not gain official recognition for quite some time. Blame the AKC, though, and not the people. It wasn’t their choice.

They Are So Obedient

The American Kennel Club recognizes and honors dogs all the time, and the first three dogs that were ever recognized for their obedience in these dog shows were all Golden retrievers. It’s not a big surprise. This is a good dog with a great sense of accomplishment, an eager to please personality and a lot of intelligence. This goes to show that these are dogs that make great pets, and that they are very obedient when they are trained and taught correctly.

It was a Hunting Dog

Did you know that the Golden retriever was originally bred as a hunting dog? It’s not a fact that many people know, but it is where the breed gets the retriever portion of its name. This is a breed that is not commonly used for its original purposes anymore, but it’s okay considering the fact that so many people have these dogs more so as pets than anything else.

It’s a Smart Dog

Dogs are, by nature, very intelligent animals. This dog, however, is one of the most intelligent. In fact, it gets the record as being the fourth smartest breed of all, which is a big accomplishment and it speaks very highly to the fact that these dogs are so popular with families. They’re easy to train, they are very affectionate and they are very well-behaved because they are such good animals that do have a keen sense of intelligence.

The Man Behind the Retriever

If we told you that the man who created this breed went by the name Lord Tweedmouth, would you even believe us for a second? Well, it’s the truth. This is the name of the name that did create this breed, and it’s not a joke. Sometime in the mid to late 1800s, Lord Tweedmouth bred two dogs (one of which is a breed that is now extinct) to create this breed. It’s a dog from Scotland, and this is a true story.

Keen Sense of Smell

This is a breed with a good nose. In fact, you have no idea how good a nose this dog has. It’s considered one of the best in the dog world, and it’s because the dog can smell just about anything, anywhere at any time. We said earlier it was once a hunting dog, and this just so happens to be one of the traits that hunting dogs require, so it does make sense that they would be able to smell just about anything at any time.

Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for the American Kennel Club

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