Being the 3rd most popular family dog breed in the United States, Golden retrievers are one of the most lovable and obedient breeds out there. They are great for families with children and typically love everyone equally whether it be strangers or people who they are familiar with. Since they are so gentle and trusting, this does not make them great guard dogs. 

Golden retrievers were first used as wildfowl hunting dogs in Scotland in the mid 19th century and were only typically used by wealthy Scottish men. They found that Golden Retrievers were better for hunting due to their love for the water, their long, thick coat that kept them warm and their gentle hold on the game. 

 Since Golden retrievers are quick and easy learners, they are often used as guide dogs for blind people, drug or bomb sniffing at airports or natural disaster/ water rescues. Golden retrievers are all around great dogs for performing obedience, agility, dock jumping, flyball, and field trials. Jack Daniels the Golden retriever even won best in sporting group in 2019’s National Dog Show and is the top-rated Golden retriever by the American Kennel Club. 

 The coats on Golden retrievers are long and need to be maintained regularly so that it does not tangle or cause dreads. The undercoat sheds about twice a year due to the season changing around spring and fall. Since they have floppy ears, they should have their ears cleaned regularly to avoid infection.