Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs and families all over the world love Goldens. The Golden Retriever is recognized by the American Kennel Club in the US. The Golden Retriever is popular as a disability assistance dog such as being a guide dog for the blind and a hearing dog for the deaf.
In addition, they are trained to be a hunting dog, a detection dog, and a search and rescue participant. The breed’s friendly, gentle temperament means it is unsuited to being a professional guard dog, but its temperament has also made it the third-most popular family dog breed in the United States.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL GOLDEN RETRIEVER DAY
While the holiday itself only began in 2012, Golden Retrievers have a long and storied history starting all the way back in Scotland in the mid-19th century. Here’s a quick dip into the origins of this beloved canine.
A need for the breed arose when common hunting dogs of the day were proving inadequate for retrieving felled game over land and water. Guns had improved by the early 1800s, so Scottish hunters were shooting from much greater distances over swampy marshland and finding their dogs were losing or maiming their precious birds. They needed a dog with a soft mouth and excellent fetching capabilities, so they bred their best water spaniels with retrievers, and voila! The first Golden Retriever was born.
Nowadays, Golden Retrievers have evolved well beyond retrieving felled fowl. Not only do they make great disability assistance dogs, but they also specialize in detection and search and rescue efforts due to their stellar sniffing abilities. Their patience and gentleness makes them perfect for children or hectic households.
National Golden Retriever Day was founded when a woman named Kristen Shroyer realized there was no day set as a tribute for these dogs. She set the date, March 3, as the birthday of her late Golden, Quincy, who was sadly lost to cancer at only 7 years old.
In modern times, you might recognize Goldens in famous roles movies like Air Bud, Homeward Bound, and Napoleon. And as recently as 2019, a Golden Retriever named Kira went viral for saving two dogs trapped in frozen ice, fetching them and rounding them up for her owner, all captured on video. They truly are a one-of-a-kind breed!
3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GOLDENS
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They crave an active lifestyle
They are best suited to a life where someone is home during the day, and this way, you can both get some great exercise.
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Golden Retrievers have two layers of fur
The inner layer is to stay warm, and the outer layer is to keep water off.
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Golden Retrievers’ fur darkens as they age
Similar to many humans, Golden Retrievers are born with light-colored hair that darkens as they age.
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They’re “pack-oriented” dogs
Goldens are most comfortable around groups or families, and are loyal and trusting to them their whole life.
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They’re one of the easiest dog breeds to train
One of the reasons they’re so popular is that they’re so easy to train—perfect for novice dog owners.
NATIONAL GOLDEN RETRIEVER DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | February 3 | Wednesday |
| 2022 | February 3 | Thursday |
| 2023 | February 3 | Friday |
| 2024 | February 3 | Saturday |
| 2025 | February 3 | Monday |
