Fun Retriever Facts For Kids

Akinwalere Olaleye
Oct 20, 2022 By Akinwalere Olaleye
Originally Published on Aug 06, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Informative and fun retriever facts for dog lovers.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 8.8 Min

The species of retrievers are known best for gun dogs as they are used to retrieve birds and other small animals while shooting and hunting parties. Giving training to Golden Retrievers is very easy as they grasp the basic instructions very fast and can be taught some obedience manners. They love playing in the water. They are double-coated dogs where the inner coat provides enough warmth to them and the outer coat repels the water. It is fun seeing this breed of dog retrieving.

They are well-groomed pets and require grooming almost all days as they shed copiously. They mainly shed when there is a change in season. They are trained to become a hunting dog or a detection dog and may help in finding something from the clues and scents as their smelling power is strong. This breed of popular dog is recognized by the  American Kennel Club (AKC). These dog species have also become the breed to beat at dog sports for agility and obedience competitions, even at national levels.

For more relatable content, check out these Golden Cocker Retriever facts and Australian Retriever facts for kids.

Retriever Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a retriever?

The species of Golden Retriever is a type of dog and are known for their sports. This dog sports a lot of activities and are also called rescue dogs. They find birds and bring them back to their owners without harming them. It is one of the most popular breeds of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

What class of animal does a retriever belong to?

Golden Retrievers are of class Mammalia and phylum Chordata. Labrador Retrievers are also of the same class and phylum and were originally bred in the country of Scotland.

How many retrievers are there in the world?

Golden Retrievers have a huge population all over the world. They are around 78 million in number, United States itself has nearly 7,00,000- 8,00,000 retriever breeds. These dogs (Golden Retrievers) are wide in range.

Where does a retriever live?

In this era, this dog breed of Golden Retrievers are mostly kept as pets so they are well versed with the human surroundings, they can inhabit almost all types of homey environments. These rescue dogs, or Golden Retrievers, are not suitable for cold weather, their life would become difficult if taken to cold surroundings.

What is a retriever's habitat?

Goldens are made for all types of surroundings, they do not need any particular type of environment. Retriever adjusts in all home conditions except for the cold ones as discussed earlier. They are flat-coated but still cold environment is not suitable for them. They can easily reside in homes, shelters or gardens.

Who do retrievers live with?

Golden Retriever is generally kept as a pet, so it lives with its owner and also they like being around children, other pets, and other adult family members.

How long does a retriever live?

Golden Retrievers live for around 10-12 years. Till then you can enjoy your life with these retrievers.

How do they reproduce

Golden Retriever dogs breed through sexual reproduction. Mating takes place between both males and females, and at once females can give birth to around eight Golden Retriever puppies. The gestation period is of 57-63 days and after the puppies are born both parents should keep them safe from other big animals.

What is their conservation status?

The breed of Golden Retrievers is listed as Least Concern by IUCN. Goldens are not hard to find as they are available at almost all places and the majority of people keep them as pets. So they are huge in population maybe even more than the Labrador Retriever.

Retriever Fun Facts

What do retrievers look like?

Golden Retrievers (goldens) are medium in size around 22 -27.2 in (55.8-69 cm). They are strong, as well as muscular with a double coat of fur on their body which is water repellant. This breed's dog has a furry tail and are full of energy. Their broad forehead, shiny eyes, short ears, sharp teeth in their mouth, and muzzles are the hallmarks of this dog breed. Golden Retriever is a well-built energetic dog with long and golden hair which gives the breed its name. They are the most recognized breed of American Kennel Club (AKC). Proper care should be taken of golden's health by the owners. They have a very friendly and calm nature towards everyone and that's why this breed is mostly kept as pets. Golden Retriever puppies should be given proper training to match their natural abilities. These hunting dogs are also known as family dogs because they live very freely with members of the family whether they are adults or children.

Retrievers have different coat colors, and brown, white, gold, and cream are the common ones.

How cute are they?

Golden Retriever dogs are very cute and are called family dogs because most people keep them as pets. The puppy is even cuter as its golden or cream coat color makes it super cute and adorable. These dog breeds are extremely sweet in nature and become comfortable with everyone. Giving training to them is quite easy.

How do they communicate?

Goldens use vocalizations and gestures to communicate, as Golden Retrievers can cry, bark, howl, or whimper to express and make others understand what they are trying to convey. They bark, nod their head or move their tail for better communication. These gestures help when hunting or during any retrieving game.

How big is a retriever?

Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retriever is of medium size and is 22 -27.2 in (55.8-69 cm) in length. It is 10 times bigger than a Finnish Lapphund.

How fast can a retriever run?

Golden Retrievers are very fast and good runners. Their fit and muscular body help them in running fast while hunting, and doing exercise for a long time. Goldens dog breeds speed is recorded at 35 mph (56.3 kph). They should get enough exercise to keep them strong and not lazy. Grooming, and proper exercise will give them the stamina to increase their speed even more. When running or doing exercise for long-duration their speed automatically become slow.

How much does a retriever weigh?

When it comes to weight, goldens or Labrador Retriever, or Golden Retriever are quite heavy. Generally, they weigh around 60-80 lb (27-36 kg), as registered by the AKC national breed club.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retriever canine belong from the Canidae family and have no different names for the male or female species of retriever. The male is called a dog and the female is known as bitch.

What would you call a baby retriever?

A baby Golden Retriever is called a puppy and are a very cute breed of dog. If there's any problem during the pregnancy period of a female retriever dog, the owner should take it to the vet as soon as possible preventing any other health issue.

What do they eat?

Golden Retrievers are omnivores and their diet contains food like rats, mice, birds, and other meaty foods. They are also capable of eating dairy products, bread, and even fruits. These dogs catch the prey with their mouth and then eat it.

Are they slobbery?

Yes, the Golden Retriever dog is a bit slobbery and drools moderately if provided with proper training. They do not have major drooling issues.

Would they make a good pet?

A Golden Retriever would make the best pet if you are searching for a pet from the retriever breed of dogs. You should not forget about this breed when thinking of having a dog as a pet. The AKC has majorly recognized the breed of Golden Retrievers (goldens) as not dangerous and good family dogs. The puppy is even more cute to keep as a pet but proper care should be taken especially regarding health problems. Whenever dogs deal with any health issue take them to the vet.

Did you know...

Goldens have a keen interest in water and would love to jump in a lake or pond whenever and wherever they see one. Their dog sports involve searching for the missing ones, and they are also known as search dogs as they have good tracking abilities. Golden Retrievers are very fast in sensing something and are also awarded with the title of 'fourth smartest dog'. These dogs are also known as the AKC national breed club member.

These canines are also capable of taking care of a cat and are very affectionate dogs. Golden Retrievers are the third most popular breed of dogs who are popular on social media. Golden Retrievers are athletic and energetic dogs that excel at sports and other canine activities.

Different types of retriever

The retriever breed includes Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Curly-coated Retriever, Flat-coated Retriever, and Chesapeake Bay Retriever, of which Golden Retrievers are the most well-known.

There are mainly three types of Golden Retriever registered by the AKC national breed club. It includes English Golden Retriever, Canadian Golden Retriever, and American Golden Retriever. The differences between the three are below.

English Golden Retriever: this breed has a broad head and a short muzzle. The chest is a bit deeper than the other two, Canadian and American. They also have short legs compared to the other two and are quite heavy in weight as compared with other retrievers.

Canadian Golden Retriever: this breed has different coat color from the other two and is large in size and taller than England goldens. They have a darker color coat and have a well-maintained physique than the other retrievers.

American Golden Retriever: this breed does not have many features to describe. They are less sturdy and are slimmer than the English and Canadian Retrievers. Their fur is much brighter and has shades of shiny gold. They have dense waterproof outer cover as this breed of dogs loves to play in water, ponds, and lakes and are very active.

Getting your own retriever

Getting a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever would cost around $500-$3,000 in general, or sometimes even more depending on the breed. Owning a dog as a pet can be quite fun as they are adorable and are good company. If you own a golden or Labrador Retriever it is really very important for you to keep it clean and hygienic. Proper grooming is required for these dogs, you have to take care when they want to breed, proper availability of food and water should be made for them. If you have a puppy as a pet then keep in mind to make them wear something warm so that they don't catch a cold easily same can be applied to the adult retriever also. It is very easy to train them as they are highly obedient. Also, they need regular brushing and trimming every four to six weeks to keep shedding under control and maintain good health.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Alaskan Husky fun facts and bloodhound facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Golden Retriever coloring pages.

Retriever Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Small animals and birds

What Type of Animal were they?

Omnivores

Average Litter Size?

6-8 pups

How Much Did They Weigh?

60-80 lb (27-36 kg)

What habitat Do they Live In?

suburban or country environments and homes as pets

Where Do They Live?

united states, australia, asia, europe

How Long Were They?

N/A

How Tall Were They?

22 -27.2 in (55.8-69 cm)

Class

Mammal

Genus

Canis

Family

Canidae

Scientific Name

Canis lupus familiaris

What Do They Look Like?

Gold, white, cream, brown

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

major health issues

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Akinwalere Olaleye

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Akinwalere Olaleye picture

Akinwalere OlaleyeBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State. 

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