5 Interesting Facts about Short Haired Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are friendly, devoted, and intelligent dogs widely known all over the world. These dogs were created from breeding a Yellow Flat-Coated Retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel, which has been extinct since the late 1990s. Golden Retrievers have many of their iconic characteristics, from feathered fur on their tails to a wedge-shaped skull and feathered fur on the front legs and not on the back.

However, there is no such thing as a short-haired golden retriever, and it’s only that some golden retrievers have shorter hair than others do. Although you might be tempted to turn your regular golden retriever into a short-haired one, this could put their health at risk and also ruin their beautiful coats. They are a medium-sized breed that originated from Scotland, and they are an ideal family pet because of their fun-loving behavior and good temperament.

With all that is impressive about this breed, it is no surprise that there are some interesting facts about this breed. Learn more about this breed with our collection of the most interesting Golden retriever facts.

Which Types Of Golden Retrievers Have Shorter Hair?

As mentioned earlier, there is only one breed of golden retriever, but there are some variations that come with this breed. One of the common variations of this breed is the field golden retriever that is also referred to as a field-bred golden retriever.

This type is bred for working and hunting in the field as they are loyal, athletic, and driven. They tend to have a darker color, and they also have shorter coats. On the other hand, there are other types called show golden retrievers. Unlike field golden retrievers that are bred because of their personality, the show golden retrievers are bred for their looks and temperament.

This type of golden retriever is bred as what most people think to be a standard of golden retrievers with their flowy, long, and golden coat. They also have shorter coats. Lastly, there are companion golden retrievers that are specifically bred for shows or work in the field. They can have shorter coats too, but only if you know how to find them.

All Golden Retrievers shed their fur throughout the year. They shed moderately throughout the year and heavily in fall and spring as they prepare their coats for the summer’s warm temperature. However, short-haired golden retrievers are said to shed a bit less than those with long hair but with a good dog shampoo, then shedding will be reduced for all the types of Golden Retrievers.

With that being said, here are the five interesting facts about these short-haired golden retrievers.

1. Golden Retrievers Are Good Therapy Dogs

Golden retrievers are often used as therapy dogs because they calm and soothe people. These dogs tend to give out unconditional love and reserves of empathy. They are known to comfort and calm anyone, from elderly people to young children.

This is partly because they are highly trainable. Therapy and service dogs must be trained to do the important tasks for people with mental conditions. They are also used as guide dogs, medical alert dogs, hearing dogs, and more.

2. Short Haired Golden Retrievers Often Stay Young at Heart

These dogs are attractive and will remain young at heart, even past puppyhood. The exuberant puppy behavior tends to last a bit longer in Golden Retrievers compared to other breeds. They can be playful and silly even in their adulthood as they tend to mature slowly.

However, they have a fast growth rate, and they grow at approximately 5% to 10% larger every week. They reach their full adult size at 18 months, where males are about 24 inches tall at the shoulder while females are about 23 inches tall.

Having a life span of between 12 and 14 years, as well as their slow mature, the Golden Retrievers will be around to give you company for a longer time, unlike other breeds. Furthermore, their coat in different shades of gold is quite attractive.

However, their coat color tends to change as they age. First, they will become darker, and a permanent color will start to appear at the age of 12 weeks. Sometimes their fur becomes lighter, and they are also quite calm as they grow older.

3. Golden Retrievers Love to Eat

Golden retrievers like to eat, and they will eat anything from food in their feeding bowls to paper and toys. Unfortunately, they also love to overeat, which is important for owners to limit the food and treats they give them.

Like other retrievers, golden retrievers also like to carry something around as they move around, for example, toys, sticks or whatever they will find down. In addition, they are soft-mouthed, which is a useful characteristic for a hunting dog.

With their love to eat and soft mouth, Golden Retrievers dog owners should be prepared to give their canine friends plenty of chew toys to ensure they don’t damage their socks, shoes, furniture, and other household items.

Luckily, the trainable nature of Goldens means that you can easily divert their soft mouth to chewable treats like bones, but when someone is watching them. As with all breeds with anxiety-prone dogs, Golden Retrievers are most likely to take their frustrations on the nearest item. This means that with high-quality natural dog treats and extra love and supervision, these dogs can go a long way.

4. Short Haired Goldens Tend to Shine in Event Competitions

Golden Retrievers were first developed for hunters. The main goal was to develop a dog breed that has an outstanding sense of smell to make it a more attentive hunting companion than any of the animals that were being used at the time.

However, as much as these dogs are exceptional hunters, they also shine in competitions like dock diving, agility, obedience and more. This is because a lot of the features that make Golden Retriever a desirable hunter will also make them athletic naturally.

They have muscular bodies, powerful necks, and broad heads, which make them highly energetic and strong. They also have good stamina and love to catch and chase other animals. However, the athletic nature of these dogs also means that they need lots of exercise on a daily basis.

Furthermore, short-haired golden retrievers are excellent options for search and rescue operations, thanks to their sharp sense of smell and intelligence. Their hardworking and attentive nature allows them to focus and follow their noses where they lead.

When the 9/11 attacks happened, Golden Retrievers was one of the 300 hero dogs that helped in search and rescue operations. They worked tirelessly to find the body of the victims.

5. Golden Retrievers are Among the Top Three Most Popular Dogs in the U.S

Although their popularity may fluctuate, this breed has been in the top ten list of popular dogs in the U.S. for decades now. They have most recently been marked as number three out of 195 other dog breeds. Their cousins Labrador Retrievers have held the number one spot of the most popular dogs for 28 years.

From their loyalty to easy trainability and love for people, the Golden Retrieves are one of the most beloved dog breeds around the U.S. and also around the world.