Are Golden Retrievers Smart?

Since Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds, a common question you’ll encounter is: “Are Golden Retrievers Smart?” No, Golden Retrievers are not smart. They are downright intelligent. Considered an exceptional working dog created through the meticulous breedings of the Tweed Spaniels, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Wavy Coated Retrievers by  Dudley Majoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth from the Scottish Highlands, this breed of dog has excelled in any line of work they have been given. They sniff out bombs, assist the blind and disabled, roam hallways of nursing homes providing comfort, are top-notch at winning obedience and agility shows, broken records for holding five tennis balls in their mouths, and win the hearts of dog lovers worldwide.

Before scrolling down this article “Are Golden Retrievers Smart,” check out similar questions to fulfil your curiosity: How Smart Are Chihuahuas and Are Goldendoodles Smart Dogs?

Varieties of a Golden Retriever

There are three varieties of a Golden Retriever: American, English, and Canadian. Canadian Golden Retrievers are taller with a shorter, thinner, less feathery coat, while the English variety is featherier, creamier, and has a more powerful forequarter. Then there is the American breed that has a more slender build than the other two with a darker golden-colored coat and lighter eyes. Throughout the three varieties, though, the loving, affectionate, playful temperament is equal. Goldens are motivated by food and an eagerness to please, so the best training approach is through their bellies with treats.

Rewarding Your Golden Retriever

Reward and repetition with patience and persistence will get you a long way with a Golden Retriever. In the end, you and your family will be rewarded with a well-mannered dog. Just like humans, puppies are always watching those around them and learning from their surroundings, so even at a young age, they are being “trained.” This is why it is crucial to visit breeders you are looking to buy from to make sure they treat their dogs humanely and are using methods to socialize the puppies from the moment of birth. Good influences equal positive behaviors. Look into the breeders below and find out how they are working with their puppies before moving onto new homes.

Get started in advance with our Golden Retriever product recommendations:  Best Non-Prescription Diabetic Dog Foods.

1. Royal River Retrievers

First on the list of Golden Retriever breeders is “Royal River Retrievers.” Since 2013, after continuous education, volunteering, being active in dog clubs, and learning from fellow breeder mentors, the owner of Royal River Retrievers, Sandra Walton, has placed her heart and soul into breeding the finest, well-balanced AKC standards in Golden Retrievers. Her three traits emphasized upon are temperament, health, and structure. Spelled out on her website are her goals to continue her education to become a master breeder while also using her knowledge to educate the public on the Golden Retriever breed and what a lifelong commitment involves when adding a dog into everyday life.

Sandy intends to produce golden retrievers who excel in agility, obedience, tracking, hunting, and companionship. Royal River Retrievers is located on a beautiful 2 acres of the 23 square miles that make up Yarmouth, Maine. It is a small breeding kennel that compliments the small 8500 count population of this quaint little town. This is a family-run operation where everyone is involved in the socialization and rearing of the puppies born here in clean environments with proper stimulation methods. She strives to give all of her dogs the opportunities to live healthy, happy lives in any way possible.

All her dogs have AKC registration, have passed health screenings, and have a number at Canine Health Information Center, as well as certifications at OFA. Contact Sandy anytime and know that she is very selective in the homes she chooses to place her puppies at eight weeks old after temperament tests and evaluations of show prospects are finalized. Puppies are priced at $3,500 with a non-refundable $500 deposit once your application is approved. How can you get on Royal River’s waitlist?  Go to the website to fill out a puppy questionnaire, supply references, interview Sandy, and then wait for her approval. Make sure you are well educated on the breed and her requirements for prospective families.

Royal River Retrievers Details

• Location: Yarmouth, ME 04096
• Website: Royal River Goldens
• Telephone: (207) 807-0093
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Royal River Retrievers

2. Tangleloft Goldens

Though Tangleloft Goldens’ website is quite simple, many can be learned from the story, expressed from the copious amounts of professional and candid pictures available. The picture story also explains that breeder Lindsay McDowell is selective in her breedings only to produce champion quality Golden Retrievers. Her waitlist is 18-24 months because she believes in quality breeding rather than mass-producing. Quality comes first, which means that much thought, analysis of pedigrees, and patience goes into who she breeds together and when. Reviews have described Lindsay as honest, upfront, open to all buyers of her dogs coming back to her with questions, and being a pleasure to buy Goldens from.

When your puppy goes home with you at eight weeks of age, you will sign a contract that Lindsay wishes you to be very familiar with. She uses a Bio that she requests you send in to choose which puppy goes to which home by their temperaments she feels fits with prospective owners’ lifestyles and home environments. No puppies will be sold for breeding, there is a spay and neuter contract, and no puppies will be sold to show homes. They will only be sold to be loving and loved members of the family.

Tangleloft Goldens Details

• Location: Sturbridge, MA
• Website: Tangleloft Goldens
• Telephone: (413) 668-8922
• Email: [email protected]

3. Salty Dogs Goldens

Salty Dogs Goldens is a unique type of breeding program in which it utilizes a collaboration effort with Ciarfella’s Labs and Goldens. These two family-owned businesses mentor one another and work on perfecting the outstanding qualities in Golden Retrievers they co-own together. Their pedigree lines have fused into one, and this allows each Golden puppy to possess strong bloodlines and receive even more personal attention in the raising process. Guardians for future breeders are also used to enable the dogs to be raised by loving families at eight weeks old until they are old enough to be bred. Then after they are retired, they are placed back with the same family who raised them. These Guardians have also become an extended part of the breeder family, sometimes raising litters under Salty Dogs breeders’ careful eye.

Head breeder Lynn Saunders is continually educating herself to increase the knowledge she uses to breed her litters. She has completed Veterinary Assistant and Canine Theriogenology courses. For 11 years, many generations of Goldens have called Salty Dogs their home and have gotten the opportunity to experience mountain living and coastal living. Puppies are socialized and are adapted to everyday sounds and experiences from these living experiences. Training begins quite early, and by six weeks old, Salty Dog puppies are litter box trained, come to a whistle, and know where their sleeping quarters are situated.

The waitlist is the best way to get in line for a Salty Dog Golden but know that they fill up fast as word of mouth has gotten around on the fantastic quality of dog received through this reputable breeder. These Golden Retrievers have also been donated into the A.C.T.S (Assistance Canine Training Service) program to provide therapy service, which delivers even more proof they are breeding the correct temperament into their dogs.

Once accepted onto the waitlist, the first of two $500 non-refundable deposits will be required, which shows the breeder the seller’s genuine interest in buying a puppy. The second deposit of $500 is required once puppies have arrived and will be put towards the final $3,200 price, along with the first deposit. Selection of your puppy will happen around six weeks, and then at eight weeks, they will be ready to come home with you along with limited AKC registration, first vaccines, a vet certified health certificate, and a puppy “to-go” bag. All reviews express these dogs are worth the wait but don’t wait much longer to get that coveted spot on the list.

Salty Dogs Goldens Details

• Location: Maine and New Hampshire
• Website: Salty Dog Goldens
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Salty Dogs Golden Retrievers Puppies

4. Windy Knolls Goldens

Last on the list of Golden Retriever breeders is “Windy Knolls Goldens.” Nestled in the quiet Maine countryside is the Windy Knolls Goldens Moore’s family breeding outfit where Golden Retrievers can be observed exercising, playing, and lazily lounging about these luscious acres. Exceptional temperament and genetics are Moore’s breeding goals to provide the public with Golden Retriever companions that become cherished family members. Every member makes a team effort of the Moore family to oversee each litter of puppies‘ caretaking properly. In addition, each puppy is raised with Bio-sensor

Therapy, also known as Early Neurological Stimulation, provides a superior advantage on the impact of the neurological system earlier on in their lives. Benefits the puppy receives with this type of stimulation therapy include; growing with more disease resistance, having the ability to tolerate stress more efficiently, and cultivating an improved cardiovascular system. Clicking the “Reserve Now” button shows your interest in providing a home to a new, limited AKC registered Windy Knolls Golden Retriever. All requests to obtain a waitlist position are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Your puppy will be held with a non-refundable $500 deposit and then applied to the final price of $2,900 plus tax. This price is the same whether you choose to go with an American Golden, American, and English Golden, or an English Cream Golden. In addition, there is an option to sign up for “Pick of the Litter” with an additional $200. Make sure you are familiar with Windy Knolls Puppy Sales contract and that you agree to purchase NuVet Plus Nutritional Supplements and pawTree dog food for the first two years of your puppy’s life. If you agree with the contract terms, make your move to get in touch and get your spot on the list.

Windy Knolls Goldens Details

• Location: Bangor, Maine
• Website: Windy Knoll Goldens
• Telephone: (802) 265-0222
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Windy Knoll Goldens

Conclusion For “Are Golden Retrievers Smart”

No matter the breed, puppies need their exercise and training to grow to be wonderful adult dogs. The breeders mentioned above start training and socializing early to give their Golden Retrievers a head start, but that needs to continue after the puppies are taken to their new homes. Every puppy requires time, effort, and attention put into their training. Even in adulthood, training keeps the dog mentally challenged, occupied, and given a “job” to avoid destructive behaviors. So don’t forget to train often and throughout their lives to have a well-rounded and well-mannered dog by your side.

If you enjoy reading about Golden Retrievers, check out our other guides to help you out:

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• Best Mini Golden Retriever Breeders in the United States

To see how smart these dogs are, watch “Super Smart Puppy – 4 Month Old Golden Retriever Puppy” from Golden Pup Charlie down below: