The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has seen dog ownership soar to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Golden Retriever – they were one of the UK’s 10 most popular dog breeds in 2020 and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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5. Famous fans
Other famous faces over the years who have owned Golden Retrievers include Denise Richards (Tucker), Diane Keaton (Emmie), Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield (Ren), Jackie Chan (JJ and Jones), Jimmy Fallon (Gary) and Neymar (Poker). Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Playful pups
Most Golden Retriever owners will agree that their pets behave like puppies well into adulthood. There's a scientific reason for this - Golden Retrievers mature more slowly than most breeds of dog. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. A very useful dog
The Golden Retriever excels in numerous roles, due to it's combination of intelligence and good nature. They are popular as guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, hunting dogs, detection dogs, and a search and rescue dogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Going viral
In 2019 a Golden Retriever called Kira went viral on the internet when a video appeared of her helping her owner to breaking through ice and rescuing two dogs who were stranded in a frozen lake. The clip was watched over 100 million times in a week. Photo: Canva/Getty Images