#4 Golden Retriever The Eager-to-Please Scholar
With their friendly disposition, gentle nature, and classic good looks, the Golden Retriever is often considered the quintessential family dog. They are renowned for being outgoing, trustworthy, and exceptionally patient, making them a fixture in homes with children around the world.
| Breed Snapshot: Golden Retriever | |
| Rank | 4 |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Size | Large (55-75 pounds) |
| Energy Level | High |
| Best Suited For | Active families; first-time owners; homes with a yard |
Intelligence and History Developed in the Scottish Highlands during the late 19th century, the Golden Retriever was bred to be a superb gundog, capable of retrieving waterfowl from both land and water. Their fourth-place ranking for intelligence is defined by a powerful, innate desire to please their owners. This biddable nature, combined with their sharp minds, makes them exceptionally easy to train for a wide variety of tasks, from serving as guide dogs for the visually impaired to working in high-stakes search-and-rescue operations.
Living With a Golden Retriever Goldens are social butterflies, generally getting along well with children, strangers, and other pets. They are a high-energy sporting breed that requires significant daily exercise to stay happy and healthy; without it, their intelligence can lead them to become “naughty puppies”. Their beautiful, dense double coat sheds heavily, especially during seasonal changes, and requires regular brushing to manage. As their name suggests, they love to retrieve and will happily play fetch for hours. They are generally a healthy breed, but can be prone to conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, certain heart issues, and various forms of cancer.
A powerful example of their adaptive intelligence is the story of Orca, a service dog who saved his owner, Cheryl, after she became trapped under her wheelchair in a ditch filling with water. Going against his training to never leave her side, Orca made the independent decision to seek help. After his first attempt failed, he persisted for two hours until he successfully led a neighbor back to save her, demonstrating a level of problem-solving and bravery that goes far beyond simple obedience.