Smiling Golden Retriever in Hat Postcard

A golden retriever dog smiles while wearing a blue hat with a flower. The Golden Retriever, a large-sized breed of dog, were named 'retriever' because of their ability to retrieve game undamaged. Golden Retrievers love water, and are easy to train. The Golden Retrievers' intelligence makes them a versatile breed. They can fill a variety of roles – common ones being guide dog for the blind, hearing dog for the deaf, hunting dog, detection dog, and search and rescue participant. They love to play. The breed's friendly, gentle temperament means it's not suited to being a professional guard dog, but its temperament has also made it the third-most popular family dog breed (by registration) in the United States, the fifth-most popular in Australia, and the eighth-most popular in the United Kingdom.