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“The popular saying ‘a dog is man’s best friend’ is no longer enough,” according to
veterinarian Dot Spot (2006b). “In fact,” she continued, “dogs are helpers and healers as
well” (p.12). Golden Retrievers especially fit Spot’s new definition of dogs’ relations with
humans. As a breed in general, Retrievers are one of the most intelligent. Their versatility
makes them ideally suited for a variety of tasks, including work with senses, prisoner reform,
and physiotherapy programs. So although Golden Retrievers make great pets, they are also
valuable as support animals.
The intelligence of Golden Retrievers has long been recognized. They were originally
bred in the 19th century as hunting dogs, their soft mouths ideal for carrying downed fowl
back to the hunter (Benji, 1992). In more recent times, Retrievers have shown that they are
capable of more than just finding dead birds. As Maximillian (2003), an animal psychologist,
noted, “In several current studies, Golden Retrievers have consistently placed in the top five
breeds when tested for intelligence and trainability” (p. 1238). His findings were based on a
ten-year survey of breeders and trainers. Such survey results are not rare. In fact, in a
landmark study released by Albert Huff (2008), Retrievers placed first in a survey of fourteen
different intelligence and training categories. While Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds
and Labrador Retrievers all placed consistently at the top of the tests, Retrievers’ dispositions
made them marginally more trainable than these other breeds. So Golden Retrievers are not
only highly intelligent but they are willing to be trained as well. In a study by The Scientific
Canine Report, Retrievers were the only breed with a 100% passing rate at obedience schools
(“The semi-annual study,” 2008). Thus, Retrievers’ intelligence makes them able and willing
to perform tasks requested of them. This superior intelligence and trainability have made
Retrievers successful helping dogs.
As helping dogs, Retrievers participate in a variety of tasks; they have been used with
great success as both seeing-eye dogs for the blind and drug-sniffing dogs for police and
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References
Bauwau, J. (2009, January 23). Research shows dogs useful. The New York Times, p. 12.
Benji, R. (1992). Retrievers: A guide for breeders. Toronto, Canada: Little Brown Dog Press.
Fido, R. F., & Rover, C. Q. (2008, December 6). New training techniques for Labs and
Retrievers. Dogs Today, 132. Retrieved from http://www.dogstoday.com/fido-rover
/2008/12/06/newtraining.htm
Huff, A. B. (Presenter). (2008, March 1). The intelligence of Retrievers. The intelligence of
dogs (part 2) [Video podcast]. Retrieved from University of Intelligence Psychology
Department website: http://www.intelligence.edu/psy/studieswedid/dogsmarts/2/huff
/video.mp3
Maximillian, D. W. (2003). So, you want to own a Golden Retriever? Journal of Dogs,
121(3), 1234-1240. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.