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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.