Woman Explains Why Her Golden Retriever Doesn't Look 'Normal'

Newsweek

4 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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In a viral Instagram video, the owner of a golden retriever named Reef explained why her pup doesn't look like a "normal golden," and internet users can't cope with it.
In the post shared on August 5 by @reefthegolden_, Reef's owner answers a few of the most commonly asked questions about her pup, including why he looks different compared to most other puppies of the same breed.
"Most frequently asked question about Reef. Why doesn't he look like a 'normal golden?' He is a show golden and people compare him to field goldens. And yes, this is why he's so fluffy," the owner writes in the clip.
She also goes on to answer other questions about his personality and training. She confirms that he was never trained to behave in the bath the way he does in some of his most-viral clips; that he is the "biggest cuddle bug ever"; and that he goes out on his boat at least once a week.
From left: Reef stands on a boat with another dog; and relaxes at home.
From left: Reef stands on a boat with another dog; and relaxes at home.
@reefthegolden_
"Is he actually as chill as he seems? Yes," she continues. "Why is he so mushy? Big boy = lots of skin."
She also answers the one question that shocks viewers the most. "How old is he? 10 months. This one surprises people because he's a big boy and extremely calm temperament in public.
"So how big is he going to be? His parents are over 100lbs … So he will be very large ~ 110lbs. Why does he buffer when you put his harness on? Drama. Does he just let you do whatever to him? Pretty much."
Additionally, his owner, Grace, told Newsweek that Reef is a "true Florida boy," and he is "obsessed with the boat and swimming, and known as 'The Boat Dog' of TikTok."
"He is super chill and the sweetest boy ever! He's 10 months old and comes from a line of Brazilian show goldens. He has a huge personality and tons of character—he's a cuddle bug, loves boujee lifestyle, and is a total goofball," Grace said.
Veterinary website Dogster says that there are two types of golden retrievers, the show golden and the field golden, and while belonging to the same breed, they are widely different.
While the field goldens were bred for the purposes of hunting and retrieving, which make them very high energy pups that require lots of enrichment, show goldens were bred mostly for their looks and are a lot more chilled.
Field goldens usually have a darker and shorter coat, a wedge-shaped head with slanted eyes, and their snouts are more elongated. They are also leaner than their show counterparts. Show goldens have a more-square head and fluffy coat.
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 235,000 views and almost 22,000 likes on the platform.
One user, Scoutthegolden_va, commented: "Long story short: reef is perfect."
Another, roxanaboanfa, added: "I get this questions all the time, mine is a field golden and people are wondering why is he so big and tall, I end up giving an explanation."
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