Printable sheet
Smiling golden retriever with its tongue out, soft ears and a wavy, fluffy chest. A cheerful printable for kids who love dogs; download the free PDF.
Printable sheet
Free for personal and educational use
Download PDFPrintA golden retriever sitting face forward with an open-mouthed smile, floppy ears, wavy chest fur and big paws.
Color the fur golden yellow and add pink to the tongue.
Talk as a group about how a dog can cheer up someone who feels sad.
Golden retrievers often take about two years to fully mature and act like grown-up dogs.
A smiling golden retriever spreads happiness just by looking at you, and that is one reason the breed has become one of the best therapy dogs in the world. Its calm, patient and affectionate nature puts people at ease the moment it walks into a room.
Therapy dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Their job is to be petted, listen while kids read aloud or keep someone company during a hard time. Research shows that spending time with a calm dog can lower stress and lift people's spirits.
Goldens are also favorites as guide dogs and service dogs. They learn quickly, stay focused on their task and have a soft mouth, a trait from their past as bird retrievers: they can carry delicate objects without squeezing or breaking them. Many service dogs pick up dropped keys, open doors or fetch medicine for their partners.
As charming as that smile is, every dog deserves respect. Before petting a dog you do not know, ask the owner first, approach slowly and let the dog sniff your hand. If it is wearing a working vest, it is on the job, so it is best not to distract it.
