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While most of the nation was gearing up for Super Bowl LIII this past Sunday, the city of Golden, Colorado celebrated something a little more “ruff.” International Golden Retriever Day fell on February 3, 2019. To mark the occasion, the city of Golden invited golden retrievers from far and wide to celebrate these happy-go-lucky canines.
It’s estimated that over 1,000 golden retrievers and their humans traveled to this western Denver suburb. Visitors got to meet, pet, and cuddle with hundreds of golden retriever dogs. There were reportedly so many dogs that fur was wafting through the air.
The event was hallmarked by a group walk through the city, pausing for photos underneath the iconic “Welcome to Golden” arch and at the Golden History Park. The city’s tourism board, Visit Golden, partnered with the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies to throw this event in honor of one of the most lovable dog breeds around.
Furry guests were treated to endless “pupaccinos” (whipped cream) and free toys from pet toy company KONG, which is headquartered in Golden. Denver-based Fox-affiliate KDVR estimates that the number of golden retrievers at this event sets a new record for the most golden retrievers gathered in one place at the same time. That record was previously set in July 2018 in Scotland, where only 361 golden retrievers gathered in honor of the breed’s 150th anniversary.
