Few are immune to the charms of the Golden Retriever: nature’s perfect blend of energy, goodwill, and heart. Imagine a dog so friendly it wags its tail at squirrels, mail carriers, and even vacuum cleaners like they’re long-lost cousins. With a coat that gleams like spun sunlight and eyes that radiate pure, unfiltered joy, they put a song in your heart and a spring in your step.
One Golden Retriever brightens up a room. Two draw everyone’s attention. But 2,397? Welcome to the record books, boys and girls!
Yup, yesterday saw Buenos Aires’ Bosques de Palermo park host the world’s largest gathering ever of Golden Retrievers. As per a report in the AP, the happy barks echoed for miles as tails wagged, sticks were chased, and butts sniffed.
Dog lovers gathered in Argentina’s Buenos Aires to try to set a world record for the most golden retrievers assembled in a park. pic.twitter.com/nELkBl2xvt
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 8, 2025
Contented owners compared dogs while their children gambolled about, their eyes lighting up at the sea of glossy golden fur in front of them, each and every one more than happy to be petted, stroked, and played with.
While lounging in the park, owners apparently swapped stories about how the breed helps diabetics by sniffing out low blood sugar levels and can detect cancer early, while providing an emotional bulwark against all the horror that life can throw at you.
“A special bond”
26-year-old Nicolás Orellana knelt beside his 13-year-old pet Luna as he waxed lyrical about Golden Retrievers in general and Luna specifically, saying: “Since we were children, she’s been a constant presence in our family. We’ve had vacations with her. We’ve done everything together … It’s a type of dog that’s known to create a special bond.”
And bond they did! We imagine the dogs present didn’t know what to sniff next when there were so many of their brothers and sisters around. But amidst the canine chaos, the event organizers were carefully patrolling in hi-viz jackets, counting all the dogs present.
Hours later, the totals were tallied, and human and hound looked hopefully at the podium to see if they’d smashed the Retriever record. Success! And then some! Last year in Vancouver 1,685 Golden Retrievers gathered for what I’m sure was a lovely day out. But Argentina has dwarfed them with 2,397 – a record that’ll take some beating.
Attendee Elena Deleo summed it up as the day ended, stroking her contented Golden Retriever, Angie:
“I was afraid I would lose her, I was afraid she would fight, I was afraid another dog would attack her. But no, they’re all affectionate, all gentle. … It’s just a very lovely experience.”
We live in a world of scarcely unimaginable horrors and unfathomable misery, but at least we have Golden Retrievers. They’ll fix everything.
