Golden Retriever Tunneling Through the Snow to Eat It Is Pure Winter Joy

I had a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who, unsurprisingly, was obsessed with snow. She would gallop out into the deepest drifts, burying her face in the powder and rolling around on it. She’d fall asleep on the deck when it iced over, even getting her fur stuck into the ice when it melted under her body heat and froze again. We always chalked it up to the fact the she was a Canadian breed, designed for long, harsh winters and deep drifts of snow. Of course she couldn’t get enough of the white stuff—she barely ever got to see it in our mid-Atlantic home.

But now that I see this Golden Retriever pulling basically the same stunt, I’ve just decided it’s a Retriever thing. And it’s still super cute.

In this clip, a playful Golden Retriever is frolicking in the winter snow. She noses her face into the drifts, creating a little tunnel, throwing clots of snow up int eh air and licking the flakes off her snout. In similar videos, she rolls around on the snow piled on top of the family’s trampoline. She clearly can’t get enough.

Related: Golden Retriever Puppy's Very First Snowfall Is Full of So Much Wonder

All About Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs, beloved for their easygoing, gregarious nature and friendly, easy-to-train attitudes. They are gentle, good with families, energetic, a bit on the clingy side, and of course, love to play fetch. They were originally bred to be hunting dogs, though they are not generally favored for that purpose now, due to their longer coats and slowness to mature compared to dogs like Labrador Retrievers. Most golden Retrievers are kept as pure pets. They are a medium-large dog with floppy ears, a friendly, expressive face, long snouts, and they have gorgeous, long wavy coats that range in color from cream to ginger-red.

Keeping Your Pet Safe in the Snow

Though it’s completely safe to let your pet play in the snow, it’s best not to keep your animal outside during the winter months. Remember: if you’re cold, they are cold. But, just like children will willingly play in the snow long after adults would like to be inside with a hot drink, so our canine friends will be happy to stay outside and play. Still, the general opinion that dogs and cats are perfectly fine being kept permanently outside in freezing temperatures is wrong. They are not wild animals and should be given sufficient shelter from frigid and inclement weather.

Keep an eye out for hypothermia in dogs, which may manifest itself as anxiety, whining, or a stop to movement and seeking to burrow down in one place and go to sleep. If your dog has a short coat, this may be the time to invest in a quilted jacket or sweater for them to help them stay warm. Also, dogs should be kept away from chemicals like road salt, antifreeze, de-icers, and chemical melts use to clean streets and sidewalks. Check the dog’s paws for trapped ice because frostbite can be extremely painful and harmful for your pets.

When you do bring your dog inside after a period of snowy play, make sure they are given adequate chances to warm themselves, including warm blankets, a place by a fire or the heater, or other cozy resting spots.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.