When dogs are raised together, they often develop similar behaviors. They may snuggle in the same spots or learn to beg for treats in identical ways. When they are related, we wonder if they understand they share an even deeper connection.
Whether this gorgeous Golden understands he has been helping to raise his son is a question this family may never know, but it’s a mystery that adds to the charm of their bond.
They do know that their connection has only grown stronger, as shown in this heartwarming video from June 17:
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This young lad certainly got his good looks from his dad! Their parents tell us that when handsome Chester (@chasin_chester) was four years old, his precious 8-week-old son Chase became part of the family. Even though he was initially excited to have a new friend in the house, as any older dog experiences with a puppy, these babies can be annoying! Whether it was because he knew it was his son or felt it was his duty, he showed little Chase what was and wasn’t allowed. Thankfully, it didn’t take long before they came to an understanding, and their friendship continued to blossom. These good boys now give each other emotional support at the groomer, lie on the ground holding hands, and snuggle together when sleeping. While no one knows whether they understand they are related, their parents say it doesn’t matter. They’re best friends, and that’s all anyone could ask for.
Related: Golden Retriever Befriends Fawn on Walk in a Straight-Up Disney Moment
Can dogs tell when they are related?
Unfortunately, there have been only a limited number of studies on this topic. According to the Wisdom Panel, one experiment showed that at 4-5 weeks old, puppies could recognize the scent of their mothers. At two years of age, mothers can still remember their puppies and their offspring can recognize them. However, at this point, the littermates no longer recognized each other unless they had been living together. When it came to puppies recognizing the scent of their fathers, male dogs preferred non-kin scents, while females preferred the smell of their dads. As these experiments were done using dogs who had spent time together, it still needs to be determined if dogs can recognize relatives they have not previously encountered.
People shared their thoughts about this charming duo. Viewer @socalgolden remarked, “I love them, and they know.” They might! Viewer @fluffy.tails.chronicles responded, “I wonder if they do! But precious regardless!” That’s for sure!
Since dogs have an enormous capacity for love, whether they are blood relatives makes no difference. They know who their family is, and that’s a bond that transcends biology.
