Golden Retriever Spots Dolphin in the Sea, Jumps off Deck To Join It

A video of a dog chasing after a dolphin in the Bahamas has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip was posted by @morgiepb and has had 1.5 million views since it was first posted on March 13.

A voice in the clip says: “We live in the Bahamas and today a dolphin came in our canal. I have a golden retriever and she is obsessed with sea creatures…”

The video shows a golden retriever swimming in green waters while the dorsal fin of a dolphin (the fin on top of its body) is seen peeking out of the water just ahead of the pup.

“We have seen dolphins in our canal before, but our dogs have never gone in after it,” the voice adds.

A caption shared with the post says: “Never seen a dog swim so fast.”

Can Swimming Near Dolphins Be Dangerous for Dogs?

The fisheries department of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advises that dolphins should be observed at a distance of at least 50 yards.

The department warns: “Dolphins have a reputation for being friendly, but they are actually wild animals who should be treated with caution and respect.”

The NOAA says that “truly wild dolphins will bite when they are angry, frustrated, or afraid,” adding that they are “disturbed when people try to swim with them” and “interactions with people change dolphin behavior for the worse.”

Some areas for swimming are much safer for dogs than others, says the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, a veterinary charity based in the U.K. These include lakes, dog-friendly beaches, slow-moving rivers as well as private swimming pools or paddling pools.

Dog owners should also never leave their pet unsupervised when they’re swimming. “Even a regular swimmer can get into trouble if they encounter strong currents or can’t figure out how to exit a pool,” warns the VCA, one of North America’s largest animal hospital chains.

‘I’d Be Seriously Careful’

The dog in the viral clip is heard barking as the dolphin appears to be swimming just below the water’s surface, closer to the deck.

The voice in the clip says: “At this point the dolphin was going crazy…eating fish…not paying any mind to my dog. Meanwhile, she (the dog) did not care about anything else in the world but trying to get this dolphin.” The footage shows the pup swimming across the water.

The voice is heard saying “It’s right here, it’s under her,” as the shadow of the dolphin appears to graze past the golden retriever, who is shown floating around in search of the aquatic mammal.

The dolphin is later seen swimming, with its dorsal fin peeking out of the water, at a further distance as the retriever tries to swim towards it. Finally, the dog can be seen sitting at the end of the jetty, apparently waiting for another chance to make a finny friend.

Some TikTok users expressed concern for the dog’s safety in the viral clip.

Justagrl asked: “If a dolphin got into the canal …could there be sharks as well?” The original poster replied: “We do see them! Normally at night in the dock light though.”

“As someone who worked at an aquarium, I’d be seriously careful. I trust sharks more than dolphins,” said dréa.

Jeff Dunham said: “Please be careful of dry drowning! This makes me nervous, it is really good exercise though.”

Others simply adored the interaction, such as Steph who said, “Why do I feel like dolphins and golden retrievers give off the same energy.”

User helen noted “land puppy meets sea puppy” and rach wrote “She just wants a friend.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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