In a short video that spread widely in early 2021, four tiny rabbits clamber over a calm golden retriever named Bailey, snuggling against his face and fur while he gently licks them. The bunnies were reportedly about 22 days old when they arrived in Bailey's home, and from the first meeting they treated the big dog as a source of warmth and comfort. Whether they truly see him as their "mother" is another question, and the answer says a lot about how young rabbits and gentle dogs behave.
Unlikely animal friendships always draw a crowd online, and this one has real charm. Here is what the clip shows, who Bailey is, and what rabbit biology and good pet care say about scenes like this.
What the video shows
The footage, posted on the YouTube channel This is Bailey under the title "Cute Baby Bunnies think the Golden Retriever is their Mother", is simple and quiet. Bailey lies still on the floor while the four kits explore him. They hop onto his paws, burrow into the thick fur of his chest and push their noses against his muzzle. Every so often he lowers his head and gives one of them a careful lick, then goes back to watching.
What stands out is his restraint. A dog many times their size could easily knock them over with a careless movement, yet Bailey shifts slowly and lets the rabbits come to him. The bunnies, in turn, show none of the freezing or fleeing that frightened rabbits usually display.
Who is Bailey?
Bailey is a golden retriever whose family documents his life on YouTube. He became known for living alongside small animals: according to the pet site iHeartDogs, he first met a baby rabbit called Sam when he was about a year old, later befriended a small bird named Sky, and at one point shared his home with two adult rabbits, five babies and a bird. The four kits in this clip are one chapter in that longer story.
His family has not published his location, and the clip does not explain where the bunnies came from, so it is best not to guess. What the videos do make clear is that his introductions to new animals happen under supervision, in a calm indoor setting.
Do the bunnies really think he is their mother?
Probably not in the way people imagine. Rabbit mothers are surprisingly hands-off. In the wild, a European rabbit doe nurses her litter only once a night, for just a few minutes, then seals the nest and leaves. Kits are born blind and almost hairless, open their eyes at around 11 days, start leaving the nest at about 18 days and are usually weaned at roughly three weeks.
That timing matters. At 22 days old, Bailey's bunnies were at the age when young rabbits naturally become independent of their mother. They did not need milk from him. What they were seeking was warmth, shelter and company, and a large, soft, motionless dog provides all three. Young rabbits are social and like to huddle together, so piling onto Bailey is a natural extension of how they would cuddle with littermates.
So "mother" is a lovely caption, but "big warm friend" is probably closer to the truth. It is a human explanation laid over behaviour that the video itself cannot prove.
Why some dogs are so gentle with small animals
Golden retrievers were developed in 19th-century Scotland by Dudley Marjoribanks, later Lord Tweedmouth, as gundogs that would find and bring back shot game birds without damaging them. Over generations, the breed was selected for patience, a willingness to cooperate with people and a calm temperament. Today goldens are widely described as gentle, affectionate and easy to train.
That background helps, but individual personality and training matter just as much. Some goldens have a strong urge to chase, and any dog's prey drive can switch on suddenly if a small animal squeaks or bolts. Bailey's calm is a credit to him and to the people who raised him, not a guarantee about every retriever.
Should you introduce a dog to baby rabbits?
Rabbits are prey animals, and dogs and foxes are among their natural predators. Even a friendly dog can injure a kit by stepping on it, mouthing it in play or simply frightening it. Rabbits also hide stress well; a rabbit that sits still may be terrified rather than relaxed.
- Know your dog. Only consider it with an older, calm dog that reliably responds to commands and shows little interest in chasing.
- Start with distance. Let the animals see and smell each other through a barrier before any contact.
- Keep sessions short and supervised. Never leave a dog alone with rabbits, however well they seem to get along.
- Give the rabbits an escape route. A hiding box the dog cannot reach lets them retreat when they have had enough.
- Ask a vet. Very young rabbits are fragile and prone to gut problems, so a vet or rabbit rescue can advise on care and safe handling.
Why clips like this resonate
Videos of unlikely animal friends are popular for good reason. They show tolerance and tenderness where we expect fear, and they remind us how much animals respond to calm, careful handling. Bailey's story is best enjoyed for what it is: a gentle dog, four curious young rabbits and a family that took the time to introduce them safely.
Sources: This is Bailey on YouTube: Cute Baby Bunnies think the Golden Retriever is their Mother; iHeartDogs: Golden Retriever raises baby bunnies, birds and more; Earth Wonders (original report); Wikipedia: European rabbit; Wikipedia: Domestic rabbit; Wikipedia: Golden Retriever.
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