Golden Retriver

The Golden Retriever's story begins in the Scottish Highlands in Queen Victoria's day, with Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth — the man most closely tied to the creation of the breed. Between 1840 and 1890 Tweedmouth kept careful records of every litter bred at his Guisachan estate near Inverness, as he worked towards the ideal gundog for his own shooting grounds. He wanted a retriever that could cope with the wet weather and rough ground of the area, so he paired his yellow retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed that no longer exists, and later brought in Irish Setter and Bloodhound lines as well. Several generations of thoughtful breeding produced a reliable line of outstanding working retrievers, and breeders who came after Tweedmouth refined it into the Golden Retriever we know today. Goldens were first shown in Britain in 1908 and reached North America through Canada at about the same time. Hunters valued their skill, exhibitors admired their looks, and everyone appreciated their gentle, sensible temperament. The breed was well liked in America from the start, but its popularity really took off in the 1970s, when President Gerald Ford's Golden, Liberty, lived in the White House.

The Golden Retriever is a lively, handsome Scottish gundog and one of the most popular breeds in America. Goldens work hard in the field, as guide dogs and in search and rescue, do well in obedience and other sports, and bring real joy to family life when they are off duty. It is a sturdy, muscular dog of medium size, known for the dense, glossy golden coat that gives the breed its name. A broad head with kind, intelligent eyes, short ears and a straight muzzle is typical of the breed. Goldens move smoothly and powerfully and carry their feathered tail with what fanciers call a 'merry action'. The most complete early records of the breed are the Guisachan estate books, kept by Lord Tweedmouth's gamekeepers from 1835 until about 1890. The books became public in 1952, when Tweedmouth's great-nephew, the sixth Earl of Ilchester, published his ancestor's notes and confirmed the stories handed down over the years. Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy family dogs that are keen to please and fairly easy to train. They meet life with playful enthusiasm and keep much of their puppy spirit well into adulthood. These strong, energetic gundogs love being outdoors. Bred to bring back waterfowl for hours at a time, they take naturally to swimming and fetching games.