Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have similar overall traits. Usually they have a calm, easy-going nature, although some can have a high amount of energy, and others can be classed as being nervous.

Golden Retrievers are good hunting and service dogs, primarily in search and rescue, tracking, and disability assistance. They need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation from their family. Retrieving items such as tennis balls and floating toys can provide this exercise while taking advantage of the Golden Retriever's excellent swimming ability. Golden Retrievers are commonly quite food motivated, meaning that learning and training is fairly easy.

Golden Retriever History:

Golden Retrievers are extremely popular dogs with their lineage back to 19th century Scotland. They were developed as hunting dogs, used to locate and retrieve game from land and water.

They have secretive origins with initial breeding efforts conducted by Sir Dudley Majoribanks, Lord of Tweedmouth, who spent twenty years secretly developing the breed. He began with a yellow dog from Brighton and an English retriever with a liver-coloured curly coat called a Tweedwater Spaniel, now extinct. Later he introduced Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Red Setters and Bloodhounds into the mix. In 1903, the breed was accepted by the Kennel Club of England as the “Golden Flat Coat” and in 1908 they were first shown in an English dog show. in the late 1890's Golden Retrievers were introduced to the United States. They were given the name Golden Retriever in 1920.