Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers

This breed is probably one of the most popular family dogs of modern times. It is a responsive and friendly dog that excels at almost any task that is set before it, from playing with the children, to retrieving games, to guiding the blind.

History:

For many years, it was widely believed that Golden Retrievers were descended from a troupe of yellow wavy-coated Russian circus dogs. However, research by Mrs Elma Stonex, a noted English Golden Retriever expert, uncovered the true origins of the breed. The Golden Retriever was developed by the first Lord Tweedmouth, starting around 1865.

Luckily for Golden Retriever enthusiasts, Lord Tweedmouth kept extensive kennel records, and scrutiny of these has shown how the breed was developed.

The original dogs were a yellow "sport" Flat-coated Retriever and a Tweed Water Spaniel. One of the yellow puppies that resulted from this mating was then bred to an Irish Setter, and later to another Tweed Water Spaniel. A bitch from the second litter was mated to a Flat-coated Retriever, and one of the pups from this litter was bred to a male from the Irish Setter mating. This was the first line breeding for the breed.

In the ensuing years, Lord Tweedmouth continued his carefully planned breeding program incorporating more Flat-coated Retrievers and even sandy-colored Bloodhounds. These breeds all contributed to the mix that we know today as the Golden Retriever, with its retrieving ability, excellent temperament, rich clear color, love for water, and scenting ability.

The breed was first officially recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1913, although it had been shown as a variety of Flat-coated Retriever since 1908.

Physical characteristics:

The Golden Retriever, or Goldy as it is affectionately known, is a medium-sized dog of great beauty. Height: 20 - 24 in (51 - 61 cm). Weight: 60 - 80 lb (27 - 36 kg). Overall, the dog is symmetrical and displays power with beauty and grace. It has a broad skull, slightly domed, with a definite stop between backskull and muzzle.

The ears are medium-sized and set level with the eyes, which are dark brown and very expressive. The nose is black, as are the eye-rims and lips. The neck is long, elegant and muscular, and fits well onto a body that is deep-chested and muscular without being bulky. The tail is carried as an extension of the level back.

The legs are in proportion to the body and are well-muscled. The coat is perhaps the most striking feature of the Goldy. It can range in color from cream to dark red (but not mahogany) and is moderate in length on the body, with profuse feathering on the tail, chest, and back of the legs.

Behavior:

The Golden Retriever is world famous for its gentle nature and its responsiveness to training. With its deep powerful bark, the Golden Retriever makes a very good watch-dog. It seems to delight in warning its owners of potential danger to the family.

The Golden Retriever is very sociable with other dogs and always seems willing to play and appease. This dog is superb for families, as it is robust enough to join in chasing games, but gentle enough not to hurt people. Wise owners will, however, still adopt an assertive approach when this dog is young. If left unchecked, the males in particular may become quite stubborn at maturity.

These dogs really benefit from regular exercise and thrive on their owner's attention. A superb family dog.