Golden retrievers are characterized by a sweet charm, obedience and making an excellent pet. A golden retriever is more effortless to teach new habits and pet around since it, in most times comes with very little aggression.
It is playful and a fun dog and can go along with any family member and enjoys most outdoor activities including hikes. In case you lose a valuable item, the retriever will gladly retrieve it.
However, retrievers are not the type of dogs you would go for if you were after strong gun dog traits. This is because when being developed by its pioneer, the aim was to develop dog breeds possessing soft enough mouths to enable them to recoup shot games from tight spaces including water bodies, without hurting them further.
Since the pioneer breed contained a blend of yellow-golden fur, the breed would consequently be called Golden Retriever.
Golden Retrievers history
The sweet and fun pet breed that you enjoy today has come a long way before it became what you now have. This article aims to highlight the modern-day golden retriever’s heritage and the journey it has come to be the magnificent dog you know.
Origins and Development
Breeding Program
Retrievers’ heritage hails from the mid-19th century when Marjoribanks started actualizing his dream of developing a canine breed possessing strong retrieving skills. Word has it that since he loved game hunting, he wanted a dog that would retrieve his shot games from tight spaces and hand them to him without causing further injuries. He therefore came up with a breeding project within his farm, Guisachan in Scotland. It is said he first procured a retriever, known as Nous who was covered with a fur coat of flat yellow.
Nous would then be crossbred with a water spaniel female named Belle, giving rise to a wonderful litter that entailed 4 cute pups. He then later crossbred these pups between themselves and Nous until he acquired his dream breed.
Subsequent Crossings
The best pup from the pioneer litter, Cowslip would then be crossed with Tweed from the Tweed Water Spaniel breed, giving rise to Topsy. These dogs were then crossbred among themselves and with different types, such as the Red Setter and Labrador Retriever. Although the offspring displayed an array of coats including dark and light cream, Marjoribanks decided to keep those with golden furs only.
Characteristics
Retrievers were recognized for their golden to yellow fur, gentleness, and intelligent nature, something that makes them best suited at recouping shot catches without causing additional harm. Their water-repellent coats enabled them to swim with ease. While these retrievers were used in hunting, they had a gentler mouth and were gentler compared to earlier generations.
Recognition and Preference
Recognition
Despite their remarkable beauty, retrievers did not receive official recognition right away; it was a gradual process. Initially, they were showcased at dog fairs in 1903 but were put under the Flat-Coat category. They had to wait until 1911 for the establishment of a retrievers’ club under the category Yellow or Golden.’ They would later be recognized separately from ‘Flat-Coated Retrievers’. As early as 1913, this club had begun listing the dogs in their register. It was in 1920 when the pioneers would be recognized as the Golden Retrievers you know today.
Modern-Day Golden Retrievers
From here, the breed boasted lots of popularity amongst people who came from different world regions to see it. They would later leave with pups for further breeding into subtypes based on regions of origin including American, British and Canadian. The British subtype is heavier and denser but with a larger skull. A leaner and streamlined body with a lighter coat characterizes the American subtype. The Canadian retriever is almost similar to the American one but is a little taller and has a lighter coat.
As previously noted, when coming up with the breed, golden retrievers were originally meant to help with the retrieval of games. Different from most gun dogs, retrievers were patient, gentle, intelligent, and good swimmers who relied on recouping games when hunting. However, the furry friends you know today are much different. The modern-day retrievers are best suited to guiding and assisting the disabled. Their intelligence plays a critical role in search or rescue operations. Their friendliness enables them to become perfect family dogs who are obedient, easy to teach, and partake in outdoor activities. When trained with proper mannerisms and stringent house rules, you will never regret owning a retriever. They make the best friend you can ever wish for.