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From the desk of Sharda Baker.
Hi and Welcome Everyone!
This is Sharda with Golden Retriever newsletter!
Let’s start!
The Golden Retriever history has one of the better documented ones based on records kept by several of the breeders.
The first actual records of the Golden Retriever, then known as the Flat Coated Retriever, date back to the early 1800’s.
One of the first developers of the breed was Sir Dudley Majoribanks, followed by Lord Tweedmouth.
It was Lord Tweedmouth on his estate in Scotland on the Tweed River that started keeping the written records of the breed.
It is important to note that many of the contributions made by different breeders in the area are also contained in the records, but Lord Tweedmouth is usually considered the major developer of the Golden Retriever Dog.
The Golden Retriever was developed through selectively breeding the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel with Newfoundlands, Irish Setters and light sand or tan coloured Bloodhounds.
Colours were carefully considered in the breeding program and golden or yellow coloured dogs were quickly developed out of the breeding program.
The goal of early breeders was to develop a unique hunting and retrieving dog that would have an easy going and relaxed temperament as well as being intelligent and independent with a natural gift for retrieving.
The first puppies, crossed between a yellow Tweed Water spaniel with a dark wavy coated retriever, turned out to be amazingly agile dogs that had a true love for hunting and retrieving, were highly athletic as well as had an outstanding personality.
The first Golden Retrievers came in a variety of colours, from a medium gold or yellow colour through to a dark gold or yellowish colour.
As the breed gained in popularity, the lighter colour became more desired, especially in the show line. There is some evidence that originally the lighter breed was favoured as a hunting dog as well, since it was not as likely to blend into the fall foliage.
The Golden Retriever was first shown in the United Kingdom in 1908, and immediately became very popular. The wonderful, gentle temperament and the natural intelligence of this breed made it highly desired by dog fanciers of the time.
The breed was originally registered and recognized as a separate breed in 1913 under the name of Retriever (Yellow and Tan) but then was changed to the current name in 1920.
The breed came to the United States in the early 1900’s, with Lord Tweedmouth’s family that owned land in Texas. About the same time, in the year 1927, the breed was registered with the Canadian Kennel Club.
In America, the breed was recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1925.
Although the first Golden Retrievers were used has hunting dogs, the breed quickly diversified.
Their natural obedience made them perfect as obedience competition dogs, and the first three dogs to ever win the prestigious American Kennel Club Obedience Trial Championships were Golden Retrievers.
They are still used today in obedience trials, as hunting dogs both in the field and in competitions, as well as making outstanding family pets and companions, as well as therapy dogs and even narcotic detection dogs.
The wonderful temperament of the breed has really contributed to its popularity throughout the world.
They are a very adaptable breed that loves to please their owner, and is extremely good with other people and children. They typically love all other types of pets including cats and other non-canine pets.
The early breeders as well as modern breeders strive to ensure a calm, relaxed and loving temperament and personality with intelligence and the right amount of independence to make these dogs outstanding pets and much loved show dogs.
That’s it for today.
I hope you learned something about today’s newsletter.
I’ll be back for more about Golden Retrievers.
Until then!
All the best and take care
Warmly,
Sharda Baker