This beautiful dog was said to be created during the Victorian era and possibly has the Tweed Water Spaniel, Yellow Retriever, Wavy-coated Retriever, Flat-coated Retriever and Red Setter in their ancestry. Dudley Marjoribanks, Lord Tweedmouth, is widely accepted as the person to produce the first dogs that were to later become known as the Golden Retriever after many years of breeding various breeds together. However, there are historical documents that suggest the Golden Retriever was already in existence before Lord Tweedmouth began breeding them on his estate in Scotland. In 1911, England’s Kennel Club began classifying these dogs as Retriever – Yellow or Golden, and then in 1920, the name was officially changed to Retriever – Golden. The American Kennel Club registered the first Golden Retrievers as foundation stock in 1925. They were officially recognized as an AKC breed in 1932. The Golden has become one of the most popular dog breeds and most recognizable thanks to their role in Hollywood movies such as Homeward Bound and Air Bud. They are more than just a glamorous movie star, though. This clever pup makes an excellent child’s companion as well as succeeding at search and rescue, arson detection, drug detection, therapy, and disability assistance. They are also still a well-rounded hunting dog. Many people enjoy participating in dog sports with their willing canine partners, including agility, flyball, dock diving, and obedience. Their intelligence and high energy level make them ideal for most of these sports and help to create an even tighter bond with their owner.
