Goldenapso Retriever

While there is not a lot of information about the Goldenapso Retriever, we can study about the two parent breeds (the Golden Retriever and the Lhasa Apso) in order to learn more about the hybrid. The Golden Retriever finds its origins in Scotland on the estate of a man known as Lord Tweedmouth (real name Sir Dudley Majoribanks). Lord Tweedmouth raised animals of all kinds, and he kept records regarding his breeding program. Tweedmouth was a waterfowl hunter, and in his notes, he described that he was aiming for a superior retrieving dog. He wanted the retriever to have a superb nose, but he also wanted the dog to be more attuned to his human hunting companion than other popular hunting dogs of the time. He also wanted the Golden to be loyal and to have a good disposition away from the hunting field. Lord Tweedmouth bred a dog that he owned, Nous, to a Tweed Water Spaniel, a dog that is now extinct. The Tweed Water Spaniel was known for being extremely calm and loyal, but also an excellent retriever. These characteristics were passed on to the Golden Retriever. He bred Nous and the Tweed Water Spaniel’s descendants to both wavy and flat-coated Retrievers and a Red Setter. The result was the direct ancestor of the Golden Retriever we know today. The Lhasa Apso originates in Tibet. He was named after the holy city of Lhasa. The Lhasa Apso was bred as a companion watchdog for nobles and monks. The dog is mentioned in historic accounts as far back as 800 BC. Because he was generally a guardian of temples, this cute canine was considered sacred and buying one was nearly impossible. In fact, for hundreds of years, the Dalai Lama gave Lhasa Apsos as gifts. The dog was always given in pairs and was thought to be a gift of prosperity. The Lhasa Apso made its way to America when the Dalai Lama gifted a pair to American C. Suydam Cutting of New Jersey.