Goldmation

The Dalmatian is a mysterious breed that is thought to have originated in the country of Dalmatia, in the Mediterranean. The Dalmatian is a breed most noted for its speed and agility. Throughout history, these dogs have played many important roles and served many purposes. Duties have included being avid hunters, herders of livestock, dogs of war, protectors of chariots, and draft dogs. Today in popular culture, they are most noted as mascots to firefighters due to their history in clearing a pathway for firefighters to get through fires. The Dalmatian was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888, classified as a non-sporting dog. The origins of the Golden Retriever can be traced back to the 1800s, in Scotland, when a man named Lord Tweedmouth, who was a viscount, adopted a dog named Nous. Nous was a young yellow, wavy-haired puppy that came from a litter of black puppies. It is believed that Lord Tweedmouth wanted to create an excellent hunting and retrieving companion and so he crossed Nous to a Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct), resulting in a puppy that was later crossed with breeds such as other retrievers, another Tweed Water Spaniel, and a Red Setter. The Golden Retriever gained its recognition as a sporting dog with the American Kennel Club in 1925.