About Goldens

About Golden Retrievers

Early in the 1800s, game was plentiful in England and Scotland. Hunting was for sport and food. For these reasons, the retriever became popular because of their size and their ability to work for waterfowl and upland game.

The history and development of Golden Retrievers are included in record books by the gamekeepers at Inverness, Scotland, from 1835 to 1890.

The development of today’s golden retriever includes a Tweed Water Spaniel, a small, lighter built Newfoundland, Irish Setters and other water spaniels. The hunters needed a strong dog that could withstand cold water, is a good swimmer and could deal with heavy vegetation in which upland fowl was found.

Golden retrievers were first shown in England in 1908, and were listed as Flat-Coats (golden). The first goldens were brought from England and Canada to the US in the 1920s and 1930s. The first registration of a Golden Retriever by the AKC was in 1925.

Today Golden Retrievers are used in field trials, hunting, obedience, as personal companion dogs, guide dogs for the blind, game finding, tracking and narcotics dogs.

Golden Retrievers come in many colors; starting from the lightest blond, almost white, to a deep Mahogany red, to deep brown. They should be symmetrical, powerful, sound and well put together. Males should be 23 to 24 inches at the withers and 65 to 75 pounds. Females should be 21 ½ to 22 ½ inches at the withers and 55 to 65 pounds. They should be friendly, reliable and trustworthy.