Ever wonder where did the magnificent breed the golden retrievercame from? This fairly new breed has a wonderful history. The origin of the breed can be traced back to the 1800s in Scotland. The breed was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, a British noble who wished for an agile hunting dog that was equally good to look at.

The foundation of the golden retriever is the cross between the Tweed Water Spaniel (a breed that now ceases to exist) and the Flat Coat Retriever. The first litter had four puppies that were named Crocus, Primrose, Cowslip, and Ada. Crosses with several other breeds, including the Red Setter, the Newfoundland and the Bloodhound, over the years resulted into the glorious golden retriever at the turn of the twentieth century. The golden retriever combines the sweet disposition of a family companion dog with the spirit and vivacity of a retriever.

The golden retriever was exhibited for the first time by Lord Harcourt in a Kennel Club show in 1908. Though Lord Harcourt had named it the golden retriever, the Kennel Club registered it as the golden variety of the Flat Coat Retriever. The greatest enthusiast of the breed was Mrs. Charlesworth, who made sure that the golden retriever was maintained as a dual purpose dog a hunting dog that was a wonderful family companion. She also pioneered the opening of The Golden Retriever Club with her fellow enthusiasts in 1911. It was because of her efforts that the Kennel Club registered it as a distinct breed in 1913. The breed was brought to North America, and later to many other parts of the world.

The gentle, obedient and friendly golden retriever has now become one of the most popular breeds of dogs. The color of coat has changed from dark golden of the earlier dogs to the lighter shades of the present, but the mildness of manner, the loyalty and the hunting instincts have remained unchanged.