The Golden Retriever breed originated in the Scottish Highlands and was originally called the Golden Flat-Coated Retriever. The breed was developed by crossing the original Yellow Flat-Coated Retriever with the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel with some Bloodhound and Irish Setter and more Tweed Water Spaniel mixed in later to develop what is known as the Golden Retriever today. The breed was developed with the purpose of creating a superb retriever suited to the Scottish climate, terrain and available game. The dogs were primarily used for hunting and were specifically useful for retrieving downed waterfowl from the water.
The Golden Retriever is known as a lovable, well-mannered and intelligent dog with great charm and is one of the most popular breeds known today. They are easy to train and make great family dogs due to their patient nature that makes them good with kids. Because of their highly trainable nature, Golden Retrievers excel in obedience competitions, hunting and tracking, as birddogs on both land and in the water, narcotics detection, service dogs for the disabled, as guide dogs for the blind and as therapy dogs. They do not make good guard dogs due to their gentle nature but they can make good watch dogs as they tend to loudly signal a strangers approach.
The Golden Retriever was first recognized by the AKC in 1925.
Information taken from: www.dogbreedinfo.com and www.akc.org.
