The Golden Retriever originated in the Highlands of Scotland in the
late 1800s and owes its development to Dudley Marjoribanks, (later
known as Lord Tweedmouth). In 1865 he purchased "Nous" from a cobbler near the town of Brighton in
southern England. The only yellow puppy in a litter of black
Wavy-Coated retrievers was whelped in 1864. This young dog had been
given to the cobbler, as payment of a debt, by the gamekeeper of a
local landowner, Lord Chichester. Marjoribanks took this young dog
with him to Guisachan, his estate in Scotland, to join his kennel of
sporting dogs. Like many of the gentry of this time, Marjoribanks was keenly
interested in the breeding of quality livestock as well as dogs. His
interest in retrievers stemmed from the personal desire to develop a
superb retriever suited to the Scottish climate, terrain and type of
available game. In 1868 and 1871, breedings of Nous to Belle, a Tweed
Water Spaniel (a breed now extinct), resulted in several yellow pups
that became the foundation for a distinctive line of yellow
retrievers. Generations of these and subsequent
breedings are recorded in the kennel records that were kept at
Guisachan which are now in the Kennel Club Library.
Nous and Belle's descendants were combined with wavy and flat-coated
retrievers, another Tweed Water Spaniel, and a red setter. Marjoribanks
kept primarily the yellow puppies (and a few blacks) to continue his
line. Some were given to friends and relatives. Although little known outside
of private circles, these yellow retrievers were used by gamekeepers
and as a gentleman's gundog. Working ability was always paramount. A few Golden Retrievers, as we know the breed today, made their first
appearance at dog shows about 1906, shown as "Retriever- Wavy or Flat
Coated" in classes for those "of any other color". The breed was
officially recognized by The Kennel Club in 1911 as "Retriever- Yellow
or Golden" and finally, "Retriever- Golden" in 1920. Early Golden
Retrievers had appeared in Canada and the U.S. some years before their
official recognition by either the Canadian (1925) or the American
Kennel Club (1932). From the first, the Golden Retriever has
been a premier worker. His biddability and calm, sensible demeanor has
earned devotees in many areas of endeavor. The physical and mental
traits that make the Golden Retriever such a useful hunting companion
also fit him for modern activities such as obedience competitor,
tracking dog, show dog, guide and assistance dogs, search and rescue,
and many other modern activities.
The
Golden Retriever’s athletic good looks reflect his abilities, and
nothing in the dog's makeup should interfere with, or detract from, the
Golden's working sporting characteristics.
Posted from www.grca.org "History of the Golden Retriever" slideshow.
A few pictures from our visit to Guisachan House at the 2018 Gathering - 150 years of the breed!