Today, February 3rd, is Golden Retriever Day! To celebrate I’d like to share a brief history about my favorite breed. The first Golden Retrievers were bred in 1868 by Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, at his Scottish Highlands estate of Guisachan. In his quest for the prefect gun dog and retriever for sportsmen, Lord Tweedmouth bred a Yellow Wavy-coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel, a now extinct breed. Thus the first Golden Retriever puppies were born! Well sort of, from this litter three yellow pups went on to breed with Wavy and Flat-coated Retrievers, another Tweed Water Spaniel, and a Red Setter, to eventually become the Golden Retriever that we recognize today.
Lord Tweedmouth wanted an athletic and powerful dog, able to withstand the hunting conditions of land and water in the Scottish Highlands, that was also gentle and trainable. Record books from the Guisachan estate document the development of this breed from 1865 until about 1890. However, these early Goldens were not sold. Instead they were only given as special gifts to friends and family. Thus making them a well kept secret from dog enthusiasts of that period. But they couldn’t keep that secret for long!
Originally known as the “Yellow Retriever,” it was Lord Harcourt, of England, who renamed the breed “Golden Retrievers” around 1906 when he first exhibited them at The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom. The breed was officially recognized by The Kennel Club (UK) in 1911 as “Retriever – Yellow or Golden” and finally, “Retriever – Golden” in 1920. During the 1920s and 1930s the breed continued to develop in Great Britain. Eventually they crossed the pond, and received official recognition by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1927, and by the American Kennel Club in 1932. During World War II, in order to preserve the bloodline, a number of Goldens were sent to North America to escape the devastations of war. Following the war, dedicated breeders contributed not only to the resurgence of Golden Retrievers, but to their soaring popularity.
To celebrate this beloved breed and to raise awareness about the history of Golden Retrievers, the Friends of Guisachan was established in 2013. They erected a life-size statue of a Golden along with a granite memorial to Lord and Lady Tweedmouth on the grounds of Guisachan. More recently in 2023 they added a stone with a brief history near the ruins of the estate. Every 5 years the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland hosts the Guisachan Gathering, welcoming hundred of Golden Retrievers to these sacred grounds.
Now contrary to what my Grandmother thinks is a Charlie Brown insult, it is actually a compliment to call a Golden Retriever a “Blockhead.” According to the official standards for the breed, they are known for their “broad skull.” Overall, the American Kennel Club describes them as “a sturdy, muscular dog of medium size, famous for the dense, lustrous coat of gold that gives the breed its name. The broad head, with its friendly and intelligent eyes, short ears, and straight muzzle, is a breed hallmark. In motion, Goldens move with a smooth, powerful gait, and the feathery tail is carried, as breed fanciers say, with a ‘merry action.’” They also go on to describe us as “possessing a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident.”
Golden Retrievers are also known for their intelligence. In fact they are ranked as the fourth most intelligent breed behind Border Collie, Poodle and German Shepherd. My brother Chuck Billy always questioned that ranking, due to the fact that Golden Retrievers are popular choices for assistant dogs, search and rescue teams, therapy dogs, and even actors. Although most, like myself, take a more fun loving approach to life, and prefer being a family dog. Regardless though if being used as a field dog as intended by Lord Tweedmouth, lending a helping paw, or simply a lovable family pet, according to the AKC, Golden Retrievers consistently rank third as the most popular dog breed!
To learn more about the history of the breed, we recommend visiting the Golden Retriever Club of America. For a more facts about the breed’s standard, we also recommend the American Kennel Club and the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland. To learn more about the Scottish estate where the first Golden Retrievers were bred, head over to Friends of Guisachan.
