|
Golden Retrievers
This breed is probably one of
the most popular family dogs of modern times. It is a
responsive and friendly dog that excels at almost any task
that is set before it, from playing with the children, to
retrieving games, to guiding the blind.
History:
For many years, it was widely
believed that Golden Retrievers were descended from a troupe
of yellow wavy-coated Russian circus dogs. However, research
by Mrs Elma Stonex, a noted English Golden Retriever expert,
uncovered the true origins of the breed. The Golden Retriever
was developed by the first Lord Tweedmouth, starting around
1865.
Luckily
for Golden Retriever enthusiasts, Lord Tweedmouth kept
extensive kennel records, and scrutiny of these has shown how
the breed was developed.
The
original dogs were a yellow "sport" Flat-coated Retriever and
a Tweed Water Spaniel. One of the yellow puppies that resulted
from this mating was then bred to an Irish Setter, and later
to another Tweed Water Spaniel. A bitch from the second litter
was mated to a Flat-coated Retriever, and one of the pups from
this litter was bred to a male from the Irish Setter mating.
This was the first line breeding for the breed.
In the ensuing years, Lord
Tweedmouth continued his carefully planned breeding program
incorporating more Flat-coated Retrievers and even
sandy-colored Bloodhounds. These breeds all contributed to the
mix that we know today as the Golden Retriever, with its
retrieving ability, excellent temperament, rich clear color,
love for water, and scenting ability.
The
breed was first officially recognized by the British Kennel
Club in 1913, although it had been shown as a variety of
Flat-coated Retriever since 1908.
Physical
characteristics:
The Golden Retriever, or Goldy
as it is affectionately known, is a medium-sized dog of great
beauty. Height: 20 - 24 in (51 - 61 cm). Weight: 60 - 80 lb
(27 - 36 kg). Overall, the dog is symmetrical and displays
power with beauty and grace. It has a broad skull, slightly
domed, with a definite stop between backskull and muzzle.
The
ears are medium-sized and set level with the eyes, which are
dark brown and very expressive. The nose is black, as are the
eye-rims and lips. The neck is long, elegant and muscular, and
fits well onto a body that is deep-chested and muscular
without being bulky. The tail is carried as an extension of
the level back.
The
legs are in proportion to the body and are well-muscled. The
coat is perhaps the most striking feature of the Goldy. It can
range in color from cream to dark red (but not mahogany) and
is moderate in length on the body, with profuse feathering on
the tail, chest, and back of the legs.
Behavior:
The Golden Retriever is world
famous for its gentle nature and its responsiveness to
training. With its deep powerful bark, the Golden Retriever
makes a very good watch-dog. It seems to delight in warning
its owners of potential danger to the family.
The
Golden Retriever is very sociable with other dogs and always
seems willing to play and appease. This dog is superb for
families, as it is robust enough to join in chasing games, but
gentle enough not to hurt people. Wise owners will, however,
still adopt an assertive approach when this dog is young. If
left unchecked, the males in particular may become quite
stubborn at maturity.
These
dogs really benefit from regular exercise and thrive on their
owner's attention. A superb family dog.
 | 