History of the Breed
Before acquiring a Golden Retriever it is important to determine if a Golden Retriever is the correct / suitable breed for you, your household and your lifestyle.
Golden Retrievers were first accepted for registration by the The Kennel Club of England in 1903, as Flat Coats - Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 were recognized as a breed described as Retriever (Golden and Yellow). In 1913, the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was officially changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.
The original cross was of a yellow-coloured Retriever, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was then common in the border country. Majoribanks had purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter that included four pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Irish Setter, the sandy-colored Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers.
The bloodline was also inbred and selected for trueness to Majoribanks' idea of the ultimate hunting dog. His vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds. The ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dogs, in line with Majoribanks' goals.
The Honorable Archie Majoribanks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered Lady with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, was formed in 1958. The co-founders of the GRCC were Cliff Drysdale an Englishman who had Kennels, possibly Cann and Jutta Baker, daughter in law of Louis Baker who owned Northland Kennels, possibly Canada's first kennel dedicated to Goldens. The AKC recognized the breed in 1925, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.
Golden Retriever Club of Scotland celebrated it's 60th Anniversary hosting a special weekend on 30th - 31st July 2006 at Guisachan House ruins and in the conservation village of Tomich.
In all purebred canines, a "Breed Standard" has been adopted by various kennel clubs in the world. In South Africa, the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) has a specific breed standard for the Golden Retriever. Please visit their website on www.kusa.co.za for more information, or alternatively contact us for more information. It is true that many countries has different breed standards for the same type of dog - for example the American breed standard for the Golden Retriever differs from the South African or United Kingdom. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the breed standard to be able to ascertain whether you are purchasing a purebred Golden Retriever if you are not familiar with the breed.
The world's friendliest dog, the Golden Retriever is also counted amongst the most talented and popular of companion dogs. Renowned for its lustrous golden coat, his buoyant personality and his lusty desire to hunt, the Golden Retriever makes an ideal pet dog for young and old alike. His winning ways and easy-to-train temperament account for his great popularity and success in every field.
Golden Retrievers were first accepted for registration by the The Kennel Club of England in 1903, as Flat Coats - Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 were recognized as a breed described as Retriever (Golden and Yellow). In 1913, the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was officially changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.
The original cross was of a yellow-coloured Retriever, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was then common in the border country. Majoribanks had purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter that included four pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Irish Setter, the sandy-colored Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers.
The bloodline was also inbred and selected for trueness to Majoribanks' idea of the ultimate hunting dog. His vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds. The ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dogs, in line with Majoribanks' goals.
The Honorable Archie Majoribanks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered Lady with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, was formed in 1958. The co-founders of the GRCC were Cliff Drysdale an Englishman who had Kennels, possibly Cann and Jutta Baker, daughter in law of Louis Baker who owned Northland Kennels, possibly Canada's first kennel dedicated to Goldens. The AKC recognized the breed in 1925, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.
Golden Retriever Club of Scotland celebrated it's 60th Anniversary hosting a special weekend on 30th - 31st July 2006 at Guisachan House ruins and in the conservation village of Tomich.
In all purebred canines, a "Breed Standard" has been adopted by various kennel clubs in the world. In South Africa, the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) has a specific breed standard for the Golden Retriever. Please visit their website on www.kusa.co.za for more information, or alternatively contact us for more information. It is true that many countries has different breed standards for the same type of dog - for example the American breed standard for the Golden Retriever differs from the South African or United Kingdom. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the breed standard to be able to ascertain whether you are purchasing a purebred Golden Retriever if you are not familiar with the breed.
The world's friendliest dog, the Golden Retriever is also counted amongst the most talented and popular of companion dogs. Renowned for its lustrous golden coat, his buoyant personality and his lusty desire to hunt, the Golden Retriever makes an ideal pet dog for young and old alike. His winning ways and easy-to-train temperament account for his great popularity and success in every field.
