Scottish Blog

The Golden Retriever is a breed of dog originating in Scotland.

The Golden Retriever is probably one of the most popular dog breeds in the world today. In fact, if counted by registrations, the Golden Retriever is the most popular family dog today.

The Golden Retriever breed originates around the Glen Affric area of Scotland, in the 1800s. Until 1952, countless rumors circulated around the origin of this dog, most involved something along the lines of a wealthy estate holder buying a troupe of dogs from a passing Russian circus. Although stories of this nature have been put to rest, with the release of the original breeding records.

The need for a breed for a dog like the Golden Retriever is closely tied to the development of firearms. With the development of increased range of common guns, there came a need in the sport of hunting for retrievers who were able to find and bring back downed birds over longer distances. The kill also had to be retrieved in good condition, which ruled out many of the aggressive or hard mouthed breeds that were available at the time. With this in mind, selective breeding brought fourth the modern Golden Retriever.

The Golden Retriever as it is recognized today can come in many forms. Holding a wide range in not only color but coat length. Yet there is an element which is maintained between almost every dog in the Golden Retriever breed.

The temperament of the Golden Retriever is said to be one of its biggest drawing points. Mainly it is described as kind, with a fondness for not only it master but strangers. It is this which brought it forth from Scotland to homes in almost every country in the world.