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GOLDEN RETRIEVER |
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The Golden is another product from the latter half of the 19th century, when so many of the gun dog breeds were formed. The breed owes much of its development to Sir Dudley Majori-banks (Lord Tweedmouth) whose records from his own meticulous stud books give a good basis of origins. Yellow recessives had always been present in the retrievers from Newfoundland and Labrador, even though in the 1850s the fashion in England was for black "Wavy-Coats" and Labradors. Lighter hues came to prominence later in the yellow Labs, as well in as the Chessie, and then the Golden. Majoribanks
took a liking to the yellow color and acquired a dog of that color, "Nous,"
from Flat-Coat breeding. To create good water retrievers, Nous was bred
to Tweed Water Spaniel bitches, a now-extinct English retrieving dog that
was close and curly-coated and a light liver color. Other crossings, of
structured linebreed-ing, were recorded over a period of 20 years, including
a Labrador or two, a red setter, possibly a Bloodhound, and other Wavy-Coats.
This, then,
is the basic Golden's inheritance. Goldens were registered and shown as
golden Flat-Coats until 1913, when they were listed as Golden or Yellow
Retrievers and, finally, in 1920, took the name they bear today.
A legend still
persists about Russian Sheep-dogs,
acquired from a traveling circus, that contributed to the creation of
the breed. No such information has been found among the Tweed-mouth archives.
Of course, others were breeding these golden-colored retrievers besides
Ma-joribanks, so this strange mixture could have been introduced in other
kennels. But most cy-nologists feel this was a contrived story, which
the general public loved to believe. With the possible exception of trainability,
the genetics of sheep dogs are diametrically opposed to the necessary
abilities of the gun dog, and it is doubtful any knowledgeable dog breeder
would have entertained the idea. Supporting this legend, however, the
Golden was first exhibited under the name of Russian Retriever or Russian
Retriever and Tracker. Thus, the story lives on.
Whatever its
foundation, the modern Golden Retriever is a wonderfully versatile dog.
He is a good retriever and upland game hunter, is used with increasing
frequency as a guide for the blind and makes a loving, easygoing, pleasant
companion. In the United States, the Golden dominates obedience competition
with his flashy animation, quick reflexes, precision, trainability and
intense desire to please. The same attributes stand him in good stead
in the show ring.
A Golden
requires sufficient exercise to overcome a tendency toward excess
poundage. His beautiful coat requires only routine brushing, with
a few grooming sessions during the spring when the undercoat is shed.
The color can range from a soft, pale moon yellow to a lustrous burnished
gold. It is as though the Golden has captured the warmth and beauty
of sparkling sunshine in both his coat and temperament. He is a wonderful
family pet, as he is loving and long-suffering with children, mannerly
in the home, yet always ready to accompany any member in activities.
A dog nearly void of guard instincts, his fringed tail always seems
to be wagging. His expression is one of straightforward affection
and trust.
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