The history of the Golden Retriever dates back to the 1800s. Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland bred the first documented Golden Retrievers in the British Isles. The Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed now extinct, along with the Irish Setter, Newfoundland, and Bloodhound was used to create the Golden Retriever of today. Golden Retrievers were bred to retain their yellow color and to hunt waterfowl and other game. Lord Tweedmouth also wanted a breed that was loyal and good-natured.

Developed by Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland in the 1800s, the first Golden Retrievers were hunting dogs as well as family pets. Initially, a darker gold to copper-colored coat was preferred in the breed. Today’s Goldens are more likely to be cream to light gold in color and more likely to be family pets than hunters. Golden Retriever breeders mate dogs with the best breed specific traits. Currently, a cream to light gold colored coat is preferred. Golden Retrievers are also bred for intelligence, trainability, even temper, tracking and hunting skill, as well as overall health and beauty. Some of the most desired characteristics of Golden Retrievers are intelligence, trainability, beauty, gentleness and hunting and tracking ability. The first dog to win an American Kennel Club obedience championship was a Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, eye and skin diseases, ear infections, cancer, and obesity. Though the breed has excellent behavioral traits such as loyalty and eagerness to please, Golden Retrievers can also become too focused on a task. For example they can work themselves until they collapse or eat until they become sick. Owners must be able to keep their Golden Retrievers active and engaged and monitor their eating habits closely. Golden Retrievers are social dogs and will become depressed and act out if left alone too often. It is important that Golden Retriever breeders make potential buyers aware of the needs of the breed to ensure that dogs and owners are a good match for each other. Good breeders do not breed or raise dogs as merchandise to be shipped across the country and sold to anyone. It is imperative for buyers to know how to identify good from bad Golden Retriever breeders to put bad breeders out of business for good. Buyers have the responsibility of researching Golden Retriever breeders to find legitimate sources to buy purebred puppies. Buyers should ask for references, visit the kennels and puppies prior to purchase, and ask many questions of breeders to determine how much they know about Golden Retrievers. Good breeders will be experts on their breed and will also have questions for buyers to make sure puppies are going to good homes.