History of the Golden Retriever as a Hunting Dog
The Golden Retriever came into prominence because of the desire for a medium-sized dog that would do well in wild-fowling, both waterfowl and upland game. In developing the Golden Retriever, a Tweed Water Spaniel was used. Also, a small, lighter-built Newfoundland, Irish Setters, and other water spaniels. Water retrieving was very important and hunters needed a strong dog that could withstand cold water, would be a good swimmer, and could fend with the heavy vegetation in which upland game was found. Golden Retriever is a beautiful, sturdy, well-proportioned dog with a feathered, medium-length, cream to golden-colored coat. (The coat is not suppose to be red.) Yellow or Golden Retrievers became popular in England toward the end of the 19th century. The first win of a field trial by a Golden Retriever took place in 1904. Golden Retrievers were first shown in England in 1908, and were listed as Flat-Coats (Golden). Others were exhibited in 1909 and 1913. In 1913 they were given a separate status by color and shown as Golden or yellow Retrievers. Travelers had taken some of the dogs with them on visits to America, and it is known that there were Golden Retrievers in the United States and Canada during the 1890's. Goldens from Great Britain and Canada were brought to both the East and West Coasts of the United States in the 1920's and 1930's. The first registration of a Golden Retriever by the American kennel Club was in November 1925. While there had been Goldens registered before that date, they had been registered as Retrievers with some description to color. Goldens were furthered in the United States in the 1930's and 1940's. The dogs were mainly used as hunters, though some were shown on the bench. The darker dogs were favored but there were some medium gold colors as well. Both dark and light dogs were run in English field trials and seen in the show ring in Scotland and England. The first dogs of any breed to achieve the AKC Obedience Champion title, the available in July 1977, were all Golden Retrievers.
