About the Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers make fantastic family pets, but they’re also versatile sporting and working dogs.

In sports they excel in disciplines as varied as obedience and agility; they also serve as search-and-rescue and guide dogs; not to mention their outstanding ability as trackers and retrievers on the hunt. Golden Retrievers have a host of qualities to justify their worldwide popularity.

Source: key facts and characteristics sourced from Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Breed specifics

Country: United Kingdom
Group: FCI Group 8, AKC Sporting Group
Avg life expectancy: 10–13 years

Intelligent / Even-tempered / Lively / Loving / Friendly / Confident / Loyal

Key facts

Makes a great family dog
Makes a versatile working dog
Needs moderate training

Origins of the breed

The origins of the breed go all the way back to a yellow retriever by the name of Nous, bought by Lord Tweedmouth in 1865. The breed was then crossed a number of times, notably with a now defunct breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel, and later with the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter.

Eventually, the breed was recognised by The Kennel Club as a “yellow” or “golden” Retriever in 1913. When the Golden Retriever Club was established in 1920, the official breed name was changed to the Golden Retriever.