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
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.