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The
Golden Retriever we know and love today was the result of one mans dedication
to breed the perfect dog. Lord Tweedmouth was an English Peer whom had a vision
of a pure yellow retriever dog who would retrieve birds during hunts.
His quest began in 1865 when he visited the Earl of Chichester who was a dog breeder.
Lord Tweedmouth bought a single yellow wavy coated puppy from a litter of black
Retrievers. The dogs name was Nous, and he was the foundation of the Golden
Retriever breed.
In
1867 Lord Tweedmouth was given a Water Spaniel bitch, whom he named Belle. The
following year Belle gave birth to four yellow bitches, Nous was the proud father.
One of the puppies was named Cowslip (after an English wild flower) and in 1873
she bred with another Water Spaniel and Topsy was born. In
1876 Cowslip was bred with a Red Setter and Jack was born. Topsy was bred with
a black wavy coated Retriever named Sambo which led to the birth of Zoe. Zoe was
then inbred with Jack who became parents to Gill and Nous II
Gill was then bred with a black Retriever called Tracer which led to the birth
of Quennie in 1882. In 1889 Quennie was inbred with Nous II which resulted in
Prim and Rose. Prim and Rose were 47% Setter 35% Lesser St.Johns Newsfoundlad
12% Springer Spaniel 6% Water Dog
The quest for the beautiful, intelligent, graceful Golden Retriever lasted for
a quarter of a century.
In 1913 The Kennel Club registered Golden Retrievers as a distinct breed. In the
same year The Golden Retriever Club was founded.
Golden Retrievers have been imported to countries all over the world where they
have been admired and well loved.
I think Lord Tweedmouth would be proud.
Golden
Retriever Characteristics |