The history of the Golden Retriever dog breed is brief. A Scottish Lord living on the Tweed River developed the breed in 19th century Scotland. Lord Tweedmouth wished to breed a yellow water spaniel. He mated the Tweed Water Spaniel, Irish Setter and several other dog breeds to create a breed similar to the Golden Retriever of today. Perhaps due to their Irish Setter ancestry, many of the first Golden Retriever had much darker gold to copper-colored coats than those seen today. Golden Retriever Breeders prefer dogs with cream to light gold coats. Though the American Kennel Club, which sets the desired breed characteristics, does not prohibit darker coats, copper or rust colored coats are not allowed.

Classified as a breed in England in 1913, America in 1925 and Canada in 1927, the Golden Retriever has consistently been in the top ten most popular dog breeds. It cannot be overstated that the Golden Retriever has excellent traits for both sporting and family living. The breed is mild-mannered, extremely intelligent, loyal, eager to please, easily trainable, and beautiful. All of these traits make the Golden Retriever a beloved pet and a champion competitor.
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. The breed has the lowest rate of behavior school dropouts due to the breed's eagerness to please as well as inherent intelligence. Though Golden Retriever breeders may have champion ancestry in their bloodlines, Golden Retrievers are still prone to health problems like many other pure breeds. The average life span for a Golden Retriever is only ten to thirteen years with many not making it to the minimum age at death.

Golden Retrievers are highly focused. This can be a good trait but it can also be something owners must watch out for. Golden Retrievers will focus on work so much that they wear themselves out or focus on food so much that they become obese. Owners must be aware of the activities of Golden Retrievers and monitor their food intake and activity level closely.
Golden Retriever breeders you should avoid are those that broker or sell puppies to pet stores. Good breeders love their breed and will therefore never treat animals as merchandise. Any breeder that has no regard for where the puppies will end up is a bad breeder. Golden Retriever breeders that ask no questions of buyers should also be avoided. They should be trying to match puppies with owners to ensure all parties will be happy. A breeder's main goal is to find loving, permanent homes for puppies. If this does not appear to be the breeders' goal, buyers beware.

Buyers have a great deal of responsibility in researching and ultimately choosing a good Golden Retriever breeder. Buyers must be sure to do their homework. The most important question buyers should ask themselves is why they want a Golden Retriever. The breed requires daily exercise and grooming as well as social interaction. If a buyer cannot provide these things, a Golden Retriever is not the appropriate dog breed.

Golden Retriever breeders can provide the information and history of Golden Retrievers to potential buyers. Golden Retriever information about what to look for in breeders can be found in this article.

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