The Golden Retriever was acknowledged as a breed in 1903, by the prestigious the Kennel Club of England, and it was labelled with the name of Golden Retriever in 1913. The Golden Retriever became prevalent in the United States in the 1920s and, in 1925, it was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Although considerable controversy exists as to the exact history of the Golden Retriever, experts generally agree that the breed originated in Scotland in the 1800s.

In 1938, The Golden Retriever Club of America was founded and, by 1940, the Golden Retriever had garnered popularity all over America.
The Golden Retriever is a gentle, loving, cooperative animal. They are very well-behaved dogs and, overall, they make great pets.
They are usually a light-to-medium blonde, but can also be a reddish blonde or reddish brown. The Golden bears a full, glossy, water resistant coat of fur that is sometimes quite wavy.
As Goldens grow older their coats often become darker or lighter hues of brown, and the facial fur gets visibly whiter. Golden Retrievers attain their full height about one year of age and reach their maximum weight about two years of age.
Golden Retrievers have wide skulls and straight muzzles that narrow slightly at the base. Their nose is black, and their eyes are a dark-brown.
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Golden Retrievers are smart, athletic, energetic and trainable. Training a Golden Retriever is a pleasant task, because these dogs love to please their master. They are gentle and patient with youngsters, which accounts for their popularity as family dogs.
Golden Retrievers do well in competitions. They are friendly with people and also with other dogs. Goldens are used as bird dogs, narcotics detectors, service dogs for the disabled, guide dogs for the blind and therapy dogs.
Due to a sharp sense of smell, they are often used as search and rescue dogs. Goldens have few instincts as watchdogs, so they are not prone to attack, but they do make good guard dogs in the sense that they will loudly herald the entrance of a stranger into their territory.
The Golden Retriever is an amazing hunting and tracking dog, and has many other talents as well. It likes to swim; it can be trained to do tricks, and it is obedient and competitive. In the 1970s, the breed walked away with several American Kennel Club trophies for obedience.
Golden Retrievers are fairly active animals and need a good-sized yard for exercise. They may become hyperactive and excitable if they do not get enough exercise.
Mental stimulation is also important. The Golden should be walked every day and allowed to retrieve objects on a daily basis.
The Golden Retriever is a gentle, loving, cooperative animal. With a life-expectancy of 10-12 years, many keep their merry, puppy-like ways even into old age. They are “cute as a button,” and as pleasant to look at as they are to train. That, combined with their warm, loving temperament, make these dogs a great companion as well as a wonderful family pet.