History Of The Golden

Let’s jump into the amazing story behind the Golden Retriever! It all started at the Guisachan House, home to the legendary Lord Tweedmouth, in 1897! Dudley Marjoribanks, who later became known as Lord Tweedmouth, was the genius responsible for this beloved breed, which began to take shape in the stunning Highlands of Scotland in the late 1800s.

In 1865, Marjoribanks discovered a one-of-a-kind puppy named "Nous" from a cobbler in Brighton, England. This little superstar was the only yellow pup in a litter of black Wavy-Coated Retrievers and was gifted to the cobbler by the gamekeeper of a local land owner, Lord Chichester as payment for a debt! Marjoranks couldn’t wait to bring Nous back to Guisachan to join his fabulous collection of sporting dogs.

Let’s not forget about the Tweed Water Spaniel, a now extinct breed that played a role in the Golden Retriever’s ancestry. Marjoribanks, like many of his contemporaries, had a strong passion for breeding high-quality livestock and dogs. His dedication to retrievers was driven by a desire to create an exceptional breed that thrived in the unique Scottish climate and terrain, as well as the local game available. Notably, in 1868 and 1871, breedings of Nous and Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct), produced several yellow pups that laid the groundwork for a line of yellow retrievers.​

Meet Crocus (Nous x Belle), born in 1868, a true gem in the world of retrievers! The incredible legacy from Guisachan captures of breeding brilliance, showcasing the exciting combination of Nous and Belle’s with wavy and flat-coated retrievers, another Tweed Water Spaniel, and a red setter. Marjoribanks passionately focused on raising primarily yellow puppies, with a few blacks sprinkled in, to carry on his amazing line. ​