The Golden Retriever, one of the most popular intelligent dogs around the world, is known for its service in a wide variety of areas including field trials, obedience, hunting and offering companionship and guidance to blind people. During early days of the 1800's, hunting was considered both a practical measure for obtaining food as well as an interesting domain of sports in England and Scotland. The Golden Retriever was developed from the need to have a medium-sized dog that has the flexibility to move through wild following both upland gaming zone and waterfowl.

Lord Tweedmouth at Guisachan Estate in Scotland first recorded the breeding of the Golden Retriever officially.  In the year 1952, the great nephew of Lord Tweedmouth published all the records to the public for the first time. In the middle of 19th century, Lord Tweedmouth bought his golden puppy, called Nous.  The breeding location was his estate, where Lord Tweedmouth tried to breed the Golden Retrievers with desired characteristics and temperament.

Tweed Water Spaniels were exclusively used for the purpose of hunting in the early years. It was mainly because these dogs have a true sense of intelligence, bravery and liveliness. The early breeding of the Golden Retriever was largely dependent on the contribution of Tweed Water Spaniels. Breeding between Nous and Belle, a female Tweed Water Spaniel, was held in the estate and they produced four golden puppies. However, the breeding of modern the Golden Retriever is highly influenced by Irish setter, Bloodhound and Tweed Water Spaniel.

The popularity of the Golden Retriever increased significantly during the last decades of 19th century. The Golden Retriever officially appeared to the public for the first time in 1908 at Crystal Palace, England.  In the year 1913, the Golden Retriever Club in England was established and with this establishment a separate recognition for this breed was marked. It was 1920 when the Golden Retriever reached to North America and loved by many people.

In the year 1925, American Kennel Club (AKC) gave the breed recognition to the Golden Retriever. The time between the 1930's and 1940's is identified as the most flourishing years of the popularity of the Golden Retriever. This dog is so obedient that it won the Obedience Champ Title from the AKC in 1977, where it competed with other breeds as well.

During the early days of development, the versatility of the Golden Retriever was still unrecognized and this breed was only treated as a hunting dog. However later on all knew the versatile characteristics of this breed.

In the earlier times, buyers mostly prefer dark colored coat of the Golden Retriever to the light shade coat, but gradually the light golden shade became preferred by most people. Starting from its initial days of breeding, even today the popularity of the Golden Retriever has never faded away.

In today's world, the dog is recognized for its true intelligence, obedience and courage, which sets it apart from many other breeds.