Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever originated in Great Britain during the second half of the 19th century as a specialised gundog developed for retrieving game. Its development is closely associated with Lord Tweedmouth, who systematically bred dogs capable of working reliably in demanding terrain and water.

The breed was developed using, among others, the now-extinct Yellow Retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniels and other working breeds. The aim was to produce a retriever with a soft mouth, an excellent sense of smell, and a strong willingness to work in partnership with its handler.

Over time, the Golden Retriever became not only an outstanding working gundog but also one of the world’s most popular family companions. Thanks to its friendly temperament and intelligence, the breed today excels not only in the shooting field but also in animal-assisted therapy, search and rescue work, and a wide range of dog sports.

The correct use of genetic testing is essential. It is important to understand that a carrier is, first and foremost, a healthy dog. Thanks to genetic testing, carriers can be safely used in breeding without the risk of producing affected puppies, provided they are mated to genetically clear partners. Excluding carriers from breeding unnecessarily and significantly reduces the breed’s genetic diversity.
It is therefore important to test not only stud dogs but also breeding bitches and to use the results when selecting a suitable mate. The ideal breeding partner should be as unrelated as possible, complement the bitch in both type and quality, help balance her weaknesses, and must not be a carrier of the same genetic mutation.
It is not advisable to breed exclusively from dogs that are genetically clear for all available tests. It is important to remember that genetic tests are not yet available for many inherited conditions, and unnecessarily reducing the breed’s genetic diversity may increase the prevalence of other hereditary diseases in the future.

Dogs that are not fit for breeding should be excluded from breeding, regardless of whether they meet the formal breeding requirements. A healthy dog is not defined solely by excellent hip scores and a few favourable genetic test results.
Dogs affected by diseases or conditions for which no genetic tests are available, or that may develop later in life, should not be used for breeding. This includes, in particular, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, thyroid disorders, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, severe allergies and chronic skin conditions, entropion, ectropion, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, spondylosis, and similar conditions.

Breeding is, above all, a long-term responsibility towards the breed, future puppies and their owners. Concealing or downplaying health problems within breeding lines contributes to their continued spread throughout the population and may result in lifelong health problems for future generations, placing a significant burden on their owners. Every puppy that is born will share many years of life with its family. Breeders therefore have an ethical responsibility to give every puppy the best possible chance of a healthy and fulfilling life. Openness, honesty and a critical, responsible approach to the selection of breeding dogs are the foundation of responsible breeding.