AKC Golden Retriever - Top Class Golden Retrievers

Dog Breeders can register pure bred dogs with their national kennel club, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Kennel Club of England (KC). Each of these organizations lists standards for each particular breed. In the case of Golden Retrievers, these standards vary quite a bit. Although all goldens can trace their lineage back to dogs owned by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks in Scotland, today's British and American Golden Retrievers have marked differences. An AKC Golden Retriever would not do well at a KC dog show at all.

An AKC Golden Retriever has a look to the body shape that is more lanky due to longer legs. Its English brother is shorter and has bigger bones, making it slightly heavier. The British body shape is much more level all the way through, while the American one has a tendency to slope a little at the rear end. They have a different look about their faces too. An AKC muzzle is longer and the eyes squint more. The KC goldens have foreheads that are blockier and eyes that are rounder. The British Kennel Club also prefers a lighter golden colour as the English dogs can sometimes be as light as cream. AKC standards state that any extremes of light or dark colouring are looked upon as faults.

Though they are different, there are several similar traits common to the breed in both places. They both share the recognisable nature of the breed: warm, friendly, confident, easy to train, energetic and friendly. They also have the same weatherproof, double coat of wonderful golden, although the AKC Golden Retriever is usually darker than its British cousin. Neither is ever pure white; dogs that are snowy white are achieved by crossbreeding. Every variety of Golden Retriever is perfectly suited to be trained for tricks and various jobs. These amazing animals can serve in search and rescue, assisting the blind, elderly or disabled, stunt work, and drug location and seizure.

The Golden Retriever breed has a fairly short history in both countries. In 1894, the first golden (Lady) was registered with the AKC. However AKC Golden Retriever was not a recognized breed until 1925. In 1903, the first of this breed was registered at the KC with the breed being made official in 1911. At the time its name was listed as Retriever (Golden and Yellow) and was actually officially changed to the name of Golden Retriever in 1925. Though they have not been around long, these wonderful dogs have captured hearts around the globe, quickly becoming the world's most popular pet.