Golden retrievers, like all modern retriever breeds originating in the British Isles, descend from dogs that assisted cod fishermen who fished on Newfoundland’s Grand Banks.
This breed, called the St. John’s water dog, the lesser Newfoundland, the Labrador, the lesser Labrador, or (more accurately) “the true Newfoundland,” was used to haul nets, set lines, and even catch fish off of hooks.
It’s not every day that one reads of a descendant of one of these dogs doing something that its ancestors would have done on a routine basis.
But such is the case with Becky.
Becky is a golden retriever from Leiston, Suffolk, in East Anglia.
Her owner was walking her at Minsmere Sluice.
Like many golden retrievers, she enjoys swimming in the surf and fetching objects from the water.
Her owner has seen her retriever driftwood and even jellyfish from the sea, but he was quite shocked to see her haul out a five-pound cod.
Becky’s ancestors underwent intensive selective breeding once they arrived from Newfoundland.
For decades, they were selected for heightened biddability and docility.
They were largely meant to be retrievers of land-based game, such as pheasants and partridges and hares and rabbits.
But even after all that selection, there are still plenty of retrievers that would relish the chance to be fishing dogs once again.
Becky is one of these dogs.
Her breed may be “improved” and “refined,” but the truth is there are plenty of them that are still rough around the edges, still wild enough to charge into frigid water and dive among the breaking waves.
Retrievers are good dogs because they are nice and smart.
But they are still rugged animals.
In their ideal state, they are dogs without exaggeration or much evidence of artifice.
They are dogs with certain marine mammal adaptations and a penchant for carrying things in their mouths.
They must never become something else.
If they do, they will cease to be retrievers.
They might as well be stuffed animals.
Loving those last several line!
I had several occasions to learn from my wonderful departed GR exactly how strong a dog and how strong her instincts were. The first time she charged into storm surf it was difficult for me to restrain my urge to plunge in to rescue her, but in only an instant I understood that she could easily handle it. Apparently, body surfing come naturally to a Golden. She also loved to peel the starfish off the rocks at the tide pools–BAD DOGGIE!
you make the point I’ve been harping on for years regarding herding dogs. If they are in the “herding group” they ought to be able to herd. I don’t ask for the dogs to get advanced titles, but something on the order of a PT (AKC) or JHD (AHBA) ought to be required for that “CH” — other wise all one has is the frosting, and not the cake. I like the system the Germans have for the GSD — either an HGH or a SCH — recognizing the dual roles of the dogs and would back that up for my own breed (Belgian Sheepdogs). France is starting to require at least “SOMETHING” for the French herding breeds. In the US, the breed that has done the most in that regard is the Tervuren. Would that all the “herding group” breeds had a similar statistic of working titles at the end of the name.
You are 100% correct, IMO. Either it is or it isn’t. No compromises.
Personally, for retrievers, I think they should include a dip in a pool of water (preferably chasing something thrown in the water) about a half an hour before they appear in the conformation ring. Any hesitation about water should be an automatic disqualification. Retention of too much water should be penalized. Judges sometimes interpret the ‘coat’ part of the (Labrador) standard in ways that favor dogs with coats that behave like a sponge.
Many dogs keep the ancestral drive . . . others not. I’ve owned two Labbies who didn’t like to get wet, and one with who wouldn’t retrieve. On the other hand, I’ve also had dogs what liked crashing surf, and (in New Hampshire) dogs who were happy dive the river along with floating ice to get a stick or tennis ball. My present pup spends hours catching frogs, which she brings to me live if I’m around (more frogs than fish in my pond).
Our local Golden club used to hold a “wet dog contest” after the annual Working Certificate test. All the dogs (Goldens and Flat-coats) were shown sopping wet, and judged as in the show ring. Lots and fun for all, and also quite instructive!
I love how very proud the dog looks in the first picture!
I used to own a dog who was only part retriever, but he loved the water and loved to fetch – even rocks. At four months, he decided to jump into the Potomac river (in November) and happily swam until I dragged him out. Swimming made him happy, like it should for any retriever. The collies, on the other hand, never go in past their bellies.
I had one that would break ice in a pond in 17 degree weather to swim.
She had to be scolded off doing that for safety reasons.
You can’t really tell by the middle picture, but it shows Tooey bringing a pheasant out of a pond that was frozen around the edges. http://patricedodd.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/friday-pheasants/
A little ice is not enough to keep her out of the water. Of course, it wasn’t as cold as 17 degrees.
I hope Becky’s owner ate the cod.
Both my IWS love the water — Cooper because he can retrieve things out of it and Tooey because water is something to swim in. http://patricedodd.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/netarts-bay-day-1/
One time Cooper won a major in the conformation ring was during a heavy downpour. The show was outside, and we all got soaked. I think the judge learned something about Irish Water Spaniels that day.
[…] fishing abilities, and they were well-known for charging into the surf and coming out with a fish, a feat that one sometimes sees retrievers doing quite well. One could see that over time, that the St. John’s breed would have evolved even more in this […]