“Nous” was a yellow wavy-coated retriever that Dudley Marjoribanks (the future Lord Tweedmouth) acquired in the middle 1860s, a puppy born in a litter of black coated retrievers. Dudley would breed “Nous” to “Belle,” a Tweed Water Spaniel, and together the pair produced four yellow puppies who would be the basis of the fabulous Golden Retriever.

The breed, however, wasn’t always known by that color (gold). It was originally known as the “yellow retriever,” and would later be registered as “Flat Coats of Any Other Color” with England’s Kennel Club in the early 20th century. They got their own recognition in 1913, but were registered as “Retrievers – Yellow or Golden.” As one story goes, the name, “Golden Retriever” may have been coined by Lord Harcourt after he’d bought several puppies from a keeper. The dogs proved very popular when Harcourt exhibited them at a Kennel Club dog show in 1908, and it was at this time that the term, ‘Golden Retriever’ was first used to described them. Consequently, credit for the name is usually given to Lord Harcourt. It wasn’t until 1920 that the Kennel Club allowed the breed to take on its present name of ‘Golden Retriever.’

 “Master Of Wet Elements” by Joachim G Pinkawa is available as a print photograph here.