Golden Retrievers: Gentle Giants

Failed to add items

Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping basket is already at capacity.

Add to cart failed.

Please try again later

Add to wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Remove from wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Follow podcast failed

Unfollow podcast failed

Golden Retrievers: Gentle Giants

Listen for free

View show details

They're the goofy grin in every "good boy" meme, the go-to breed for therapy dogs, guide dogs, and family portraits alike. But where did the Golden Retriever actually come from? This episode digs into the surprisingly aristocratic origins of America's (and honestly, the world's) favorite good boy. We're heading to the misty highlands of 19th-century Scotland, where a wealthy nobleman named Dudley Marjoribanks, Lord Tweedmouth, set out to breed the perfect gundog for retrieving waterfowl on his sprawling estate. What he ended up creating was a dog so friendly, so trainable, and so photogenic that it would eventually conquer living rooms far beyond the Scottish moors. Hear how Golden Retrievers went from a working gundog to Kennel Club recognition, its arrival across the Atlantic, and how it became one of the most beloved breeds in the world, not to mention a Hollywood regular and a White House favorite. Along the way: a few myths debunked, a lot of tail wags, and the answer to why Goldens seem constitutionally incapable of holding a grudge. Grab your good boy (or girl) and settle in — it's time to fetch some history. 🐾 New episodes every Wednesday. Full episode and transcript at doggonehistory.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No reviews yet