DogExpress
In a gathering at the historic Guisachan House in Glen Affric, hundreds of golden retrievers and their owners have assembled to celebrate the breed’s heritage. Guisachan House holds a significant place in the breed’s history, as it was where the first golden retriever puppies were born 155 years ago. These puppies were bred by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, an aristocrat who envisioned creating a gun dog suitable for the Scottish Highland terrain.
Participants from various regions, including the UK, continental Europe, North America, Australia, and Japan, have come together at the ruins of Guisachan House. Throughout the week, a series of events such as talks, workshops, demonstrations, and a night-time procession have been organized in the vicinity of Tomich, located south of Inverness and nearby Cannich.
The gathering event was anticipated to happen on Thursday. It was expected to assemble hundreds of golden retrievers in one location and make it the largest gathering of the breed across the globe. The event aimed to preserve the knowledge and heritage of the breed, with a particular emphasis on responsible breeding practices and the preservation of the dogs’ distinctive qualities and temperament.
Carol Henry, the secretary of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the breed’s traits, including confidence, biddability, companionship, and loyalty. Mrs. Henry expressed concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible breeding during the Covid pandemic lockdowns.
Canines from 12 countries have gathered for this event. As part of the festivities, a procession took place on Tuesday evening. Accompanied by a piper, the procession involved a mile-long walk to the ruined house, where the dogs and their owners assembled.
Despite the weather forecast predicting thunderstorms, the anticipated storms did not materialize. However, the participants had to contend with a significant presence of biting Highland midges. The evening concluded with a rendition of The Proclaimers song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and more bagpipe tunes.
This event has been organized every five years for the past several years. Notably, in 2018, the event commemorated the breed’s 150th anniversary. The first litter of golden retrievers was born in 1868, resulting from a cross between a Tweed water spaniel (an extinct breed) and a yellow wavy-coated retriever. The litter consisted of three puppies, Primrose, Cowslip, and Crocus, although some accounts mention the possibility of a fourth pup.
It took more than 40 years to officially recognize the golden retriever as a breed by The Kennel Club. It is the largest organization in the UK dedicated to dog health, welfare, and training. Marjoribanks, a businessman, Liberal MP, and also known as Lord Tweedmouth, bred the retrievers at his Guisachan estate. Unfortunately, during the 1960s, the house started to deteriorate.
in Chandigarh, India. 
