Golden retrievers.

[bigdaz 688]

Going back a good few years now I had a handy couple of working goldies from decent lines which I never replaced for one reason or another.

Anyway after much deliberation and even more searching (they're like hens teeth) I managed to source a well bred litter in the back woods of darkest Norwich (eighteen hour round journey) and aquired a dog pup. Brings back many memories most common being, nice dog is there goldie in there somewhere, or what cross is that. I've always been aware of the lack of goldies basically forever, but I was inquisitive as to whether anyone on here worked them or had any experiences of them in the field.

[mally 832]

My friend Phil Wagland has goldens mate, he picks up twice a week on shoots and runs them in field trials with great success. Good steady dogs and a pleasure to see working.

[barraboy 28]

there is a lad in my wildfowling club who works a couple, ive seen them at the clubs working test and they do very well for him up against an army of black labs.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

Grouse keeper I know has a decent one. It ranges and works a bit like a pointer. And its a very clever dog.

[GrCh 856]

only thing my golden retriever liked were shaggin,food & beer. Great personality though.

[bigdaz 688]

Thanks for the replies guys, anyone want to hazard a guess why they're not more popular.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

The labrador took over from the old british retriever breeds, ( the lab, is generally 'easier' to train, and achieve a decent standard with)

[stroller 341]

lad on the moor picks up with one he says they are all in one day and not interested the next, my missus has a golden retriever x poodle and it is a hard hunting dog goes through cover like a demon after pheasant, but its never been trained and its a bit of a liability when out walking. I cant get on with it.

[bigdaz 688]

Hi Stroller, can't say that has been my experience, used my goldens 4/5 days a week at one point and found them as keen at the end as the start.

[eddie3 9]

there was a good write up on goldies in the shooting times a few months back,