Golden Retrievers Come From Two Dogs Named Nous and Belle
The Golden Retriever ranked third among dog breeds in America in 2021, according to the American Kennel Club. In fact, it frequently ranks among the top ten breeds. They tend to make wonderful family pets because they are lovable and a little silly. The origins of the entire breed can also be attributed to two particular dogs named Nous and Belle in 1868.
The first of the breed, a dog by the name of Nous who was reportedly some sort of yellow retriever, belonged to a Scotsman by the name of Sir Dudley Courts Marjoribanks. Nous was originally said to be a Russian circus dog, but there is no proof of that. The truth appears to be that he simply saw the dog while out for a walk and purchased it from a cobbler.
As a breeder, Sir Dudley maintained thorough breeding logs. He crossed the dog with Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel, and they had a litter of four puppies in 1868, according to records that are still in existence today. The resulting Retriever and Water Spaniel cross produced a sporting dog with a light coat that unmistakably appealed to people.
