The golden retriever is a famous dog breed known for its friendly nature and beautiful golden coat. Aren't you curious about the genealogy of the genus and species? Cause I am! Therefore, I decided to provide a short explanation of the golden retriever genus and species. Scroll down if you're interested!

• Genus and Species

  The golden retriever belongs to the genus Canis and species Canis lupus familiaris, which contains all domestic dogs. It falls under the retriever group originally bred for hunting and retrieving activity. This pedigree taught me why they were such friendly and intelligent dogs.

  

• Family

  Then what about their family? Golden retrievers belong to the Canidae family, which includes not only dogs but also foxes, wolves, and coyotes. This group is known for its carnivorous or omnivorous diet, exquisite keen sense of smell, and pack-based social structure. These traits are still seen in golden retrievers today.

• The Origins of Golden Retrievers

  History records that Sir Dudley Marjoribanks developed the golden retriever in Scotland in the nineteenth century. He crossed the flat-coated retriever with the tweed water spaniel and other English dog breeds, influencing the breed's intelligence, memory, and temperament.

  

• Subspecies and Breed Variations

  Talking about varieties, golden retrievers actually have 3 official subtypes: British (or English) Goldens, Canadian Goldens, and American Goldens.

  Although they all fall under the same genus and species of golden retriever, there are slight variations within them. It is influenced by geographical location and selective breeding. For example, American Goldens tend to be slightly taller, while those from the UK are often stockier.

• Genealogy and Evolutionary Lineage

  The Golden retriever has an interesting genetic lineage. It connects with other retriever breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. All these breeds are part of the same family and were initially bred to retrieve game for hunters. 

  Their evolutionary roots can be traced back to early breeds for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. Eventually, the golden retriever evolved into a versatile, friendly, and trainable breed.

  

Conclusion

New knowledge unlocked! Now we know that the genus and species of golden retriever is Canis lupus familiaris. It makes it part of a larger dog family but with a special personality. I will share some info about other dog breeds sometime. Stay tuned!