Probably the earliest record of the golden retriever as an individual breed is in the gamekeeper's records from the estate of Lord Tweedmouth in Inverness-shire, Scotland in 1835. Bred first as a sporting dog, golden retrievers soon became favorites as pets and show dogs.

In disposition, the golden retriever is friendly, obedient and loving, much like a setter or spaniel. They are easy to train, even by amateurs. Although not as fast in the water as the Labrador - their long flowing coat adds weight - goldens are reliable hunting dogs and have excellent noses, making them capable of "winding" game from 40 to 50 yards away.

"The character and rugged beauty of golden retrievers is what led me to paint them," says John Weiss. "Since retrievers and water are a natural, what could be better than golden retrievers on a foggy shoreline?"