The Golden Retriever is a medium-large gun dog that was bred to retrieve shot waterfowl, such as ducks and upland game birds, during hunting and shooting parties. The name 'retriever' refers to the breed's ability to retrieve shot game undamaged due to their soft mouth. Golden retrievers have an instinctive love of water, and are easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards. They shed copiously, particularly at the change of seasons, and require fairly regular grooming. The Golden Retriever was originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. The breed is a prominent participant in conformation shows for purebred dogs. The Golden Retriever was originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. The breed is a prominent participant in conformation shows for purebred dogs. The British Kennel Club standard is used in all countries except the US and Canada. Golden retrievers have muscular bodies with great endurance, owing to their origins as hunting and gundogs.