First bred as sporting dogs in the early 1800s, Golden Retrievers soon became favorites as pets and show dogs. Their friendly, obedient and loving disposition makes them easy to train. Their excellent noses make them reliable hunting dogs, capable of “winding” game from up 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 pair, what could be better than Golden Retrievers on a foggy shoreline?”