The Golden Retriever was originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. The name "retriever" refers to the breed's ability to retrieve shot game undamaged due to their soft mouths. Golden retrievers are well suited to residency in suburban or country environments. They are great family pets. They need a lot of attention as puppies. As with any puppy, they should not be left unsupervised. Goldens are very inquisitive and highly intelligent dogs. Adolescent Goldens are high energy and excitable and do best when they are active. They need lots of room to run. Golden retrievers have an instinctive love of water and are easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards. Typically, they love riding in vehicles, playing ball or frisbee and again, they make great hunting dogs. The more social they are the more well rounded and behaved they will be. Goldens need to be with their humans. They are social dogs that require attention daily.