Hundreds of Golden Retrievers gathered at the breed's ancestral home in the Scottish Highlands for three days of fun.

Guisachan House — where the first Golden Retriever puppies were born 155 years ago — welcomed dogs from countries including Canada, North America, Japan and Australia. The gatherings are organised every five years by the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, with this year setting a new attendance record.

It was originally thought there were around 200 of the Golden Retrievers at the event, but it has been confirmed that in fact almost 500 showed up.

The aim of the event is to keep alive the knowledge of the breed, with highlights including talks, workshops, demonstrations, a night-time procession, and a mile-long walk to the property where dogs and owners were greeted by a piper.

To end the night, a rendition of The Proclaimers' song I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) was played alongside more bagpipe tunes.

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Carol Henry, secretary of the Golden Retriever Club Scotland, told the BBC: "We want to hold on to the confidence, the biddability, the companionship and loyalty – all the things the Golden Retriever was built on."

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The breed was founded in 1868 by Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, later known as Lord Tweedmouth at the historic Guisachan Estate. Lord Tweedmouth mated a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever named Nous with a rare Tweed Water-Spaniel named Belle, who gave birth to the very first Golden Retrievers: Crocus, Cowslip, Ada and Primrose.

The Golden Retriever is now one of the most popular dogs in the UK, with registrations peaking in 2021 when 11,800 dogs were registered.

10 products to keep your dog cool during a heatwave
Cool Down Foldable Dog Pool
Rosewood Cool Down Foldable Dog Pool
£28 at Pets at Home

Let your four-legged friend cool down in their very own pool. And you don't have to worry about blowing this up or it taking up too much room in your garden. This dog pool can be folded away in seconds.

Dog Cooling Vest
Rantow Dog Cooling Vest
Credit: Amazon

The layered construction of this vest is designed to keep your dog cool when the temperature rises. The outer layer reflects heat and facilitates evaporation while the middle layer absorbs and stores water for evaporation.

Cooling Dog Mat Blue
Sunny Daze Cooling Dog Mat Blue
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A must-have for warm summer days, this cooling dog mat doesn't need to be chilled or filled with water. The gel interior keeps pups cool and is best placed in a shaded space for them to feel the full benefits.

Petlibro Capsule Pet Water Fountain
Petlibro Capsule Pet Water Fountain
Credit: John Lewis & Partners

This fountain contains a filter to keep water as pure as possible. It's a great way to encourage your pet to stay hydrated.

Scruffs Dog Cool Bed
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Filled with a non-toxic gel, the inner self-cooling mat in this dog bed will maintain its cooling properties for approximately 1 hour. During this time, the mat is typically 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature.

Arctic Freeze Chew Toy
Arctic Freeze Chew Toy
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The next best thing to an ice lolly, this chew toy can be filled with water and frozen to create a refreshing activity for your pup to enjoy.

Chillax Cool Dog Collar
Rosewood Chillax Cool Dog Collar
Credit: The Pet Express

Working to reduce body temperature, this cooling dog collar simply needs to be soaked in water for a few minutes and then applied to offer a cooling respite for your dog.

Dog Cooling Mat
furrybaby Dog Cooling Mat
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High-quality waterproof PVC material provides a safe environment for your pets to cool down. You do not need to soak, freeze or refrigerate this pad for it to work.

Drinkwell Ceramic Avalon Pet Fountain White
PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Avalon Pet Fountain White
Credit: Pets At Home

Suitable for dogs and cats, make sure that your four-legged friends stay hydrated this summer. This fountain continuously filters and re-circulates fresh water for them to drink and can hold two litres at a time.

Dog Pet Cooling Bowl
ALL FOR PAWS Dog Pet Cooling Bowl
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Chill both your dog's water and food during a hot day with this bowl that can be kept in the freezer to give your pup a refreshing drink or meal.