A golden all-rounder

EXACTLY A CENTURY ago, a golden retriever called Balcombe Boy became the first dual champion in his breed, an impressive achievement then and an unlikely one now. Bred by Viscount Harcourt and handled and trained by his owner, Captain Dick Herman, Balcombe Boy became a show champion and a field trial champion in the same year, 1922.

Further dual champions followed as, until the middle of the last century, it wasn’t unusual for the same dogs to compete both in trials and in shows. However, as. He achieved his title nearly 70 years ago and, though there have been a few show champion goldens since that have managed to win field trial awards, none has achieved the elusive title of field trial champion.