April 2, 2026
She is best known for her contributions to women’s rights, both locally and internationally, but Vernon’s Lady Aberdeen also has a lesser-known connection to the history of one of the world’s most popular dog breeds, the Golden Retriever.
The breed was developed in Scotland in the 1860s by her father, Sir Dudley Marjoribanks. His work began with a yellow-coloured retriever named Nous, who stood out as the only golden puppy in a litter of black-coated dogs. The exact origins of Nous are uncertain, with stories suggesting he may have been purchased from a Russian circus trainer, a cobbler, or a Romani individual.
Nous was bred with Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel, and in 1868 they produced four yellow puppies named Primrose, Ada, Cowslip, and Crocus. Through selective breeding of similarly-coloured dogs, this line became the foundation for the Golden Retriever as it is known today.
Lady Aberdeen was born into a prominent Scottish family that claimed descent from Robert the Bruce. In 1877, she married John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, Lord Aberdeen. The couple first visited Canada in 1890, and in October 1891 they purchased a ranch near Vernon, renaming it Coldstream Ranch.
It is believed, though not confirmed, that one or more Golden Retrievers may have been brought to the ranch during their ownership, which lasted until about 1919. If so, the first Golden Retrievers in Canada may have arrived in Vernon. For this reason, Lady Aberdeen is often credited with introducing the breed to Canada and possibly to North America more broadly.
After the First World War, returning soldiers are also thought to have brought Golden Retrievers from the United Kingdom to Canada and the United States, helping the breed become more widely established.
The Canadian Kennel Club officially recognized the Golden Retriever in 1927, with kennels in Manitoba playing an important role in developing the breed in North America. By that time, Lady Aberdeen had returned to Scotland, where she died in 1939.
Today, alongside her lasting contributions to women’s rights, Lady Aberdeen’s connection to the early presence of Golden Retrievers in Canada remains a small but intriguing part of her legacy, particularly given Vernon’s possible role in that history. As of 2025, the Golden Retriever is the second most popular breed in Canada, just behind the Labrador Retriever.
Archives Manager, Gwyneth Evans