'Golden retriever': Family’s new puppy digs up £6k of sovereign coins on his first walk

Puppy Ollie has dug up sovereign coins worth nearly £6k. (SWNS)
Puppy Ollie has dug up sovereign coins worth nearly £6k. (SWNS) (SWNS)

A family’s new puppy made the most of his first walk — by digging up gold coins worth nearly £6,000.

Ollie, a Lagotto Romagnolo, was bought by Adam Clark as a surprise for his nine-year-old daughter Alicia last month.

The breed is notorious for digging and on his first walk around the local fields near the family's home in Blackpool last month, the young dog stumbled upon a small fortune.

Ollie instinctively dug up a total of 15 gold sovereign pieces, likely dating back to the 19th century.

The gold coins are valued at £5,943.96. (SWNS)
The gold coins are valued at £5,943.96. (SWNS) (SWNS)
Adam Clark bought Ollie as a surprise for his nine-year-old daughter Alicia last month. (SWNS)
Adam Clark bought Ollie as a surprise for his nine-year-old daughter Alicia last month. (SWNS) (SWNS)

Mr Clark, who works in property, took the gold coins to be examined by Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer, one of the leading gold dealers in the country – who valued them at £5,943.96.

The landlord is thrilled with the return from the treasure, but believes the real prize is Ollie himself, dubbing him his very own "gold hunter".

Mr Clark, from Blackpool, Lancashire, said: "When we got him we thought he seemed special.

"Alicia was over the moon and we couldn't wait to take him out for his first walk around the gala fields.

Ollie's owner has dubbed him a dubbing him his very own 'gold hunter'. (SWNS)
Ollie's owner has dubbed him a dubbing him his very own 'gold hunter'. (SWNS) (SWNS)
Ollie is a lagotto romagnolo, a breed notorious for digging. (SWNS)
Ollie is a Lagotto Romagnolo, a breed notorious for digging. (SWNS) (SWNS)

"We'd literally been walking for around 10 minutes when Ollie suddenly stopped and started frantically digging away at the soil.

"That's when he uncovered the pile of gold pieces – I couldn't quite believe it.

"The treasure is one thing, but, the fact is, I've bought myself my very own gold hunter, and I cannot wait to take him out again.

"He is obviously a very special pup and I'm thrilled with what he brings to the table – quite literally!"

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