then consider color if necessary. PROPORTION AND SIZE:
©GRCC-Used with permission.
preference! Wavy coats generally have the correct texture. The breed standard requires a natural appearing coat, with moderate feathering, untrimmed natu- ral ruff and trimming limited to neat- ening stray hairs on the ears and feet. Goldens should never be clippered or sculpted in appearance. wObvious scis- soring or shaping, stripping of the top- coat and over-trimming are completely uncalled for and not within the guide- lines outlined by the breed standard. COLOR: A lustrous golden of varying shades. Greying of the face and body due to age is not to be faulted. Variation in coloring, with lighter feathering on the back of the legs, thighs and tail, is one of the great features of this breed. The standard states: Predominant body color which is either extremely pale or extremely dark is undesirable. Undesir- able is not a disqualification, a major fault or fault and there are many struc- tural issues and type issues that should be considered more seriously than col- or. Extreme dark color is not preferable to light or cream colors either, the stan- dard is clear. Ideal is somewhere in the middle, all other qualities of structure, gait, coat, head type, etc. being equal. Breeder-judges will often comment that they have never made a decision on a winning dog based on color. Below is the range of color found in the breed. Just find the best Golden Retriever first,
The breed standard is clear but what is often appearing and being rewarded in the ring is not in keeping with the requirements of the standard. Length from breastbone to point of buttocks slightly greater than height at withers in ratio of 12:11. This is only slightly off- square. The measurement of withers to elbow and elbow to ground should be approximately equal. The under- line should be relatively short. The Golden needs sufficient leg to scramble out of the water and over some tough terrain in its native Scotland. Often excessivebody lengthcomes fromlength through the loin which is not the short, muscular, wide, deep loin called for in the standard. Golden Retrievers have a disquali- fication for size. Please note that pup- pies are NOT exempt from the size requirements. Judges should always be aware of the size standard of the Gold- en Retriever and its importance to the breed function. The Golden Retriever is a moderately sized, athletic, hunting dog that may be required, at times, to work out of a small boat yet have the stamina to perform a full day in the field. We encourage judges to mea- sure any Golden Retriever in competi- tion whose size creates uncertainty, whether at the upper or lower limit of the allowed size range. Dogs that are outside of the desirable size range but within the disqualification limits are to be proportionately penalized.
Lovely head study
Dogs and bitches which fall within the stated acceptable size range should be regarded as having equal merit, wheth- er they are at the upper or lower end of the desirable range. HEAD: Another hallmark trait of the Golden Retriever is its friendly, soft, self-con- fident expression and beautiful head. With the breed’s prime function of retrieving game, the proper construc- tion of muzzle and skull is imperative, as is musculature of the neck and head. Good depth and breadth of muzzle and skull are necessary. The muzzle should be approximately as long as the skull. Ears should be relatively short, attached slightly above and behind the eye. While eye shape is not stated in the stan- dard, they should be medium large and dark in an open almond shape. They should not be obliquely set, round or triangular, all of which detract from the correct expression. The correct Golden Retriever can fulfil many roles in today’s society, but the qualities that made it a keen hunt- ing companion and fireside companion are those that endear the breed to many today. We encourage judges to under- stand the importance of correct propor- tion, coat texture, head properties, gait and temperament to ensure the breed remains true to type. For More Information: Golden Retriever Club of America Study Guide, ht t ps : //www.grca .org /about - the - breed/illustrated-study-guide-under- standing-the-breed-standard/
A lovely, balanced, moderate male Golden Retriever. Photo used with permission of GRCA.
S how S ight M agazine , A ugust 2017 • 297
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