This page is an information page encompassing the Breed Standard & books we have read & other bits & pieces we think maybe of help to you in understanding the breed.

 GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED STANDARD

GENERAL APPEARANCE - Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover; sound with kindly expression.

CHARACTERISTICS - Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.

TEMPERAMENT - Kindly, friendly and confident.

HEAD AND SKULL - Balanced and well-chiseled, skull broad without coarseness; well set on neck, muzzle powerful, wide and deep. Length of foreface approximately equals length from well-defined stop to occiput. Nose preferably black.

EYES - Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims.

EARS - Moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes.

MOUTH - Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK - Good length, clean and muscular.

FOREQUARTERS - Forelegs straight with good bone, shoulders well laid back, long in blade with upper arm of equal length placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting.

BODY - Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep, well sprung. Level topline.

HINDQUARTERS - Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from rear, neither turning in nor out. Cowhocks highly undesirable.

FEET - Round and cat-like.

TAIL - Set on and carried level with back, reaching to hocks, without curl at tip.

GAIT/MOVEMENT - Powerful with good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and free with no sign of hackney action in front.

COAT - Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense water-resisting undercoat.

COLOUR - Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest only, permissible.

SIZE -

Height: Dogs 56-61 cms (22-24 ins) at withers

Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22 ins) at withers

FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.


GOLDEN BOOKS OF INTEREST:

 The Ultimate Golden Retriever 2nd Edition – Valerie Foss

 Golden Retrievers Today – Valerie Foss

 The Book of the Golden Retriever – Anna Katherine Nicholas

 Golden Retriever – Nona Kilgore Bauer

 The Golden Retriever – Eva Adamson & Wayne Hunthausen D.V.M

 Golden Retrievers for Dummies - Bauer

OTHER BITS & PIECES:

 grcq.org.au/index.asp

The above link is to the extended breed standard -this is used to train potential Judges.

I feel that it is a wonderful hand guide for newbies to read as it is a more comprehensive guide to the Golden Retriever than the general breed standard above.

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