Golden Retriever
Gun Dog Group
Breed Standard

General Appearance

A symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with kindly expression.

Characteristics

Biddable, intelligent and posses sing natural working ability.

Temperament

Kindly, friendly and confident.

Body

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

Neck

Good length, clean and muscular.

Hindquarters

Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from the 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.

Head & Skull

Balanced and well-chiseled, skull broad without coarseness, well set on neck, muzzle powerful, wide and deep length of foreface approximately equal in 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, ie. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

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.

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.

Weight & Size

Height at Withers - Dogs 56-61cm (22-24 inches); Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22 inches). The average weight in good hard condition should be Dogs 32-37 kilos; Bitches 27-32 kilos.

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.


To return to the contents page,
Click Here!

To go to the champions page,
Click here!