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THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED STANDARD (The Kennel Club)
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal
characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and
ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness
is essential. Breeders and Judges should at all times be
careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would
be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare and soundness
of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or
exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect
dogs in some breeds adversely and Judges and Breeders are
requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any
such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it
should only be present in the right measure.
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General Appearance
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Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound,
with kindly expression.
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Characteristics
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Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.
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Temperament
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Kindly, friendly and confident.
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Head and skull
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Balanced and well chiselled 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.
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Eyes
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Dark brown, set well apart, dark
rims.
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Ears
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Moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes.
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Mouth
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Jaws strong, with a perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. Upper
teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set to the jaws.
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Neck
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Good length, clean and muscular.
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Forequarters
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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.
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Body
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Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep and well
sprung. Level top line.
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Hindquarters
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Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent
stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from front
and rear, neither turning in nor out. Cow hocks highly
undesirable.
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Feet
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Round and cat like.
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Tail
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Set on and carried level with the back, reaching the hocks,
without curl at tip.
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Gait/ Movement
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Powerful with good drive. Straight and true in front and rear.
Stride long and free with no sign of hackney action in front.
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Coat
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Flat or wavy with good
feathering, dense water-resisting undercoat.
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Colour
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Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few
white hairs on chest permissible.
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Size
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Height at withers
Dogs 56 – 61 cms (22 – 24 inches)
Bitches 51 – 56 cms (20 – 22 inches)
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Faults
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Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a
fault and the seriousness with witch the fault should be
regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
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Note:
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Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles which
fully descent into the scrotum
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