Retriever (Golden)

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

General Appearance 

The Golden Retriever is a symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful and level mover, sound with a kindly expression.  

Characteristics 

They are biddable, intelligent and possessing a natural working ability. 

Temperament 

They are kindly, friendly and confident. 

Head and Skull 

They have a balanced well-chiselled skull, broad without coarseness and well set on the neck, the muzzle is powerful wide and deep. The length of the foreface is approximately equal to the length from well-defined stop to occiput. The nose is black. 

Eyes

The eyes are dark brown, set well apart with dark rims.

Ears 

The ears are of moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes. 

Mouth 

The mouth has strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 

Neck 

The neck has a good length and is clean and muscular. 

Forequarters 

The forequarters have forelegs which are straight with good bone. The shoulders are well laid back, long in blade with upper arms of equal length placing the legs well under the body. The elbows are close fitting.

Body 

The body is well balanced, short coupled, deep through heart, the ribs are deep and well sprung. They have a level topline. 

Hindquarters 

 The hindquarters have loin and legs which are strong and muscular, good second thighs with well bent stifles. The hocks are well let down, straight when viewed from the rear, either turning in nor out. Cowhocks highly desirable. The feet are round and cat-like. 

Tail 

The tail is set on and carried level with the back, reaching to hocks, without a curl at the tip. 

Gait

The gait / movement is powerful with a good. It is straight and true in front rear. The stride is long and free with no sign of hackney action in front. 

Coat 

The coat is flat or wavy with good feathering and a dense water resisting undercoat.  

Colour 

The colour is any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest permissible. 

Size 

The dogs measure 56 – 61 cms and bitches 55 – 56 cms in height.

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: The males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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