GOLDEN RETRIEVER

BREED STANDARD

Général Appearance:

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

Charactéristics :

Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.  

Temperament : Kindly, friendly and confident.

Head and Skull :

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.

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 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. Cow-hocks 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.l
 

 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 at withers:     dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 ins);      bitches: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins).