The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, hardy and harmonious dog, which is popular not only for its appearance, but mainly for its friendly nature.
It is a dog that loves people. It is teachable and will do anything to please his master.
It is absolutely friendly with people and with children too. It approaches strange dogs without aggression. It tolerates the animals he knows.
Despite its sweet nature and presentable appearance, the Golden Retriever is mainly a great athlete. It needs a lot of exercise, whether as a helper in hunting, in dog sports, as an assistance dog or in walks and sports with the human pack.
The Golden Retriever is not suitable for guarding due to its friendly nature. Instead, it is ideal as a companion that adapts well to its owner and its family.
The Golden Retriever has a tendency to get fat, so it is important not only to feed it properly, but to give him enough activity to keep it fit.
When choosing a puppy, beware of breeders who offer dogs without a pedigree. As this is a popular breed, there are many gold diggers who try to make money in this dubious way.
Fortunately, there are many reputable breeders who will offer healthy puppies from proven and proven parents.
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
ORIGIN : Great Britain.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 28.07.2009.
UTILIZATION : Gundog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 8 Retrievers, Flushing
Dogs, Water Dogs.
Section 1 Retrievers.
With working trial.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover; sound with kindly expression.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability; kindly, friendly and confident.
HEAD : Balanced and well chiselled.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Broad without coarseness; well set on neck.
Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Preferably black.
Muzzle : Powerful, wide and deep. Length of foreface approximately equals length from stop to occiput.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes : Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims.
Ears : Moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes.
NECK : Good length, clean and muscular.
BODY : Balanced.
Back : Level topline.
Loins : Strong, muscular, short-coupled.
Chest : Deep through heart. Ribs deep, well sprung.
TAIL : Set on and carried level with back, reaching to hocks, without curl at tip.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs straight with good bone.
Shoulder : Well laid back, long in blade.
Upper arm : Of equal length as the shoulder blade, placing legs well under body.
Elbow : Close fitting.
Forefeet : Round and cat-like.
HINDQUARTERS : Hindlegs strong and muscular.
Stifle : Well bent.
Lower thigh : Good.
Hock : Well let down, straight when viewed from rear, neither turning in nor out. Cow-hocks highly undesirable.
Hind feet : Round and cat-like.
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
Hair : 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 AND WEIGHT :
Height at withers : Dogs 56 - 61 cm (22-24 ins);
Bitches 51 - 56 cm (20-22 ins).
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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on its ability to perform its traditional work.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.