Description
The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, hardy, and well-balanced dog, popular not only for its classic appearance but primarily for its wonderfully friendly and dependable nature.
This is a breed that truly loves people. It is highly trainable and eager to please, always striving to make its owner happy.
The Golden Retriever is famously gentle and patient with everyone, including children. It typically approaches other dogs without a hint of aggression and is generally tolerant of other household pets it has been raised with.
Despite its sweet disposition and presentable looks, the Golden Retriever is, at its core, a true athlete. It needs plenty of daily exercise, whether through its traditional role as a hunting companion, in dog sports, as an assistance dog, or simply on long walks and adventures with its human pack.
Its friendly nature means it is entirely unsuitable for guard duties. Instead, it shines as an adaptable and devoted companion that seamlessly integrates into the life of its human pack.
Prospective owners should be aware that Golden Retrievers have a tendency to gain weight. Therefore, a balanced diet must be paired with sufficient activity to keep them fit and healthy.
When choosing a puppy, it is crucial to be cautious of breeders who offer dogs without a proper pedigree. Due to the breed's popularity, there are many irresponsible breeders who prioritize profit over the health and temperament of the dogs. Fortunately, there are also many excellent, reputable breeders who dedicate themselves to raising healthy puppies from proven, health-tested parents.
FCI Standard
FCI-Standard N° 111 / 28.10.2009 / GB
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.