Page 21 - ShowSight Presents The Golden Retriever

Photo by Barb Loree
heather and bracken to retrieve their game. They were expected to trail down crippled game using their nose and intelligence. They had to be willing to swim across swift, icy streams or rivers to retrieve those pheasants which had set their wings and flew a considerable distance before going down. They had to have the stamina and athletic ability to cover that steep and rocky terrain for long days spent in driving cold rain, snow flurries and harsh winds. They needed the trainability to work with their handler as a team and not go into business for themselves. They needed the tempera- ment to hunt with other dogs without the fear of fights developing. They needed a strong work ethic and the drive and desire to pursue their game under the most adverse conditions. They were expected to retrieve both fur (small game) and feather. If the dogs did not have these attributes, they were not used for reproduction.”
To those who feel that there is no value in watching Goldens run in field trials or in hunt tests, when their only interest is in conformation competition, you are wrong! It is vitally important to see first-hand the structure and athleticism needed to cover the terrain and perform the functions for which the breed was intended. Too many judges and fanciers today see only the lovely expression, wagging tail and often over-groomed, beautiful specimen in the
“NOTHING CAN REPLACE ACTUALLY SEEING THIS BREED IN
ACTION,
FULFILLING ITS HISTORICAL PURPOSE.”
conformation ring. Nothing can replace actually seeing this breed in action, ful- filling its historical purpose. The Golden Retriever’s athletic good looks must reflect his abilities, and nothing in the dog’s con- formation should interfere with, or detract from, the Golden’s working sporting char- acteristics. After all, the breed standard states, “Primarily a hunting dog.”
Portions of this article originally appeared in the “Golden Retriever News”, Nov./Dec. 2008 Our appreciation to Marcia Schlehr, Nancy Talbott and Gerry Clinchy for sharing their cor- respondence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glenda Brown has been a member of the GRCA since 1976. She judged the 1992 Master National and the 2003 National Amateur. She has put Championship titles on Goldens in Obedience and Field Tri- als, and titled them in hunt tests (Master Level) as well as Tracking tests.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ainslie Mills is Chair of the Golden Retriever Club of America Judges’ Educa- tion Committee, a CKC/AKC approved judge of six groups, Life Member of the CKC, GRCC and GRCBC and has been devoted to Golden Retrievers for nearly 40 years. She has judged the Golden National in 4 countries.
Glenda Brown and Luke running the National Amateur at age 101⁄2.
Ainslie Mills, Oriana Golden Retrievers (Perm. Reg.) She can be reached via oriana@telus.net.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2015 • 257