Page 28 - ShowSight Presents The Golden Retriever
P. 28
Photo by Barb Loree
to work in the dense, harsh, wiry heath- er and bracken on those rocky slopes, in the constant wet of this cool climate. Leg length, musculature, agility, coat texture and quality of undercoat suddenly took on considerable added importance.
Nancy further related the following: “The day at Guisachan did indeed firm up what I had believed for decades regarding Golden type, but those opinions had been formed from reading and seeing still pho- tos only. I have spoken of my “epiphany” at each judging seminar since that summer, and continue to make it my mission to get that word out.”
“One of the things that struck me about Northern Scotland was the fact that there is virtually no level ground, and where it is level it is strewn with large rocks and heavy cover. It rained every day that we were there, even during what the Scots called a “heat wave” (I think it got up into the 80s). When I watched the Goldens at the estate participate in a “scurry” (timed singles retrieving com- petition), it became achingly clear why a moderate dog with moderate coat would be ever so much more efficient than either a weedy and fine boned dog or a clod with massive coat. I watched for hours, and the image etched itself into my memory. Up hills, running on ground that would turn the ankle of any humans who tried to run on it, dodging around boulders, and driv- ing through heavy wet grasses. And the dogs were all entered in the conformation ring that day and the day following. It was delightful to see.”
While it may not be realistic to expect most Golden owners, in this day and age, to hunt with their Goldens, it is realistic to expect them to know just what constitutes “hunting” and what is needed in a good hunting dog. When Goldens were devel-
Photo by Nancy Talbot
oped, they were expected to have the cour- age to bust through that dense, harsh, wiry 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 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.
BIO
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.
Glenda Brown and Luke running the National Amateur at age 101⁄2.
BIO
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.
Ainslie Mills, Oriana Golden Retrievers (Perm. Reg.) She can be reached via oriana@telus.net.
