Page 43 - ShowSight Presents The Golden Retriever
P. 43
BARBARA PEPPER
I live in Swannanoa, NC, about 20 minutes east of Asheville, in the beau- tiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. I am a weekly volun- teer at the Women’s Prison here. I enjoy growing flowers, both inside and out- side the house. I am an avid reader and also love listening to books on tape. Although my parents had a Golden
Retriever, technically the one that started it all for me was born in 1968. I started showing in 1970-71 and started judg- ing in 1991. You do the math, but am older than dirt!
JEFFREY PEPPER
I now live in Boynton Beach, on the east coast of Florida for the past 4 years, having moved here from California in 2012. At this time in my life, much of my life is devoted to dogs or dog-related activities. I judge quite a bit both in here and overseas and devote time to my activities with Take The Lead and my local kennel club. I purchased my first pure-bred in 1969, a Golden Retriever and attended my first show about a year
or so later. My first point show was the 1972 Golden Retriever National Specialty in New Jersey. I still show my dogs today. I have been judging for over 30 years now.
MARCIA SCHLEHR
I live in southeast Michigan not far from Ann Arbor. Other than dogs, I am a retired veterinary assistant and a freelance artist specializing in canines. I started in obedience with my Cocker in 1953, my first Golden born in 1955. I was approved by AKC to judge Goldens in 1982. In the years since, I have judged all over the US and Canada and in Australia.
NANCY TALBOTT
I live in the Mojave Desert, about an hour from Los Angeles. My first Cham- pion Golden was born in 1979; my first Champion Labrador was born in 1989. In the early years, I handled my dogs myself and happily spent over 25 years showing in conformation, obedience and field events. I was approved to judge in 1993.
1. Describe the breed in three words.
BA: Overall correct balance, correct heads, must have muzzles that can retrieve.
PD: A symmetrical, powerful, self-confident hunting dog. LH: Friendly, sporting and family.
GK: Athletic, kind and reliable.
KL: Sound, athletic and workmanlike.
DM: Moderate, golden friend.
CGM: Moderate, powerful and hunter.
BP: Beautiful, biddable and balanced.
JP: Moderate, natural and trainable.
MS: Functional (capable of many sorts of work). Balanced (in
body, mind and aptitude). Moderate (without exaggera-
tion of any sort).
NT: Balanced hunting retriever.
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed?
BA: Correct type.
PD: I need to see correct structure, correct coat and the bal-
ance that is needed for its original purpose.
LH: Good temperament, soundness in spirit and body. GK: My must haves are balance, correct temperament, off
square outline of 11:12, level topline (moving and stand-
ing), water repellent coat and soft expression.
KL: Correct silhouette, proportion and leg length.
DM: Balanced and correct proportions and angulation. Pleas-
ing expression and temperament.
CGM: Balance, proportion, breed character, conditioning,
proper coat quality and quantity.
BP: Proper proportions with correct length of leg; correct
length and return of upper arm; soundness without exag-
geration; moderate, moderate, moderate!
JP: Correct temperament, balanced angulation and construc-
tion resulting in well coordinated and harmonious move-
ment and correct type.
MS: Proper outline and proportion; basic soundness (both
structure and temperament); correct coat; head and
expression. These are trademarks of the Golden.
NT: Symmetry, effortless motion, moderation, strong head
with correct retriever character, resilient coat of proper length which wraps the body as a jacket, kindly eye and temperament, level topline, short underline from a cor- rectly made front and nothing in exaggeration.
3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated?
BA: Goldens are becoming short legged with longer backs. PD: My concern is regarding proportions. I am seeing more
and more long-backed dogs on short legs which totally
contradicts the requirements of the standard.
LH: Over the years we have gone through lots of changes. Do I see something “becoming” exaggerated? We have
been experiencing the same breed Issues as other breeds and styles flow and ebb with time. I believe that the long time Golden breeders have done a good job at trying not to fall into exaggeration traps.
GK: Traits that seem to be exaggerated now: faster is better, slanted toplines, blown up over done coats, that show, show, show attitude. None of these are correct in a Golden Retriever.
