Page 47 - ShowSight Presents The Golden Retriever
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finding fault with space between the elbow and rib and a forward set to the front leg. A short underline is key; proper return of elbow makes that possible. Coat: more is not necessarily better. Proportion: I left this for last, but it is a crucial piece of the Golden puzzle and one that has been controversial for several years. The standard explicitly indicates an 11:12 ratio of height from ground to withers: length measured from breastbone to point
of buttocks. Visualize this as a 22" bitch (middle of the standard) being 24" long. The Golden is not a square breed, but it is not long in the same vein as a Clumber or Sussex or German Shepherd is indicated to be in their standards. Whether the proportion error is in legs that are too short from ground to elbow, or in a long loin (or any other piece being incorrect), there is no wavering from the required balance and symmetry. Granted, a long dog may move with ease, but it is very important to give preference to the dog with proper proportion.
7. How do you prioritize key Golden breed type elements when judging the breed? What is most important to you? Least important?
BA: 1) Overall balance and type. Without type, the breed will be generic. 2) Gait, proper movement. 3) Correct heads, including eyes and ears—it is a hallmark of the breed. I don’t believe there is a least important priority— it is all equally important.
PD: Outline is the first priority. It should not look like any other breed. This incorporates, structure, substance
and balance. My second priority would be a proper coat with the water-repelling texture that maintains the dog’s health and well-being in the water and in the field. Third- ly, I look for the proper eye shape and placement and kind, intelligent expression that is one of the hallmarks of the breed. My least consideration is color.
LH: My first consideration is correct proportion. The stan- dard states 12:11, slightly longer than tall. Not rectangu- lar. Form and function requires size, proportion and bal- ance. Second comes twofold—an effortless side gait with a strong level back and a good front assembly with a fore chest and depth. As for third, that would be relative to the pros and cons of the entry. Least important—whether or not the dog used its ears baiting.
GK: When judging Goldens, I like to see them move around the ring to look for balance and outline. I then judge them individually for outline when standing, heads and expression, coat texture, and coming and going. When you look at them they should make you smile. The least important would be color; they can range from cream to almost an Irish Setter red.
KL: Most important, proper silhouette, which includes just off square proportion, good leg length, level backline, well angulated forequarters. Second, character is so important in this breed. Kindly, sensible, intelligent, will- ing. Strength of head qualities. Coat quality and proper preparation of that coat is important. Shade of color is immaterial unless two are almost equal and one is at one end or the other of the acceptable spectrum.
golden retriever Q&A
DM: 1) Silhouette. 2) Proportion. 3) Shoulder/front assem- bly. 4) Topline—from top of head to tail set and carriage. Least important—not really anything. It all counts.
But for me, coming from a short-coated breed, probably the grooming. I want it clean.
CGM: My priority is moderation in all areas. The least impor- tant would be color.
BP: Overall balance is key, but there are several aspects to that, including size/proportion and fronts/rears. Basic structure is paramount. I’ll forgive head and expression, if I have to, but not a bad front, or long/long.
JP: Most important is the outline of the dog from the
side, the silhouette. It shows me if the dog is correctly proportioned, properly constructed, balanced and, above all, looks like a Golden. The overall picture of the dog viewed from the side tells so much about the dog. Second, I look for breed characteristics, including the head, length of body and tail set and carriage. Third, I look at the dog moving. Effortless, athletic movement is an important part of breed type so that it can handle its intended function. Least important is the external pack- age presented by volume of coat and the grooming skills.
MS: Priorities in judging can vary according to the qualities present in the dogs being judged on the day. If all are sound and balanced, for instance, the judge can have the luxury of judging on niceties of type and style. And styles can vary in dogs of equal overall quality. This is often difficult to get across to newbies, but it is the basics that must be considered first, then one can consider varia- tions within the desired/accepted range of breed type. Deviations from breed type, however, must be penalized, sometimes severely.
NT: 1) Balance and proportion standing and moving.
2) Proper coat. 3) Front assembly and topline. 4) Head; one should know that a Golden is a Golden simply by looking at the head. A correct Golden head is a treasure. Of least importance to me is color, as long as the dog
is within the wide range of “various shades of lustrous gold”—yes, that includes a cream color with the caveat that there must be some color in the dog’s ears or hock joints, two areas that often darken over several years.
8. How would you characterize current outline and proportion? Are breeders doing a good job with length to height; or is this still a drag on the breed? What areas should breeders concentrate on?
BA: Proportion is a ratio of 12:11. However to do their job, the chest must be well developed. Ribs well sprung. Loin short, wide, muscular. They are retrievers. They are gorgeous show dogs, but as with all breeds, they have a purpose and couldn’t do their purpose if not developed correctly. Most of the Goldens today could do their job very efficiently.
PD: I feel the biggest issue at this time is primarily that of proportion—long dogs (in the loin mostly) on short legs.
LH: Unfortunately, in my opinion, we have lost sight of our proportion. Long and low dominates a lot of entries and is still one of the drags on the breed. Recently I examined
WITH BARBARA ALDERMAN, PLUIS DAVERN, LINDA HURLEBAUS, GLORIA KERR, KATHY LORENTZEN, DR. DANA MASSEY, CONNIE GERSTNER MILLER, BARBARA PEPPER, JEFFREY PEPPER, MARCIA SCHLEHR & NANCY TALBOTT
