Page 55 - ShowSight Presents The Golden Retriever

WITH RICHARD ANTON, LAURIE DOUMAUX, ROLAND HACH HACHTEL, ELLEN HARDIN, JACKIE MERTENS, BARBARA GOODKIND PEPPER, JUNE SMITH, GAYLE WATKINS AND BERNA HART WELCH
In Golden Retrievers, I think overall breed-type is being challenged. While there are some with excellent breed- type and structure, many dogs that finish championships have faults we are trying to breed away from: overall lack of balance (more-upright front assemblies combined with over-angulated rears), longer-cast outlines (short ribs with long loins), weaker heads (narrow muzzles, smaller eyes, larger ears and less-than-pleasing expressions).
LD: My opinion of the current quality of purebred dogs in general—some good, some not so good. Golden Retriev- ers, in particular are better than in the 80s, not as good as in the 60s and 70s.
RH: The quality overall is good. In Goldens, I see lots of improvement but some new problems showing up.
EH: Fitness for purpose is being lost. Overgrooming and sculpting detract from the purpose of the breed.
JM: We, as Breeders, need to look at the whole dog (struc- ture, temperament, willingness, longevity etc.). We must not be narrow minded about our own Breeding stock. We must recognize their faults and try to correct them by breeding to dogs that compliment what we are looking for.
BP: Given the increased numbers, I feel there are some truly outstanding dogs, but a very large number of poor to mediocre ones.
JS: I cannot speak for dogs in general, but am concerned with the trends in Goldens being shown and winning.
GW: I think purebred dogs are in a precarious position, both genetically, politically and publicly. Purebred dog breed- ers are not applying principles of population genetics and genetic diversity, to conserve our gene pools and do all we can to reduce the incidence of genetic diseases. The “tragedy of the commons” fits current breeds. In this tragedy, multiple individuals, acting independently and consulting their own self-interest, will ultimately destroy a shared limited resource even when it is clear that it
is not in anyone’s long-term interest for this to happen. Our shared limited resource are the genes present in our closed gene pools. Most breeders focus on producing dogs that will be successful in the near term, rather than maintaining genetic diversity across the entire breed. Golden retrievers have not avoided this loss of genetic diversity and, despite their popularity, carry a relatively low number of genes into the future from generation to generation. Once lost, genes cannot be recovered within a breed without opening the stud book so finding ways to preserve Golden’s genetic diversity needs to be a prior- ity for owners and national clubs.
BW: Current overall quality of dogs varies from show to show. One might attend a small, out of the way show and find great dogs in the groups while a larger show may
have only a few standouts. As far as Goldens go, I usually see the most quality at specialties and in particular, the breeder-exhibitors will have some nice dogs.
2. What do you think are important features of Golden Retriever type that are too often overlooked by conformation judges?
RA: Key breed-type elements overlooked include: balanced proportions/outline (correct height to length ratio) and equal front-to-rear gait, correct heads (a hallmark of the breed), correct coat texture and willing/happy tempera- ment (rather than high-strung over-active). Seems judges often select based on active, fast side-gait alone.
LD: Important features of Golden Retriever type that are too often overlooked by conformation judges are coat which includes trimming/grooming, head, fronts
and proportion.
RH: Often overlooked by judges is the fact the Golden is a hunting dog and should have correct proportions, coat length and texture and that the Golden should be judged as an whole dog.
EH: Correct movement.
JM: A dog that is structurally sound enough and has the
stamina to be able to put in a day’s hunt in the field-after
all, that is what the Golden is supposed to be bred for. BP: Important features of Golden Retriever type that are
too often overlooked by judges include overall balance of front and rear angulation, correct leg length to body length proportions, correct “wrap around, water proof” coat, connection of form and function.
JS: Often overlooked by judges—correct balance front to back which, when lacking, shows up in poor gait.
GW: What do you think are important features of Golden Retriever type that are too often overlooked by confor- mation judges? Proper proportions, coat and substance. Short legs and long back are increasingly commonplace in the Golden Retriever conformation ring. Add to that too much coat and bone, we now have a dog that is far from a functional hunting dog, regardless of how cute.
BW: The biggest problem I see in the Golden ring is lack of proper proportion. This is a slightly off square breed that has become longer and lower. And it is rewarded! Much to my disappointment I see some breeder-judges also rewarding this. A dog with correct leg length and a shorter back looks out of place.
3. The biggest concern you have about Golden Retriev- ers, be it popularity, health, structure, tempera- ment or other issues.
RA: Health is always a concern and, in particular, cancer in the breed. Structural faults as noted above. The erosion
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2017 • 299
golden retreiver Q&A