Golden Retriever Breed Standard
Last updated: 23 Jan 2015
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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Kennel Club, London 1994
FCI Standard No 111
Group
Group 3 (Gundogs)
General Appearance
Smaller than medium sized. Strongly built for his size, slightly longer than the height at the withers. The coat is long and dense.
Important Proportions: The depth of chest is approximately half of the height at the withers. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. The skull is slightly longer than broad, the depth is the same as the breadth.
Characteristics
Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.
Temperament
Intelligent, courageous, calm and docile. Friendly and faithful.
Head And Skull
Balanced and well-chiselled, skull broad without coarseness; well set on neck, muzzle powerful, wide and deep. Length of foreface approximately equals length from well-defined stop to occiput. Nose preferably black.
Eyes
Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims.
Ears
Moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes.
Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Good length, clean and muscular.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight with good bone, shoulders well laid back, long in blade with upper arm of equal length placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting.
Body
Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep, well sprung. Level topline.
Hindquarters
Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from rear, neither turning in nor out. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
Feet
Round and cat-like.
Tail
Set on and carried level with back, reaching to hocks, without curl at tip.
Gait/Movement
Powerful with good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and free with no sign of hackney action in front.
Coat
Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense water-resisting undercoat.
Colour
Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest only, permissible.
Sizes
Height:
Dogs 56-61 cms (22-24 ins) at withers
Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22 ins) at withers
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Notes
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.