Golden
Retriever
Breed Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE - Symmetrical, balanced,
active, powerful, level mover; sound with kindly
expression.
CHARACTERISTICS - Biddable, intelligent and
possessing natural working ability.
TEMPERAMENT - Kindly, friendly and confident.
HEAD AND SKULL - Balanced and well-chiseled,
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.
SIZE -
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.
NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently
normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
