Standard for the golden retriever

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Size:

Males: 56-61 cms (22-24 ins).
Females: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins).
 

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.

Temperament:

Kindly, friendly, confident and intelligent.

Suitability as a family pet:

His friendly temperament makes him a wonderful family pet.
Easy to train.

Grooming:

No special requirements apart from regular grooming.

General Appearance:

Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with a kindly expression.

Characteristics:

Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.

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 lower teeth and set 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 and 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. Cow hocks highly undesirable.

Feet:

Round and cat-like.

Tail:

Set on and carried level back, reaching the 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.

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.

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