Golden Retriever Breed Standard
The Golden Retriever is a beautiful dog. It makes a wonderful family dog, as it is eager to please people and very friendly. For those who want their dog to meet the Golden Retriever standard set by the American Kennel Club, the expectations are clear. The Golden Retriever standard has very specific qualifications. There are many aspects of the physical characteristics the dog must meet, and each are clearly defined. They are broken down into many categories such as general appearance, coat, color, forequarters, hindquarters, head, neck, topline, body, gait, temperament, size, proportion and substance. Other than meeting the specifics of each category, there are also a couple of things that will automatically disqualify a particular Golden Retriever. The first is if it deviates by more than an inch from the standard height either way. The second is if it has an undershot or overshot bite. Other than that, there are no automatic disqualifiers, just things that, if not met, are considered faults.
For specifics of the Golden Retriever Standard, one should consult the American Kennel Club. Some of the things that the AKC considers are the size (males, 23-24 inches at withers, females 21 ½ - 22 ½), weight (males 65-75 pounds, females 65-75 pounds), and body shape (“neck medium long, merging gradually into well laid back shoulders, giving sturdy, muscular appearance. No throatiness.”). Golden Retrievers are also expected to have a tail that is thick and muscular at the base, and to be carried happy, wagging and level or curving upward. It should never be curved over the back or between the legs.
The coat should be water-repellent and dense with a good undercoat. It should lie close to the body, and can be either straight or wavy. It is good to have an untrimmed natural ruff, with some feathering on the back of the forelegs and underbody. Cutting or clipping the hair should not change the natural appearance of the coat or outline of the dog, though stray hairs can be neatened and feet can be trimmed. Golden Retrievers can be golden of various shades, though having white hairs is not good. Mid-range of golden color is best.
The American Kennel Club has set out the specifics of the Golden Retriever standards. All breeders are aware of the standards and should be selling dogs that meet these standards. All Golden Retrievers that do meet the AKC standards will have some things in common. They will be active, alert dogs that stay involved in the world around them. As typical of a hunting dog, they will be hard workers, and not content to just lie around. They will be muscular, friendly, and love to interact with people. The coat will be a beautiful mid-gold color, with a firm and resilient outer coat, either straight or wavy. The tail will be held proudly, and the eyes will be intelligent and friendly. A dog that meets the Golden Retriever standard will be a dog that anyone could be proud to own and show. To get the specifics of the American Kennel Club Golden Retriever Standards, one should check the AKC website.
The standard for Golden Retriever is laid out in specifics by the American Kennel Club, and can be found at the AKC website. The criteria include things such as how muscular the body is and how well the trot is coordinated. There is Golden Retriever information throughout this article, for those who want to learn more about the standard for Golden Retrievers.