The American Kennel Club Standard for GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

What is a Standard?

For every breed eligible for AKC registration, there is an official standard. A breed standard is a word description of what the ideal dog of that breed should look like. In a sense, a standard is an attempt to describe the “perfect golden.” The standard is the “model” toward which breeders are striving in their efforts to breed better dogs. The standard is the guide a judge uses in evaluating the dogs at a show. Each animal in competition is compared with the judge’s view of the perfect dog described in the written standard. Any dog not meeting the standard in an area is said to have a “fault.” Example: If the dog’s ear position on the head is too low, then the dog is said to have a fault with ear positioning.

My dog is AKC Registered, what does that mean?

There is a widely held belief on the part of the general public that “AKC Papers” and quality are one and the same. This is not the case. AKC Registration in no way indicates the quality of a dog. A registration certificate indicates only that the dog is the product of a registered purebred sire (father) and dam (mother) of the same breed. QUALITY is determined by many factors, including the dog’s health, physical condition, ability to move and appearance. Breeders trying to breed show animals are attempting to produce animals closely resembling the written description of perfection contained in the breed standard. Many people breed their dogs with no concern for the quality of the partners and the standard of the breed. When this occurs repeatedly over several generations, the animals, while still purebred, can be of extremely poor quality and deviate greatly from the standards set on the breed.

The Standard in layman’s terms:

Temperament – Friendly, reliable, and trustworthy…displaying a kindly expression and possessing a personality that is eager, alert and self confident…eyes are friendly and intelligent in expression…tail carried with merry action, at level or with some moderate upward curve; never curled over back nor between legs.

Proportion – Never clumsy nor long in leg…that is, not cloddy or low-to-ground or coarsely built, and neither upright, racy or leggy. Dogs should not be higher in the rear than the front. Backbone (topline) should be straight not bowed. Movement should be smooth and easy for the dog. Males 23-24"”at withers; females 21.5-22.5” at withers.

Head – The Golden head in its chiseled, clean-cut appearance, reflects sturdiness, balance, intelligence and kindness. Eye rims, nose and lips are ideally jet black. Eyelids are tight fitting and very expressive. Hound looking, snipey-long muzzles, large ears, domed skulls are all to be avoided. Heads and muzzles should have squareness without being harsh.

Coat – Color can range in any shade of gold, with the very pale and dark red (Irish setter) color considered to be undesirable. Ideally, the coat is straight, dense, with moderate to heavy coverage providing protection from cold and wetness. Curly coat, black or white markings are faults.

THINGS YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN SELECTING A PUPPY

Does the puppy appear healthy?

A good healthy puppy will have clear, shiny eyes that are free from discharge. Its coat will be glossy with a minimum of flaking skin. Puppy should be alert and playful. How about its litter mates and the dam (mother)? Look around at others in the litter; all should appear healthy and well fed. It is also wise to consider the cleanliness of the puppy’s surroundings. Look around for any fecal matter that may not have been removed yet. Is the stool well formed or sloppy? A clean environment and robust family of dogs are very good signs.

How is the temperament of the mother (and father if available)?

If the sire and the dam are present, how do they behave? A surprising amount of behavior is inherited. Also, the puppies’ environments have a great deal to do with their personalities. The parents may be one of the best indications of the future temperament of your new puppy. Ask to play with each of them.

Does this puppy have show, field hunting or obedience potential?

Ask to see the litter’s pedigree. Most breeders will have one to send home with each puppy. Check the titles achieved by dogs on the pedigree. Some of these are: CH=Breed Champion, FTC=Field Trial Champion, TD=Tracking Dog, TDX=Tracking Dog Excellent, WC=(Field) Working Certificate, WCX= (Field) Working Certificate Excellent, CD=(Obedience) Companion Dog, CDX=(Obedience) Companion Dog Excellent, UD=(Obedience) Utility Dog, OTCH=Obedience Trial Champion, JH=Junior Hunter, SH=Senior Hunter, MH=Master Hunter. Any of these titles offer credibility to the breeding.

MOST IMPORTANTLY—Have the puppy’s parents’ hips and eyes been certified? “If I purchase a puppy, may I have a copy of those certifications?”

Don’t be ashamed to ask these questions. Good and reputable breeders have invested a sizeable amount of money in these clearances and are proud to show them to you. “We haven’t done that yet” or “My vet looked at them and their hips and eyes are fine,” are not the answers you want to hear. Remember, true breeders vs. puppy raisers/mills, are like artists striving to create perfection through a responsible breeding program.

Every buyer has a right to expect:

Certificate of puppy vaccinations

Proof of deworming and clear fecal exam (no presence of internal parasites)

What food is being fed, how much, how frequently?

What are the terms of the breeder’s guarantee?

Adequate information, pedigree, registration materials etc.

A helpful breeder, who will answer present and future questions regarding this puppy

DISEASES COMMON TO GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

Retinal Diseases – The retina is a membrane lining the back of the eye, which contains the light receptors needed for vision. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) are diseases that progressively destroy these light receptors, resulting in gradual loss of vision and blindness. Both PRA and CPRA are inherited conditions and have been documented in several other breeds. Any dog having one of these diseases is capable of transmitting the disease to his offspring. Fortunately, a simple eye examination at the proper age will diagnose this condition. Reputable and informed breeders have their breeding dogs examined by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and/or certified through the Canine Eye Registry Foundation, Inc. Ask to see the CERF certification on both parents of the litter before considering the purchase of a puppy.

Canine Hip Dysplasia – This disorder, which relates to the development of the hip joint, also has a hereditary basis, but the patterns of heredity are more difficult to predict than with eye disorders. Parents certified free of Hip Dysplasia in some instances may produce some puppies with this condition. Dogs with the condition should never be bred, because as the dog grows, it develops arthritis, which may be severe, including pain, restricted movement and lameness. Diagnosis can only be made by x-ray examinations. The Orthopedic foundation for Animals (OFA) will certify the x-rays of breeding dogs as fair, good or excellent and issue a certification number. Be sure to ask the breeder to see these documents on both parents before considering the purchase of a puppy.

SAS – Sub Aeortic Stenosis (Heart Disease) and Epilepsy – There are some instances of both of these disorders with the breed. It would be wise to ask the breeder if there are any known instances in the parents and grandparents. Dogs with these conditions should NOT be breeding.