Retriever (Golden)
General Appearance
Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover; sound with kindly expression.
| Below | Average | Above | Key | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Likelihood to wander | ||||
| Protectiveness | ||||
| Destructiveness | ||||
| Quietness | ||||
| Good with children | ||||
| Affinity to other dogs | ||||
| Size | ||||
| Lifespan |
Below: < 10 years Average: > 10 years Above: > 15 years |
|||
| Location |
Below: Town only Average: Town and Country Above: Country only |
Characteristics
Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability
Temperament
Kindly, friendly and confident.
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 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. Cow-hocks highly undesirable.
Feet
Round and cat-like.
Tail
Set on and carried level with back, reaching to hocks, without curl at tip
Gait
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 at withers: dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 ins); bitches: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins).
Excercise Requirements
Considerable
Grooming Needs
Moderate
Notes
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

