Show Dog Requirements for a Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is a classic example of a family dog. With its gentle temperament, the breed is excellent with young children. Golden retrievers are also very intelligent dogs and have been used for hunting, rescue missions, and as seeing-eye dogs. The American Kennel Club has created a set of standards by which all golden retrievers should be evaluated as show dogs.

  1. General Appearance

    • Symmetry, power, balance, and personality are weighted heavily. Golden retrievers should appear to be active and in healthy shape, as they are primarily a hunting breed. The dog should appear eager and alert.

    Size, Proportion, and Substance

    • Males should be 23 to 24 inches in height at the point of the shoulder blades while females are expected to be 21.5 to 22.5 inches. Penalties result if a dog falls outside this range, and disqualification occurs if the range is exceeded by one inch or more. From shoulder blade to buttocks should be a 12 to 11 ratio of the height of the dog. Males must weigh 65 to 75 pounds while females must weigh 55 to 65 pounds.

    Head

    • All facial bones should be proportionate, and any bones that appear to stick out are considered faulty. Eyes should be friendly and preferably dark brown although the American Kennel Club considers medium brown eyes acceptable. A pink nose or fading black or brown nose will be penalized. Teeth are to be clean and properly aligned. Gaps in teeth or irregularities are subject to penalties.

    Neck, Topline, and Body

    • The neck, topline, and body of the golden retriever are primarily judged on symmetry and muscularity. The base of the tail should be muscular and flow with the natural alignment of the body. The tail should be energetic and carried pridefully. A tail below level or carried between the legs is unacceptable.

    Forequarters and Hindquarters

    • Dogs should be properly spaced and symmetrical. Legs should be straight, muscular, and proportionate. Feet can be trimmed to show features of the foot although that is not necessary. The pads of the feet should be thick and in good condition.

    Coat and Color

    • The golden retriever coat should be dense and water-repellent. Flat and excessively long coats are undesirable whereas thick rough coats are ideal. Natural feathering of the fur is expected. Extremely dark and light extremes in coat color will be penalized. A golden coat throughout is ideal. White spots, aside from facial aging, will be penalized. Puppies with extremely light coats are not penalized if it appears a naturally darker color is apparent in the roots.

    Gait and Temperament

    • The dog should not show any signs of an irregular gate or limp. Trotting should be freely moving, coordinated, and properly spaced. The dog should appear friendly, reliable, and free of hostility. Nervousness is not a trait of the golden retriever and will be penalized.

    Disqualifications

    • Automatic disqualifications will be issued to dogs exceeding the height range by an inch or greater and for dogs possessing an overbite or underbite. These irregular bites are officially referred to as undershot and overshot bites.