Latest Issue of Golden Retriever News!

[hotel4dogs]

Another great issue, kudos to all involved!

There is a "DON'T MISS" article by Marcia Schlehr entitled "Judging the Golden Retriever--A Discussion of the Breed Standard". JMO but probably the best article I've ever seen about breed standard and judging.

A couple of noteworthy excerpts....
"....powerful, active dog.....having the requisite strength of limb and body, coupled with suppleness and agility, to enable the dog to perform the activities of a working retriever in all sorts of terrain....the working retriever does not often have the pleasure of trotting across a smooth lawn in a pretty show gait.....Active means capable of action, NOT that the golden is a "hyper" dog, incessantly in movement....

"....not clumsy not long in the leg.....we must guard against any trend toward, on the one hand, becoming overdone, cloddy, clunky, and awkward in movement; on the other hand, going toward a leggy, lanky dog or the tall and racy speed demon....we are at this time facing a trend toward Goldens that are too short on leg and/or long in body. This may make a nice, even trotting gait in the show ring, but it does detract from ease of movement over rough terrain and the ability to gallop and to leap....

"....he should be shown in hard working condition....the muscles are very firm and well developed, but not overdone...the body's lines are not blurred with fat....it is extremely rare to find a golden in the show ring that is in anything approaching top-quality condition (it is nearly impossible in labradors)....

A great article. Worth reading if you find the time. I'm a huge fan of Marcia's.

[Judy Chute]

..might have to hide my speed demon in the closet for the rest of his life...

Too bad, great marker, blinds..focus...clearances..terribly fast..long in the leg?, or perhaps not laid back in the shoulder as much as he should be giving that effect...but length of body and physical condition IMHO is outstanding. Can't always have it all..

Outstanding temperment as well regards,

Judy

[hotel4dogs]

The article is, as the title says, about proper judging of the golden retriever in the breed ring as it relates to the breed standard, not about what style of dog you should own for whatever dog sports in which you participate.
To each their own.

[gdgnyc]

I must give it a read. Also, check out Jeffrey Pepper's column.

[hotel4dogs]

Yes, I really enjoyed Jeffrey Pepper's column (p. 144) as well. He and Marcia are of like mind when it comes to judging goldens.

[Sue Kiefer]

Like you said to each his/her own.
NOT a fan.
Sue

[hotel4dogs]

Sue, can you tell me what in the article you found objectionable?
I doubt it was the part where she says they should not be fat, nor the part where she says it's almost impossible to find a show golden in good condition, nor the part where she says the trend toward short legs and long bodies is very bad, nor the part where she says they should not be clunky or overdone.
So I'm curious what parts of the article you didn't care for.

[Laura Heyden]

I like the caption under the dog carrying the bird: The qualities of a versatile working dog must always take precedence over superficial points such as grooming or "presentation".

[hotel4dogs]

me too Laura!

[John Gassner]

Yes, I really enjoyed Jeffrey Pepper's column (p. 144) as well. He and Marcia are of like mind when it comes to judging goldens.

I Have not seen the new issue but I have seen things he has written that have made my blood boil. No wonder why there is a breed split.