Breed standard
In Australia, the Golden Retriever is bred and judged according to the Breed Standard of the English Kennel Club.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with kindly expression.
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, ie 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 arms of equal length placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting.
BODY
Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep, well sprung.
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. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
FEET
Round and cat-like
TAIL
Set on and carried level with back, reaching to hocks, without curl at tip.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Powerful and good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and fee with no sign of hackney action in front.
COAT
Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense, water-resisting undercoat.
COLOUR
Any shade of cream or gold but neither cream nor mahogany.
SIZE
Height at withers: Dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 inches)
Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22 inches)
FAULTS: Any departure from the forgoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree
