The Golden Retriever as a breed was created in Great Britain more than a hundred years ago. It is the British breed standard adopted by the FCI. In this regard, below is the English standard.
The American Kennel Club initially used the same standard as the UK, but it has changed over the years. It is more detailed, but in some points it is completely different from English. Therefore, in the comments we will consider the opinion of both English and American standards in relation to some issues in order to have a broader idea of the ideal Golden Retriever.
FCI No. 111 dated 01/29/1999
ORIGIN: UK.
USAGE: Gun dog.
FCI CLASSIFICATION: Group 8 – Retrievers, Spaniels, Water Dogs. Section 1. Retrievers. With working tests.
GENERAL IMPRESSION: symmetrical, harmonious, active, strong, with balanced movements; strong, with a friendly look.
Comments: A pleasant expression is the main thing in in this case. The shape of the head, the location and color of the eyes - everything must be taken into account. If the eyes are not dark enough, if the rims of the eyes are pale, if they are not set correctly, if there is no marking around the eyes, if the head is rough, in any of these cases the dog lacks breeding in its type.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: obedient, intelligent, with natural ability to work; good-natured, friendly and confident.
HEAD: proportional and sharp lines.
Comments: The Golden Retriever's head, especially the eyes and their expression, are one of the most attractive features of this breed. However, it should be remembered that Golden retriever – hunting dog, bred to bring game to the hunter. Therefore, this dog should have a soft bite, but a strong, well-formed muzzle. There should not be the slightest hint of rudeness. The muzzle should be neither weak nor pointed.
FRONTAL PART: Scull: wide, not rough; well placed on the neck. Transition from forehead to muzzle: well marked.
FRONT PART: Nose: preferably black. Muzzle: powerful, wide and deep; the length of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length from the transition from the forehead to the muzzle to occipital protuberance. Jaws/Teeth: strong jaws with an excellent, even, scissor bite, with the upper incisors tightly covering the lower ones, the teeth standing vertically in the jaw.
Comments: I would like to focus attention on the completeness of the teeth. The American standard states that “...all teeth should be in place. Conspicuous absence individual teeth- a serious vice." The European standard is silent about the set of teeth. In Europe, especially in England, of great importance this is not given credit. Some english dogs do not have one or two or all four premolars, and less often the first molars, and at the same time they became champions. I personally addressed a question about the set of teeth to an international FCI judge who has judged golden retrievers in many countries: “The main thing is a scissor bite. The absence of any teeth is not a problem; such a dog can participate in breeding. But you can meet judges who think completely differently - 42 teeth and not one less.” Watching the work of the judges in the ring, I noticed that there are indeed judges who count every tooth in principle, but there is also a group of judges who look only at the bite, and do not seem to be interested in the teeth. In the book by M.Z. Dubrov “Dog Breed Standards. Based on FCI standards, the following is written: “The teeth are large, white, complete. Small, rare carious teeth are considered defects; straight bite, incomplete teeth, except for P1 and M1.” In representatives of certain blood lines, the absence of some teeth, usually premolars or small incisors, can be hereditary.
Eyes: dark brown, widely spaced, eyelids well pigmented.
Ears: Medium size, set approximately at eye level.
NECK: Good length, without dewlap and muscular.
Comments: The neck should be muscular and long enough, smoothly blending into the withers. Where the foundation is lower jaw goes into the neck, there should be no loose skin folds.
BODY: balanced.
Comments: According to Joan Tudor, “for a Golden Retriever to be considered balanced, the height of its withers to the base of its tail must be equal to the distance from the withers to the ground.”
Back: smooth top line.
Comments: Both the European and American standards call for a level topline. However, the American standard suggests that the croup should be slightly sloping, and the English (European) standard requires that the croup and tail be an extension of the back.
Small of the back: strong, muscular, short.
Breast: deep in the region of the heart; ribs deep, well arched.
TAIL: located and carried at the level of the back line, reaching the hocks; no bend at the tip of the tail.
LIMBS:
FOREQUARTERS: The forelegs are straight, with strong bones.
Humerus: The shoulders are well laid back, the shoulder blades are long.
Shoulders: equal in length to the shoulder blades, as a result of which the limbs stand well under the body.
Elbows: fit tightly to the body.
Comments: The correct structure of the forelimbs and front of the body is very important for the Golden Retriever as a hunting dog to do the job for which it was bred. The shoulder blades should be long and well laid back, the shoulder should be the same length as the shoulder blade, and the forelegs should be positioned under the body. The elbows should fit snugly to the body and the front legs should be straight. The pasterns should be short and strong, slightly sloping, without any signs of weakness.
HINDQUARTERS: Strong and muscular.
Knee joints: with good angles.
Shin: good length.
Hock joints: low set, the metatarsals are straight when viewed from behind, turning neither in nor out; cow positioning is highly undesirable.
Origin: Great Britain.
Standard publication date: 24.06.1987.
Application: gun dog.
FCI classification: Group 8 – Retrievers, Spaniels, water dogs. Section 1 Retrievers. With working tests.
General form: symmetrical, harmonious, mobile, strong; powerful with an affable expression; movements are harmonious.
Characteristics: desire for obedience, intelligence, natural predisposition to work. Temperament: always friendly both towards people and other animals, helpful and trusting.
Head: the skull is proportional and beautifully formed; wide but not coarse forehead; a head that sits well on the neck; wide and deep mouth, approximately equal in length to the skull; pronounced forehead; nose is black.
Eyes: dark brown, wide-set, dark edges of the eyelids.
Ear: medium size, base approximately at eye height.
Bite: strong jaws with an excellent, regular and complete claw bite, with the row of upper incisors tightly engaging the lower ones without space, and the teeth are located perpendicular to the jaw.
Neck: good length, lean and muscular, without dewlap.
Before: forelimbs straight, strong bones, the shoulders are well sloping, the shoulder blade is elongated with an equal length of the forearm, which allows the limbs to stand well under the body. The elbow is pressed. When viewed from the front, the forelegs and elbows should be straight and not turned in or out. The front limbs should have strong bones that can easily support the weight of the dog’s body.
Back: should form a straight line from the scruff to the base of the tail and should not be sloping or hunchbacked.
Rear: The thigh and hind leg are strong and muscular. The shin is of good length, the knee joint is well arched. Low hock joint, which when viewed from behind is straight, turning neither in nor out. The powerful musculature of the thigh flows smoothly into the equally muscular hind leg. The thigh is equally wide and muscular, the lower leg is long, the bone between the hock and the paw is short.
Paw: round and closed, not too big. The toes are not very long and well curved, the callus pads are well formed and strong. Cat's paw.
Tail: the base is at the height of the back line, the length reaches the hock joint, and does not bend at the tip. The base of the tail coincides with the line of the back. The tail is carried straight, at the level of the back or slightly higher, but not raised over the back, and not feathered between the legs.
Movement: powerful with good drive, straight and parallel, front and rear legs. The step is sweeping and free, without a hint of dancing. When moving, must demonstrate a smooth, wide run with a strong push. hind legs. At the same time, the front legs do not rise too high, the paw and metatarsus of the front leg do not turn outward or inward. The hind legs move in parallel.
Wool: smooth or wavy, good elasticity, dense, waterproof undercoat.
Color: any shades from golden or cream color, but not red or mahogany. White hairs on the chest are acceptable.
Height: at the withers, males 56-61 cm; females 51-56.
Defects: any deviation from the standard should be considered a defect, the severity of which is directly proportional to the degree of deviation.
Notes: Male dogs should have two well-formed testicles located entirely in the scrotum.
Origin: UK.
Standard publication date: 06/24/1987.
Application: gun dog.
FCI Classification: Group 8 – Retrievers, Spaniels, Water Dogs. Section 1 Retrievers. With working tests.
General appearance: symmetrical, harmonious, mobile, strong; powerful with an affable expression; movements are harmonious.
Characteristics: desire for obedience, intelligence, natural predisposition to work. Temperament: always friendly both towards people and other animals, helpful and trusting.
Head: skull proportionate and beautifully formed; wide but not coarse forehead; a head that sits well on the neck; wide and deep mouth, approximately equal in length to the skull; pronounced forehead; nose is black.
Eyes: dark brown, wide-set, dark eyelids.
Ear: medium size, base approximately at eye height.
Bite: Strong jaws with an excellent, regular and complete claw bite, with the row of upper incisors tightly engaging the lower incisors without space, and the teeth set perpendicular to the jaw.
Neck: Good length, dry and muscular, without dewlap.
Forequarters: the forelimbs are straight, strong boned, the shoulders are well sloping, the shoulder blade is elongated with equal length of the forearm, which allows the limbs to stand well under the body. The elbow is pressed. When viewed from the front, the forelegs and elbows should be straight and not turned in or out. The front limbs should have strong bones that can easily support the weight of the dog’s body.
Back: Should form a straight line from the nape to the base of the tail and should not be sloping or hunchbacked.
Hindquarters: Thigh and hind leg strong and muscular. The shin is of good length, the knee joint is well arched. Low hock joint, which when viewed from behind is straight, turning neither in nor out. The powerful musculature of the thigh flows smoothly into the equally muscular hind leg. The thigh is equally wide and muscular, the lower leg is long, the bone between the hock and the paw is short.
Foot: Round and closed, not too large. The toes are not very long and well curved, the callus pads are well formed and strong. Cat's paw.
Tail: base at the height of the back line, length reaching the hock joint, not curled at the tip. The base of the tail coincides with the line of the back. The tail is carried straight, at the level of the back or slightly higher, but not raised over the back, and not feathered between the legs.
Movement: powerful with good drive, straight and parallel, front and rear legs. The step is sweeping and free, without a hint of dancing. When moving, it should demonstrate a smooth, wide run with a strong push from the hind legs. At the same time, the front legs do not rise too high, the paw and metatarsus of the front leg do not turn outward or inward. The hind legs move in parallel.
Coat: smooth or wavy, good elasticity, dense, waterproof undercoat.
Colour: Any shade from golden or cream, but not red or mahogany. White hairs on the chest are acceptable.
Height: at the withers, males 56-61 cm; females 51-56.
Defects: Any deviation from the standard should be considered a defect, the severity of which is in direct proportion to the degree of deviation.
Notes: Males must have two well-formed testicles located entirely within the scrotum.
Who among us did not dream big as a child? four-legged friend? Or maybe someone hasn’t realized their dream yet, but the desire remains? Then take a closer look at the golden retriever. About a wonderful dog - golden retriever - breed standard will tell you a lot and give an almost complete picture of your future friend.
From my own experience of keeping a dog of this breed and from the experience of my friends - breeders, I will say that golden retrievers fully justify their name. Golden character, wide physical abilities and spectacular appearance make him a wonderful companion and family friend.
Golden Retriever - breed standard
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN- Great Britain
PUBLICATION DATE OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD— 07/28/2009
APPLICATION- Gun dogs.
CLASSIFICATIONFCI:
Group 8. Retrievers, spaniels, water dogs.
Section 1. Retrievers.
With performance tests.
GENERAL IMPRESSION: Harmonious, balanced, active, resilient, with measured movements, strong, with a very friendly expression.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: Obedient, intelligent and with natural working ability, good-natured, friendly and confident.
HEAD: Proportional, flawless or perfect lines.
CRANIAL PART:
Scull: Wide but not coarse, well articulated to the neck .
Transition from forehead to muzzle: Well marked.
FRONT PART:
Nose: Preferably black.
Muzzle: Powerful, wide and deep. The length of the front part is approximately equal to the length from the stop point to the occipital protuberance.
Jaws/Teeth: Jaws strong, with an excellent, regular, full scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth overlap tightly lower teeth and are located perpendicular to the jaws.
Eyes: Dark brown, wide set, with dark eyelids.
Ears: Medium size, placed approximately at eye level.
NECK: Good length, perfect lines, muscular.
FRAME: Balanced.
Back: The topline is level.
Small of the back: Strong, muscular, short.
Breast: Deep in the region of the heart. The ribs are deep and well sprung.
TAIL: Set on and carried level with the back, reaching to the hock, without bending at the tip.
LIMBS
FRONT LIMBS: Forelegs are straight and well boned.
shoulder blades: Well laid back, long bones.
Shoulders: Same length as the shoulder blades, allowing the limbs to fit well under the body.
Elbows: Fit tightly to the body.
Front legs: Round, cat-like.
REAR LIMBS: Hindquarters strong and muscular.
Knees: With good angles.
Shin: Good length.
Hock joints: Low set, the metatarsus are straight when viewed from behind, turning neither in nor out. Cow positioning is highly undesirable
Hind legs: Round, cat-like.
MOVEMENTS: Strong and energetic. Straight and even front and back. The stride is long and free, without prancing.
COAT:
Wool: Straight or wavy with good feathering, dense waterproof undercoat.
COLOR: Any shade of gold or cream, but not russet or mahogany.
A few white hairs are allowed only on the chest.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
Height at withers:
Males – 56-61 cm (22-24 inches)
Females – 51-56 cm (20-22 inches)
DISADVANTAGES / DEFECTS: Any deviation from the above points must be regarded as a fault, the seriousness of which must be judged in strict proportion to the extent to which it affects the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform traditional work.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
- Aggression or cowardice.
- Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities must be disqualified.
NOTE: Males must have two well-developed testes, fully descended into the scrotum.
Comments on the standard.
First impressions.
The dog must be symmetrically built, strong, active, healthy and strong. She should be balanced, not long-legged, and show goodwill, energy and self-confidence. First of all, this is a hunting dog, and it must be in proper condition, illustrating balance and movement in appearance, this is what is given special importance, and not individual components.
Symmetry and balance.
The breed standard begins with what is given summary"essence" of golden. Qualities that a “thoroughbred” representative possesses and which distinguish it from other breeds. These are the essential details - his appearance active, healthy dog, balanced, well proportioned, kind and obedient. Originally designed as a game hunting dog, it is fast and durable, capable of working in all weather and conditions, and therefore must be in good physical condition.
A balanced appearance is difficult to define, but it is immediately recognizable, as is its absence. There is no exaggeration, no extremes, every part of the body is proportional (everything is in proportion).
Symmetrical does not mean square. The dictionary defines it as “proportion between parts of the body, balance of sides. Order, coherence and harmony."
The full proportion of a balanced Golden is when the dog is slightly longer than its height. The leg length should be. height of the dog. From the withers to the elbow and from the elbow to the ground, the distance is in Fig. A.
Below are examples of different heights in relation to length - back length and leg length, as an exaggeration and imbalance of all proportions of the dog.
Leg length increased by 10%, making the dog unbalanced
shaped and long-legged.
It is important to reiterate that each dog should be treated as a reality. While each individual part is important, the big picture as a whole is paramount. It would be a big mistake to look at a dog with a perfect head but weak front parts. Better with a good head and a good front. Harmony and balance are crucial. A good Golden Retriever should present a uniform picture, a single symmetrical whole. The big picture is much more important than the perfection of any one part of the dog.
Height to body length ratio
- Very important parameter, which is not always taken into account. The Golden Retriever doesn't have to be square like the old English Pinion Dog. It should preferably be slightly longer body than in height at the shoulders. This allows the dog to use the glenohumeral joint without interference. A back that is too short and a lower back that is not long enough does not provide enough space under the body, which leads to movement defects and ineffectiveness. No matter how good a dog looks, it will not be a good Golden if it does not move freely and correctly.
The overall proportionality of the dog’s structure depends not only on the ratio of the head and neck, the depth of the chest and the length of the legs, total length body and height, but also on how well the forelimbs match the hindlimbs. In other words, when the dog is standing in a natural position, the angles of the glenohumeral and hip joints should be approximately equal to ensure the same forward reach of both the front and hind limbs.
A dog cannot be considered proportional if the glenohumeral angle is poor and the angles of the hind limbs are correct, because in this case, the dog will have a limited extension of the front legs forward with a long step behind. And accordingly, the dog will not be proportional with the correct angles of articulation in the front and straightened hind limbs, since this will mean a good extension of the front legs and a shorter stride of the hind legs, which will lead to overload of the front legs. A dog can be proportional with equally poor articulation angles both in front and behind; and probably for the dog itself this is better than lack of proportionality, however, its movement will never be as perfect as it could be if the general proportionality of the structure were combined with the correct angles of the joints.
Violation of the proportions of the dog's structure in many cases is the cause of its incorrect movement.
Heads.
The head is divided into two parts: the cranial (skull) and the facial (muzzle).
The head, being a characteristic feature of the breed, varies in several ways:
- according to the degree of massiveness: from light to heavy;
- length: from short to long;
by length: from short to long;
- according to dryness: from dry (tight skin) to damp (loose skin, forming wrinkles, folds, sagging);
- by shape: high cheekbones (with prominent cheekbones), long-muzzled, short-muzzled, apple-shaped, rounded, etc.;
- according to the nature of the relief: smoothed relief, protruding relief.
The skull may be:
- flat, round, convex, dome-shaped, with or without a longitudinal groove, with pronounced (not expressed) cheekbones, with pronounced (not expressed) brow ridges, with a pronounced (not expressed) occipital protuberance;
- from narrow to wide.
The muzzle can be:
- from short (shorter than the skull) to long (longer than the skull);
- from wide to narrow;
- from well filled under the eyes to sunken under the eyes;
- from massive to light;
- with the back of the nose parallel to the plane of the forehead (forehead and muzzle are parallel), non-parallel to the plane of the forehead (muzzle up or down), straight. With a hump, bent, depressed;
- with dry (tightly fitting to the lower jaw), damp (hanging loosely under the lower jaw), fluffy (strongly developed, dangling) lips;
- with an excellent (good, average, weak) developed lower jaw;
- with a protruding (not protruding) chin;
- with a nose of various sizes and shapes.
The transition from forehead to muzzle can be:
- not expressed;
- smoothed;
- from shallow to deep;
- from smooth to sharp;
- from short to long.
It is difficult to define in words the difference between an excellent head and an ordinary one. Small changes in proportion, shape, and outline change both balance and expression. As for heads, even if we firmly know the breed standards, we still subjectively interpret the ideal. What one person admires may be considered a flaw by another.
It is impossible to illustrate one single head that would please everyone equally.
Balanced and well chiselled head. The skull is wide without coarseness.
The length of the facial part of the skull is approximately equal to the length from the bridge of the nose to the back of the head. The muzzle is powerful, wide and deep.
Narrow skull, missing transition from forehead to muzzle .
Convex (dome-shaped) skull, exaggerated transition from forehead to muzzle. Otherwise called “apple head”.
Roman nose, flat skull
Good skull, but the muzzle is too short and disproportionate in proportion.
Transition from forehead to muzzle– the border of the frontal bone and the bridge of the nose, expressed in varying degrees. A sharp, deep transition is sometimes called a fracture. The snub muzzle is characterized by an upturned line of the bridge of the nose and a sharp transition from the forehead to the muzzle; often the nasal and maxillary bones remain underdeveloped and even deformed, while the lower jaw is developed normally, as a result of which it can move forward.
It is clear that the Golden should not have a long narrow head or muzzle like many poorly bred dogs today. At the same time, it should not be heavy, greatly enlarged, which makes it look like the head of a Rottweiler. There should be no protruding bulge at the back of the head (at the back of the skull). For it to be able to pick up game, the length of the muzzle must be the same as the length of the skull, definitely not shorter. It should have a certain point of the feet, but not as steep (sharp) as, for example, a pointer, but not sloping like a hound. The muzzle should be straight when viewed from the side, not with a Roman nose, as we often see. And above all, the head should show a kind, gentle, trusting and loving expression and never cause unpleasant emotions.
Eyes.
Eyes vary:
- shape: round, oval, triangular;
- by size: from small to very large;
- according to the degree of convexity: from convex to deep-set;
- according to position: straight set (eye corners on the same line), obliquely set (outer corners higher than inner ones);
- by color: from light to dark;
- by expression: smart, friendly, cheerful, attentive, wary, indifferent, angry, scared, cowardly, empty (birdlike);
- by the nature of the eyelids, they can be dry (tight), drooping (ectropia), turned inward (entropy); - according to the degree of gloss: from shiny to dull.
Correctly shaped, dark brown, well spaced on the face with dark rims.
Friendly expression.
Too black and conspicuous.
Atypical expression.
Inclined triangular shape. The iris of the eye is light.
Gives a heavy expression. Light eyes framed with a light outline.
The eyes are the key to a Golden's typical attractive expression. The darker the eye color, the better, and dark pigmentation around the eyes is also important. All this contributes to correct expression. Eyes located too close to each other distort this expression, as do triangular or slanted ones. The eyes are regular in shape, almost almond-shaped. The whites should not be visible when the dog is looking straight ahead.
Ears.
The ears vary: - in position: from close (the ends are directed towards each other) to hanging, from tilted forward to tilted back;
- by landing: from low (not higher than eye level) to high (above eye level);
- by size: from small to large;
- in form;
- by thickness (from thin to thick);
- according to the degree of overgrowth (strong, moderate, weak, external and internal sides, at the ends);
- by mobility;
- by symmetry (asymmetry).
CORRECT
WRONG
Low-set ears are a common problem in Goldens. It often happens that the ears are set too high, so that they appear to be located on the top of the head. Both problems detract from the correct expression. The ears should be neither too small nor too large and should be balanced with the size of the head.
Nose.
Essentially, the darker the nose, the better. And pink or flesh color is a serious defect. However, not only is it unusual for the nose to change color as the weather cools, but often a bitch's nose will become lighter when she has puppies.
And lastly: you must distinguish the gender of the dog by the head.
The bitch should have a head that is distinctly feminine, but should not be weak.
The male's head should be more muscular, more expressive and larger (in proportion to the large body).
A bitch with a very large head and a dog with a small head is wrong.
Teeth.
Teeth are hard bone formations, they play an important role in the body: they help capture, tear and crush food.
The structure of the dental system is exclusively important element dog exterior. Significant deviations in the shape, number of teeth and bite may indicate violations of the genetic constitution of not only an individual animal, but also the entire line or family to which it belongs.
An adult golden has 42 teeth, 20 of which are in upper jaw and 22 at the bottom.
Teeth are divided into incisors, canines, premolars and molars.
The arrangement of the incisors in a line and the width of this line, equal to the width of the lower jaw,
are a mandatory requirement.
In the canine world there are different approaches to the assessment of missing teeth, and they vary from country to country. Thus, German experts insist on mandatory full teeth, while their Scandinavian colleagues take a much more lenient position on this issue, believing that a dog consists of more than just teeth. English experts do not count premolars at all, limiting themselves only to assessing the bite.
A bite is the form of closure of the jaws and teeth. According to the standard, the Golden has a scissor bite, in which all the incisors of the upper jaw with their inner surface come into contact with outer surface the incisors of the lower jaw, and the fangs fit into the lock. Normally, the incisors close vertically and extend deeply beyond each other. Sometimes the closure of the incisors does not occur vertically, but at a greater or lesser angle. The attitude (lenient or strict) towards this variant of a scissor bite is determined by the standard.
Correct scissor bite.
Desirable bite for Golden Retrievers.
Malocclusion. Snack.
The incisors of the lower jaw are moved forward in relation to the incisors of the upper jaw.
Malocclusion. Underbite.
The incisors of the upper jaw remain behind the incisors of the lower jaw,
without touching them.
Malocclusion.
The upper and lower incisors rest against each other (straight or pincer bite).
Malocclusion.
Misaligned incisors (may be associated with underdevelopment of the lower jaw).
It should be noted that some popular breeding lines of Goldens have potential problems bite in this form (the 2 central teeth of the lower jaw sit below the adjacent teeth). Often this defect is not noticed until the dog is mature (usually over 2 years of age) and can progress with age. Although it is generally accepted that this is not a straightening of the teeth, this defect can lead to more serious problems in the future and should be avoided if possible when planning breeding.
Malocclusion. Jaw distortion.
Crooked mouth. The jaw is crooked, the teeth are tilted in different directions
Most owners attribute this to injury or the dog's tendency to chew on a bone or toy on one side of the jaw, as well as regular tugging on a leash or stick when playing. However, this defect or predisposition to it has a certain heredity.
Neck.
The neck is examined in relation to the degree of dryness, muscularity, mobility, set, length, reach, shape and volume. Thanks to the neck, the head makes many movements necessary for the dog’s orientation, its movement in various gaits and a wide variety of work.
The neck should be dry, strong and mobile, and of such length and shape as to contribute as much as possible to the dog's tirelessness.
The dryness of the neck is ensured by how tightly the skin covers it. The presence of longitudinal folds of loose skin under the throat (dewlap) and in the front of the chest (dewlap) indicates a damp neck, and the presence of transverse folds on the withers, at the base of the neck, indicates that it is congested. The strength and mobility of the neck is ensured by the development of muscles. Neck mobility and posture are related to the dog's temperament.
Neck posture varies from high (inclination to the horizontal exceeds an angle of 45 degrees) to low (inclination less than 45 degrees).
The length of the neck plays a significant role in the overall balance of the dog, creating the necessary counterbalance to the rear legs in static and dynamic situations, and also allowing the head to be carried far forward in movement. The neck is considered long if it is longer than the head, and short if it is shorter than the head.
The length of the neck is directly dependent on the length of the head and the length of the forelimbs. The length of the step of the forelimbs depends on the length of the neck, i.e. productivity of movements. A long neck is usually characteristic of high-legged dogs, or dogs with relatively light dry head.
A short neck is characteristic of dogs with a rough, raw or loose build and a large, massive head.
The exit of the neck depends on its location in relation to the scapula.
The shape of the neck is related to the type of build, so that dogs of the lighter type have a thinner, drier neck, and dogs of the heavier type have a thicker, straighter and coarser neck, with elements of dampness up to a pronounced dewlap and dewlap.
The neck is of good length, clean without excess (loose skin) in the throat area. Strong and muscular. The line of the neck smoothly transitions into the shoulder.
Lack of muscle tone.
The neck is poorly set, the line is too angular and does not flow smoothly into the shoulders. Stiff neck. Too short in length. With excess skin under the jaw (dewlap).
Shoulders are burdened, carrying too much weight.
Forelegs.
Each of the forelimbs (thoracic) consists of: scapula, humerus, forearm, metacarpus, paw, glenohumeral joint, elbow joint, wrist joint, joints between the phalanges of the fingers.
The scapula is assessed in terms of length, slope, development and musculature. The shoulder blade should be long, set at an angle relative to the horizon and extend as far back as possible, and should also be wide. This structure of the shoulder blades is valuable in several respects: the withers, formed by the upper protrusions of the shoulder blades (especially the wide ones), receive greater development and extension; the step of the forelimb is significantly lengthened; joints are created and an additional lengthening of the step of the forelimb is created due to the opening of this angle.
A slight deviation of the shoulder blades from the vertical plane (when viewed from the front) determines the correct positioning of the forelimbs.
The humerus, like the scapula, should be long and set obliquely relative to the horizon in order to increase the length of the forelimb's stride. Oblique setting of the humerus strengthens elbow joints due to their tighter fit to the thoracic surface, which reduces their “dangling” near the vertical plane and clarifies the progressive nature of the movement of the forelimbs. The length of the humerus should not be shorter than the shoulder blade, otherwise the shock-absorbing function of the metacarpus will be impaired.
The Golden, which has a stretched format and greater body depth, is characterized by a shoulder angle approaching straight: it contributes to greater productivity of movements, i.e. greater space coverage with less effort.
The sweeping movements of the forelimbs at a trot are determined by the severity of the angle of the glenohumeral joints, the length and direction of the shoulder blades and humerus.
Characteristic deficiencies in shoulder structure include: straight shoulder and sharp shoulder.
A straight shoulder is distinguished by a significantly open angle of the glenohumeral joint (more than 120 degrees), when the scapula and humerus occupy a position approaching vertical. Such a dog tends to mince with its front legs, and to an observer standing at the side of the dog, its front legs appear to cross at a sharp angle at the trot.
Sharp shoulder is usually characteristic of old or weak dogs, suffering from low anteriority and a burdened front. The dog spends a lot of effort on straightening the acute angle of the shoulder and gets tired quickly.
in which the withers are noticeably higher than the croup, so that the top line seems to fall towards the croup.
With poor front angles, a long, stretching long stride is limited,
the movements become impressive. Less effective depreciation.
Insufficient in front of the chest. This structure allows the dog to easily cross
from a walk to a gallop and suddenly develop high speed over a short distance.
Elbow - process ulna– should be strong, directed strictly back and long, which contributes to better muscle attachment.
Turning the elbows outward or turning them inward are among the common deficiencies in the posture of the dog's forelimbs. Outward turning of the elbows is usually caused by over-rounded ribs and often results in club feet when the pasterns and paws turn inward. Turning the elbows inward and pressing them against the chest surface is associated, as a rule, with a narrow and flat chest, and leads to a narrow stance of the forelimbs, as well as to a spread when the pasterns and paws are directed outward. The wrist or carpal joint should be dry and wide, located in the same plane as the forearm.
The pastern is the area between the wrist and the paw. It plays the role of a shock absorber; it must be massive and even along its entire length. The girth of the pastern, measured at the narrowest point, serves as an indicator of the dog's boneiness. Strong, moderately sloping pasterns are almost always indicative of excellent or good forequarters, as they are the part bone structure, which absorbs and absorbs the shock upon contact with the ground. The metacarpus joint is curved and has springiness and elasticity. Vertically placed pasterns receive a blow “straight to the forehead” when the paw touches the ground. IN extreme cases vertically placed metacarpus can cause the bones in the carpal joint to protrude. On the other hand, weak pasterns, called "dropped" or "broken," can be misleading because they have too much of a slope regardless of the bone structure above them.
An important question is the influence of joint angles on muscle structure.
Figure A shows how proper angulations help build more extensive musculature by keeping the bones of the glenohumeral and hip joints properly angled. This slope seems to provide a larger area for muscle attachment, why is the dog looks stronger and stronger. In addition, good articulation angles imply a strong back and deep chest.
The correct placement of the shoulder blade, called the “long oblique shoulder,” has a beneficial effect on the length of the neck and the beautiful carriage of the dog’s head, and also gives the neck line a beautiful smooth transition into the withers and into the topline of the dog, called the “strong neck” or “high carriage of the neck.” .
The straightened structure of the fore and hind limbs of the dog in Fig. B shows how incorrect angles of the articulations lead to a decrease in the size and inclination of the bones and the area of muscle attachment. This type of dog usually has poorer bones, relatively poorly developed musculature, and the dog may be said to be "lacking in strength" overall. In addition, bad shoulders spoil the dog's appearance, because... the line of the neck abruptly meets the withers, which is why the neck looks short.
The straightened structure of the fore and hind limbs of the dog in Fig. B shows how incorrect angles of the articulations lead to a decrease in the size and inclination of the bones and the area of muscle attachment. This type of dog usually has poorer bones, relatively poorly developed musculature, and the dog may be said to be "lacking in strength" overall. In addition, bad shoulders spoil the dog's appearance, because... the line of the neck abruptly meets the withers, which is why the neck looks short.
The dotted lines in the figures indicate the width of the space occupied by the front and hind limbs dogs, and show that a dog with better articulation angles has a wider space.
Correct position The humerus and pelvis always increases the width of the space occupied by the limbs (when viewed in profile) from the glenohumeral joint to a vertical line just behind the scapula and from the anterior end pelvic bone to the butt. This structure makes it possible to recognize dogs with good gait.
Origin: Great Britain.
Application: gun dog.
FCI classification:
Group 8: Retrievers, Spaniels, Water Dogs.
Section 1: retrievers.
With working tests.
General impression: Golden retriever symmetrical, harmonious, active, strong, with balanced movements; strong, with a friendly look.
Behavior and temperament: obedient, intelligent, with natural ability to work; good-natured, friendly and confident.
Head: proportional and sharp lines.
Frontal part: Skull: wide, not coarse; well placed on the neck. Transition from forehead to muzzle: well defined.
Front part: Nose: preferably black. Muzzle: powerful, wide and deep. The length of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length from the transition to the occipital protuberance. Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws with an excellent, even, regular scissor bite, with the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors and the teeth set vertically in the jaw. Eyes: dark brown, widely spaced, dark eyelids. Ears: Medium size, set approximately at eye level.
Neck: Good length, without dewlap and muscular.
Frame: balanced.
Back: level topline.
Small of the back: strong, muscular, short.
Breast: deep in the region of the heart. The ribs are deep and well arched.
Tail: located and carried at the level of the back line, reaching the hock joints; no bend at the tip of the tail.
Limbs:
Forelegs: Forelegs are straight, with strong bones.
Humerus: Shoulders well laid back, shoulder blades long.
Shoulders: equal in length to the shoulder blades, as a result of which the limbs stand well under the body.
Elbows: fit tightly to the body.
Hind limbs: strong and muscular.
Knee joints: with good angles.
Shin: good length.
Hocks: Low set, straight when viewed from behind, turning neither in nor out. Cow positioning is highly undesirable.
Paws: round, cat-shaped.
Movements: strong, with good drive. Straight and parallel fore and hind legs. The stride is long and free, without “prancing” (high throwing of the forelimbs).
Wool:
Wool quality: straight or wavy with good decorating hair, dense waterproof undercoat.
Color: Any shade of gold or cream, but not red or mahogany. A few white hairs are acceptable, but only on the chest.
Size:
Height at withers: males 56-61 cm; females 51-56 cm.
Flaws: Any deviation from the above points must be considered as a defect, the assessment of which must be in exact proportion to the degree of this deviation.
Note: Male Golden Retrievers should have two full-fledged, normally developed testes, completely descended into the scrotum.
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