The Breed Standard

Above:
Sh Ch Stormerick Solomon JW ShCM
(photo
by Lyn Kipps - Wheatcroft Golden Retrievers)
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 & 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 approximately level with eyes.
Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete
scissor bite, ie upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set
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 and well sprung. Level top-line.
Hindquarters: Loin and legs strong and muscular, good
second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when
viewed from the rear, neither turning in nor out. Cow hocks highly
undesirable.
Feet: Round and cat-like.
Tail: Set on and carried level with back, reaching the
hocks without curl at tip.
Gait/Movement: 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 56-61cms (22-24ins); Bitches
51-56 cms (20-22ins).
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should
be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its
effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note: Male
animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum.