Page 231 - ShowSight - September 2020

believer that without these things they cannot do their original job or the many others jobs they perform today.
Are there any traits in this breed that I fear are becoming exag- gerated? The most exaggerated traits I see in the breed are excessive coat, short legs, and gay tails.
Do I think the dogs I see in this breed are better now than they were when I first started judging? This is one of those questions that is not simple to answer. Component pieces seem to improve at the same time others get worse. I believe breeders frequently focus on a particular problem rather than working on improving the overall dog; this can take longer to see consistent improvement.
What do I think new judges misunderstand about this breed? Coat and Color! The quantity of coat is not anywhere near as criti- cal as the texture. And when it comes to color, as long as it is within our acceptable range they should not judge on color. I have never been so lucky as to have dogs equal in value at the end, so that the decision came down to color.
Do today’s Goldens have breed type? We have breed type, but many acceptable styles within. Here again I believe coat is one of the key areas that needs improvement, the other being overall struc- ture. If the structure isn’t there they would break down and be inca- pable of performing their job.
How do I prioritize key Golden breed-type elements when judg- ing the breed? For me, balance and the overall dog are the key. The “elements” individually are key to that. The least important is color.
How would I characterize correct outline and proportion? Cor- rect outline and proportion is slightly longer than tall. The problem we are experiencing in the breed affecting this right now is length of leg and gay tails. I am still seeing long, low, dogs and, frequently, tails straight up in the air or curling over towards the back. Both of these problems affect the outline and proportion of the dog.
What is the state of Golden Retriever heads today? The state of Golden heads today is similar to other parts of the dog. There is quite a variety, some much better than others. I look for a topskull slightly arched, good fill where the muzzle fits into the skull, and a strong muzzle. The topskulls can be improved; I see many rounded topskulls, and snipey noses.
How do I assess adequate reach and drive versus effortless/effi- cient movement when many dogs being shown today are moved at a fast pace? Make them move again at a more reasonable pace. Gold- ens should move at an easy pace on a loose lead. A rarity, I admit!
How do I prioritize correct Golden coat and color when consid- ering breed type? Coat texture is required for them to do their job. If it is not correct, it can absorb too much water and they become weighed down. Color only needs to be within the acceptable range, it does not affect their ability to do their job.
What do I think are important features of Golden Retriever type that are too often overlooked by conformation judges? I don’t think it is that they necessarily overlook features; I think they focus on the wrong things. The focus needs to be on the entire dog and how capable they are of doing their job. Can they trot all day in the field? Do they have a strong enough neck to pick up a 15-pound goose? And can they do it all with that characteristic smile and wagging tail?!
What advice would I give to a new judge of my breed? Get your hands on them! Feel the coat. Feel the structure. Watch them move at a reasonable pace, and then think, “Could that work all day in the field without breaking down?” Primarily a Hunting Dog!
BARBARA PEPPER
I live in Swannanoa, North Carolina, about 20 minutes east of Asheville in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. I am a weekly volunteer at the Women’s Prison here.
I enjoy growing flowers, both inside and outside the house. I am an avid reader, and also love to listen to books on tape.
How many years in dogs? Although my parents had a Golden Retriever, technically the one that started it all for me was born in 1968. I started showing in 1970-71 and started judging in 1991. You do the math, but am older than dirt!
Describe the breed in three words: Beautiful, biddable, and balanced.
What are my “must-have” traits in this breed? Proper proportions with correct length of leg; correct length and return of upper arm; soundness without exaggeration; moderate, moderate, moderate!
Are there any traits in this breed that I fear are becoming exag- gerated? Yes, sadly, quite a few. Excessive coat, followed by exces- sive grooming. We are losing our wrap-around, waterproof jackets; an essential for a working retriever. Also, over-angulated rears, and exaggerated movement. Somehow, excessive lift in front and rear is mislabeled as reach and drive. Dogs with legs flying high off the ground are not efficient. The Golden should be relatively short- coupled, not long in loin.
Do I think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when I first started judging? Actually, no, I don’t think they are better; different in some ways, but not necessarily better. We have some outstanding Goldens today, but given the vast num- bers, we lack depth of quality. I’m not saying you won’t see many lovely dogs at a National, but on many weekends, in major entries, it’s a relief to find a worthy dog and bitch for Winners and up. Some of the reasons for this—what I’m seeing in the ring—are lack of bal- ance and proportion, some low and long, and poor front assemblies that do not match rears. Sadly, many of today’s Goldens are physi- cally incapable of converging at a fast trot. We have also lost our soft, pleasing expression on many; with small eyes, almost slanted, or a harsh look.
What do I think new judges misunderstand about the breed? The Golden shouldn’t be a generic show dog, flying around the ring at excessive speed, coat blown-out, or its legs brushed-up. This is a breed that should present a balanced picture of a moderate hunting dog. They are certainly beautiful, potentially breathtaking, but first and foremost a working retriever. You have to physically feel for the structure. This isn’t a breed for a quick pat-down. Can you actu- ally put your hand on the forechest? How long is that upper arm? Where do the ribs end and the loin begin? You have to bend over and actually get your hands in there and feel those bones. One of the biggest misunderstandings for breeders and judges alike is front reach. It’s not just where that foot is going, but where the “reach” is coming from. A correctly-built Golden can reach from the shoulder, not the elbow.
Some have suggested Goldens today are losing breed type, as compared to dogs in the past. Do I agree? Yes, and some I have already mentioned; moderate, correct balance and proportion, solid toplines, short-coupled—not long—loins, fronts with both good layback and return of upper arm, eyes medium large—not small, skulls not overly-rounded, muzzles with both depth and breadth. It sounds weird, but at times I wonder if anyone reads and under- stands our standard. Part of the problem is there are people in the breed today who have never had their hands on a “correct” Golden. The fact that hundreds finish and win doesn’t make them correct.
How do I prioritize key Golden breed-type elements when judg- ing the breed? I think I’ve covered a lot of that already. Overall bal- ance is key, but there are several aspects to this, including size/pro- portion, and fronts/rears. Basic structure is paramount. I’ll forgive head and expression, if I have to, but not a bad front, or long/long.
When evaluating dogs in my ring, how do I go about assessing correct Golden breed character/attitude/temperament? As I have said, I think many judges are rewarding incorrect, generic show dogs. Breeds that should be workman-like are being penalized. I
GOLDEN RETRIEVER Q&A
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