I have a Golden Retriever, Tally, which is almost one year old. She will participate this year at one of the most prestigious Dog Show in Romania for beauty, on the 20th of March. In Romania this tipe of bread appeared two or three years ago in Romania, so the doctors and the trainers don't know many things about Goldens.
She has 26kg an 51cm and she looks a little bit fat. Her colour is a light cream. I was adviced to give her sea weed for her colour to get darker. Is it OK? Does she need to loose some weight? I give her Eukanuba Adult Light for loosing some kg before the contest.
I also want to know if I have to go with her at a specialist cut her coat before the contest. If so can you tell me how, because dog hairstilists from Romania don't know much about this bread too. Can you tell me some tips for her to look more beautiful?
Thank you!!!

Goldens are not my breed so I was hoping a Golden person would answer but as no one has, I will.

In the UK it is usual for the owner to trim their own dogs for the ring. The coat is thinned a little if it is rather heavy, in order to encourage it to lay nicely. Tidy up around the ears to just get rid of the "Fuzzy" outline. Comb the feathering and lightly trim to get a nice clear edge, equal on both sides. Feathering on the tail is trimmed to a nice sweeping curve from the tip of the tail to a point along the tail then parallel to the tail to the behind.

I don’t know how available UK books are in Romania but really you need to see pictures of show dogs to really get the idea of what is the normal trim in this country. If you can get books ok then let me know and I'll have a word with my golden friends and see what they recommend

Regards, John

I own a golden retriever and although i dont show her i do groom her correctly. As john said the tail sould be trimmed in a cresent shape and the fur on the hind legs should be trimmed close to the legs the fur between the pads on their paws should be cut short and the front legs the fur should be trimmed at a slight downward angle also the neck fur should be kept tidy to emphasise their beautiful necks. You could try looking up a breed profile on the internet which may show you a picture. Are you sure she looks fat and that it's not just her coat a bit heavy ! If you run your hands down her you should be able to feel her ribs but not see them and you should be able to see/feel a defined waist. Remember she is a growing puppy and a light food may not have enogh of the right balance of nutrients for her. Perhaps keep her on a food suitable for junior dogs and follow the guide lines giving her more or less depending on what she need to keep her weight correct.

I have just realised that champdogs have breed guides which show you very good pictures of golden retreivers.