is it just me or are goldies getting smaller and smaller? 
20 years ago, they seemed to be much taller, these days they look like mini retrievers!

Di andrews

On the whole most Goldens are well within the breed standard,there are a few that look too short in the leg in my opinion giving an unbalanced look but height wise not much problem,bitches should always be smaller than the dogs.
Just my opinion.

Briony:-)

On the contrary, over the last 20 years many golden retrievers have become bigger, heavier and uglier with coarse heads. The result of banishing measuring at shows. There have been many complaints about this around the show ring, so some breeders have compensated and have produced short legged dogs but still with plenty of bone, making them look cloddy and unbalanced. A golden should be balanced and within the breed standard for height. With an appealing balanced head and soft expression.

The differences in the appearance of goldens can vary depending on which part of the country you live in.

Hi,

I too think the measuring stick should be brought back into the ring.
I  think some of our dogs  we see in the ring are to bitch like ,just my opinion:-)
But like you say it does depend whats in the ring at the time and where you are in the country.

Briony:-)

A lot are also long in the second thigh which gives the appearance to the casual glance of having a good angulation. I can think of a very well used stud dog who throws puppies like that. Sloping top lines are much in evidance too. Often masked by pulling the dog back to slope the front end assembly.

I can think of several Flatcoats and Labradors with these faults too so I'm not just picking on your breed Briony ;)

Regards, John

Hi John,

No I quite agree with you on this point:-)

The perfect dog is yet to be born,and this is what makes showing and genetics such facinating.
We look at puppies ,we pick out what we think will go on to do that extra mile but
until they are in the showring you just don't know :-)

Briony:-)