We have (in our opinion and others) a rather gorgeous 7 month old GR. I have been thinking about maybe showing her , but am new to this and dont really know where to start and what I should be looking at with regards to her confirmation etc. Any advice greatly appreciated!

Your very best bet is to ask your dog's breeder initially. With a breed like Goldens you get very, very large classes indeed at shows and if you were sold the dog as a pet with no plans on showing mentioned at the time, chances are you got the pup that was slightly less good than the rest in the litter -there is almost always one or more with some minor faults- so the breeder would definitely be the first port of call. Then if he or she reckons your pup  has what it takes, you will need to get some ring training for you and pup and also learn how to show trim -again your breeder should be able to help out a lot. Good luck!

Start by going to ring craft classes. You have a breed where there is a lot of competition so when you have some training enter her into a few open shows and see how you do. First you and the dog must enjoy showing, you must have an interest in the breed over and above winning an award card.

Most people start showing with the family pet, they learn the ropes and how to assess a dog so they get to know the good from the very nice. Once they have the experience they usually buy in a puppy with a view to showing and continue to get advice from the breeder. At this stage you are hooked and will either go from strength to strength or find that you loose interest and retire.

If showing is for you it is good fun, you make lots of friends and learn loads and loads about dogs and people in general and your own breed in particular.

bracey,

There are some lovely GR's out these which aren't been shown and probably would do very well given half a chance. A fun show last year I attended there was a GR pup, slightly older than yours and the judge loved him in the pedigree classes and I must admit he had a really lovely old style head to him. I didn't go over him but in his movement and everything I could see from the ring side said he was a very good dog and if the owners wanted would of probably done well in the bigger rings.

If you are going to make sure then you need to make sure she is KC reg and in your name(many people forget to do this). Ringcraft - If your breeder doesn't know of any or your area we can point you in the right direction here.
You do need someone in the breed who shows and often does well to say if she will make the grade, whether that is your breeder or someone else you trust(you do need someone you can trust to be honest)

You know I am sure this bitch is lovely but she may not be show material however does that matter whilst the handler is learning the ropes at open shows. Providing both dog and handler enjoy the day out the winning can come later, learn the ropes and as much as you can about your breed and if you enjoy you can consider getting another (perhaps better) dog in the future. This does not mean that your dog is not a good one it may go into the ring and start to win despite your not knowing how to show or groom it but you would be lucky if that was the case but I have known it happen.

Yes, you may or may not win or place with your girl, but why not go to ringcraft, try some companion shows first, and learn about handling. In a way you don't WANT a top show dog for your first dog, I had one and I could have done a lot more with him, particularly in the first year or two, if I had had a clue what I was doing!