In Australia the Golden Retriever is bred and judged according to the Breed Standard of the English Kennel Club
| GENERAL APPEARANCE |
BODY |
| Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with kindly expression. |
Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep, well sprung. |
| CHARACTERISTICS |
HINDQUARTERS |
| Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability. |
Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when
viewed from rear, neither turning in nor out. Cowhocks highly undesirable. |
| TEMPERAMENT |
FEET |
| Kindly, friendly and confident. |
Round and cat-like. |
| HEAD AND SKULL |
TAIL |
| 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. |
Set on and carried level with back, reaching to hocks, without curl at tip. |
| EYES |
GAIT/MOVEMENT |
| Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims. |
Powerful and good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and fee with no sign of hackney
action in front. |
| EARS |
COAT |
| Moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes. |
Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense, water-resisting undercoat. |
| MOUTH |
COLOUR |
| Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth
and set square to the jaws. |
Any shade of cream or gold but neither red nor mahogany. |
| NECK |
SIZE |
| Good length, clean and muscular. |
Height at withers: Dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 inches). Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22 inches) |
| FOREQUARTERS |
FAULTS |
| Forelegs straight with good bone, shoulders well laid back, long in blade with upper arms of equal length
placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting. |
Any departure from the forgoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with
which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. |
