Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Retriever Need Not Retrieve; A Lost Art?
The Golden Retriever was developed primarily as a hunting dog. So says the GRCA/AKC Breed Standard. He should be shown "in hard working condition." But is it enough that he simply LOOK the part? No need to exhibit such ability for which he was created?
Next year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Golden Retriever Club of America.
Does the 2012 version of the breed look anything like your "father's Oldsmobile" (I mean his Golden Retriever)?
Not a single Golden Retriever has won the National Field Champion title since the 1950's. Only one Golden has ever won the National Amateur Field Championship-- and that was back in 1985. Since the late 1960's, only two Goldens have earned the prestigious title of Dual Champion.
In our determination to make the Golden Retriever a "jack of all trades," he no longer is master of the one for which he was developed.
I'm just sayin'.
Next year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Golden Retriever Club of America.
Does the 2012 version of the breed look anything like your "father's Oldsmobile" (I mean his Golden Retriever)?
Not a single Golden Retriever has won the National Field Champion title since the 1950's. Only one Golden has ever won the National Amateur Field Championship-- and that was back in 1985. Since the late 1960's, only two Goldens have earned the prestigious title of Dual Champion.
In our determination to make the Golden Retriever a "jack of all trades," he no longer is master of the one for which he was developed.
I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A Breed Standard OR A Show Standard?
A BREED STANDARD FOR ALL GOLDENS?
The Golden Retriever breed standard in the United Kingdom is written for and applies to ALL Golden Retrievers registered in that nation of origin.
In contrast, the breed standard of the AKC/GRCA is written for Golden Retrievers who enter the conformation ring.
TRUE or FALSE?
Consider the fact that nowhere in the British document is there any reference whatever to exhibiting dogs or the conformation ring. Not a single word. It is a standard which is intended to apply to ALL Golden Retrievers, regardless of venue. Which is as it should be. One would think.
Now consider the document issued by the GRCA with AKC approval. Under General Appearance
in the FIRST paragraph of the written standard it says:
....Primarily a hunting dog, he should be SHOWN in hard working condition....
Barely forty words into the standard, reference is made to the "show" Golden. Why? Was the standard written and meant to apply to a small fraction of the entire breed? Those deemed worthy (or maybe not so) to enter a ring to be judged.
Are the other AKC-sanctioned standards-- for each and all breeds --likewise intended to refer to the "show" dog?
I'm just askin'.
The Golden Retriever breed standard in the United Kingdom is written for and applies to ALL Golden Retrievers registered in that nation of origin.
In contrast, the breed standard of the AKC/GRCA is written for Golden Retrievers who enter the conformation ring.
TRUE or FALSE?
Consider the fact that nowhere in the British document is there any reference whatever to exhibiting dogs or the conformation ring. Not a single word. It is a standard which is intended to apply to ALL Golden Retrievers, regardless of venue. Which is as it should be. One would think.
Now consider the document issued by the GRCA with AKC approval. Under General Appearance
in the FIRST paragraph of the written standard it says:
....Primarily a hunting dog, he should be SHOWN in hard working condition....
Barely forty words into the standard, reference is made to the "show" Golden. Why? Was the standard written and meant to apply to a small fraction of the entire breed? Those deemed worthy (or maybe not so) to enter a ring to be judged.
Are the other AKC-sanctioned standards-- for each and all breeds --likewise intended to refer to the "show" dog?
I'm just askin'.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thoughts on CCA and AKC National Owner-Handler Series
Those of us who own and love "undesirable" Goldens which are cream in color have two opportunities for our dogs to strut their stuff in the show ring-- sort of. If you participate in the Certificate of Conformation Assessment program and your dog is deemed to be of very good to excellent quality, the dog will earn a CCA certificate which gives you bragging rights. If your dog is in the conformation ring and is owned and handled by you (or a non-professional handler, apparently) then if you stick around in that same ring, he or she may be judged again. If, however, your Golden is selected as the best of the owner-handled entries in this second round of competition he or she receives NO award, NO certificate, NO points toward a championship.
Both of these programs may have value, in that your Golden is considered to be an outstanding example of its breed, but I believe each of these programs provides a good deal of insight into how the dog show venue operates.
On the GRCA website it points out that the CCA program "is an educational gateway for everyone to reflect on the written description of what is 'ideal' for this incredible breed, the essence of a Golden Retriever, that is timeless, without prejudice and not subject to changing fashion or popular style."
The original intent of the CCA program is to "...provide a NON-COMPETITIVE area of participation in conformation where dogs are assessed against the Breed Standard rather than merely against other dogs present..." And it also provides information about your dog which can not be gained in the conformation ring.
Merely? Really? The prevailing belief (or is it a myth?) is that every dog in a show ring is judged against the breed standard, NOT against the competition. This is said to be true in the Group as well as Best In Show judging. Have those show commentators on television been lying to us all these years? To their credit, they do add a disclaimer of sorts. The winning dog exhibits that "extra something" or shows that he "really wants it." Or whatever.
Sounds like a CCA certificate is a better judge of quality than a CH in front of a dog's name. But does anyone really believe that? Do we line up to use a stud dog because he has a CCA designation after his name or a CH title in front of his name?
Sadly, cream-coated Goldens who earn CCA certificates rarely if ever win points toward a championship when they enter the conformation ring. Does anyone see the disconnect here? The parallel universe as it were? Assessors found them to be "very good to excellent" representatives of our breed. Why is that not good enough to assure success in the conformation ring?
The Owner-Handler Series presents a bit of a conundrum as well. First and most important, why is such a program necessary? If the judge is doing his/her job, that individual should be concentrating on the four-legged animal at one end of the leash, NOT on the two-legged animal holding the other end of the leash. Is this newly-instituted program a recognition of the fact that judges are often too impressed with the professional handler? How he does his job? Is competition between owner-handlers and professional handlers patently unfair? Are judges unduly influenced? Nobody seems to want to go there; which begs the question.
Is it fair to believe that judging in the show ring may well be rigged, third only to the performances offered in professional wrestling or the judgments made in figure skating? Some might add gymnastics to that list-- especially in international competition.
The chance of a cream-coated Golden doing well in the Owner-Handler Series is slim to none. Wouldn't you agree?
Those of us who own and love "undesirable" Goldens which are cream in color have two opportunities for our dogs to strut their stuff in the show ring-- sort of. If you participate in the Certificate of Conformation Assessment program and your dog is deemed to be of very good to excellent quality, the dog will earn a CCA certificate which gives you bragging rights. If your dog is in the conformation ring and is owned and handled by you (or a non-professional handler, apparently) then if you stick around in that same ring, he or she may be judged again. If, however, your Golden is selected as the best of the owner-handled entries in this second round of competition he or she receives NO award, NO certificate, NO points toward a championship.
Both of these programs may have value, in that your Golden is considered to be an outstanding example of its breed, but I believe each of these programs provides a good deal of insight into how the dog show venue operates.
On the GRCA website it points out that the CCA program "is an educational gateway for everyone to reflect on the written description of what is 'ideal' for this incredible breed, the essence of a Golden Retriever, that is timeless, without prejudice and not subject to changing fashion or popular style."
The original intent of the CCA program is to "...provide a NON-COMPETITIVE area of participation in conformation where dogs are assessed against the Breed Standard rather than merely against other dogs present..." And it also provides information about your dog which can not be gained in the conformation ring.
Merely? Really? The prevailing belief (or is it a myth?) is that every dog in a show ring is judged against the breed standard, NOT against the competition. This is said to be true in the Group as well as Best In Show judging. Have those show commentators on television been lying to us all these years? To their credit, they do add a disclaimer of sorts. The winning dog exhibits that "extra something" or shows that he "really wants it." Or whatever.
Sounds like a CCA certificate is a better judge of quality than a CH in front of a dog's name. But does anyone really believe that? Do we line up to use a stud dog because he has a CCA designation after his name or a CH title in front of his name?
Sadly, cream-coated Goldens who earn CCA certificates rarely if ever win points toward a championship when they enter the conformation ring. Does anyone see the disconnect here? The parallel universe as it were? Assessors found them to be "very good to excellent" representatives of our breed. Why is that not good enough to assure success in the conformation ring?
The Owner-Handler Series presents a bit of a conundrum as well. First and most important, why is such a program necessary? If the judge is doing his/her job, that individual should be concentrating on the four-legged animal at one end of the leash, NOT on the two-legged animal holding the other end of the leash. Is this newly-instituted program a recognition of the fact that judges are often too impressed with the professional handler? How he does his job? Is competition between owner-handlers and professional handlers patently unfair? Are judges unduly influenced? Nobody seems to want to go there; which begs the question.
Is it fair to believe that judging in the show ring may well be rigged, third only to the performances offered in professional wrestling or the judgments made in figure skating? Some might add gymnastics to that list-- especially in international competition.
The chance of a cream-coated Golden doing well in the Owner-Handler Series is slim to none. Wouldn't you agree?
Friday, September 21, 2012
You Did Not Build That
You Did Not Build That
The Golden Retriever was NOT "invented" in America. It is NOT a creation of the United States. Rather, it was a glorious gift from the British Isles-- more specifically Scotland. The breed is ours to promote and protect. To love, admire, and enjoy. First and foremost he is a hunting dog, though multi-talented in many fields.The AKC has granted near-sole authority to the GRCA to protect our cherished breed; as such it has created a breed Standard which represents the ideal for the Golden Retriever. This document generally reflects that of the nation of origin; differences between the two and those used throughout the world are minor-- for the most part. But they do affect the breed as it has developed over the years on either side of The Pond.
True, there are differences in type-- often subtle though real --between the American-breds and those found overseas. Distinctions can be found regionally within a single nation. And we can not dismiss the growing divergence between the field Golden Retrievers and those bred for the conformation ring-- regardless of where they are being bred.
But do our dogs live in a "restricted neighborhood?" Is the American breed Standard one which may declare an entire sub-set of Goldens "undesirable," based upon a Golden Retriever's birth color? This is the case at present. Individuals or GRCA committees of five or perhaps six members are deciding whether a born-Golden Retriever falls within the acceptable color spectrum-- a range that to them dismisses the born-cream dogs as something other than true or truly Golden Retrievers. And, they are doing so by ignoring the rules and By-laws of the GRCA itself. Personal tastes and opinions (NOT FACTS) are used to declare to all America what a Golden Retriever should look like. The Standard makes no mention of the color cream--whether good or bad; nor does it refer to red, yellow, yellow orange, pale gold, tan, off-white, reddish or coppery gold. These terms are provided for your edification by the miniscule percentage of the GRCA membership alluded to previously. You can find them in articles featured on the Club website. They appear in Committee documents intended to educate judges in the ring and the general public as a whole. But each is little more than opinion. True, the Standard says that Golden Retrievers who are born or mature to a color which is "extremely pale or extremely dark" require a penalty if they appear in the show ring. Such personal biases, however, are all extra-constitutional. Nowhere can they be found in the Golden Retriever Club of America Breed Standard. They are exercises in a Fill-In-The Blank game; they are entries upon an Etch-A-Sketch pad, subject to change at any time by a fraction of the Club membership. The whim of this tiny group of GRCA leaders.
It has been said, as negative criticism, that the Supreme Court is what this highest court says it is. But, like it or not, our Constitution grants our courts the right to interpret our founding document. No such power has been given to the GRCA's committees or individuals to interpret the meaning of any clause in the GRCA/AKC Breed Standard of our beloved Goldens. If anyone wishes to change that Standard, proper procedures must be followed, without exception. Would anyone like to remind the GRCA Board of Directors of this FACT? So far, the silence has been deafening.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
GRCA LEADERS ARE MAGICIANS!
THE MAGICIANS WHO CONTROL THE GRCA
In my last blog I referenced the fact that a document created by the Judges' Education Committee for the edification of would-be evaluators of Golden Retrievers in the conformation ring contained a paragraph which clearly stated that the approved color spectrum for the breed included a "range from CREAM to a coppery gold...." Thus, your cream-coated Golden was not "undesirable" under the national breed Standard-- or so it would seem. Cream was not to be included in the definition of "extremely light" members of our beloved breed.
A week or two has passed since I pointed this out to a member of the Board of Directors of the GRCA. The paragraph has been REWRITTEN, as if by MAGIC. Did the Committee which prepared and approved the document as previously worded RECONVENE? Did they amend this document as a group? Or, perhaps, did a single member of that committee or someone else in a leadership position at the GRCA simply rewrite the paragraph to suit his/her opinion and bias against the cream-coated Goldens? The answer is important, for it suggests the way things are properly-- or improperly --done by individuals who exercise control of the national club. The document was an official statement to inform judges of the color parameters. One assumes that the paragraph in question-- as did the entire document --received careful attention by those who created it. Why the sudden change? Was it something I said(?)
Most specifically, the paragraph at issue HAD SAID the color ranged FROM CREAM TO A COPPERY GOLD. The same paragraph NOW READS that the color of a Golden may range FROM PALE GOLD TO A DEEP COPPERY GOLD. The word "cream" has been exorcised (the dictionary defines it as, "to drive an evil spirit out or away by ritual prayers, etc...."). Apparently, COPPERY GOLD has survived-- and the paragraph NOW permits a DEEP and not just coppery gold. Sort of pushing the red boundary I would think. In any case, CREAM has been expunged.
Anyone familiar with breeding and showing Golden Retrievers knows that there are three birth colors--cream, gold, and red. A born-cream pup is NOT simply pale gold. It is, as it were, a "horse of a different color." How long will those of us who own and admire the cream-coated Golden Retrievers have to contend with a GRCA which refuses to accept what the rest of the world has for so long accepted-- that a cream Golden Retriever is a legitimate representative of the breed?
It would be interesting to see if ANY OTHER part of this document has been tampered with, or re-thought or rewritten. But that's not my job. Perhaps the Judges' Education Committee would care to tell us.
In any case, America remains the only nation to insist that to be TRULY a Golden Retriever, a dog must be truly gold. Congratulations to the "ladies who lunch" for steadfastly keeping their collective heads in the sand. Just remember that while you have the power to do something it is not the same as doing the right thing for the breed.
( Two new developments:
I received notice from the GRCA that the full Board will consider my letter to the Judges' Education Committee.
I received a letter from the GRCA Judges' Education Committee itself. They claim to have the authority to determine the color parameters for the breed since the club gives them the right to "enhance" the understanding of the judges and the public in general. But enhancing knowledge is NOT the same as enhancing the Standard by adding their personal opinions and biases. Nowhere in the GRCA By-laws does it give a committee of five such power. If the wording of the Standard is imprecise or requires further explanation then change the Standard THROUGH PROCEDURES CLEARLY SPELLED OUT in the By-laws.)
In my last blog I referenced the fact that a document created by the Judges' Education Committee for the edification of would-be evaluators of Golden Retrievers in the conformation ring contained a paragraph which clearly stated that the approved color spectrum for the breed included a "range from CREAM to a coppery gold...." Thus, your cream-coated Golden was not "undesirable" under the national breed Standard-- or so it would seem. Cream was not to be included in the definition of "extremely light" members of our beloved breed.
A week or two has passed since I pointed this out to a member of the Board of Directors of the GRCA. The paragraph has been REWRITTEN, as if by MAGIC. Did the Committee which prepared and approved the document as previously worded RECONVENE? Did they amend this document as a group? Or, perhaps, did a single member of that committee or someone else in a leadership position at the GRCA simply rewrite the paragraph to suit his/her opinion and bias against the cream-coated Goldens? The answer is important, for it suggests the way things are properly-- or improperly --done by individuals who exercise control of the national club. The document was an official statement to inform judges of the color parameters. One assumes that the paragraph in question-- as did the entire document --received careful attention by those who created it. Why the sudden change? Was it something I said(?)
Most specifically, the paragraph at issue HAD SAID the color ranged FROM CREAM TO A COPPERY GOLD. The same paragraph NOW READS that the color of a Golden may range FROM PALE GOLD TO A DEEP COPPERY GOLD. The word "cream" has been exorcised (the dictionary defines it as, "to drive an evil spirit out or away by ritual prayers, etc...."). Apparently, COPPERY GOLD has survived-- and the paragraph NOW permits a DEEP and not just coppery gold. Sort of pushing the red boundary I would think. In any case, CREAM has been expunged.
Anyone familiar with breeding and showing Golden Retrievers knows that there are three birth colors--cream, gold, and red. A born-cream pup is NOT simply pale gold. It is, as it were, a "horse of a different color." How long will those of us who own and admire the cream-coated Golden Retrievers have to contend with a GRCA which refuses to accept what the rest of the world has for so long accepted-- that a cream Golden Retriever is a legitimate representative of the breed?
It would be interesting to see if ANY OTHER part of this document has been tampered with, or re-thought or rewritten. But that's not my job. Perhaps the Judges' Education Committee would care to tell us.
In any case, America remains the only nation to insist that to be TRULY a Golden Retriever, a dog must be truly gold. Congratulations to the "ladies who lunch" for steadfastly keeping their collective heads in the sand. Just remember that while you have the power to do something it is not the same as doing the right thing for the breed.
( Two new developments:
I received notice from the GRCA that the full Board will consider my letter to the Judges' Education Committee.
I received a letter from the GRCA Judges' Education Committee itself. They claim to have the authority to determine the color parameters for the breed since the club gives them the right to "enhance" the understanding of the judges and the public in general. But enhancing knowledge is NOT the same as enhancing the Standard by adding their personal opinions and biases. Nowhere in the GRCA By-laws does it give a committee of five such power. If the wording of the Standard is imprecise or requires further explanation then change the Standard THROUGH PROCEDURES CLEARLY SPELLED OUT in the By-laws.)
Thursday, August 30, 2012
DID YOU KNOW THAT CREAM AND COPPERY GOLD ARE "ACCEPTABLE?"
Recently I had occasion to revisit the website of the GRCA, and to my surprise I discovered some interesting instructions to those who would judge our breed. It appeared in an article compiled by the Golden Retriever Club of America Judges' Education Committee for the A.K.C.
Under the heading of Coat and Color, I found this entry:
Color is probably one of the most common variants seen in the breed. The standard specifies "lustrous golden of various shades" which allows a broad range of color, ranging from CREAM TO A COPPERY GOLD, with allowable lighter feathering. This variation in color is one of the breed's attractions. EXTREMES of LIGHT and DARK of the predominant body color are considered UNDESIRABLE.
The current understanding among fanciers of the Golden Retriever breed is that both CREAM and RED are colors which fall OUTSIDE the allowable range and deserve to be penalized in the conformation ring. Is public opinion among breed aficionados wrong? Are we failing to read our Breed Standard correctly? What does our Standard mean? What inferences are to be drawn properly from the following:
COLOR: Rich, lustrous golden of various shades. Feathering may be lighter than rest of coat....Predominant body color which is either EXTREMELY PALE OR EXTREMELY DARK is UNDESIRABLE....Some latitude should be given to the LIGHT puppy whose coloring shows PROMISE (as in, pick me, pick me, I promise to turn "golder" when I grow up) of deepening with maturity....
For those who fail to recognize these words, they are part of the GRCA/AKC approved Golden Retriever Breed Standard which has been in place for a generation.
When judicial seminars and workshops are held do the spokespersons for the GRCA (Marcia, Chris, James, et al) clarify this apparent contradiction? Does our present Standard include both CREAM and COPPERY GOLD as acceptable in the show ring? That's what the article especially prepared for would-be judges says. Or do the seminar leaders assert that CREAM is UNDESIRABLE?
What does the phrase, " extremely pale" as found in the Breed Standard mean? Is CREAM undesirable? Is it acceptable? What do these GRCA leaders counsel those who attend these judicial meetings? Do CREAM and "extremely pale" equate? Are they synonymous? And do those who run these sessions for the judges have a RIGHT to INTERPRET the breed Standard to suit their own biases and color preferences?
An article on the GRCA website dated 2010 states the following with regard to color:
Comment: Color is essential in defining the breed as "Golden." The Standard includes a range, from pale gold through deep reddish gold, as the predominant body color. "Golden" requires a brilliance of hue that is definitely yellow or reddish yellow, NOT dull tan, brown, or FLAT CREAM. Lighter shadings on the underbody, "pants" and tail, in varying degrees are quite typical and acceptable....
If this paragraph looks familiar, it is because it has been taken almost word for word from a book written by the present Chairman of the GRCA Standards Committee. She is firm in her belief that a Golden Retriever which is not truly golden in color is not truly a Golden Retriever. What exactly this un-Golden Retriever is is not explained by the author.
This same writer believes that the British Standard for Goldens considers the cream-coated Goldens merely a lighter SHADE of gold, NOT a separate color.
How does one wade through these apparent contradictions? Is CREAM in or out of the acceptable color spectrum for the breed? You will have to judge for yourself(?)
Recently I had occasion to revisit the website of the GRCA, and to my surprise I discovered some interesting instructions to those who would judge our breed. It appeared in an article compiled by the Golden Retriever Club of America Judges' Education Committee for the A.K.C.
Under the heading of Coat and Color, I found this entry:
Color is probably one of the most common variants seen in the breed. The standard specifies "lustrous golden of various shades" which allows a broad range of color, ranging from CREAM TO A COPPERY GOLD, with allowable lighter feathering. This variation in color is one of the breed's attractions. EXTREMES of LIGHT and DARK of the predominant body color are considered UNDESIRABLE.
The current understanding among fanciers of the Golden Retriever breed is that both CREAM and RED are colors which fall OUTSIDE the allowable range and deserve to be penalized in the conformation ring. Is public opinion among breed aficionados wrong? Are we failing to read our Breed Standard correctly? What does our Standard mean? What inferences are to be drawn properly from the following:
COLOR: Rich, lustrous golden of various shades. Feathering may be lighter than rest of coat....Predominant body color which is either EXTREMELY PALE OR EXTREMELY DARK is UNDESIRABLE....Some latitude should be given to the LIGHT puppy whose coloring shows PROMISE (as in, pick me, pick me, I promise to turn "golder" when I grow up) of deepening with maturity....
For those who fail to recognize these words, they are part of the GRCA/AKC approved Golden Retriever Breed Standard which has been in place for a generation.
When judicial seminars and workshops are held do the spokespersons for the GRCA (Marcia, Chris, James, et al) clarify this apparent contradiction? Does our present Standard include both CREAM and COPPERY GOLD as acceptable in the show ring? That's what the article especially prepared for would-be judges says. Or do the seminar leaders assert that CREAM is UNDESIRABLE?
What does the phrase, " extremely pale" as found in the Breed Standard mean? Is CREAM undesirable? Is it acceptable? What do these GRCA leaders counsel those who attend these judicial meetings? Do CREAM and "extremely pale" equate? Are they synonymous? And do those who run these sessions for the judges have a RIGHT to INTERPRET the breed Standard to suit their own biases and color preferences?
An article on the GRCA website dated 2010 states the following with regard to color:
Comment: Color is essential in defining the breed as "Golden." The Standard includes a range, from pale gold through deep reddish gold, as the predominant body color. "Golden" requires a brilliance of hue that is definitely yellow or reddish yellow, NOT dull tan, brown, or FLAT CREAM. Lighter shadings on the underbody, "pants" and tail, in varying degrees are quite typical and acceptable....
If this paragraph looks familiar, it is because it has been taken almost word for word from a book written by the present Chairman of the GRCA Standards Committee. She is firm in her belief that a Golden Retriever which is not truly golden in color is not truly a Golden Retriever. What exactly this un-Golden Retriever is is not explained by the author.
This same writer believes that the British Standard for Goldens considers the cream-coated Goldens merely a lighter SHADE of gold, NOT a separate color.
How does one wade through these apparent contradictions? Is CREAM in or out of the acceptable color spectrum for the breed? You will have to judge for yourself(?)
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Cream Will Not Rise If Not There: Ya Gotta Be In It To Win It
Attended an AKC-sanctioned show in Orlando today. An impressive collection of 63 Golden Retrievers. The judge seemed partial to near-red entries whenever possible. Perhaps just a coincidence. Yours truly had the only cream-coated dog in the show. This, despite the fact that there are a number of breeders in Florida who specialize in European-type Goldens-- usually of that color. The judge barely looked at Luthor, my boy; and it didn't help that he sat every time the young handler tried to set his rear legs (the dog's, not the judge's). I certainly can't fault the judge for that-- or the handler for that matter who was only introduced to Luthor shortly before entering the conformation ring.
What I found interesting and likewise disturbing is that my dog appeared "invisible" to all the fanciers, breeders and owners who gathered at ringside. A breeder in Texas told me that the solution would be to get a sizeable entry of cream and light gold dogs entered at each show. She believed that judges and the general public would get used to seeing them and that eventually the dogs would do well in competition.
But this ignores one very essential fact. The creams (and reds for that matter) are declared "undesirable" in the official breed standard. And don't we want and expect the judges to follow the standard as written?
What I found interesting and likewise disturbing is that my dog appeared "invisible" to all the fanciers, breeders and owners who gathered at ringside. A breeder in Texas told me that the solution would be to get a sizeable entry of cream and light gold dogs entered at each show. She believed that judges and the general public would get used to seeing them and that eventually the dogs would do well in competition.
But this ignores one very essential fact. The creams (and reds for that matter) are declared "undesirable" in the official breed standard. And don't we want and expect the judges to follow the standard as written?
Friday, June 22, 2012
ACROSS THE SEA FROM A TO Z
The following list of male Golden Retrievers imported from beyond our shores in the last decade or so is intended to inform the reader of the enlarged gene pool of significant European-type Goldens now potentially available to breeders who wish to maintain lines separate and apart from the American-bred lines which have dominated the scene in previous years. They may be available for pairing with American-breds as well. The list in no way is intended to suggest that owners of these dogs are affiliated with or support the aims of EGRITS. Nor does it suggest that these dogs are available at stud. But they do represent quality examples of our breed and we welcome their presence in the States. I have not included dogs which have been rehomed, failed to pass health clearances, or have been altered or passed over the Rainbow Bridge-- at least to my knowledge. In most, if not all cases, pedigrees can be found either at k9data.com or the kennel sites where they are located.
Nor is the list all-inclusive. Additions are more than welcome (they will be listed under Comments as I receive them).
A Step Ahead of Clear Passion
Adonis Blue van de Beerse Hoeve
Air Force One of Morning Valley
Angelusparks Explorador
Ashbury Hot Off the Press
Baldwin of the Hellacious Acres
Bam Bam of the Morning Valley
Black Tie van de Beerse Hoeve
Break of Dawn Taken By Storm
Camrose Quiet Time
Celtic Cembro du Pin Aux Cinq Aiguilles
Cezanne Cembro du Pin Aux Cinq Aiguilles
Charles Henry of Golden Duck Romeo
Collen Campos Danako
Conarhu Cream of the Crop
Dancing Blue Saphir of Golden Duck
Dewmist Scalamoor
Domino Butterfly z Karczwskich Szuwarow
Dream Max Apple Computer
Dream Max Marco Albarello
Dream Max Mr Jones
Dream Max The Big Apple
Dream Weaver of the Morning Valley
Dutch Evidog
Ellyest Knight's Fee
Erinderry Harry Potter of Ventess
Eskimo Pie Evidog
Etched In Sand van de Beerse Hoeve
Evidog Gucci
Evidog Masterpiece
Falleur's Singapore
Festival's Finger In the Sky
Finley's Dream Cassovia Treasure
Ganwales Foreign Mission
Ganwales Hey-Diddle-Diddle
Garbank Lislone Itz Only Me
Gentiana Golden Ace
Gentiana Golden Prince
Giddygold Golden Spirit In My Heart
Giddygold Last of the Mohicans
Giddygold Quest of Luck
Goldenone Star Night
Goldkitts Pride of Cornwall at Ventess
Goldtreve Sydney Traveler
Golmas Game Roller
Gorefinadan Young American
Gypsy's Soul Jonatan
Hamlet of the Morning Valley
Heathcliff From Mariannehouse
History Magic Happy Company
Hypagardens Delicious Coconut
Icefiction From Mariannehouse
Kalocsahazi Don Juan
Kalocsahazi Hocuszpok
Kalocsahazi Paff
Knights Lord From Mariannehouse
Linirgor Macallan
Mackenzie of the Morning Valley
Majik Captain Wenthworth
Mirage Butterfly z Karczewkich Szwarow
Moondust Magical Mystery
Moondust Valentino
Never Give Up of the Morning Valley
Noble Ecko of the Morning Valley
Pearls of Hunter Hot Ticket At Talini
Platinum Ice of the Morning Valley
Ramchaine Magnetic
Raynox Inside Edition
Renegade Snow of the Morning Valley
Scandal Lover de Zelkova
Skandi Sanraiz Linkoln
Sibelius of the Hellacious Acres
Spirit's Irish Cheer of Woodmore
Spring Sky of Golden Duck
Storm Cloud of the Morning Valley
Thevenet Latin Lover
Thevenet Quartermaster General
Time Traveller of Golden Duck
Top Secret of the Morning Valley
Tramin Tangerine Dream
Traffic Jam van de Beerse Hoeve
Trewater Party Pal
Tushen Wind of Silver
Xanthos Argyle
Xanthos Caravaggio
Xanthos Cirrus
X-trail Alaskas Prince Golden Angels of Oberach
Zampanzar Ole Ole
Nor is the list all-inclusive. Additions are more than welcome (they will be listed under Comments as I receive them).
A Step Ahead of Clear Passion
Adonis Blue van de Beerse Hoeve
Air Force One of Morning Valley
Angelusparks Explorador
Ashbury Hot Off the Press
Baldwin of the Hellacious Acres
Bam Bam of the Morning Valley
Black Tie van de Beerse Hoeve
Break of Dawn Taken By Storm
Camrose Quiet Time
Celtic Cembro du Pin Aux Cinq Aiguilles
Cezanne Cembro du Pin Aux Cinq Aiguilles
Charles Henry of Golden Duck Romeo
Collen Campos Danako
Conarhu Cream of the Crop
Dancing Blue Saphir of Golden Duck
Dewmist Scalamoor
Domino Butterfly z Karczwskich Szuwarow
Dream Max Apple Computer
Dream Max Marco Albarello
Dream Max Mr Jones
Dream Max The Big Apple
Dream Weaver of the Morning Valley
Dutch Evidog
Ellyest Knight's Fee
Erinderry Harry Potter of Ventess
Eskimo Pie Evidog
Etched In Sand van de Beerse Hoeve
Evidog Gucci
Evidog Masterpiece
Falleur's Singapore
Festival's Finger In the Sky
Finley's Dream Cassovia Treasure
Ganwales Foreign Mission
Ganwales Hey-Diddle-Diddle
Garbank Lislone Itz Only Me
Gentiana Golden Ace
Gentiana Golden Prince
Giddygold Golden Spirit In My Heart
Giddygold Last of the Mohicans
Giddygold Quest of Luck
Goldenone Star Night
Goldkitts Pride of Cornwall at Ventess
Goldtreve Sydney Traveler
Golmas Game Roller
Gorefinadan Young American
Gypsy's Soul Jonatan
Hamlet of the Morning Valley
Heathcliff From Mariannehouse
History Magic Happy Company
Hypagardens Delicious Coconut
Icefiction From Mariannehouse
Kalocsahazi Don Juan
Kalocsahazi Hocuszpok
Kalocsahazi Paff
Knights Lord From Mariannehouse
Linirgor Macallan
Mackenzie of the Morning Valley
Majik Captain Wenthworth
Mirage Butterfly z Karczewkich Szwarow
Moondust Magical Mystery
Moondust Valentino
Never Give Up of the Morning Valley
Noble Ecko of the Morning Valley
Pearls of Hunter Hot Ticket At Talini
Platinum Ice of the Morning Valley
Ramchaine Magnetic
Raynox Inside Edition
Renegade Snow of the Morning Valley
Scandal Lover de Zelkova
Skandi Sanraiz Linkoln
Sibelius of the Hellacious Acres
Spirit's Irish Cheer of Woodmore
Spring Sky of Golden Duck
Storm Cloud of the Morning Valley
Thevenet Latin Lover
Thevenet Quartermaster General
Time Traveller of Golden Duck
Top Secret of the Morning Valley
Tramin Tangerine Dream
Traffic Jam van de Beerse Hoeve
Trewater Party Pal
Tushen Wind of Silver
Xanthos Argyle
Xanthos Caravaggio
Xanthos Cirrus
X-trail Alaskas Prince Golden Angels of Oberach
Zampanzar Ole Ole
Monday, June 18, 2012
Do You Have A Problem?
EGRITS exists to promote and encourage the breeding of European Golden Retrievers in the United States. We also wish to see a change in the current GRCA/AKC breed standard to reflect the significant number of cream-coated Goldens to be found in America. Our current standard is out of step with virtually everyone else in the world. There are no FACTS to support the claim that they are "undesirable."
At present there are nearly 150 different male Golden Retrievers listed on the website. They are included because we believe that they are Goldens which have made or may make significant contributions to our breed.
Their inclusion on the website IN NO WAY suggests that their owners are affiliated with or even support EGRITS and its aims. One breeder has reached this conclusion and asked that her dogs be removed from the list of outstanding recent imports to the States. If anyone else is offended by having their dogs identified in this way, please let me know, and their names will be removed from the website.
At present there are nearly 150 different male Golden Retrievers listed on the website. They are included because we believe that they are Goldens which have made or may make significant contributions to our breed.
Their inclusion on the website IN NO WAY suggests that their owners are affiliated with or even support EGRITS and its aims. One breeder has reached this conclusion and asked that her dogs be removed from the list of outstanding recent imports to the States. If anyone else is offended by having their dogs identified in this way, please let me know, and their names will be removed from the website.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Significant Imported Goldens In Canada
There have been significant additions to the Golden Retriever gene pool in Canada over the years. Two dogs certainly worthy of note were Dewmist Davenport from Sweden and the Norwegian dog, Mjaerumhogda's Kyon Flying Surprise-- both prolific breeders in their time, and sire of countless champions.
More recently, the following are among those which have been added to the roster of European and Australian imports north of our border:
Baudelaire du Domaine des Rives de l'Erdre
Cheek To Cheek Steve MacQueen
Dream Max Avalon
Dream Max Jorgen Brink
Evidog Jazzman
Fantango Johnny Walker
Giltedge Traveller
Linirgor Must Be Luv
Majik Mr Darcy
Raynox Heart of Gold
Sundowner de Ria Vela
Tramin Fun In The Sun
Trewater Secret Romance
Zampanzar Jungle Joy
No doubt there are many more I've missed. But from this list it is clear that there have been important additions to the Golden Retriever community in Canada. Hopefully both Canadian as well as American Goldens can benefit from these imports. But cooperation on both sides of the border is essential if this is to happen.
And in addition, on both sides of the 49th parallel, the use of artificial insemination using frozen semen from noteworthy European Goldens such as Ronjalee Ragamuffin At Motlaisa, Stanroph So It Had To Be, Mad About You de Ria Vela and Karvin Stay On Top (among others) has added to the mix.
More recently, the following are among those which have been added to the roster of European and Australian imports north of our border:
Baudelaire du Domaine des Rives de l'Erdre
Cheek To Cheek Steve MacQueen
Dream Max Avalon
Dream Max Jorgen Brink
Evidog Jazzman
Fantango Johnny Walker
Giltedge Traveller
Linirgor Must Be Luv
Majik Mr Darcy
Raynox Heart of Gold
Sundowner de Ria Vela
Tramin Fun In The Sun
Trewater Secret Romance
Zampanzar Jungle Joy
No doubt there are many more I've missed. But from this list it is clear that there have been important additions to the Golden Retriever community in Canada. Hopefully both Canadian as well as American Goldens can benefit from these imports. But cooperation on both sides of the border is essential if this is to happen.
And in addition, on both sides of the 49th parallel, the use of artificial insemination using frozen semen from noteworthy European Goldens such as Ronjalee Ragamuffin At Motlaisa, Stanroph So It Had To Be, Mad About You de Ria Vela and Karvin Stay On Top (among others) has added to the mix.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Do U Wanna Brag?
Golden Retriever Imports to USA/ Canada Between 1999 To Present
I would like to comprise a list of any and all male Golden imports which have been used at stud or might be available at stud. If the gene pool is to be expanded for European and Australian imports it will be most helpful for breeders to share their dogs and info about them with other reputable breeders.
If you wish to have your imports listed please send me the essential information about them. Date of birth, sire and dam, country of origin and kennel name of breeder. Please identify any health clearances as well. Include e-mail contact information if you wish, as this would be helpful.
If you have done import x import breedings, such dogs can be listed as well. There will be no charge for this but it will allow you to brag a bit about your dog and let others know that there is a significant number of males which might be available for use in their own breeding programs.
The list(s) will include only recent imports and their offspring. And, those who wish to offer a stud for use in a traditional American Golden breeding program are more than free to do so. In no way does EGRITS wish to limit possibilities.
You may send your dog's info to the owner of this website at curtisaurgwyn@hotmail.com-- that would be Bill Droll of Crystal River, Florida.
Imports from Europe and the rest of the world have been important to the maintenance and fostering of the European-type Golden in both the United States and Canada. Let's do what we can to continue this tradition.
I would like to comprise a list of any and all male Golden imports which have been used at stud or might be available at stud. If the gene pool is to be expanded for European and Australian imports it will be most helpful for breeders to share their dogs and info about them with other reputable breeders.
If you wish to have your imports listed please send me the essential information about them. Date of birth, sire and dam, country of origin and kennel name of breeder. Please identify any health clearances as well. Include e-mail contact information if you wish, as this would be helpful.
If you have done import x import breedings, such dogs can be listed as well. There will be no charge for this but it will allow you to brag a bit about your dog and let others know that there is a significant number of males which might be available for use in their own breeding programs.
The list(s) will include only recent imports and their offspring. And, those who wish to offer a stud for use in a traditional American Golden breeding program are more than free to do so. In no way does EGRITS wish to limit possibilities.
You may send your dog's info to the owner of this website at curtisaurgwyn@hotmail.com-- that would be Bill Droll of Crystal River, Florida.
Imports from Europe and the rest of the world have been important to the maintenance and fostering of the European-type Golden in both the United States and Canada. Let's do what we can to continue this tradition.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
HALF A Loaf?
Is HALF A Loaf Truly Better Than None?
Years ago the woman who had so much to do with the development of our breed stated that one should be wary of assuming that a champion dog bred to a champion bitch will produce a litter of champions.
Mrs. Charlesworth believed that too many breeders fell into that trap.
Nowadays, there seems to be a similar situation in the Golden Retriever community. Folks want a pup sired by this or that Dog of the Month, of the Year, of the Millennium. But if the buyer fails to consider the quality of the bitch in a pairing, he or she is actually buying "half a loaf" or rather "half a Golden." Unless BOTH parents are outstanding in all ways which determine a Golden representative of the breed, there is no guarantee that any pups sired by the male will ever meet or surpass his quality. It could take generations of breeding to accomplish that-- if ever.
So do your homework. Spend your money wisely-- even if it means spending more than you had expected. It is not the number of dogs sired by a particular stud dog but rather the quality of that which he produces. And remember, as well, that a dog will not necessarily produce just as his littermates do-- this is rarely the case.
It is true that both Shardanell Castaspell and Shardanell Talk O' The Town.have both sired some remarkable dogs. So too have the siblings Erinderry Gaelic Minstrel and Erinderry Gaelic Gold. Not to mention the brothers from Ronjalee-- Rag Trade and Ragamuffin at Motlaisa.
But there are other examples which have not fared nearly as well-- though they shall be nameless.
Nor can one assume that puppies from a repeat breeding will be of the same quality as those who came before. There is a good possibility of this being true but there is no absolute guarantee.
Years ago the woman who had so much to do with the development of our breed stated that one should be wary of assuming that a champion dog bred to a champion bitch will produce a litter of champions.
Mrs. Charlesworth believed that too many breeders fell into that trap.
Nowadays, there seems to be a similar situation in the Golden Retriever community. Folks want a pup sired by this or that Dog of the Month, of the Year, of the Millennium. But if the buyer fails to consider the quality of the bitch in a pairing, he or she is actually buying "half a loaf" or rather "half a Golden." Unless BOTH parents are outstanding in all ways which determine a Golden representative of the breed, there is no guarantee that any pups sired by the male will ever meet or surpass his quality. It could take generations of breeding to accomplish that-- if ever.
So do your homework. Spend your money wisely-- even if it means spending more than you had expected. It is not the number of dogs sired by a particular stud dog but rather the quality of that which he produces. And remember, as well, that a dog will not necessarily produce just as his littermates do-- this is rarely the case.
It is true that both Shardanell Castaspell and Shardanell Talk O' The Town.have both sired some remarkable dogs. So too have the siblings Erinderry Gaelic Minstrel and Erinderry Gaelic Gold. Not to mention the brothers from Ronjalee-- Rag Trade and Ragamuffin at Motlaisa.
But there are other examples which have not fared nearly as well-- though they shall be nameless.
Nor can one assume that puppies from a repeat breeding will be of the same quality as those who came before. There is a good possibility of this being true but there is no absolute guarantee.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
For My Scandinavian Friends-- Some Birthdays, Too
Here's a partial list of noteworthy studs:
Cheer's Way Of The World 5/10/93
Rossmix Rugger 7/20/95
Inassicas Song Of Songs 4/21/97
Rossmix No Regrets 9/2/99
Tottelina Observer 11/7/99
Jazzman's Da Capo7/26/2001
Inassicas Coriander 1/12/2002
Dewmist Silkventure 9/20/2002
Jako's Nordic Charm 4/11/2004
Dewmist Servantes/ D Serrano 10/2/2005
Majik Truth Or Dare 3/18/2009
And I apologize in advance to all of you out there who claim I am ignoring the distaff side. Just as behind every good man there is a good woman, it may be said that behind every good Golden male there is a good bitch. (Somehow that seems not to have come out quite right.)
Gatchells Royal Orchid; Dewmist Shaquille ;and Samsara, Ossien and Prime Time of Glen Sheallag immediately come to mind. As do others such as Styal Silksilla, Dasty Golden Daffodil, Ritzilyn Stage Door Jenny, Erinderry Firebird, Stanroph So Be It, Pearlbarn Periwinkle For Ritzilyn, Eplepai av Vervik and three Zampanzar girls-- First Time, Cold Play and Sky At Night. And of course Mieke's girls at van de Beerse Hoeve.
Send me your suggestions and I will be happy to compile a list as I have for the males.
Here's a partial list of noteworthy studs:
Cheer's Way Of The World 5/10/93
Rossmix Rugger 7/20/95
Inassicas Song Of Songs 4/21/97
Rossmix No Regrets 9/2/99
Tottelina Observer 11/7/99
Jazzman's Da Capo7/26/2001
Inassicas Coriander 1/12/2002
Dewmist Silkventure 9/20/2002
Jako's Nordic Charm 4/11/2004
Dewmist Servantes/ D Serrano 10/2/2005
Majik Truth Or Dare 3/18/2009
And I apologize in advance to all of you out there who claim I am ignoring the distaff side. Just as behind every good man there is a good woman, it may be said that behind every good Golden male there is a good bitch. (Somehow that seems not to have come out quite right.)
Gatchells Royal Orchid; Dewmist Shaquille ;and Samsara, Ossien and Prime Time of Glen Sheallag immediately come to mind. As do others such as Styal Silksilla, Dasty Golden Daffodil, Ritzilyn Stage Door Jenny, Erinderry Firebird, Stanroph So Be It, Pearlbarn Periwinkle For Ritzilyn, Eplepai av Vervik and three Zampanzar girls-- First Time, Cold Play and Sky At Night. And of course Mieke's girls at van de Beerse Hoeve.
Send me your suggestions and I will be happy to compile a list as I have for the males.
BRITISH BIRTHDAY BOYS-- A Guide To The Past
The following list may be of some help to fanciers of the breed. It is not intended to suggest that these are or were the only dogs of importance in breed history; but I feel it offers a useful chronology of sorts.
Stanroph Sailor Boy 7/19/90
Ritzilyn Cockney Robin 5/15/91
Perrimay Hugo Of Fenwood 11/21/91
Elswood The Highlander 5/14/93
Gunhills Blue River 2/18/94
Erinderry Diamond Edge Of Glenavis 11/6/94
Garbank Lislone Jackpot 10/27/96
Paudell Pure Passion 7/18/97
Lindjan Xylonite 10/18/97
Gunmarsh Zachary 12/3/97
Golmas Governor 4/13/98
Xanthos Black Thorn 5/5/98
Jackralee Integrity 10/28/98
Erinderry Gaelic Minstrel/E Gaelic Gold 10/31/99
Xanthos Apple Jack 1/12/2000
Stanroph So It Had To Be 6/25/2000
Ritzilyn Brandon 6/30/2000
Ronjalee Ragamuffin At Motlaisa/ Ronjalee Rag Trade 11/16/2000
Telkaro Diamond Dust 1/30/2001
Gatchells Man Of Honour 6/3/2002
Erinderry Just The Ticket From Bluewaters 12/6/2002
Shardanell Talk O' The Town At Ipcress/ S Castaspell 2/1/2003
Ritzilyn Male Order 4/9/2005
Ritzilyn Rick O' Shay 4/15/06
In their lifetimes, some proved to be prolific breeders. X Black Thorn sired perhaps 74 litters, R Cockney Robin in his day perhaps 10 less than that. P Pure Passion is credited with no less than 57. Both R Brandon and E Just The Ticket From Bluewaters each have numbers in the mid-sixties. So it is clear that these Goldens have made significant contributions to the breed.
The following list may be of some help to fanciers of the breed. It is not intended to suggest that these are or were the only dogs of importance in breed history; but I feel it offers a useful chronology of sorts.
Stanroph Sailor Boy 7/19/90
Ritzilyn Cockney Robin 5/15/91
Perrimay Hugo Of Fenwood 11/21/91
Elswood The Highlander 5/14/93
Gunhills Blue River 2/18/94
Erinderry Diamond Edge Of Glenavis 11/6/94
Garbank Lislone Jackpot 10/27/96
Paudell Pure Passion 7/18/97
Lindjan Xylonite 10/18/97
Gunmarsh Zachary 12/3/97
Golmas Governor 4/13/98
Xanthos Black Thorn 5/5/98
Jackralee Integrity 10/28/98
Erinderry Gaelic Minstrel/E Gaelic Gold 10/31/99
Xanthos Apple Jack 1/12/2000
Stanroph So It Had To Be 6/25/2000
Ritzilyn Brandon 6/30/2000
Ronjalee Ragamuffin At Motlaisa/ Ronjalee Rag Trade 11/16/2000
Telkaro Diamond Dust 1/30/2001
Gatchells Man Of Honour 6/3/2002
Erinderry Just The Ticket From Bluewaters 12/6/2002
Shardanell Talk O' The Town At Ipcress/ S Castaspell 2/1/2003
Ritzilyn Male Order 4/9/2005
Ritzilyn Rick O' Shay 4/15/06
In their lifetimes, some proved to be prolific breeders. X Black Thorn sired perhaps 74 litters, R Cockney Robin in his day perhaps 10 less than that. P Pure Passion is credited with no less than 57. Both R Brandon and E Just The Ticket From Bluewaters each have numbers in the mid-sixties. So it is clear that these Goldens have made significant contributions to the breed.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Thoughts about Crufts 2012
For those Golden Retriever fanciers who cling to the false notion that all European Goldens are cream in color, I direct your attention to the breed results at Crufts 2012. Both the BOB and BOS winners were gold-coated, as were many of the more than 500 entries.
And both of these winners were quite mature-- one about seven years of age and the other nearly nine. A testament to the staying power in the breed. This is not to say that there weren't many promising youngsters waiting in the wings.
And over all the color spectrum was quite impressive, don't you agree?
And both of these winners were quite mature-- one about seven years of age and the other nearly nine. A testament to the staying power in the breed. This is not to say that there weren't many promising youngsters waiting in the wings.
And over all the color spectrum was quite impressive, don't you agree?
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
(An e-mail message sent to AKC-- so far met with silence.)
Dear Sirs:
Why am I not permitted to register my Golden Retrievers as CREAM when that is their natural birth color-- one which has been recognized without penalty or prejudice by the country of origin since 1936 and one which is recognized throughout the world as legitimate?
My dogs are not Dark Gold, Gold or Light Gold. They are CREAM in color.
Why is there no box to identify that color?
Who made the determination to list ONLY three possible colors?
When was this policy first established?
How do we go about changing this?
There are well over fifty kennels in the United States which sell English or British Cream Golden Retrievers. Some call them white-- a misnomer. But the fact remains that the AKC registry for Golden Retrievers contains thousands of Golden Retrievers IMPROPERLY designated as LIGHT GOLD when they are not-- at least most are not. Though some might view CREAM as a light shade of gold, the British Standard makes a clear distinction-- color may be either GOLD or CREAM.
Are your color choices determined by the Golden Retriever Club of America or by the AKC itself? If by the former, do all national breed clubs designated by the AKC as a parent club for a breed determine what policies are used by the AKC?
This may seem like a small matter to you, but for the last generation-- thirty years or so --the GRCA has declared that coat color which is too light or too dark is "undesirable" in the breed. This is a reference to both red-coated and cream-coated Golden Retrievers. We are alone in the world (beside tagalong Mexico) to penalize cream-coated Golden Retrievers in the conformation ring.
Does the AKC believe that a cream-coated Golden is "undesirable?" If so, why does it allow them to be bred or exhibited in any venue? Why do you give them full registration? It they are truly "undesirable" how can that be good for the breed?
I personally believe that born-red Goldens deserve to be treated equally as well; but that is a discussion for another time since all national standards deem them unfit for full equality in the show ring. But that is not true of the cream-coated Goldens.
Is the AKC willing to grant a different class or variety status to cream Golden Retrievers? Are they possibly another breed? True there are subtle structural differences that may distinguish American-bred stock from that imported from Europe and elsewhere in recent years. But they are all clearly Golden Retrievers.
I look forward to your response in writing.
William C. Droll-- curtisaurgwyn@hotmail.com
(Since sending this e-mail, I have spoken to a gentleman in the Registration office who claimed it was a matter for discussion between the GRCA and me. The national parent club determines the color designations. When I asked if the AKC was "powerless" to intervene, he rejected that word but had nothing further to offer by way of explanation.)
Dear Sirs:
Why am I not permitted to register my Golden Retrievers as CREAM when that is their natural birth color-- one which has been recognized without penalty or prejudice by the country of origin since 1936 and one which is recognized throughout the world as legitimate?
My dogs are not Dark Gold, Gold or Light Gold. They are CREAM in color.
Why is there no box to identify that color?
Who made the determination to list ONLY three possible colors?
When was this policy first established?
How do we go about changing this?
There are well over fifty kennels in the United States which sell English or British Cream Golden Retrievers. Some call them white-- a misnomer. But the fact remains that the AKC registry for Golden Retrievers contains thousands of Golden Retrievers IMPROPERLY designated as LIGHT GOLD when they are not-- at least most are not. Though some might view CREAM as a light shade of gold, the British Standard makes a clear distinction-- color may be either GOLD or CREAM.
Are your color choices determined by the Golden Retriever Club of America or by the AKC itself? If by the former, do all national breed clubs designated by the AKC as a parent club for a breed determine what policies are used by the AKC?
This may seem like a small matter to you, but for the last generation-- thirty years or so --the GRCA has declared that coat color which is too light or too dark is "undesirable" in the breed. This is a reference to both red-coated and cream-coated Golden Retrievers. We are alone in the world (beside tagalong Mexico) to penalize cream-coated Golden Retrievers in the conformation ring.
Does the AKC believe that a cream-coated Golden is "undesirable?" If so, why does it allow them to be bred or exhibited in any venue? Why do you give them full registration? It they are truly "undesirable" how can that be good for the breed?
I personally believe that born-red Goldens deserve to be treated equally as well; but that is a discussion for another time since all national standards deem them unfit for full equality in the show ring. But that is not true of the cream-coated Goldens.
Is the AKC willing to grant a different class or variety status to cream Golden Retrievers? Are they possibly another breed? True there are subtle structural differences that may distinguish American-bred stock from that imported from Europe and elsewhere in recent years. But they are all clearly Golden Retrievers.
I look forward to your response in writing.
William C. Droll-- curtisaurgwyn@hotmail.com
(Since sending this e-mail, I have spoken to a gentleman in the Registration office who claimed it was a matter for discussion between the GRCA and me. The national parent club determines the color designations. When I asked if the AKC was "powerless" to intervene, he rejected that word but had nothing further to offer by way of explanation.)
Friday, March 2, 2012
Misinfo Re: Albinism, Why bother with facts when people believe everything they read?
Color in Golden Retrievers and UNscientific ramblings about Albinism. I call your attention to an essay which appeared on the Golden Retriever Forum blog. Looks like more than 500 people were impressed. I was not.
The authors opinions are not fact, even if she cites sources in a general way. I doubt any one of them would agree with her conclusions.
There is nothing in science which documents that a lighter colored dog is more likely to produce Albinism. Same is true of other members of the animal kingdom. The almost white Golden is not almost an albino. It is like saying someone is almost pregnant-- either she is or is not.
The quote: " It is believed that the Albinism gene and its alleles are responsible for the washing out of color that changes a (G)olden from any shade of red to cream." Believed by whom? Ascertained by whom? Asserted by whom-- besides the blogger herself? Based upon what evidence?
To be continued....
Color in Golden Retrievers and UNscientific ramblings about Albinism. I call your attention to an essay which appeared on the Golden Retriever Forum blog. Looks like more than 500 people were impressed. I was not.
The authors opinions are not fact, even if she cites sources in a general way. I doubt any one of them would agree with her conclusions.
There is nothing in science which documents that a lighter colored dog is more likely to produce Albinism. Same is true of other members of the animal kingdom. The almost white Golden is not almost an albino. It is like saying someone is almost pregnant-- either she is or is not.
The quote: " It is believed that the Albinism gene and its alleles are responsible for the washing out of color that changes a (G)olden from any shade of red to cream." Believed by whom? Ascertained by whom? Asserted by whom-- besides the blogger herself? Based upon what evidence?
To be continued....
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
EGRITS - European Golden Retrievers in the States.
While many folks prefer the term English or British Golden Retriever we prefer to use the term EUROPEAN as a way of honoring all breeders who have worked to develop and improve the breed, not only in the British Isles, but on the Continent as well. Our official logo does incorporate the flag of the United Kingdom to reflect the origins of this lovely sporting dog -- THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
European Golden Retrievers in the States wishes to acknowledge other groups and individuals who are presenting the European Goldens in a positive light. That would include both EGNA and the BGRCA. While our tactics may differ, we are united in our desire to serve as advocates for the Golden Retrievers which have been imported to our shores in recent years.
Whether they are called English Cream Goldens, British Golden Retrievers, or even White Golden Retrievers (a term we personally do not favor since no Golden is actually white in color, though it might be a very pale cream or a very light golden hue) they are true Golden Retrievers and deserve our support.
While many folks prefer the term English or British Golden Retriever we prefer to use the term EUROPEAN as a way of honoring all breeders who have worked to develop and improve the breed, not only in the British Isles, but on the Continent as well. Our official logo does incorporate the flag of the United Kingdom to reflect the origins of this lovely sporting dog -- THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
Club Objectives
- Contribute to the breed as it has developed in Europe and elsewhere.
- Retain and build upon the admirable qualities found in our imported breeding stock.
- Offer an expanding gene pool for those engaged in breeding programs.
- Provide the latest information concerning health issues in the breed.
- Mentor and encourage new arrivals to the breed and European-type Golden Retriever.
- Identify trustworthy and knowledgeable breeders, both here and abroad.
- Encourage members to obtain all health clearances for their dogs, whether they choose to breed or not.
- Join and support all GRCA activities important to the breed and its future in America.
On the other hand, we will endeavor to:
- Oppose any effort to encourage or support programs that may be properly regarded as "puppy mills."
- Do all possible to discourage the breeding of "designer mutts," most especially, but not only Goldendoodles.
- Reprimand any club member who makes unfounded, exaggerated claims about the European Golden Retriever.
- Condemn those who launch personal attacks on either members or non-members of our club, or who engage in hearsay.
- Expel any member who violates the rules of ethical breeding, delineated by either the AKC or the GRCA.
European Golden Retrievers in the States wishes to acknowledge other groups and individuals who are presenting the European Goldens in a positive light. That would include both EGNA and the BGRCA. While our tactics may differ, we are united in our desire to serve as advocates for the Golden Retrievers which have been imported to our shores in recent years.
Whether they are called English Cream Goldens, British Golden Retrievers, or even White Golden Retrievers (a term we personally do not favor since no Golden is actually white in color, though it might be a very pale cream or a very light golden hue) they are true Golden Retrievers and deserve our support.
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