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'.
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