NORTHERN NEIGHBORS--Part III

   The gene pool for the Golden Retriever-- whether north or south of the 49th parallel --needs to be EXPANDED rather than constricted based upon negative feelings one may have toward one coat color or another. It may well be that the red-coated Goldens possess the best hunting instincts. Yet all breed standards find them unacceptable-- in the show ring. But at the same time the four-legged contestants should somehow display this same hunting instinct if the judge is to be impressed. The dog should LOOK as if he is capable of performing the task for which he was bred-- even if he has never seen a duck or whatever.
   Once again, we breed to a color-- gold --and set aside a birth color that is integral to the breed itself. The Golden Retriever's hunting skills are legendary. Rather than continue to fight over the first half of its name (is he/she gold enough?) would it not be more constructive and instructive to pay far greater attention to the other half of his name? Are we continuing to produce the hunting dog we desire or merely a facsimile?
   The standard should not be written for the purposes of the conformation ring. A Breed Standard should apply to ALL dogs in its purview regardless of the multiple uses to which they are put. Both the GRCA/AKC and GRCC breed standards make specific reference to the show ring. The British standard does not. Nor does that of the international FCI.
   Are good genes in short supply? In 2009 an outstanding dog won his National Specialty. The following year, 2010, he repeated that success. In 2011 he was second only to his daughter who took top honors. Then, in 2012 one of his daughters out of a different bitch walked  (or ran?) away with the trophy. And, yes, that same young lady was a repeat winner in 2013 following in the pawprints of her proud dad. While we applaud the owners, breeders, handlers for their efforts and success; is there anything troubling about these circumstances? Or is it just that these breeders have found the key to success? If past is prologue, perhaps we already can predict the winner in 2014. Just kidding. ( I think.)
   Final point. No Golden Retriever-- and there have been many great ones --has EVER won Best-In-Show at Westminster. No Golden Retriever has EVER won the top prize at the renowned Crufts show in England. Inferior Goldens? Or problematic Breed Standards? Is the pursuit of the ideal Golden Retriever an ongoing process; or are the standards developed by us as humans impossible to attain by our four-legged friends? Standards have remained unchanged for decades or perhaps a generation. But the Golden Retrievers have changed. And not always for the better.Should anything be done about this disconnect?
   No, I do not believe that the Golden Retriever Club of Canada has declared war on the cream-coated Golden Retriever. But breeders who select ONLY gold dogs and bitches for their programs are no less guilty of limiting the gene pool than breeders who utilize ONLY cream specimens in their breeding efforts.