Golden Retriever Conformation Champs

   Every now and then you come across something on the internet that borders on the silly to ridiculous. I found this on a Rifleman blog/ Canis Lupis Hominis, The Retriever, Dog, Wildlife.
   The contributor was lamenting the fact that lithe, red field dogs had devolved into "whites" lacking the ability to get the job done. He asks, "So which breeders are conserving the golden retriever?"
   The black and white photo represents the first conformation champion in the golden retriever breed, one of Mrs. Charlesworth's Noranby line. The other is not named, but said to be from Sweden. I think Jane Wild and his breeders would take issue with that. "Thomas" is shown here winning BOB in 2002 at Crufts.
   With all the talk about type (American or English) or coat color dividing the breed, we tend to forget that in all nations there is a widening gap between the field Goldens and those bred for the show ring. Regardless of how this author expresses his concern, that is a fact of life. If form should follow function, what in the world are we doing? Not so many years ago seeing a Golden on the grooming table for an hour or two to "prepare" him for the conformation ring....Let's face it; it just didn't happen.
   Some nations insist on linking a show title to tests proving hunting ability. Certainly this has great merit. Perhaps it is time to place less emphasis on our breed's FIRST name and concentrate on the RETRIEVER half.
   The GRCA offers little in this regard. One article suggests that a Golden should "LOOK LIKE" he could hunt. Appearance is reality(?)  Another suggests that before entering the conformation ring to judge Goldens it would be helpful if he attended at least ONE field trial prior to that. Or even watch a Golden actually doing his job in a real-life situation. Heady stuff.
   I'm just sayin.'