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?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
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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