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(?)
  
  
  
  

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?

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

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.

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.
   

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.