[mylissyk]

I was just looking at the rescue's website at all the Goldens available for adoption, and it occurred to me that none of them resemble the "show" Goldens we see in the ring, or on this board for that matter.

Granted, some of the rescue dogs are very poorly bred, but there are a number of them that came to rescue with AKC papers.

Anyone else notice that?

 

[cubbysan]

That is because responsible breeders breed to "the Standard" while puppy mills and backyard breeders don't care.

 

[westy258]

I've noticed, too, but I think there are several reasons. Show dogs must conform to breed standards, and many of the rescue goldens I've read about have had to be put on a diet before being adopted out. So show dogs are pretty carefully scrutinized as far as nutrition, exercise, etc. Plus there's much more intense grooming involved with show dogs versus pets.

 

[LuckyPup]

I rescued my dog and he does not look like a show dog at all! Actually kind of funny we were in PetSmart a week or so ago with Luck. This woman who shows goldens came and said hi to him. She says "oh he is definitely not a show dog....maybe a good field dog!" Ha! I still think he is absolutely beautiful!

 

[MaddieMagoo]

^^You guys have hit the nail right on the head with those statements! Puppy mills and backyard breeders scare me!

Also you may not have noticed that most of the field line Goldens who are bred VERY carefully don't compete in the breed ring. Although that was the TRUE purpose of the Golden.

Oh, how times have changed!

 

[NuttinButGoldens]

I don't know why, but most of the rescue golden's I've seen tend to lean towards the "Field" variety than the "Show" variety.

To me, they are almost two different breeds, structure wise. Especially in the head/snout.

I was just looking at the rescue's website at all the Goldens available for adoption, and it occurred to me that none of them resemble the "show" Goldens we see in the ring, or on this board for that matter.

Granted, some of the rescue dogs are very poorly bred, but there are a number of them that came to rescue with AKC papers.

Anyone else notice that?

 

[fostermom]

I think some of it has to do with the grooming, too. Most of us with average pet goldens don't do a show groom on them. Jasper looks like a ragamuffin compared to a well groomed golden, but it doesn't bother me.

 

[rosemary]

dont care personally wether arnie looks like a pet or show or field dog i love him just the way he is

 

[AmbikaGR]

I was just looking at the rescue's website at all the Goldens available for adoption, and it occurred to me that none of them resemble the "show" Goldens we see in the ring, or on this board for that matter.

Granted, some of the rescue dogs are very poorly bred, but there are a number of them that came to rescue with AKC papers.

Anyone else notice that?

Unfortunately just because a breeder breeds to the standard does not make them a responsible breeder. Not all the dogs that end up in rescue are from the mills and backyard breeders. Some come from breeders who also show in one venue or another and either have no knowledge the dog is in rescue or even worse they do not take any responsibility for what they breed once it leaves their home.

 

[FinnTastic]

HAHAHA Someone thought Finn was a mixed breed today..... Oh well.

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

And what happens to the responsible breeders whose contracts are not followed and a dog is brought to the shelter rather than being returned. It's not always easy to know where your dog winds if the owner breaks the contract. I think tattooing is the way to go, but not every breeder tattoos. Also, some of the littermates to those dogs we see in the ring, don't look like them either.

I probably went OT again...

 

[Olddog]

My Riley got called an Irish Setter yesterday.:no:

 

[Jennifer]

My Riley got called an Irish Setter yesterday.:no:

We used to get that about my last golden, Payton a lot when he was a puppy.

 

[FinnTastic]

Yes, he was mistaken for an Irish Setter as well.

 

[mylissyk]

It's almost like they are not the same breed though, they look so different, but they are Golden Retrievers.

 

[Mandarama]

Murphy has also been called an Irish Setter! Didn't the redhead Goldens come about b/c of the introduction of IS stock at some point? I saw a true IS at the dog park one day, though, and they are unmistakable. Very pretty!

I think I've told this story before here...but one day at the park a lady looked at Murph in a full trot and said, "Is he a show dog?" I almost busted out laughing b/c he is SUCH a far cry from the breed standard...and she said, "Well, he prances like he's one." I said "That's because he knows how AWESOME he is!" And he does, too!

I love looking at them all...the very groomed square blondies and the lanky redheads and the ones with white flashes and the ones with a little curl. Because they all have that smiling face that makes them so lovable!

 

[Penny & Maggie's Mom]

Murphy has also been called an Irish Setter! Didn't the redhead Goldens come about b/c of the introduction of IS stock at some point? I saw a true IS at the dog park one day, though, and they are unmistakable. Very pretty!

I think I've told this story before here...but one day at the park a lady looked at Murph in a full trot and said, "Is he a show dog?" I almost busted out laughing b/c he is SUCH a far cry from the breed standard...and she said, "Well, he prances like he's one." I said "That's because he knows how AWESOME he is!" And he does, too!

I love looking at them all...the very groomed square blondies and the lanky redheads and the ones with white flashes and the ones with a little curl. Because they all have that smiling face that makes them so lovable!

I'm so so glad you've come over to the golden side!!!!!!!!:--big_grin::--heart::--big_grin:

 

[Florabora22]

I love redheaded goldens. I'll love my blondie until the sun stops shining, but redheads will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

[Emma&Tilly]

I think it's nice in the UK that goldens that you see in the ring look like goldens that you see on walks everyday...well to an untrained eye anyway (someone that actually knows about the finer points of conformation would know of course) but certainly not the obvious differences that you see from pics in the US and Canada...just from pictures on this forum alone I seem to be able to spot a golden that comes from a strong show background a mile off. Maybe a lot of it has to do with the coat, show goldens here have a more modest coat shall we say! There are possibly less backyard breeders here too.

 

[Susan6953]

Show goldens seem to be really fluffy while field goldens are a little more sleek. I can see where all that fluff would not be good when a dog is running through the fields.