Showing Golden Retrievers
Showing a Golden is not an easy job, but with a little patience and hard work it can be very rewarding and great fun.
It is easier to start training a Golden for showing from a puppy, during the first six months of its life. Most puppies bought from breeders who show Goldens have usually been used to standing on a table for inspection, so that the breeder can decide which puppy they may want to keep for themselves, which generally gives a good starting point. It is a good idea to continue to stand your puppy every few days to remind him of the situation of being handled and controlled.
The most important step to make at the beginning is to enrol at a ‘ring-craft’ class in your area. A class just for Golden retrievers is an advantage, but one for all breeds would be sufficient. If you go to a puppy socialisation class he can get used to meeting all breeds of dog and will be taught basic obedience lessons, which will then lead on to learning what you want him to do in the show ring. The only command that I do not teach my new puppies to begin with is the order to ‘sit’. This is because when he is in the show ring he must always stand, so it is better not to confuse him with the sit position, until he is confident at being shown.
One important part of showing a Golden is to make the most of his beautiful coat. To trim a Golden correctly takes a lot of practice and attending a grooming seminar is essential. Once your puppy’s coat grows into his thicker adult coat he will soon get untidy unless he is regularly trimmed, including the cutting of his nails. Your Golden will also need bathing a day or two before his ‘show day’ as this will enhance the natural colour and condition of the coat.
At the ‘ring-craft’ class you will be shown the two different methods of showing your dog; either to ‘free-stand’ him or to ‘top and tail’ him. The first method, ‘free-standing’, is my preferred way as there is nothing that shows a Golden to his best advantage than a naturally alert stance with a gently wagging tail. However, the second method is probably easier for the novice handler and also gives more control over a young puppy. You can use bait in the form of a tasty piece of sausage or cheese, but you may be able to work without anything by just keeping the dogs attention. All the dogs vary in character, as humans do, and while some are very easy to show and control others may take more time and patience to bring them to the required standard. Competition is very strong in the ‘showing world’ of Golden Retrievers, especially when showing a championship level.
As well as standing your Golden you will be asked to move him in the figure of a triangle, so the judge can see him from every angle. Many judges base their opinion of a dog on its movement, as a well-proportioned dog should always move well if handled correctly. It is most important to move your puppy or dog at the correct speed as puppies naturally do not move as quickly as an adult dog. Once the correct speed is decided upon there is nothing that looks as beautiful as a Golden in full coat, gliding around the ring.
So I wish you ‘good luck’ with your showing. I’m sure that you will find it a most rewarding and enjoyable hobby.
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