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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

Interim

General Appearance
Well proportioned, active worker with a strong muscular appearance. A distinctive oily, double coat, which is very important. Capable of working in adverse weather conditions, including ice and snow.

Characteristics
A courageous and keen worker with a great love of water. Independent, affectionate, but not extrovert with strangers, he makes a good guardian of home and family.

Temperament
Bright and happy disposition, alert and intelligent and showing a willingness to work.

Head and Skull
Broad and round with medium stop. Muzzle of similar length to skull, pointed but not sharp. Lips thin, not pendulous. Nostrils well developed. Nose and lips of colour to harmonise with coat. There should be a noticeable difference between the sexes.

Eyes
Medium size, very clear, of yellow or amber colour and set wide apart.

Ears
Relatively small, well set up on head, of medium leather, and carried close.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated.

Neck
Of medium length with a strong muscular appearance tapering from head to shoulders.

Forequarters
Well muscled and well boned. Shoulders powerful, well laid back, long in blade with upper arm of equal length, placing legs well under body with no restriction of movement.  Forelegs straight when viewed from the front. Leg length equal to depth of body. Pasterns slightly sloping.

Body
Body of medium length with well sprung ribs, short coupled and strong. Chest well developed, deep and broad. Topline may have slight hollowness, with the hindquarters level with the withers, or slightly higher. Back strong and neither swayed nor roached. Flanks showing some tuck up.

Hindquarters
Strong, well muscled and powerful, complementing the forequarters.  Well turned stifles, with rear pasterns of moderate length. Hocks turning neither in nor out.     

Feet
Of good size, hare feet well webbed. Toes well knuckled and close.

Tail
Strong, medium heavy at base. Straight or slightly curved, extending to hock. Moderate feathering permissible. May be carried gaily but not curled over back.

Gait/Movement
Strong and powerful, with no restriction of movement, which should be smooth, free and effortless. As speed increases the feet tend to converge. 

Coat
A distinctive feature. Coat should be thick and reasonably short, not over 4cms (1 ½ ins) long, with harsh, oily, outer coat and dense, fine, woolly undercoat covering the whole body; having a tendency to wave on neck, shoulders, back and loins. A straighter, thick coat is acceptable provided its water resistance is retained.  Coat on face, ears and legs short and straight. Moderate feathering on tail permissible. Oil in harsh coat and woolly undercoat of extreme value. Coat should resist water.

Colour
Dead grass (straw to bracken), sedge (red gold), any shade of brown, or ash. White spots on chest, belly, toes or the back of the feet permissible. The smaller the spot the better. Masking and brindling in coat pattern is acceptable but not desirable. Self coloured dogs preferred. Colour of coat must be given consideration when judging but is of lesser importance compared to the quality and texture of the double coat.

Size
Height: dogs 58-66 cms (23-26 ins), bitches 53-61 cms (21-24 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - July 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER CLUB. Sec. Miss D Crewe. Tel No: 01697 349796. 

Date page created:

Categories:

Gundog Group 

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