Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a balanced and friendly dog with a natural desire to work in partnership with people. Equally at home as part of an active family, in the shooting field or in a wide range of dog sports, the breed is renowned for its gentle temperament, exceptional trainability, and strong willingness to work alongside its handler.
A hallmark of the breed is its free-flowing, powerful and elegant movement, reflecting its balanced construction and natural ease of movement. Compared with some other retriever breeds, the Golden Retriever is often gentler and more sensitive in character, while remaining a dependable, resilient and willing working companion.

Breeding Requirements

Health and Genetic Testing

How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding

Responsible Breeding

Breed Standard

	Overview of the FCI Breed Standard
Country of Origin	United Kingdom
Height	Ideal Height at the Withers: Dogs: 56–61 cm. Bitches: 51–56 cm
General Appearance	Symmetrical, balanced and active, sound with level action; kindly expression.symetrický, vyvážený a statný pes s harmonickou stavbou těla a plynulým pohybem; výraz je laskavý a inteligentní
Coat Colour	Flat or wavy with good feathering; dense, water-resistant undercoat. Any shade of gold or cream.
Gait	Powerful, with good drive. Straight and true when viewed from the front and rear.
Head	Head: Balanced and well chiselled; skull broad without coarseness; stop well defined. Facial Region: Nose preferably black, with wide nostrils. Muzzle: Powerful, broad and deep; approximately equal in length to the skull. Jaws: Strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.
Dentition	Strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors and set square to the jaws.
Eyes	Dark brown, well set, with a friendly and intelligent expression.
Ears	Moderate in size, set on approximately level with the eyes.
Neck	Good length, clean and muscular.
Body	Back: Level topline; croup does not slope towards the tail. Loins: Strong and well coupled. Chest: Deep through the heart, with well-sprung ribs.
Tail	Set on and carried level with the back, reaching approximately to the hocks; well feathered. Carried with a smooth action, never curled over the back.
Limbs	Forequarters General Appearance: Forelegs straight from the elbows to the ground when viewed from the front or side. Shoulders: Long and well laid back, lying close to the body. Forearms: Straight, with good bone. Feet: Round and cat-like, with well-arched toes and thick pads. Hindquarters General Appearance: Strong and muscular; viewed from behind, straight and parallel. Stifles: Well bent. Hocks (Rear Pasterns): Hocks well let down; viewed from behind, straight. Cow hocks are highly undesirable. Feet: Round and cat-like, with well-arched toes and thick pads.
Temperament	Friendly, calm and even-tempered; intelligent, trainable and eager to please; naturally gifted in retrieving; a devoted and dependable companion; kind and gentle in nature, with no signs of aggression or undue shyness.
Faults	Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on its ability to perform its traditional work.
Disqualifying Faults	Aggressive or overly shy dogs. Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
Note	Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

A Brief History

The Golden Retriever originated in Great Britain during the second half of the 19th century as a specialised gundog developed for retrieving game. Its development is closely associated with Lord Tweedmouth, who systematically bred dogs capable of working reliably in demanding terrain and water.

The breed was developed using, among others, the now-extinct Yellow Retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniels and other working breeds. The aim was to produce a retriever with a soft mouth, an excellent sense of smell, and a strong willingness to work in partnership with its handler.

Over time, the Golden Retriever became not only an outstanding working gundog but also one of the world’s most popular family companions. Thanks to its friendly temperament and intelligence, the breed today excels not only in the shooting field but also in animal-assisted therapy, search and rescue work, and a wide range of dog sports.

Breeding Requirements

	Dog	Bitch
Ideal Height at the Withers	56 – 61 cm	51 – 56 cm
Dentition	*Scissor bite only; teeth may be missing except for incisors and canines.	*Scissor bite only; teeth may be missing except for incisors and canines.
Show award obtained after 12 months of age	At least two show results are required. One of them must be obtained at a Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer (a Regional Club Show does not fulfil this requirement), organised by Retriever Club CZ or Klub chovatelů loveckých slídičů (KCHLS). The required minimum qualification is Very Good (VD) at both shows. The second qualifying show may be obtained at any International Show, National Show, Club Show, Specialty Show or Regional Club Show.	The same breeding requirements apply as for dogs.
Working Trials	The same requirements apply as for bitches.	Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR) or any hunting working trial or competition that includes a retrieving assessment.**
Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)	HD A/A to C/C ED assessment mandatory, max. 1/1*	The same breeding requirements apply as for dogs.

Notes
- *The bite must be a scissors bite. M3 teeth (the third molars in the lower jaw) are not considered functional teeth and are therefore not included in the total tooth count.
- *Dogs with incomplete dentition may only be bred to a partner with complete dentition.
- **Dogs with a DKK result of A/C to C/C may only be bred to dogs with a DKK result of A/A to B/B.
- *** As of 1 September 2026, the maximum permitted ED result for breeding approval is 1/1.
  Dogs that fulfilled all breeding requirements before 9. 1 September 2026 may apply for breeding approval under the previous rules until 30 October 2026.

A list of FCI Group 8 breed judges authorised to measure height at the withers and verify the bite and dentition outside the show ring for breeding approval of retrievers can be found HERE.

Recommended Health Testing for Breeding Dogs

Annual ophthalmological examination (PRA/CAT/RD)	The examination screens for inherited eye disorders. Both planned breeding partners should be examined, including dogs that are genetically clear of prcd-PRA.
OCD – Shoulder Radiographic Examination	Performed at the same time as the DKK/DLK X-rays; officially evaluated by the same specialist who assesses the DKK/DLK results.

Recommended Genetic Tests for Breeding Dogs

GR_PRA1, GR_PRA2 (Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy)	At least one parent must be tested GR_PRA1 and GR_PRA2 clear (N/N, non-carrier).
prcd-PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear for prcd-PRA (N/N, clear, non-carrier).
ICT1, ICT2 (Ichthyosis)	At least one parent must be tested ICT1 and ICT2 clear (N/N, non-carrier).
NCL5 (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis – a hereditary neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain and retina)	At least one parent must be tested NCL5 clear (N/N, non-carrier).

Laboratories Offering Genetic Testing
- Tilila Laboratories CZ, www.tilialaboratories.cz
- Genomia (CZ), http://www.genomia.cz, sleva pro registrované chovatelské kluby 10 % https://www.genomia.cz/cz/homepage/clubs/
  - https://www.genomia.cz/cz/breed/golden-retriever/
- Laboklin/Labogen (DE, pobočka v CZ), http://www.labogen.cz

At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear of the respective mutation (N/N, clear, non-carrier).

Guidelines for the Use of Genetic Testing

The correct use of genetic testing is essential. It is important to understand that a carrier is, first and foremost, a healthy dog. Thanks to genetic testing, carriers can be safely used in breeding without the risk of producing affected puppies, provided they are mated to genetically clear partners. Excluding carriers from breeding unnecessarily and significantly reduces the breed’s genetic diversity.
It is therefore important to test not only stud dogs but also breeding bitches and to use the results when selecting a suitable mate. The ideal breeding partner should be as unrelated as possible, complement the bitch in both type and quality, help balance her weaknesses, and must not be a carrier of the same genetic mutation.
It is not advisable to breed exclusively from dogs that are genetically clear for all available tests. It is important to remember that genetic tests are not yet available for many inherited conditions, and unnecessarily reducing the breed’s genetic diversity may increase the prevalence of other hereditary diseases in the future.

Health Criteria for Responsible Breeding

Code of Ethics

Dogs that are not fit for breeding should be excluded from breeding, regardless of whether they meet the formal breeding requirements. A healthy dog is not defined solely by excellent hip scores and a few favourable genetic test results.
Dogs affected by diseases or conditions for which no genetic tests are available, or that may develop later in life, should not be used for breeding. This includes, in particular, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, thyroid disorders, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, severe allergies and chronic skin conditions, entropion, ectropion, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, spondylosis, and similar conditions.

Breeding is, above all, a long-term responsibility towards the breed, future puppies and their owners. Concealing or downplaying health problems within breeding lines contributes to their continued spread throughout the population and may result in lifelong health problems for future generations, placing a significant burden on their owners. Every puppy that is born will share many years of life with its family. Breeders therefore have an ethical responsibility to give every puppy the best possible chance of a healthy and fulfilling life. Openness, honesty and a critical, responsible approach to the selection of breeding dogs are the foundation of responsible breeding.

How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding

Poradce chovu GR

Lenka Wagner Nokič

Před Obcí 334
250 63 Nová Ves

+420 608 913 835

GR@rkcz.cz

① Meet the Breeding Requirements

Minimum age: 18 months
Dog Shows
Working Trials
Hip and elbow X-ray results (DKK + DLK)

② Prepare the Required Documents

Original pedigree and one copy
Two show critiques
Working Trial Certificate or OVVR Certificate
Hip and elbow X-ray results (DKK + DLK)
Photos

③ Submit Your Documents to the Breed Advisor

Send the documents by registered post.
Original pedigree for breeding endorsement
Registration by the Club
Registration with the ČMKJ

General Information

An individual dog may be approved for breeding by Retriever Club CZ from the age of 18 months, provided that all breeding requirements have been met.
Club members pay a breeding approval fee of CZK 100, payable to account 2900706251/2010.
Non-members pay a breeding approval fee of CZK 3,000.
Membership can be arranged online via the membership application form.
- https://www.retriever-klub.cz/matrika

Show Requirements

Only show critiques obtained after the dog or bitch has reached 12 months of age are accepted for breeding approval.
A minimum of two dog shows, including:
- At least one Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer, organised by Retriever Club CZ or KCHLS.
- A minimum qualification of Very Good (VD) at both shows.
At least one show critique must include the dog’s height at the withers and dentition (unless these have already been assessed at a breed survey).

Working Trials

To qualify for breeding approval, the following must be completed:
- Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR)
- or another hunting working trial that includes a test of retrieving ability
The following qualify: Retriever Club CZ/KCHLS working trials and ČMMJ hunting working trials: Autumn Working Trial (PZ), Forest Working Trial (LZ), Water Work Trial (ZVP) and All-round Working Trial (VZ).

Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)

The examination may be carried out from 12 months of age by an RK CZ approved evaluator.
Procedure:
- Complete the DKK and DLK forms.
- Print two copies of the RK CZ certificates. (Some approved evaluators print and complete the certificates themselves. We recommend checking this in advance.)
- The X-ray examination will be performed by a veterinarian (or the approved evaluator).
  - (The veterinarian will send the X-rays to the approved evaluator, unless they are the approved evaluator themselves.)
- You will receive the certificates.
The X-ray examination and evaluation may only be performed once.
We recommend checking the cost of the examination in advance.

Documents Required for Breeding Approval

Original pedigree and one copy
Original show critiques (minimum of two) and one copy
Breed Survey report (if applicable)
Working Trial / OVVR score sheet
Copies of the DKK and DLK results, together with the RK CZ certificates
Proof of membership fee payment / membership card
Two photographs of the dog or bitch (head and stacked pose) – to be sent to the Breed Advisor by email
Proof of payment of the breeding approval fee

Procedure

Once all breeding requirements have been met, send the required documents by registered post to the appropriate Breed Advisor. The Breed Advisor will process the breeding approval and record it in the dog’s pedigree.
After the Club has processed the breeding approval, the ČMKJ Stud Book will also record the breeding approval in the dog’s pedigree.
The original pedigree must be sent to the ČMKJ Stud Book:
- For dogs, immediately after registration by the Club.
- For bitches: together with the litter registration application.
Original documents are returned to the owner by registered post.