Breed Priorities – Flat-Coated Retriever
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By Nikki Riggsbee
The breed standard for the Flat-Coated Retriever includes one of my favorite phrases describing a breed – “power without lumber and raciness without weediness.” The standard also lists the “distinctive and most important features” of the breed in the General Appearance section – silhouette (moving and standing), smooth effortless movement, head type, coat, and character. They reflect the five items of breed type in Richard Beauchamp’s book, by the way. It is helpful when breed standards provide us with explicit priorities. I looked for the survey that this article is based on to corroborate and elaborate their priorities.
We found thirty-nine Flat-Coated Retriever experts to invite to participate in a survey on their breed, although three had email addresses that bounced. Twenty-nine agreed to participate. This article is based on the twenty-three completed surveys. The group contributing averaged nearly thirty-three years in the breed. Those who judge have been doing so for over six years on average, and several have judged their national specialty and other breed specialties.
Flat-Coated Retriever Virtues
The survey included a list of Flat-Coated Retriever desirable characteristics taken from their breed standard for the experts to prioritize. Below is the list of these in sequence by the average ranks, with one being the most important.
1. One piece head
2. Sound, efficient, smooth, effortless movement
3. Confident, happy, outgoing attitude…good natured, friendly to all
4. Topline strong, level
5. Strong, but elegant
6. Muzzle nearly equal in length & breadth to skull
7. Prominent prow
8. Well laid back shoulders
9. Substance – Moderate. Medium bone
10. Deep chest tapering to a moderate tuck-up
11. Length of body slightly more than height
12. Hindquarters powerful, angulation in balance with front
13. Neck strong, slightly arched, moderately long
14. Feet oval or round, medium-sized, tight with well-arched toes & thick pads
15. Coat moderate length density & fullness, with high lustre, flat lying
16. Height 23-24½” for dogs, 22-23½” for bitches
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Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=181383
Posted by AnthonyA
on Apr 16 2020. Filed under Current Articles, Featured.
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