9781422279366

by drop ears that are set level with his eyes. The typical expression is alert and intelligent, but the dark brown eyes offer something more. They are soft and melting and seem almost a mirror to the soul of this wonderful breed. The topline—the line along the back— is firm and straight, end- ing in the feathered tail, which is carried level with the back when a dog is on the move. This is very important, because it gives the Golden Retriever his very distinctive look: He exudes optimism, self-confidence, and enthusiasm. The coat can be wavy or flat. The most important feature for a working gundog is for the coat to be weatherproof, and therefore a dense undercoat is essential. The color is, of course, golden, but this does not mean the breed lacks variety. The shades range from the very palest cream to a rich, lustrous gold. The black pigment on the nose and eye rims provide a dramatic contrast and are very much a breed feature. Temperament Where to start? The Golden Retriever has an outstanding tem- perament, which makes him the ideal working dog and the perfect companion. He is intelligent and can think for himself, but he re- mains easy to train and will readily take direction. He is exception- ally sweet-natured and relates well to people of all ages. He loves children, combing the roles of nanny and playmate. Occasionally his halo will slip. The Golden Retriever does have a stubborn side, but this is easily avoided if you are a little creative with your training. The good-tempered Golden reacts best to posi- tive methods; make something sufficiently rewarding and he will be back to his best, tail wagging and eager to cooperate. Breed characteristics The Golden Retriever has a number of specialties that are very

8