GRCWA Inc.

Golden Retrievers are generally a very healthy breed, however, like all dogs, they are subject to some genetic disorders and health problems including:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Eye Problems
• Hereditary Heart Disease
• Ichthyosis
• Ectopic Ureter
• Epilepsy
• Cancer

Further information about these and other health issues can be found at the following link Health Matters or contact us

The standard for each breed is specifically drawn up to set out guidelines covering the desired externally observable qualities for that particular breed – its physical conformation, character and temperament.

It is important as it provides a working outline of the desirable traits and hallmarks of the breed, pushing healthy sound dogs. Movement, temperament and soundness are highlighted in the standard. The standard is the blueprint which defines each breed individually. When judging, one is selecting the best representatives of the breed, ie the best specimens to breed on with. It is not a beauty contest.

This is unfortunately an issue that has recently become the subject of untruths and misinformation. Sadly this misinformation has led many people searching for a puppy to become quite confused and conflicted in regard to pedigree dogs.  

Some breeders line breed, some breeders don’t, some breeders line breed when they want to set a trait strongly in their lines, other choose to out-cross for the desired trait. Either way, when done correctly by experienced and knowledgeable breeders, using genetically superior stock, line breeding sets type and health …… So, what is Line Breeding???

Line breeding is the doubling up of any ancestor within a pedigree. This is fairly common in most breeds to a limited extent. Line breeding is still common among many species in the wild. Natural selection allows individuals with traits desirable for survival to multiply, and quite often, individuals with similar traits are related. Due to the genetic strength of the said desirable trait, paired individuals pass on those valuable traits to their offspring, with the doubling up of those genes (known as homozygosis) - thus creating another healthy generation of the species to go on and multiply. Now, in the domestic dog world, natural selection doesn’t play a role. It’s left up to the breeder to decide which animal should be paired with which. An experienced and knowledgeable breeder will want to use animals that are pre-potent in health, type and temperament. The key is using excellent specimens, pre-potent, healthy and of superior genetics, whether they have common ancestry or not.

1st degree inbreeding is banned in all breeds within the ANKC, Australia wide. It just doesn’t happen and those who say it does are not being truthful. While linebreeding does occur, it is predominantly done in the 3rd and 4th generation. After the 5th generation it is considered negligible. When done correctly by experienced and knowledgeable breeders using healthy, tested dogs of correct type and temperament, the aim is to double up on desirable traits both phenotypically (traits we can see) and genotypically (genetic makeup). There is a higher chance of doubling up on good healthy traits, of course, only if genetically healthy specimens are used. When done erroneously, by inexperienced breeders using genetically unhealthy, untypical specimens – naturally, this may result in the doubling up of undesirable traits therefore, producing undesirable, unhealthy specimens.

 So, in a nutshell : Linebreeding is the doubling up of a common ancestor and should only occur when using strong, pre-potent and healthy individuals that have superior genetics for improvement of the breed.