[brytlea]

It seems like the breed organization is strongly encouraging performance (judging from the specialty reports in Golden Retriever News, which I subscribe to because I think it's the best all-purpose retriever mag going).

This is KEY. Oh, and yes, the GRNews is a wonderful resource. I have boxes of them going back to 1988, and refused to not move them when we moved (hubby kept telling me we were paying by the pound). ;)

I wish more people who get involved in the working aspect of their breed, there is nothing like the bond you get working with a dog. However, if that were the requirement, I fear many breeds would simply cease to exist.

susie

[AnAmericanMother]

The funniest dog story I have ever read came out of GRNews about 6-8 months back.

Two conformation ladies in the New Jersey club decided to take their Goldens to a Hunting Retriever Club training day. It was side-splitting -- they drove their show van, their Goldens were perfectly groomed because they had been to a show the previous weekend, one of them was wearing an "I (heart) Goldens" T-shirt -- they show up at this gnarly swamp site, everybody's driving pickup trucks and wearing camouflage, "and their dogs -- their dogs had WHISKERS!"

I made copies for all my hunting retriever friends (especially the Golden owners.)

[Texas Mulerider]

I wish more people who get involved in the working aspect of their breed, there is nothing like the bond you get working with a dog.

My English pointer puppies will never tree a coon, but they'll certainly be introduced to the working aspect of their breed come quail season...