Originally posted by dogs_4_me
Just curious but what makes a good conformation dog? I'm almost positive that her parents have both won shows ect. so wouldnt that make Emma okay for conformation?

If you only knew! Since I am a member of our local Golden Club I know quite a few breeders who are very involved in showing for conformation. They pray and hope for one good pup out of a litter. It is only an exceptional breeding that will produce more than one (if even that many) show quality pets. Sadly, a lot of them will keep the dogs they think will be prospective show dogs only to find out around 2 years that they don't quite have it or they have some minor health problem so they have to rehome them. Remember the primary reason for getting a CH (champion title) on a dog is so they can be breed later on for more money. People love to know and will pay for the fact that their dog came from Champion blood lines. That's not to say it's the only reason, but it is the primary reason to your serious breeders.

What they look for in a conformation perfect Golden is many different things. Ideal weight, head features including set of eyes, muzzle, bite, nose pigment and ears, topline, body composition such as forequarters and hindquarters and set of tail, and then how the dog gaits (fluid movement while gaiting, not running) are the primary things a judge looks for.

Most professional handlers know the judges and what "look" of golden they prefer so you will find a lot of them trying to find a show to go to where they are more likely to have their Golden put up. Conformation is a very political game.

Your Emma is a very fortunate girl because she has the most important thing a dog needs.... LOVE!!!