Showing & Working
Currently we hold two shows a year one being a Championship show and an Open Show (see Championship/Open Show section below).
For those wishing to compete in gundog work we hold one Field Trial(AV Novice), two or three Working Tests each year (Open, Veteran, Novice, Novice Dog/Novice Handler/Special Beginners) and incorporate training for beginners at one of the tests.
2025 Events |
||
| 13th April 2025 – Sunday 10.00AM to 3.00PM | INTRODUCTION TO WORKING TESTS | Gardners Farm, Brays Hill, Ashburnham, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9NZ
Sue Jordan tullysedge@gmail.com |
| 3rd May 2025 – Saturday | CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW | Doberman Club Ground, Hertford Road, Digswell, Herts, AL6 0BU
Jan Wilton vallhund@btinternet.com |
| 3rd August 2025 – Sunday | WORKING TEST | Five Oaks Farm, Five Oaks, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9AZ
Sue Jordan tullysedge@gmail.com |
| 10th September 2025 Wednesday | AV Retriever Novice Field Trial | Hawstead Farm, Ladwell, Hursley, Winchester, Hants, SO2 2LE
Contact Jon Debnam dogdebnam@gmail.com |
| 4th October 2025 – Saturday | OPEN SHOW | East Malling Village Hall, 14 New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6DD
Jan Wilton vallhund@btinternet.com |
GLAUCOMA PREVALENCE SURVEY
Many of you will know Glaucoma was added to the BVA/KC schedule of “Known Inherited Eye Disease” some time ago. This was done without consultation with our breed and before sufficient data had been collected. It is important that we gather sufficient evidence to either substantiate or refute whether we have a problem. I would urge you all to complete this simple Golden Retriever Glaucoma Survey in order to further our understanding.
Thank you.
Margaret Woods
Breed Health Coordinator
Championship Show 2025
Date:
3rd May 2025
Judges:
Dog judge - Linsey Dunbar, Bitch Judge - Gary Foreman, Referee - Hilary Male, Special Award Classes – Rachel Barney
Venue:
Doberman Club, Hertford Road, Digswell, Herts AL6 0BU
The classes comprise for our Championship Show
Special Veteran Dog, Veteran Dog, Minor Puppy Dog, Puppy Dog, Junior Dog, Yearling Dog, Maiden Dog, Novice Dog, Undergraduate Dog, Graduate Dog, Post Graduate Dog, Minor Limit Dog, Limit Dog, Open Dog, Special Open Dog, Special Working Dog, KC Good Citizen Dog Scheme Class Dog, Special Veteran Bitch, Veteran Bitch, Minor Puppy Bitch, Puppy Bitch, Junior Bitch, Yearling Bitch, Maiden Bitch, Novice Bitch, Undergraduate Bitch, Graduate Bitch, Post Graduate Bitch, Minor Limit Bitch, Limit Bitch, Open Bitch, Special Open Bitch, Special Working Bitch and KC Good Citizen Dog Scheme Class Bitch.
The Classes Definitions
VETERAN For dogs of not less than seven years of age on the first day of the show.
MINOR PUPPY For dogs of six and not exceeding nine calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
PUPPY For dogs of six and not exceeding twelve calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
JUNIOR For dogs of six and not exceeding eighteen calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
YEARLING For dogs of twelve and not exceeding twenty four months of age on the first day of the show.
MAIDEN For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or a First Prize at an Open or Championship Show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
NOVICE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three or more First Prizes at Open and Championship Shows (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
UNDERGRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three or more First Prizes at Championship shows in Undergraduate. Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit or Open classes whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed
GRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or four or more First Prizes at Championship Shows in Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
POST GRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or five or more First Prizes at Championship Shows in Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
MINOR LIMIT For dogs which have not won 2 Challenge Certificates/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three of more First Prizes in all at Championship Shows in Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not at Shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
LIMIT For dogs which have not become show Champions under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of the governing body recognized by the Kennel Club or won 3 or more CC/CACIB/CAC/Green Stars or won 7 or more First Prizes in all at Championship Shows in Limit or Open classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not, at Shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
OPEN For all dogs of the breeds for which the class is provided and eligible for entry at the show.
SPECIAL OPEN For holders of the Kennel Club Show Gundog Working Certificate and the Working Gundog Certificate.
SPECIAL VETERAN For dogs of not less than TEN years of age on the first day of the show.
SPECIAL WORKING For dogs/bitches having won Prizes, Diplomas of Merit or Certificates of Merit in actual competition at a Field Trial, OR a 1st-4th in actual competition at a Gundog Working Test in classes Puppy, Novice, Intermediate, Open or Veteran, held under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club.
GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME CLASS For dogs that have achieved their Good Citizens Dog Scheme Bronze Award Certificate or above.
Field Trials 2025
Venue:
Hawstead Farm, Ladwell, Hursley, Winchester Hants. SO21 2LE
Field Trial Online Entry Here
https://www.fieldtrial.info
Online Entries Preferred
Closing & Draw Date:
Closing Date: TBC
Draw Date: TBC
Novice Trials
The Southern GRS hold one AV Novice trial a year for its members and it is usually a very relaxed day for those making there first foray in to Field Trials.
Contact
For any further information contact our Field Trial Secretary.
Open Show – 2025
Date:
4th October 2025 – Saturday
Judge:
Gail Grieg
Venue:
East Malling Village Hall, 14 New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6DD
Schedule & Entry Form:
SCHEDULE & ENTRY FORM: CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.FOSSEDATA.CO.UK WHEN AVAILABLE
The classes comprise for our Open Show
Veteran Dog, Minor Puppy Dog, Puppy Dog, Junior Dog, Yearling Dog, Maiden Dog, Novice Dog, Undergraduate Dog, Graduate Dog, Post Graduate Dog, Limit Dog, Open Dog, Special Working Dog, KC Good Citizen Dog Scheme Class Dog, Veteran Bitch, Minor Puppy Bitch, Puppy Bitch, Junior Bitch, Yearling Bitch, Maiden Bitch, Novice Bitch, Undergraduate Bitch, Graduate Bitch, Post Graduate Bitch, Limit Bitch, Open Bitch, Special Working Bitch and KC Good Citizen Dog Scheme Class Bitch.
The Classes Definitions
VETERAN For dogs of not less than seven years of age on the first day of the show.
MINOR PUPPY For dogs of six and not exceeding nine calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
PUPPY For dogs of six and not exceeding twelve calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
JUNIOR For dogs of six and not exceeding eighteen calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
YEARLING For dogs of twelve and not exceeding twenty four months of age on the first day of the show.
MAIDEN For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or a First Prize at an Open or Championship Show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
NOVICE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three or more First Prizes at Open and Championship Shows (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
UNDERGRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three or more First Prizes at Championship shows in Undergraduate. Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit or Open classes whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed
GRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or four or more First Prizes at Championship Shows in Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
POST GRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or five or more First Prizes at Championship Shows in Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
LIMIT For dogs which have not become show Champions under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of the governing body recognized by the Kennel Club or won 3 or more CC/CACIB/CAC/Green Stars or won 7 or more First Prizes in all at Championship Shows in Limit or Open classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not, at Shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.
OPEN For all dogs of the breeds for which the class is provided and eligible for entry at the show.
SPECIAL OPEN For dogs/bitches having won an award at a Filed Trial, an authorised Gundog Working Test held under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club Limited, holders of the Kennel Club Show Gundog Working Certificate or Working Gundog Certificate.
GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME CLASS For dogs that have achieved their Good Citizens Dog Scheme Bronze Award Certificate or above.
Introduction to Working Tests
The day is restricted to 10 dogs on a strictly first come first served basis at a cost of £30. If you wish to book a space contact Sue Jordan by email tullysedge@gmail.com
Date:
13th April 2025 – Sunday 10.00AM to 3.00PM
Classes:
Trainer:
TBC
Venue:
Gardners Farm, Brays Hill, Ashburnham, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9NZ
Download Schedule Here when Available
Download Entry form Here when Available
Working Tests 2025
Date:
3rd August 2025 – Sunday
Classes:
Working Test - Novice Dog/Novice Handler, Special Puppy, Veteran, Novice and Open
Judges:
Di Stevens (A) Paula Graystone(B) Bill Gardner (NP) Beth Morgan (NP) James Brindley (NP)
Venue:
Five Oaks Farm, Five Oaks, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9AZ
Results History
Working Test
To promote and encourage the working ability of the golden retriever the Society holds one or two working test and training days events each year.
For any further information contact our Working Test Secretary
The Classes
The tests on offer may include the following:-Special Beginners, Puppy or Special Puppy, Novice Dog/ Novice Handler, Novice, Intermediate, Open and Veteran
Current definitions for Gundog Working Test Classes
OPEN
Open to all dogs of a specific breed or breeds, although preference may be given to dogs which have gained a place or certificate of Merit at a Field Trial, been placed First, Second or Third in an Open Gundog Working Test or won a Novice GWT.
INTERMEDIATE
For dogs that have NOT won, 1st, 2nd 3rd or Reserve in Open OR All Age Field Trial OR Open Working Test.
NOVICE
Confined to dogs which have NOT gained a place or Certificate of Merit at a Field Trial, been placed First, Second or Third in an Open GWT or First in a Novice GWT held in accordance with Kennel Club Rules and Field Trial Regulations.Special Beginners, Puppy or Special Puppy, Novice Dog/ Novice Handler, Novice, Intermediate, Open and Veteran
NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER
Any handler or dog not having won
- Any Field Trial award.
- A 1st, 2nd, 3rd or reserve in an open working test including commended.
- A 1st in any previous novice working test or any test above novice level
- A 1st in a combined puppy/novice test where separate awards for puppies were not given.
- A 1st in a Novice Dog/Novice Handler Working Test or 1st in a puppy w/test
SPECIAL BEGINNER
Any Handler or Dog not having won an award of any type in any working test OR Field Trial
PUPPY
Confined to dogs of specific breed or breeds LESS THAN EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF AGE on the date of the test
SPECIAL PUPPY
Confined to dogs less than 24 months of age on date of test.
VETERAN
Confined to dogs of 7 years or more on date of test.
UNCLASSIFIED
Open to all dogs of a specific breed or breeds without restriction as to their age, but may be restricted by the Society. To include water and team tests. A water test can include dogs of any sub-group competing together. However, if dogs of more than one sub-group are competing as a team, each sub-group will compete and be judged in accordance with the Kennel Club Gundog Working Test Regulations relating to that group.
Display Team – 2025
| Dates and Venues
Saturday -14th June – Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary, Lyminge, Nr Canterbury, Kent.
Sunday – 22nd June – Eastbourne and District Canine Society Centenary Open Show – Ardingly Showground, Sussex.
Saturday 26th July – New Romney Country Fayre. |
Southern Golden Retriever Society Display Team
For over twenty years the Southern Golden Retriever Society Display Team have delighted audiences at venues large and small, mainly throughout the South of England,. The Team consists of 23 Golden Retrievers and their owners performing obedience routines to music although only 16 perform at any one time. They came into being in 2000 when eight handlers who had enjoyed their training at the Society’s classes at Wrotham in Kent decided to stick together and do small routines to music for fun. After performing at local village fetes in Kent the Team grew to 12 then finally to 16 and the routines became more complicated. After being noticed by a Kennel Club member the Team were invited to perform at The Kennel Club’s Discover Dogs in 2003 – the Team’s first big event.
In addition to performing at community events such as village fetes and country fairs across the south east the Team have performed every year since 2003 at “Discover Dogs”, a two day event now held at The Excel in London, and since 2004 at the world’s largest dog show, “Crufts”, held over four days at the NEC in Birmingham. At Crufts 2018 the Crufts organisers asked Radzi Chinyanganya from Blue Peter to borrow one of the dogs and have a go with the Team in front of 6000 people. He clearly enjoyed himself. Crufts went ahead in 2020 just before lockdown began. The Team were delighted to be asked to add two extra performances to their Main Arena schedule – before the Gundog Group judging and on the last day before Best in Show. In three days they did four performances in the Good Citizen Arena and four in the Main Arena. For the first time they performed off lead. This proved very successful and they will continue to perform without leads in the future.
From 2012 to 2017 the Team performed at “The London Pet Show” (now “The National Pet Show”) when it had its venue in London. The dogs have helped present a science lesson for young children on YouTube (Pets Teach Science) which has had over 412,847 views. They have appeared live twice on Blue Peter when all the dogs received the coveted Blue Peter badge! They also appeared at Buckham Fair in 2014, 2015 and 2017 which actor Martin Clunes runs on his farm in Dorset, raising thousands of pounds for charity. The Team have also performed three times for Pup Aid at Primrose Hill, London, which is run by TV vet Marc Abraham to draw attention to the evils of puppy farming. Pup Aid was attended by many celebrities and in 2015 Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev and his partner Rachel Riley had a go at performing with the Team and were pretty good. In 2019 the Team were invited to perform at two new big events. The two day Cotswold Show and Food Festival, which is held on the estate of the Earl Bathurst in Cirencester, was much enjoyed by the Team. Before they left they were invited back to perform in 2020 on 11th and 12th July. When this was inevitably cancelled they were invited back for 2021. The second new big event was The Cromer Carnival in Norfolk, a week-long event, where they appeared for two days. This lovely venue was on Cromer cliffs overlooking the sea.
Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, after Crufts 2020 all the Team’s summer engagements were cancelled or postponed to 2021. They are hoping that life will have returned to normal in 2021 and that they can get back to training, performing and talking to the public about responsible dog ownership.
The dogs are all much loved family pets who live at home with their owners. Team dogs all have the Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold award which means they have a high level of social obedience. They love being in the Team and think they belong to a doggy youth club! The Display Team is managed by original Team member Karen Menter who, with help from Team member Louise Cooke, choreographs the routines. Karen also liaises with event organisers and works her own dog.
If you would like more information on the Team contact Karen at karenmenter@yahoo.com In order to join the Team, your golden retriever must have the Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold award or equivalent. The handler needs to be able to walk in time to music, to have the commitment to turn up every week to train in all weathers at Culverstone in Kent and to attend the many events throughout the year.