White hair upon any part of the body, head, tail, or extremities, is not desirable, and should, in the author's opinion, tell against the animal. We are aware that the presence of a few white hairs upon the chest is not regarded as being of much importance. Still, there is no gainsaying that to be perfect in all points, the Retriever must not have such.
Head.—Ought to possess the highest degree of intelligence. The occipital dome to be wide, of medium height, becoming much narrower as the nose is approached; the latter to be black.
Ears.—Small, carried close to cheeks, and thin cartilage covered with soft hair, yet free from feather at the margins.
Many Retrievers are very faulty here, a touch of the Spaniel element sometimes being in evidence.
Eyes.—To be of a deep hazel. Any tendency towards the so-called "snipy" nose is a defect.
Chest.—Deep, but not wide, and well covered with soft, black hair.
Neck.—Somewhat short, but thick.
Back and Loin.—A long, strong back and loin, slightly depressed about midway, with a beautiful rise towards the hind-quarters. These latter should be well muscled and covered by the same flatness of coat.
Limbs.—Shoulders, strong and oblique, and forearm big-boned and muscular; of medium length; pasterns short and strong; feet of proportionate size.