GRCA Awards

Outstanding Sire and Dam Awards

Mission Statement:

The future of the Golden Retriever rests with the sires and dams that produce each successive generation. In recognition of their contributions to the breed, the Golden Retriever Club of America awards the titles of Outstanding Sire (OS) and Outstanding Dam (OD) to Golden Retrievers whose offspring reflect the breed’s character and purpose. This degree of excellence is evidenced by the earned AKC and GRCA titles of these offspring. Those Goldens whose offspring earn the required number of points (as determined by the GRCA) through these earned titles will be awarded the title of Outstanding Sire (OS) and Outstanding Dam (OD).

Requirements for GRCA OUTSTANDING SIRE (OS):

1. A sire must produce at least five qualifying progeny.
2. To qualify, each of the five or more progeny must have a minimum of a seven-point or higher AKC or GRCA title.
3. The five or more qualifying progeny must earn a combined total of 48 points. Points are based on AKC and GRCA titles earned as described in the chart below.
4. Points are not cumulative within a Venue and only the highest achievement earned in each Venue is recognized.
5. Additional points may be earned by qualifying progeny. All titles below the seven-point level will only count towards the OS if earned by already qualified progeny, keeping in mind that only the highest title in each Venue will be recognized.  There is no requirement that the progeny have points in all three Areas.
6. If major or minor championship points are to be used to qualify an OS, the burden of proof lies with the owner of the OS. GRCA will not track the accumulation of points, only titles.
7. Any progeny with either an FC or AFC will count as two qualifying progeny towards the OS designation.

Requirements for  GRCA OUTSTANDING DAM (OD):

1. A dam must produce at least three qualifying progeny.
2. To qualify, each of the three or more progeny must have a minimum of a seven-point or higher AKC or GRCA title.
3. The three or more qualifying progeny must earn a combined total of 32 points. Points are based on AKC and GRCA titles earned as described below.
4. Points are not cumulative within a Venue and only the highest achievement earned in each Venue is recognized.
5. Additional points may be earned by qualifying progeny. All titles below the seven-point level will only count towards the OD if earned by already qualified progeny, keeping in mind that only the highest title in each Venue is recognized. There is no requirement that the progeny have points in all three Areas.
6. If major or minor championship points are to be used to qualify an OD, the burden of proof lies with the owner of the OD. GRCA will not track the accumulation of points, only titles.
7. Any progeny with either an FC or AFC will count as two qualifying progeny towards the OD designation.

This Point Schedule is effective as of January 1, 2023.  Titles counted towards an OS/OD must be based on the
date earned  and are not retroactive for any new titles listed on this Schedule of Points that were not listed on the
previous Schedule of Points.

Example: 

FOR OD:  Offspring have the following titles:

Offspring A:  CH (9pts), RACH (7pts), CD (4 pts – not counted as it is in the same Venue as RACH; RACH is higher) = 16 points

Offspring B:  UD (8pts), OAP (5pts), WC (3pts) = 16 points

Offspring C:  Major Points (4 pts), CDX (6 pts), OA (5 pts), SWE (3 pts) = This offspring’s points cannot be counted as he does not have a 7-point or higher title to designate him as a qualifying progeny.
Total Points for this Dam = 32. However, this Dam cannot be designated as an OD because she does not have 3 qualifying progeny.

Revised December 2022 (22-78)