The English Golden Retriever is a smaller and cream-coated Golden Retriever variation also known as the “Rare White European Retriever.” Despite having a different coat color that can range from pale yellow to light cream, English Golden Retrievers are great family pets.
This Retriever is also known for his stable temperament and this has made him very popular among dog lovers.
-So what makes the English or White Retriever different?
There are no huge differences between Standard Golden Retrievers and English Golden Retrievers apart from the coat color.
But before you make up your mind on whether this is the right dog for you, here are 9 important facts that you need to know.
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White Golden Retriever summary table | |
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Height | Females: 20 to 22 inches, Males: 22 to 24 inches |
Weight | Males: 65 to 75 pounds, Females: 55 to 65 pounds |
Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
Breed Type | Sporting group |
Purpose | companion dog and therapy dog |
Suitable For | Families with young kids |
Grooming requirements | Moderate to high |
Color Variations | Cream or Pale Yellow |
Health concerns | skin allergies, eye problems, and Joint Dysplasia |
Temperament | intelligent, affectionate, friendly, devoted, loving, and gentle |
1. English Golden Retrievers are not from England
As opposed to what their name might suggest, these dogs did not originate from England as they were bred in Scotland in the mid 19th century.
Did you know that most of the light-colored Golden Retrievers were bred in North America?
At around 1868 Baron Tweedmouth of Guisachan crossed two rare dogs breeds that are now extinct, the Tweed Water Spaniel and the Wavy Coated Retriever.
He got for pups that were used as gundogs and they gained favor due to their soft mouth grips. No other dog could retrieve like they could both on land and in water.
Eventually, these dogs managed to get their way to America with records showing that they started popping up in America at around 1910.
The first Golden Retriever was recorded by the American Kennel Club in 1925 and was named the American Golden Retriever.
In 1936 the cream color of the Golden Retriever was introduced to the English standard.
The American Kennel Club does not at the moment recognize the white or cream color of the Golden Retriever. Most of the White Golden Retrievers are registered under the light Golden Retriever category under which they are accepted.
2. They are also known as Rare White European Retrievers
These dogs have gotten several names over the years like the Rare White European Retriever and other names that include the following;
- English Cream Golden Retrievers
- Exquisite Platinum Blond Goldens
- White Goldens
- Light Golden Retrievers
The English Golden Retriever is a Golden Retriever that has a paler coat color.
These dogs are bred under the FCI standard other than the AKC standards.
3. They not healthier than other Golden Retriever types
Some breeders may have you believe that the English Golden Retriever is healthier than the standard Golden Retriever because of their cream coats.
However, this is not only untrue but there is also no scientific evidence to support this claim.
This is because these white dogs are also prone to the same health conditions suffered by the darker Golden cousins.
Both elbow and hip dysplasia are frequently seen in this dog. This is a genetic condition that can also be triggered by obesity in pups. It is a condition where the joints fail to fit snugly.
The condition can be managed through therapy and medication and in some severe cases through surgery.
This dog is also prone to Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis Dissecans is an inflammatory condition in which the bone and the cartilage separate. This health condition can occur anywhere in the doggie’s body.
The most affected regions are hips, knees, or elbows. Dogs may also be required to undergo surgery in case the symptoms persist after therapy and medication.
Cataracts are also common in English Golden Retrievers
This is a condition in which there is the formation of a clouding in the lens that creates a white or greyish blue discoloration making the dog have a blurry vision.
As time goes by the doggo eye’s transparency becomes more opaque and can even lead to blindness.
4. The Golden Retriever breed has three bloodlines
There are differences between the American, Canadian, and English Golden Retrievers.
Although they may be from the same original parents, breeding in different continents has given them some variations and different breed standards.
Meanwhile, their personalities remain more or less the same with slight appearance differences but with very similar temperaments.
Of the three Goldens, the English ones are the smallest of the lot and have broad heads and bodies.
There is also their very notable light coats and round dark eyes.
Both the American and the Canadian Golden Retrievers have darker coats and are slightly taller than the English Golden Retrievers.
However, the Canadian variations are slightly slimmer.
Differences between the White and American Golden Retriever
The American bred Goldies tend to be slightly more energetic, doing better in hunting fields while the European Goldens are calmer and prefer to play with very low hunting drive.
One of the most notable differences between the two is the coat differences and color.
The American Golden Retrievers are classified as a rich, lustrous goldens of the various shades while the English types have different shades of cream and may have a few golden touches.
Both of them have dense and water-resistant coats but the American variations have thicker and longer coats.
The English Golden retriever has:
- Broader toplines
- Darker nose
- Broader head
- Lighter coat color
- Heavier and more stocky bodies
- A more protruding chest
- Rounder eyes
But with all these said, there is no large difference between the two Golden Retriever variations.
It will all depend on your preference and what you like most between the two dogs.
5. White Retrievers are excellent family dogs
These dogs have a kind, gentle and loving personality and are known for being adorable and super patient with kids.
So, if you have children at home this is the dog that you want to be going for.
They make perfect playmates for them and are just perfect, and kids love them too. You should also be excited by the fact that they are not prone to accidents like other large dogs their size.
They maintain their puppy-like nature even in old age keeping them very playful. This gentle nature and patience also extend to other dogs and household pets.
But even the most friendly dog still needs to be socialized from an early age to get along with other animals whether they are small or big.
They naturally want to please their owners and other members of the family which in turn makes them easy to train.
Teaching this dog new commands and tricks should not be an issue for you. You should make sure that they get enough play and mental stimulation, failure to which they may get bored, bark, or even destroy your furniture becoming a menace.
However, they may be cheeky and even stubborn preferring to have fun over other things first.
Another plus for the English Goldens is that due to their stable and friendly temperaments they serve as a guide, rescue, or even therapy dogs if the need be.
6. You may struggle to find one of these puppies
The cream color is not an accepted breed color according to the American Kennel Club and, therefore, it may be hard to find this dog to either buy or for adoption, especially in the US.
However, you should steer clear of breeders that use the “rare” color as a way to sell your puppies at a high price.
When looking for a breeder, you should always ensure that he or she is responsible and reputable.
If you live in the US you may struggle to find a breeder that maybe suited for you. The supply is not there to meet the demand and some irresponsible breeders and puppy mills can try to take advantage of this.
Cost:
White Golden Retrievers have a high price tag with a puppy going for anywhere between $1000 and $3500. This is a pretty high price and is a magnet for breeders that are out there only for the money.
The price of this dog can be affected by several factors that include the breeder(should be reputable), pedigree, location, and show status.
These pups are known for their undeniable cuteness.
They have litters of about 8 puppies that may have varying shades of cream even in the same litter.
7. White Golden Retrievers shed a lot
Golden Retrievers have an easy to handle personality but the same cannot be said about their coats and grooming requirements.
Their coats are heavy shedding and the same applies to the English Golden Retrievers.
They shed all year-round but have two seasons where they blow out their coats as they grow a new undercoat.
During the heavy shedding season, you will need to brush the coat with a slicker brush, hand mint glove, and greyhound comb to stop the coat from matting and to prevent the loose hair from spreading all over your house.
You must brush the coat from the nose to the tail at least twice in a week even when they are not shedding heavily. This will reduce the chances of hair matting.
White Goldens also love to play in the mud and you will, therefore, need to bath them when they get dirty and preserve their lighter coats.
You should use a shampoo that is designed for dogs and one that does not trigger any allergies in the pooch.
However, you should not over bath them as the skin could be stripped of essential oils and dry out easily or even cause conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis.
The nails will also need to be trimmed every time they get long. You should probably get help from a professional groomer to help do this because any mistakes could end up injuring your doggo.
Ears will need constant cleaning and checkups to check and prevent any infections.
The teeth should also be brushed twice a week to keep them fresh and prevent any chances of them getting periodontal diseases.
8. They are active and love being outdoors
The English Golden Retriever is happiest when he is playing outdoors just like any other Retrievers.
Nothing brings them more joy than playing fetch or hide and seek muddy puddles with the person that they love the most.
These dogs also love to cuddle too and play should be followed with some cuddles to motivate them.
They love to swim which is in their blood and one of the reasons that they were bred is to be water dogs and retrieve game even in water.
You should always make sure that they swim in a safe place.
On average this doggo will need about 60 minutes of play and exercise. This should be divided into two 30 minutes sessions.
If you fail to meet their exercise needs, these doggies may easily get bored and result in some destructive behaviors and excessive barking.
9. They need about three meals a day
These dogs are not choosy eaters and will eat anything that gives them the energy that they need to keep them going.
Whatever your dietary preference as the owner is, as long as it is good and high quality for the dog, it should be to meet his nutritional and calorie needs.
About 3 cups of high-quality dog food should be enough. You should split the meals into 3 portions, one in the morning, another one during the day, and in the evening. Splitting the meals will help prevent bloat or gastric volvulus which is common in these dogs.
The diet should contain about 25% protein, 18% fat, and around 35% carbohydrates, and the rest should be vitamins and essentials minerals.
Some raw foods such as fish and meat could also be great for this dog.
When it comes to treats you should go for the more healthy options such as fruits and liver other than going for treats that are filled with fillers.
Summary
The English or white Golden Retriever still a Golden Retriever as the name implies but with a lighter coat.
They may have some slight genetic and appearance differences but they are more or less the same as the other Golden Retriever variations.
You should be aware of breeders that may try to charge you more for the coat color is different in the claims that it is rare or healthier.
These dogs will easily win over your hearts and the hearts of other people that include even strangers with their gentle and loveable personalities.
Do you have any experience with this dog? How have they been? Tell us in the comment section below with some of your feedback.
There you go WOOF!
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