Golden retrievers were originally intended to withstand the rainy climate and difficult conditions of Scotland’s Highlands, but they are now one of America’s most popular breeds of dogs. Whether hunting, guiding the blind, doing search-and-rescue tasks, or snuggling on the couch, golden retrievers have a reputation for being as strong and hardworking as they are devoted and sweet. Goldens, like every other breed, have more common medical problems than other dogs, but your furry best friend will be happy with proper care. You’d be hard-pressed to find a person who has not heard of this breed, but here is something you might not know: there are three distinct types of golden retrievers. Here are the subtle differences that distinguish Canadian, British, and American golden retrievers.
3 Main Types Of Golden Retrievers
Canadian Golden Retriever
The Canadian golden retriever has a different appearance than the other two varieties. When compared to American and British golden retrievers, their furs are usually thinner, shorter, and darker. In addition, the backs of their forelegs, neck, and tail have less feathers than the other two types.
One of the primary distinctions between this one and the other two types of golden retrievers is the fact the Canadian breed standard includes all colors of gold. There is not one mention of softer cream colors, which are considered less desirable under the American breeding standard. Canadian golden retrievers have wide, well-defined heads, dark, somewhat tapered eyes, and ears positioned further back on the head.
This kind of dog can stand up to two inches higher than the other types. This is the most significant difference between this type and the remaining two. The typical male Canadian golden retriever stands 23 to 24 inches tall, whereas females can reach 21.5 to 22.5 inches. The average weight for males is 65 – 75 pounds, and for females, it is 60 – 70 pounds.
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British Golden Retriever
British or English golden retrievers have distinctive long, fluffy cream coats. Their fur tends to be flat or wavy, with plenty of feathering, and they also have a noticeable ruff around their necks. And, compared to the American and Canadian breeding standards, the English breed standard includes cream as the fur color.
The British golden retriever is more firmly built and larger than the American and Canadian types. They also have bigger characteristics, including huge round dark eyes that are level with the ears and a wider nose. They’re slightly smaller than the Canadian type, but not by much.
The most notable distinction between British and American golden retrievers is their coat color. The rest, especially their temperaments and behaviors, are very identical.
English goldens are slightly shorter than the other two species, with males measuring 22 to 24 inches and females measuring 20 to 22 inches. The average weight for males is 65 – 75 pounds, and for females, it is 50 – 70 pounds.
American Golden Retriever
American golden retrievers are lankier and less muscular than the other types, yet they are equally magnificent. The American type is immediately identifiable by its coat, which comes in a variety of rich colors of gold. The breed standard states that coats that are either excessively light or too black are undesirable. American goldens are darker than their British counterparts, but they have long, thick, and wavy fur that keeps out water.
They also have thick feathers over their neck, chest, thighs, and tail. Where their furs are darker in color, the American golden’s eyes are typically lighter. Their eyes are almond-shaped and appear nearly trapezoidal when viewed from the side.
Despite they are less stocky than their British counterparts, American golden retrievers are slightly bigger. The average guy is 23 – 24 inches tall, whereas most ladies are 21.5 – 22.5 inches tall at the shoulders. Male American golden retrievers typically weigh 65 – 75 pounds, while females weight is between 55 and 65 pounds.
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What colors do golden retrievers have?
Golden Retrievers are available in a variety of colors, although not all are accepted as standard colors by the AKC. Golden Retrievers are officially defined as having a light or dark golden shade. However, Golden Retrievers come in cream, crimson, mahogany, and standard gold, which may look slightly yellow.
Standard gold is one of the most common colorations present in Golden Retrievers, however, the color of your dog will vary depending on the kind, which is determined by the Golden Retriever’s origin. American Golden Retrievers typically have a standard golden coat and are available in a range of colors, the most popular being light and dark gold. Darker colors, such as red, are more common among Canadian Golden Retrievers, whilst light hues, like cream, are preferred by English Golden Retrievers.
The color of the Golden Retriever will affect its success as a show dog since a light and pale Golden Retriever is favored in Canada, but the same is not true for an English or American Golden Retriever.
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FAQs About the 3 Types of Golden Retrievers
Do male or female Golden Retrievers perform better?
While one gender isn’t inherently superior to the other, male Golden Retrievers are more devoted, and female Golden Retrievers are more self-sufficient. Both can exhibit modest territorial behavior, but females are more likely to do so due to maternal instinct.
Which color is ideal for Golden Retrievers?
Standard gold has proven to be the most popular of the Golden Retriever shades. Each color kind has distinct features. A lighter shade appears more white in the light, but darker Golden Retrievers have deeper reds and blacks.
What’s the distinction between English, Canadian, and American Golden Retrievers?
The color shades show the biggest difference. American Golden Retrievers tend to be darker in color than English Golden Retrievers.
Aside from color distinctions, an English Golden Retriever has a bigger head and a square muzzle. Canadian Golden Retrievers are slimmer and taller.
What color is the Canadian Golden Retriever?
The Canadian Golden Retriever is comparable to the American and British Golden Retrievers. All of them have distinct styles in light, dark-colored, or natural golden fur colors.
What is the rarest Golden Retriever?
The British or English Cream Golden Retriever is widely regarded as the rarest of the Golden Retriever breeds in the United States. This is owing to its extremely light fur and the fact that it is not as commonly bred in the United States as its American and Canadian equivalents.
Which Type of Golden Retriever Is Best?
There is no best sort of golden retriever as they are all of the same breed. All three varieties are lively and easy to teach; they may all be used as guide dogs and behave similarly.
Finally, you should make your decision based on personal preference, selecting a dog that fits comfortably into your family and lifestyle. But whatever breed you choose, you will have a loyal, friendly, agreeable, and fun-loving friend for a long time.
Last Words
Three primary types of golden retrievers are available, which divide the breeds based on acceptable color variations and body characteristics. All three types of Golden Retrievers share a comparable temperament and come in five distinct colors, with the primary differences including their height, head structure, backline, and fur thickness.
As a dedicated pet writer with a passion for Golden Retrievers, I’ve spent years studying and writing information to help owners give the finest care for their beautiful companions. While I do not personally own a Golden Retriever, my writing stems from a genuine love for the breed and a desire to provide useful, well-researched information. My goal is to provide practical and useful advice to Golden Retriever owners on topics such as food selection, common health conditions, and training strategies.
