What is an English Golden Retriever?
The Truth and Only The Truth!
Let’s start with the simple truth—there is only one AKC recognized breed called “Golden Retriever.” No matter what any breeder wants to tell you and whether they call it an English Golden Retriever, Platinum Golden Retriever, White Golden Retriever, etc., if they are AKC registered, they are simply listed as a “Golden Retriever.” This is because, genetically, they are all the same breed (unless someone has unscrupulously cross-bred their dogs with another breed and did not revealed this).
That doesn’t mean there aren’t differences between Golden Retriever lines. Any breeding for traits can be accomplished in different ways. It can happen by breeding between breeds with the desire to create a hybrid or a new, sustainable breed. It can also be accomplished by breeding within the breed for specific desirable traits.
A Little History
This is how Golden Retrievers first came about. It was Lord Tweedmouth who crossed some unknown yellow-colored retriever with a (now extinct) ‘Tweed Water Spaniel’ to create the Golden Retriever. It is believed his son bred one of these puppies with an Irish Setter and created the more deep-red colored Golden Retriever.
As their popularity grew, the breed was imported from Scotland/England to Canada and America. It was exactly this popularity that gave rise to a different typical breed standard in America than what spread from Scotland/England and across the European Continent.
English Golden Characteristics
The largest difference between these two lines is largely the coat. What was considered most desirable and bred for in Europe early on was the lighter colored coat (Golden Retrievers can never have a truly “white” coat). What became standard in America was the more reddish/golden colored coat (think Liberty, President Gerald Ford’s dog, or the dogs of Air Bud movie fame).
Besides the coat, English Goldens tend to have a stockier body and blockier head. They usually have stronger, thicker necks, wider muzzles, and their eye placement will often seem closer together and more even with their ears.
Overall, though, it is still the coat that stands out as the main differentiator. It can range anywhere from near-white to light golden. It can range from thick to moderate. It can be curly or nearly straight.
Health?
All dogs should be bred first for health and secondarily for looks. A reputable breeder with be sure to genetically test their dam and sire to check for relevant risks.
In Golden Retrievers, some specific issues to watch for are Hip Dysplasia. This is an issue with the hip alignment that will effect their walking and gait later in life. It can be tested in both parents through X-rays by certified technicians.
Cancer is an issue in many dog breeds. Interestingly, while many health issues are the same in all lines of Golden Retrievers, it seems that cancer is less likely in breeds from Europe (e.g. English Golden traits and lines).
Interestingly, cancer risk in European-bred Goldens appears to be significantly lower. A 2010 study put the mortality figure at 38.8 percent (Dobson 2012, Adams et al. 2010). Although much higher than average, the incidence is substantially lower than that found in North American Goldens.
Other issues to watch for are Progressive Retinal Atrophy (slow deterioration of the retina) and bloat (a particular problem for larger dog breeds when they exercise too vigorously right after eating, causing the stomach to flip and bind around itself in a life-threatening problem).
All Goldens are Wonderful!
Regardless of whether you choose a lineage that has more characteristics with the “American Golden Retriever” lineage or one with more of the “English Golden Retriever” lineage, well-bred Golden Retrievers are great pets. They are highly intelligent, easy to train, great with kids, families, singles, old and young. They have relatively few genetic problems and are overall wonderful family pets. We hope you find the joy of having a Golden Retriever at some point.
