Posts Tagged ‘Temperament’

WHITE GOLDEN RETRIEVERS : PURE OR PHONY?

White Golden Retrievers, do they really exist?  A lot are fascinated by the idea of having a White Golden and some breeders take this opportunity to sell their so-called White Goldens at a higher price. Read on and do not be fooled.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) Standard for the Golden Retriever breed’s coat is “rich, lustrous golden of various shades.” This automatically disqualifies the ones that are extremely light or extremely dark.  Meaning there is no really such a thing as a White Golden Retriever.

The closest that resembles to white are the English Golden Retrievers. The shade of their coat is light cream which almost appears as off white or light cream but not really pure white. If the fur is pure white, chances are your pup is not purebred.

The best way to predict your Golden’s coat is to look at the fur behind the ears. The coat of Golden pups appears lighter when they are still young but darkens as they age. It can also help to meet the sire and dam to see how your pup will look like when he gets old.

In case you are given a White Golden Retriever pup and you are uncertain about the pedigree, ask the breeder for proof that the parents are AKC Registered. It is possible that the puppy appears white while young and turns out to be light cream as he gets older.

The sad thing about buying a White Golden is not just the high price but the idea that you have been fooled for a mix bred dog. You cannot guarantee if the dog is free from genetic disorders and neither can you guarantee that the temperament will be the same just like the loyal, kindhearted and robust Golden Retrievers.

So next time you search for a White Golden Retriever, maybe ask for a light cream English Golden Retriever instead. The price should be the same as the other Golden Retrievers and need not be higher.

Do not patronize breeders who experiment on the breeds and still claim that theirs is purebred. The more you buy from them, the more they will be encouraged to breed poor quality Goldens and substandard species. This will result to more and more dogs suffering from genetic disorders and later on surrendered to shelters. Look for breeders who care about the integrity of the breed and the welfare of the dogs rather than just the money.

The bottom line, pick out a reputable breeder if you want a purebred, healthy and well-socialized Golden right from the start. Lastly, do not be fooled by phony breeders.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER INFORMATION : THE TWO TYPES OF GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

Golden Retriever information is essential in choosing which type you would want to bring home. There are two types of Golden Retrievers, the American and English. Let us explore each of them and see which suits you best.

American Golden Retrievers appear slimmer and long-legged compared to their English counterpart and resembles more of the hunting dog varieties. They are also lighter in weight and less sturdy in appearance. The coat appears darker and sometimes referred to as Red Golden Retrievers which is characterized by a brass or liver color. The fur is fine and straighter. The eyes are hazel to dark brown and almond shaped. Since they are less angulated, they stand out in canine sports. They are also gifted entertainers and shine a lot when it comes to showmanship.

English Golden Retrievers appear broader, heavier and muscular compared to American Goldens. The legs are also shorter, heavy boned and sturdy. The head and muzzle is more squared while the Americans appear pointed. The coat is lighter, from yellow, light gold, to cream and sometimes referred to as white golden retrievers. The coat is also thicker and sometimes appears wavy. The eyes and nose are black and the over all built is more brawny compared to American Goldens. This is the reason why this type excels more in show ring competitions.

When it comes to actions, American Goldens are more active and energetic while English Goldens are more quiet and submissive. But when it comes to temperament, both are loving, patient and loyal companions. Both are also intelligent and highly trainable which is innate in the breed.

For some breeders, the lighter color means the more exotic the puppy is which is actually just a part of their marketing campaign. If the Golden Retriever is pure white, chances are the puppy is not pure bred. Light cream or off white is more appealing to some dog owners but rare white is just a fraud.

There are also breeders who choose to mix American and English Golden Retrievers. By doing so, all positive traits and appearance are mixed which creates more outstanding litters. The shades of litters also vary from dark and lustrous gold to off white. They produce litters that look perfect when it comes to appearance and more submissive when it comes to temperament.

Whether American or English or light cream to dark gold, the Golden Retriever breed became popular for their outstanding character and not just the good looks. This is what makes us love not just their beauty but also their Golden heart.