The White Golden Retriever – Not all that glitters is gold

The white golden retriever is a beautiful dog. Nothing too controversial about that statement.

But according to international breed standards (Kennel Club and AKC), there is no such thing as a purebred white golden retriever. So what is going on here?

The so-called “golden white” is in fact a very pale English golden retriever or English cream. It looks white to you and me, but its ancestry means it will never be pure white. You can move in that direction by crossing with other pure white breeds, but you risk the huge compromise of losing some of the traits that make the golden retriever so special.

Lord Tweedmouth started it all in 1864 when he purchased an excellent yellow flat-coated retriever, which he kept on his property at Guisechan in Inverness, Scotland. He mated this dog to a Tweed Water Spaniel. He then bred the offspring, including the odd cross with the Irish Setter, a different Tweed Water Spaniel, and a black-coated retriever. The resulting dogs worked well in the field and were beautiful. The offspring were given to friends and family, including Lord Ilchester. He too successfully bred these dogs, and the breed we know today became established.

Officially, these dogs are “very light cream in color.” A purebred golden retriever will only be light cream. Some disreputable breeders offer their dogs as purebred golden whites at a premium price, so be careful. The English dog is usually called “white golden retriever.” They vary in color from cream to gold. Puppies often look completely white when very young, but show their true genetic color as they get older.

White golds go by many different names including English, English Cream, English White, European, European Gold, Light Gold, Platinum, Platinum Blonde, Blonde, and even Snowy. I suggest Lord Tweedmouth would have drawn the line in English White!

Their bodies are more robust than the rest of their race and their heads squarer. Their shorter coats need much less grooming and can shake off water faster. Golden Whites have their own unique and wonderful face, due to the position of their eyes and ears.

If you want to show off your dog, golden white is not for you because it doesn’t exist in those circles. If you want an affectionate, carefree, and eager-to-please family dog ​​(that doesn’t look too bad either), then go for the white golden retriever. But be careful. Puppy farms like white golds because they can command a premium price based on their appearance. The health of such a dog is often compromised. Always buy from a Kennel Club (or equivalent) accredited breeder or through an affiliated breed club.

Then just invest some of your time learning how to choose, train and care for your new dog (this may be easier for you, see below) and look forward to many happy days.