Guide To Golden Retriever Colors: What’s Your Favorite Shade Of Gold?

One of the most affectionate and friendly dog breeds in the world is the Golden Retriever. They are among the most popular family dogs in the world. The goldies are very well-mannered, easily trained, and very playful. 

This is the reason why they make the perfect dog for a first-time dog parent. They are great with small kids and the elderly as well, so if you are thinking about getting a golden retriever, then get one without any hesitation. 

Now that you have decided on the breed, you must choose a color for the golden retriever. You might be thinking, What?  Are there different colors of Golden Retriever? 

And the answer is there are three different shades of golden retrievers that you can choose from. So, let’s scroll down to learn more about these Golden retriever colors. 

All Golden Retriever Colors At A Glance

• Cream Golden Retriever 
• Light Golden Retriever 
• Dark Golden Retriever 
• Red Golden Retriever

Now that you know all the Golden Retriever Colors, we can dive into learning more about these coat colors. 

English Cream Golden Retriever

English Cream Golden Retrievers have a light cream or white coat, which sets them apart from the more common golden hues of American Golden Retrievers. They also tend to have a stockier build with a broader head and a level topline (line from the dog’s shoulder to the base of the tail) compared to their American counterparts. 

As you can guess, the English Cream Golden Retriever, also known as the White Golden or European Golden, was developed to have a lighter, cream-colored coat. This variant became particularly popular in the UK and other parts of Europe.

It is weird to think that the color of a golden retriever is anything other than golden, but cream is a very popular color for golden retrievers. But since their color looks a lot similar to that of a Labrador Retriever, the two breeds are often mistaken for one another

Light Golden Retriever Coat Color

This is one of the most popular and widely recognized golden retriever coat colors. You will come across golden retrievers with this coat color worldwide. Their coat color is pale-yellow gold, which is much lighter and more muted than the traditional golden color. 

They may also have cream or white patches throughout their coat.

Like other Golden Retrievers, they have a sturdy, muscular build with a broad head, friendly eyes, and a straight muzzle. On this note, it is important to remember that light Golden Retrievers are not a separate breed but rather a color variation within the Golden Retriever breed. They share the exact origins and history of other Golden Retrievers.

Standard Golden Retriever Coat Color

The standard Golden Retriever coat color is one of the most iconic and recognizable features of this beloved breed. It is a rich, lustrous golden hue ranging from medium gold to a darker, more intense shade.

The standard golden coat color has been a hallmark of the breed since its inception. It was selected for its beauty and functionality, providing camouflage in the field and protection against the elements.

The AKC and other major kennel clubs recognize the standard golden color as one of the acceptable colors for show dogs. This color is often seen in the show ring and is highly prized for its classic appearance.

Red Golden Retriever

Some Golden Retrievers are born with a striking mahogany or deep red coat. This color can range from a dark reddish-gold to a rich, deep mahogany, often with highlights of amber. This vibrant color is less common than the standard golden shades, making these dogs quite unique.

The red or mahogany color is believed to have been inherited from the Irish Setter, which was one of the breeds used in the development of the Golden Retriever. This color variation has become part of the breed’s genetic makeup over time. 

However, red or mahogany coat color is not considered a breed standard for Golden Retrievers by either the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).

Black Golden Retriever

For the people who love the color black, wouldn’t it be a great thing if there was a black golden retriever? Sadly, this is not possible since black is not a part of the genetic makeup of a purebred Golden Retriever. So, owning a black purebred Golden Retriever can only remain a dream.

However, there is one way you can realize your dream of bringing home a black golden retriever. You can consider adopting a flat-coated retriever, which resembles the Golden Retriever in appearance and temperament. In the next section, we have given a brief overview of this breed. 

Meet The Flat-Coated Retriever

The Flat-Coated Retriever’s birthplace is England. They were developed in the mid-19th century as versatile hunting dogs capable of retrieving game both on land and in water.

The breed’s ancestry includes the St. John’s water dog (now-extinct), along with other retrievers and spaniels. They gained popularity as gamekeepers’ dogs and were prized for their retrieving abilities.

The breed is named after its medium-length flat-lying coat that comes in primarily two colors – black and liver color. Just like the Golden Retriever, the Flat-coated retriever’s coat is also dense and water-repellent in nature.

They have a lean, elegant build with a long head, almond-shaped dark brown eyes, and a friendly expression. Their ears are relatively small and lie close to the head. Males typically stand 23 to 24.5 inches tall and weigh between 60 to 79 pounds, while females are slightly smaller, standing 22 to 23.5 inches tall and weighing between 55 to 71 pounds. 

Flat-Coated Retriever vs Golden Retriever

Check out the table below to understand the main difference between flat-coated retrievers and Golden Retrievers. 

So now that you know about the different golden retriever colors, you can finally decide which shade of Golden Retriever you want to bring home. But whether you prefer the light cream, the standard gold, or the rich red coat color, one thing is certain – you will have a friend who will love you and want to be with you no matter what!

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