The pristine coat of the White Golden Retriever can be deceiving. While it may seem purely white at first glance, this canine companion doesn’t actually bear this coat color.
Join us as we delve into the true coat color of this remarkable breed and uncover what sets it apart from the standard Golden Retriever.
What Is a White Golden Retriever?
The White Golden Retriever is a pooch with a very pale shade of gold. Since his fur’s colouration is extremely light, he is easily mistaken for a white dog.
He does not genetically possess the genes responsible for the white colouration.
Shady breeders take advantage of this misconception by advertising him as a rare White Goldie. Other misleading names they commonly use to reel in potential buyers are:
- English Cream Golden Retrievers
- Exquisite Platinum Imported Golden Retrievers
- Rare White European Golden Retrievers
Be careful not to fall for these advertising scams. Whenever you come across Goldens marketed with these names, steer clear from these breeders.
What Is the History of the White Golden Retriever?
The Golden Retriever made his first appearance in the nineteenth century. As time went by, two variations of the dog breed were created, namely the American Goldens and the English Goldens.
American Golden Retrievers were developed from the imported English lines. Due to the different breed standards between America and the United Kingdom, both Golden varieties evolved differently over time.
As a result, the English Golden Retrievers sport lighter-coloured fur compared to their golden-toned American counterparts.
Is the White Golden Retriever Recognised in Major Kennel Clubs?
The Kennel Club in the UK accepts Golden Retriever in any shade of gold or cream. Hence, White Golden Retrievers can be registered under this organisation.
Do note that if a Golden grows true white hairs on other parts of his body except on his chest, it is considered a fault.
On the other hand, an extremely pale coat colour is viewed as undesirable by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The only shades they officially recognise are:
- Dark golden (registration code 080)
- Golden (registration code 093)
- Light golden (registration code 119)
Some breeders found a loophole in AKC’s rules about acceptable standard colouration for the Golden Retriever breed.
To bypass the white or cream-coloured exclusion, they register their White or Cream Golden Retriever puppies under the light golden category.
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Do White Golden Retrievers Look Like Standard Goldens?
| Physical Traits | White Golden Retriever | Classic Golden Retriever |
| Build | Stocky | Learn |
| Head | Broad | Narrow |
| Ears | On the level with the eyes | Behind and above the eye level |
| Eyes | Round | Almond-shaped |
| Neck | Long with trimmed ruff | Medium length and muscular with untrimmed ruff |
How Big Do White Golden Retrievers Get?
White Golden Retrievers are slightly larger than the regular ones.
According to the breed standard, male White Goldens can grow up to 22 to 24 inches (55 to 60 centimetres) tall, whilst females measure around 20 to 22 inches (50 to 55 centimetres) in height.
In comparison, the breed standard for classic Golden Retrievers states that the acceptable height of males falls between 22 and 23 inches (55 to 58 centimetres), whilst 21.5 to 22.5 inches (54 to 55 centimetres) for females.
Does the White Golden Retriever Shed Less?
White Golden Retrievers are said to shed less compared to traditional Goldens because of their sparse coats.
However, this is a misconception and probably another marketing tactic to capture the attention of potential buyers.
The truth is the White Golden Retriever sheds just as much as the regular Golden. Both of them are medium to heavy shedders that blow their coats twice a year.
Brush their coats at least three times a week to manage their shedding. During moulting season, it should be done daily to minimise loose hairs around your home.
Is the White Golden Retriever a Good Family Pet?
White Golden Retrievers are no different from standard Goldens. They love to socialise and be involved in their human companion’s daily life.Their friendliness and happy-go-lucky personality make them great family dogs for households with young children. Since they are innately trusting towards humans, they do not make good guard dogs.
White Golden Retrievers are highly trainable because they love to please and are very food-motivated. As long as positive reinforcement is incorporated into training sessions, these energetic dogs are willing to learn.
How Much Exercise Does the White Golden Retriever Need?
The White Golden Retriever is full of energy and requires the same amount of exercise as the traditional Golden.
Give White Goldens at least an hour or more of physical and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored and causing problems at home.
Any dog, especially those with high energy levels, will exhibit unwanted behaviour, such as incessant barking and excessive nipping if they do not receive enough exercise.
FAQs About the White Golden Retriever
1. Why Are Some Golden Retrievers White?
Some purebred Golden Retrievers are seemingly white because of their lineage.
Having extremely light-coloured coats could mean they descended from the English Golden Retriever family tree. This dog tends to own lighter shades of golden colour compared to the American variety.
Beware as some shady breeders will pass off a pure white dog of unknown origins as a White Golden. Avoid getting duped by strictly choosing to acquireacquiringriever puppy from a reputable breeder.
2. Are White Golden Retrievers Rare?
White Golden Retrievers are not rare in the UK, unlike in the US. So do not believe advertising stunts that mention selling “rare” White Golden Retriever puppies because it is a glaring red flag for scams.
3. Are White Golden Retrievers More Expensive?
In the UK, White Golden Retrievers are not uncommon, so they do not come at an expensive price. Expect to pay around £1,200 to £2,500 for a White Golden Retriever puppy.
However, these dogs are more difficult to find in the US, which can make them costly dogs to bring home.
4. What Is the Behaviour of a White Golden Retriever?
The behaviour of a White Golden Retriever is no different from a regular Golden. He is a jolly and energetic dog that loves to please people.
He is a great canine companion to families with an active lifestyle. The most suitable dog owners for him are people who love to spend time with him just as much as he enjoys hanging around them.
Conclusion
Although his name has the word white in it, the White Golden Retriever does not sport white fur. His real coat colour is an extremely pale shade of golden.White Goldens are commonly seen in the UK but not in the US. So be wary of falling for scams that advertise these pooches as rare pure white dogs.
Only acquire a White Golden Retriever from a reputable breeder who has a good track record of producing authentic and healthy White Golden Retriever puppies. Also consider going for adoption as there are many pooches in dire need of forever homes.
If you are looking for a White Golden Retriever, scroll through our Classifieds section to find the pooch of your dreams.
