subject: White Golden Retriever? Be Careful! [print this page] White Golden Retriever? Be Careful! White Golden Retriever? Be Careful!
White gold is in vogue. But nobody goes for buying silver instead of gold though silver can give you the white' you are seeking. Why? Obviously, gold is gold. Very different and far more superior! The same holds true for a purebred White Golden Retriever as well. The Goldens have been named so after their colour which is always a shade or tint of gold. Their colour can range from very light cream to dark Mahogany. But there is nothing like a white Golden Retriever. If a breeder claims to have a white Golden, he is either marketing a cream European/English Golden as white' to make it sound rare; or he could be trying to sell a cross-bred dog as a pure Golden to fetch a higher price.
Goldens are adorable dogs. They make a perfect pet with their eager-to-please demeanour, cheerful disposition, playful nature and high energy level. They are obedient, loyal, loving and very good with kids. Their intelligence makes them easy to train and discipline. And for these characteristics that Goldens are preferred and loved by dog enthusiasts. Colour doesn't really matter.
But still if you have your heart set on getting a white Golden, what you can go for is a European/ English Golden. The English Golden is lighter in colour and comes in shades of light cream and pale gold. Some such Goldens are so light in colour that they almost look white. But remember that it is almost white' and never perfect white. Even if there is a white-like Golden pup, it will probably have a darker coat as it grows up.
While going for an English Golden, you also need to know that apart from the colour there are some other differences as well between the English and the American Golden. The English Golden has a larger mouth and a longer nose, and is stockier than its American cousin. Also, the ears of the English Golden are at the same level as their eyes whereas the Americans have their ears behind and above the eye level. The white Golden Retriever will have a less dense coat and comparatively short hair compared to the American Golden.
You should keep in mind that these differences will disable your dog from qualifying as per the AKC standards for Golden Retrievers. This will hamper your dog's chances of participating in various dog shows. So if you want your four-legged fellow to be there in every show, the white (English) Golden could not be for you. However, the colour makes no difference in the innate characteristics for which the Goldens are loved the world over.
Here's a word of caution if you want only a white Golden Retriever to be the star of your eyes. If you find a breeder offering you with the rare' white Golden Retriever, ensure that it is purebred, i.e. both its parents are pure Goldens. Seek and check all the documents that certify a dog's purebred status. Also check the credentials of the dog's parents. Since the popularity of the English cream Golden is increasing by the day, there are many breeders who cross breed a Golden with a white breed dog to produce a Golden look alike with white coat. It is therefore important to acquire complete information about the parents and lineage of the dog you are buying.
Remember, you can never get that perfect golden temperament' from a dog which is not a perfect, pure Golden. You can definitely choose the colour you like, but in doing so you should in no way part with the Golden standards'.
So go ahead and have a great time with a beautiful white Gold.
