English VS American Golden Retriever

The differences between American and English golden retrievers include size, color, head shape, temperament, energy levels, health, and price.

However, these golden retriever types have more similarities than distinctions. After all, they’re the same breed, and some breeders cross these types to reinforce specific appearance or temperament traits.

Whatever your choice, any golden retriever will make a fantastic companion for you and your family.

Build

The build is the first distinction between an English golden retriever vs. an American golden retriever. English goldens tend to be shorter and stockier than American goldens. They appear big-boned and have a wider chest.

American golden retriever breed standard states that males should be 23-24 inches tall and weigh 65-75 pounds. Females should be 21.5-22.5 inches tall and weigh 55-65 pounds. Deviations from the standard up to one inch are acceptable but undesirable.

The English golden retriever standard allows male dogs to be 22-24 inches tall and females 20-22 inches tall, with the same deviation of one inch. So, it is normal for English golden retrievers to be an inch shorter on average.

The English standard doesn’t mention weight. British judges prefer bulkier goldens, but the dog shouldn’t be overweight.

The American standard also mentions that the proportion of length to the height from withers should be 12:11, so a golden retriever must be slightly longer than its height.

American golden retrievers tend to have a slopier backline, where their front legs are longer than the back legs, whereas English goldens are straight.

The English breed standard mentions that the topline should be straight, and the American standard says it should be “slightly sloping.”

Coat

Another apparent difference between English and American golden retrievers is the coat – specifically, the coat color. The American golden retriever standard allows all shades of gold, from light to dark.

Feathering can be darker than the rest of the fur, but white markings are considered a fault.

The American standard doesn’t mention the red coat color, but it is assumed that red isn’t accepted for show-type dogs. Field golden retrievers can be red.

The standard also states that extremely pale or dark predominant body color is undesirable, but it doesn’t say that cream or dark gold color is a fault.

The British breed standard states that golden retriever coat color should be any shade of gold or cream, neither mahogany nor red. At first sight, the two standards may appear the same, with slightly different wording.

However, these minor details make a big difference. The English standard explicitly excludes red dogs from participating in shows. British judges also prefer lighter goldens, so most English golden retrievers are cream, whereas American judges favor rich mid-gold color.

You may have come across “rare white golden retriever puppies.” That’s just a marketing trick for selling English golden retrievers.

English and American golden retriever coat structure don’t differ, but the American standard is stricter.

The English standard only says that the coat should be flat or wavy with good feathering, whereas the American standard describes the coat in detail.

Head Appearance

Another English vs. American golden retriever appearance distinction is the head shape. English goldens have broader skulls and muzzles. Their snouts are shorter.

American golden retrievers have medium-broad skulls and longer snouts. Overall, the head shape is similar, and you can recognize a golden retriever in both, but experts can tell the difference instantly.

According to the English golden retriever breed standard, the skull should be broad without coarseness with a powerful muzzle. The fore face length should equal the length of stop to occiput.

The American standard says the skull should be slightly arched, and the muzzle should be straight in profile with no heaviness in flews.

American golden retriever ears are attached above the eyes, while English golden retriever ears are set on level with the eyes. The nose should be black or brownish-black in both golden retriever types.

Formal Recognition

The existence of different golden retriever standards often confuses inexperienced dog enthusiasts. Can English golden retrievers participate in American shows and vice versa?

In short, yes. Golden retrievers aren’t registered as American, English, or Canadian – they’re all just golden retrievers in the registration papers. They are one breed, and some breeders mix different golden retriever types.

If an English golden retriever has British registration papers, the owner must re-register the dog with the American Kennel Club to participate in shows.

But while an English golden retriever can participate in American shows, it has lower odds of winning than an American-type golden retriever. Judges in the U.S. evaluate golden retriever compliance with the American breed standard.

So, if someone shows a classic English golden retriever on an American show, the judges are likely to say its color is too pale, its height is insufficient, and note other cons even though the dog might be perfect by the British standard.

On the opposite, judges in the U.K. evaluate dogs according to the English standard and are likely to choose a classic English golden over an American one.

Price

There’s a difference in English vs. American golden retriever price because of the relative rarity of the former. Most English golden retrievers are imported to the U.S. from Denmark, France, Spain, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the Netherlands.

Because of the high transportation costs, European goldens cost more than American goldens.

However, a puppy’s price also depends on its temperament, conformation with the breed standard, lineage, health clearances, breeder’s reputation, and location.

An American golden retriever puppy from champion parents will cost more than an English golden puppy without a sought-after lineage.

Puppies in California, where the cost of living is higher, will cost more than puppies in Florida, where everything is more affordable. Puppies within one litter can also differ in price.

On average, American golden retrievers cost $1,000-$2,000, and English golden retrievers cost $1,500-$3,500.

Rarity

Many breeders present English golden retrievers as extremely rare, exclusive dogs with high value.

This is partially true because English golden retrievers aren’t as widely available in the U.S., but they’re all over Europe and the Commonwealth.

You might have to spend some time searching for a puppy if you’re looking for an English golden retriever. Possibly, you will even need to import one from abroad.

The reason English goldens are so rare in the U.S. is their low odds of winning at local dog shows. Breeders strive to reinforce traits valued by the breed standard, not the opposite.

However, some breeders import English goldens to mix with American goldens to improve health. This practice is called outcross – the mating of completely unrelated dogs.

Purpose

Golden retrievers originated in Scotland, so it would be logical to suggest that English goldens are the closest descendants of original golden retrievers.

However, American goldens have retained more original golden retriever traits, whereas English goldens are quite different from dogs bred by Lord Marjoribanks in the 19th century.

British golden retriever breeders put emphasis on appearance and compliance with the show standard. They also focus on traits of great family dogs, such as patience and gentleness.

As a result, English golden retrievers make excellent family and service dogs but poor hunting dogs. One can train an English golden retriever to hunt, but these dogs have a lower prey drive and stamina.

On the other hand, many American golden retriever breeders put emphasis on desirable hunting dog traits, paying homage to the breed’s heritage. American goldens tend to be more energetic and have a higher prey drive.

American golden retrievers, particularly field-type goldens, are natural-born gundogs ideal for waterfowl retrieval and tracking scents.

Health

According to research, English golden retrievers are at a lower risk of cancer than American golden retrievers.

Cancer affects most American golden retrievers at some point in their lifetime. This condition is the most common cause of death in American goldens, accounting for over 60% of all deaths.

Less than 40% of English golden retrievers die from cancer. Perhaps, such a high cancer rate of American goldens results from a fairly recent mutation.

A few decades ago, the average American golden retriever’s lifespan was five years longer.

Temperament

There are more similarities than differences in English and American golden retriever temperament. Both types are intelligent, obedient, eager to please, loyal, playful, and affectionate.

However, English golden retrievers tend to be more laid-back because they are bred for shows. These dogs are calmer, gentler, and more patient, so they are ideal for families with kids.

American goldens have higher energy levels and may be goofier. They need an abundance of exercise and mental stimulation, or they may get bored and engage in destructive behavior.

However, English goldens still need plenty of physical activity. Neither of these golden retriever types is a “couch potato.”

Furthermore, each dog is unique, so the distinctions between types are generalized. Take this information with a grain of salt and remember that the best way to find out a puppy’s temperament is by interacting with it.

Sources