5 Types Of Golden Retrievers (Explained)

American, Canadian, and English golden retriever names indicate the country of a particular type’s origin, but each is available worldwide.

Perhaps, you can also guess the distinction between field and show golden retrievers, but it isn’t limited to their purpose.

When thinking about which golden retriever type is best for you, consider your visual preferences, personality, lifestyle, intentions regarding the dog, and how much time you’re willing to spend on grooming, exercise, and training.

American Golden Retriever

American golden retriever type is the most widespread in the U.S. According to the breed standard published by American Kennel Club, these golden retrievers should have a broad skull, well-defined stop, straight muzzle, and relatively short ears.

American golden retriever coat colors range from light gold to dark gold, but rich, lustrous mid-gold is preferred. Feathering can be lighter than the rest of the coat. Extremely light or dark coat color is undesirable.

The coat can be straight or wavy, with moderate feathering. Excessive length or softness is undesirable. American golden retrievers tend to be tall – females usually reach 21 to 22.5 inches and males 23 to 24 inches.

American golden retrievers should have moderately slender, muscular bodies. Males typically weigh 65 to 75 pounds and females 55 to 65 pounds.

All golden retriever types share the same personality traits – they are active, friendly, outgoing, affectionate, and intelligent.

These dogs are eager to please and easy to train. However, American goldens tend to be the most active, apart from field golden retrievers.

Canadian Golden Retriever

An inexperienced dog enthusiast may have difficulty distinguishing between American vs. Canadian golden retriever because the difference is subtle, but it’s there.

Canadian golden retrievers are usually taller and leaner than American and British goldens, with a thinner and darker coat. The Canadian golden retriever breed standard allows coat colors ranging from cream to darkest gold.

“Darkest gold” is still gold and doesn’t include red or mahogany. The feathering can be lighter than the rest of the coat, but it shouldn’t be confused with white markings.

Canadian golden retrievers tend to have darker eyes with a rounded shape and intelligent expression. Like all golden retrievers, the Canadian type is an excellent family dog because of its high trainability and friendliness.

English Golden Retriever

Have you ever come across “rare platinum European golden retrievers”? This salesy name refers to English cream golden retrievers.

Unlike the American golden retriever breed standard that favors medium-gold color, the English standard favors lighter shades.

The truth is that cream retrievers aren’t rare but aren’t as widespread in the U.S. as darker goldens. Overly light golden retrievers have lower odds of winning at American dog shows, so fewer people breed them.

Some breeders call English cream golden retrievers “white golden retrievers.” That’s nothing more than a marketing trick – golden retrievers don’t come in white or black. However, cream golden retriever puppies may appear nearly white in bright light.

Not all English goldens are light, though. According to the English golden retriever breed standard, the coat color can be “any shade of gold or cream, never red nor mahogany.”

English golden retriever coat is usually wavier than American and Canadian types.

English golden retrievers are stockier and shorter than American goldens. Female English golden retrievers typically reach 20-22 inches in height and male goldens 22-24 inches.

This golden retriever type can be recognized by a blocky head with a shorter nose and broad muzzle.

However, the differences among golden retriever types are very subtle and allow some variation. Many breeders mix American, Canadian, and English varieties.

As for temperament, English golden retrievers are equally friendly, gentle, and affectionate dogs as other golden retriever types.

Some breeders report that English golden retrievers are more sensible and calmer than American goldens. They are rarely hyperactive and rowdy but playful and active regardless.

However, the difference in temperament merely depends on the owner’s socialization efforts, training, and a particular dog’s genetics.

Field Golden Retriever

Field golden retrievers embody the breed’s initial purpose: hunting. Unlike show golden retrievers that are bred with a focus on the look, field goldens are bred with a focus on the temperament and prey drive.

Field golden retrievers can participate in dog shows if they are purebred, just like show goldens. However, they are unlikely to win and may even be disqualified because of insufficient height and too dark coat color.

Because field retrievers are bred with hunting in mind, they have athletic, muscular, and slender bodies. They have wedge-shaped heads with longer snouts.

A field golden retriever isn’t an apartment dog. This golden retriever type is highly energetic and agile, so field goldens need more exercise than show goldens.

A field golden retriever that isn’t getting enough exercise may become a disaster, running around the house, chewing furniture, and digging the floor.

The brainpower manifests itself in mischievous behavior in untrained field golden retrievers, so owners must invest the time and effort into proper training.

While field-type golden retrievers are more energetic, they are equally intelligent, outgoing, loving, and easy to train as show goldens. They are the friendliest dogs that love everyone and are always up to a play.

However, field golden retrievers may be a little too rough with smaller pets and children, not always adequately evaluating their speed and strength.

Field golden retrievers have shorter, less dense, and straighter fur that is easier to maintain out in the fields.

These dogs usually are darker in color, ranging from mid-golden to rich mahogany, a shade acquired from their ancestors, Irish setters.

For this reason, field-type golden retrievers shed less than show goldens. That’s a benefit for people who don’t have much free time to spend on grooming.

Show Golden Retriever

True to their name, show golden retrievers are bred with a focus on the breed’s show standard. However, they don’t necessarily have to participate in dog shows and buying a “show type” puppy doesn’t yet guarantee success on the ring.

Show golden retrievers are intended to be family dogs rather than working dogs, so they tend to have calmer, gentler personalities than field goldens.

Show golden retrievers are typically more sociable and better get along with other animals and kids.

Although show goldens aren’t as energetic as field goldens, don’t underestimate the amount of exercise they need. Any golden retriever needs proper training and plenty of activity to avoid mischievous behavior and health condition development.

Still, show golden retrievers are less mouthy than field goldens and are better suitable for apartments as long as the owner can provide them with sufficient exercise outdoors.

Show golden retrievers have blocky heads and stocky bodies. They are taller, thicker, and bigger-boned than field goldens. The coat of show golden retrievers can be straight or wavy, but always long and with a dense undercoat.

Consequently, show golden retrievers require regular grooming to maintain their coat health and lustrous appearance. They shed a lot, so they aren’t the best choice for people allergic to dog fur.

The coat color of a show golden retriever can range from cream to dark gold, depending on the type, but it shouldn’t be mahogany. The red color is caused by a recessive gene that excludes such dogs from participating in competitions.

Which Type to Choose?

When thinking about which golden retriever type to choose, focus on the choice between field vs. show golden retriever. The differences between American, Canadian, and English golden retriever types are limited to coat and general build.

So, when deciding between these three types, you should consider your visual preferences solely. Furthermore, many breeders mix and match these types, and finding a pure American or English golden can be challenging.

In contrast, the difference between field and show golden retrievers is not solely visual. They also have different temperaments, maintenance requirements, and purposes.

If you’re looking for a great family dog that would get along with other pets and be gentle with children, pick a show golden, even if you don’t plan on participating in exhibitions.

Naturally, if you plan on participating in dog shows, your choice is limited to show-type golden retrievers. Assuming you live in the U.S., an American golden retriever type is the best choice because it will better appeal to local judges.

If you don’t have small kids and are an active person looking for a companion to explore the wild terrains, hunt, or do sports, consider a field golden retriever.

This golden retriever type is a bit high-maintenance when it comes to training and exercise, but it makes a perfect working dog and doesn’t require as much grooming.

At the end of the day, all different types of golden retrievers are variations of the same breed and have more similarities than distinctions. Research local kennels and choose a puppy based on its unique personality and your interactions.

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