Mini Golden Retriever

mini golden retrieverMini Golden Retrievers: The Perfect Pooch

There’s a reason golden retrievers are among the top five most popular breeds. Not only are goldens just beautiful with their feathery tails and big brown eyes, but they’re just a fantastic dog. What’s not to love about a friendly, outgoing companion who loves to play, is great with children, enjoys consistent training, and is highly intelligent? Maybe the only downside is their size. A mini golden retriever might be the perfect solution to your problem.

Perfect, Only Better: The Mini Golden Retriever

Standard-sized golden retrievers are energetic and playful, which means they do amazingly well in suburban yards with plenty of room to run around, or when they’re walked daily in dog-friendly city parks with room to chase a Frisbee until your arm gives out, but in a small one- or two-bedroom apartment, things can get — well, a little crowded. If you add your kids to the mix, your house stops being an oasis of relaxation after a long day’s work and starts being — well, kind’ve crazy.

By contrast, miniature golden retrievers are just perfect. A mini golden retriever isn’t an official breed, but it’s a creative crossbreed between a golden retriever and similar dogs. Because golden retrievers are so great as they are, the only trait breeders typically try to modify is the size. Dogs that already have traits we prize in golden retrievers like intelligence, trainability, and loyalty make perfect matches. Most often, mini golden retrievers have one parent who’s a golden retriever and one who’s a poodle or goldendoodle.

Size Matters

At 55 to 75 pounds, standard-sized golden retrievers run a little large. Especially for families or couples in smaller apartments or houses, the standard golden retriever may be a great pal — but may also make a small place somewhat crowded. Mini-goldens, however, are often less than half that size. Running between 20-45 pounds, the miniature golden retriever becomes the perfect smaller-dwelling dog.

Bonus #1: Less Shedding

Goldens are often crossed with poodles to make mini-goldens. As lots of people who are sensitive to downy fur and dander know, poodles have great hair for allergy sufferers As a result of their breeding, mini-goldens tend to have slightly curlier, wavier hair than the standards, and will tend to shed less than their purebred counterparts.

Bonus #2: Fewer Inherited Problems

Every breed tends to develop inherited problems over time. Popular breeds tend to have concentrated problems (because the breeding pool might be small), but the great bonus of a crossbreed dog like a miniature golden retriever is that these problems tend to be weeded out in the mix. Because it’s smaller, your miniature golden will have fewer issues with hip and knee dysplasia — and as a bonus, smaller dogs tend on average to live longer than larger ones. It’s the best of both worlds: a sweet-tempered, healthy, and happy dog you’ll share your life with for a longer time.

Ideal Therapy Dogs

Even the gentlest large dogs can intimidate some people. (Call it #greatdaneproblems!) This is true of golden retrievers as well, even though they’re some of the least aggressive and most loving dogs out there. On the other hand, mini-goldens make outstanding therapy dogs for young children, elderly people, or any patient who might otherwise be put off by a large dog, no matter how adorable. Combining the smarts and trainability of both poodles and golden retrievers, mini-goldens generally take very well to clear, consistent, and regular training, and like most intelligent dogs, they feel joyful and rewarded for learning and executing a training command. It makes them understand that they’re valued and needed.

What to Look For

Look for a mini-golden that’s mostly golden retriever with a dash of poodle. Although some breeders have tried mixing goldens with cocker spaniels, the temperaments of cockers can be touchy, and some cockers are prone to nipping. Generally, the more mellow golden retriever works well with poodles or goldendoodles. If you’re considering buying from a breeder, check out the breeder’s reviews, their reputation, and the documentation they provide their clients. Mini-goldens might be the perfect pooch, and a reputable breeder wants that to happen too. Happy and healthy dogs are great for everyone!

English Cream Golden Retriever

English Cream Golden RetrieverGolden Retrievers make the perfect pet, from their friendly demeanor, to their loyal companionship. What you may not know is that there is a light – haired variation, known as the English Cream Golden Retriever. Despite being distinct in appearance, these beautiful dogs are formally recognized as Golden Retrievers — In fact, the coloring of Golden Retrievers ranges from Mahogany to light cream, and any color in between. Read on below to learn more about English Goldens.

 

What are English Goldens?

While English Cream Goldens may not be as prevalent, they are certainly not rare. Following years of selective breeding, the cream color was added to the English standard in 1936. Alternatively, these lighter – colored dogs are also known as European Golden Retrievers, Blond Golden Retrievers, White Goldens, or Platinum Blond Goldens. Although the coloring of English Cream Golden Retrievers is lighter than that of the American Golden, note that no retriever’s fur is actually “white.” On the same token, it is advised that you should beware of ads containing the words, “white” or “rare,” which are, indeed, a deceitful sales gimmick used by breeders to trick buyers into paying more for a light – haired Golden. Instead, a reputable breeder will advertise champion blood line and good health. Thus, careful pedigree research, genetic screening, and proper care from the breeder is what ultimately determines the quality of a Golden Retriever. The price of a Golden Retrievers will vary between $500 and $2,500 depending on quality of blood line, breeding standards, etc.

 

How do English Goldens Differ from American Goldens?

Golden Retrievers originate from Scotland, therefore, all Golden Retrievers descend from an original Scottish Scottish Stock. The aesthetic of this breed has changed over the years. English Goldens are bred according to the standards of the Kennel Club of the UK, while American Goldens adhere to American Kennel Club regulations. Thus, the subtle physical differences in these two types of Golden Retrievers are a direct result of the different breeding standards that are used. Moreover, English Goldens are not exclusive to any region of the world, as they are bred across North America and beyond.
Further, the difference between American Golden and English Goldens extend much deeper than their coloring. English Cream Golden Retrievers tend to have differences in body shape and facial features — which includes a broader head, round; level eyes, and a heavier build. While English Golden Retrievers have less hair, it is important to consider that all retrievers shed just as much. As a matter of fact, all Golden Retrievers experience profuse shedding during the fall and spring. In the case of English Golden Retrievers, the shedding can appear less noticeable. Therefore, regularly brushing your Golden Retriever at least two times per week is recommended to help eliminate shedding.

 

Overall Health:

Golden Retrievers are active dogs that require a lot of exercises. What makes Goldens the perfect family pet is that they are highly intelligent and easy to train. These even-tempered dogs tend to be well – behaved and social. Nevertheless, some Goldens may experience separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Generally, this breed is prone to cancer, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, as well as hypothyroidism. Moreover, the average lifespan for a Golden Retriever is approximately 10 to 11 years. Remarkably, some evidence may suggest that English Cream Golden Retrievers tend to have a slightly longer lifespan than American Goldens, as well as a lower cancer rate. However, it is imperative to understand that the color of a Golden Retriever is not what determines its temperament, longevity, or intelligence. Rather, providing the proper amount of care will help ensure a happy and healthy life for your Golden Retriever.

Despite the lighter colored coat, English Cream Golden Retrievers are still formally recognized as Golden Retrievers. English Golden Retrievers differ from American Golden Retrievers as a result of the different breeding standards that are used. These subtle genetic differences not only include coloring and body shape, but also may suggest evidence of improved health and quality of life in English Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and make loyal companions. Consider an English Cream Golden for the perfect family pet!

White Golden Retriever

white golden retrieverThe white golden retriever, also called the English cream golden retriever, might appear to be a different species than its tawny American cousin. In fact, despite the former’s platinum coloring, it is just as much a golden retriever as the darker dog.

Whereas the American Kennel Club influenced the development of the classically gold-coated golden retriever, the Kennel Club of the UK governed the development of the white golden retriever and all of its unique characteristics.

English White Golden Retriever vs. American Golden Retriever

The differences between the American and English golden retriever go beyond coat color. White golden retrievers tend to have more level shoulder-to-tail profiles, or toplines, while the American goldens have sloping backs. The English cream’s head is wider, its eyes are bigger and rounder, and its ears are are set lower and further forward than its counterpart. Its tail extends level with its back and does not have the upward curve of the American variant’s tail.

An average male white golden grows to 22-24 inches tall; a female just 20-22 inches. It has a stocky build and a long, protruding neck. Compared to the American retriever, is it less furry, but it still sheds just as much.

Perhaps the most notable discrepancy between the two types of golden retrievers is their health. Studies support the strength of the English bloodlines over the American ones. English cream golden retrievers have a longer average life expectancy: 12 years and 3 months, as opposed to the American golden’s 10 years and 8 months.

Furthermore, a 1998 study found a 61% cancer rate in American golden retrievers, while the UK Kennel Club’s 2004 research showed that just 38% of English cream goldens are affected by cancer. The health differences observed are due to ancestry, not coat color. And of course, an individual dog’s health is largely dependent on its specific genes and its owner’s choices.

White Golden: Past and Present

Like all golden retrievers, the English cream golden descended from Scottish stock in the Victorian Era. The light-colored dog was officially recognized in England in 1936, four years after the darker golden retriever was sanctioned by the American Kennel Club.

Today, most white golden retrievers are bred not in the UK but in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and a range of European countries. Breeders extol the virtues of the platinum pup, but the white retriever is not any more rare or special than its gold and auburn cousins. On the contrary, kennel clubs often penalize the paler coat.

According to the AKC, golden retrievers are the third most popular dog breed in the United States. (They rank eighth in the United Kingdom.) Intelligent and energetic, they have affable personalities and relish human attention. Golden retrievers of every coat color have earned roles as therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, arson detection dogs, movie stars, hunting dogs, and of course, beloved family members.
 

Raising Retrievers: The Good

White goldens are loyal and capable companions. They will gladly accompany their owners on a jog, a game of catch, or a day at the lake. Agile and obedient, they will play all day and not get tired. They are approachable and child friendly and can be trained to perform many tasks.

 

Raising Retrievers: The Not-So-Good

Although the white golden is less hairy, it still boasts a thick double coat that can be difficult to maintain. It typically sheds most in the spring and fall. These dogs love getting dirty–and the cream coat won’t hide any of it.

This dog is bursting with energy that can’t be contained in a small apartment. If its need for physical activity is not met, it will likely become destructive in its boredom. An English cream golden retriever is also not suited to a life of pacing the backyard. It needs mental stimulation and companionship or it will be lonely.

Unfortunately, reckless breeding has left all golden retrievers susceptible to a host of health issues. They are predisposed to genetic hip and elbow deformities, eye problems, heart disease, skin and ear infections, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism.

As such, prospective white golden owners should seek out a breeder with a good reputation. A dependable breeder will be able to provide proof that the dog’s ancestors have been screened and declared healthy for breeding.

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