The Golden Retriever is one of the most friendly and lovable canine species. This is why they are among the most sought-after pet dogs for families. Goldens are the perfect mix of obedient and energetic. Moreover, they are usually kind and friendly with children.
You’ve already made a good choice if you want a Golden Retriever as a pet. But did you know that not every Golden Retriever is yellow? Golden retrievers are available in not just one but five distinct colors of “gold.”
In its way, every hue is stunning. In addition, we will explain the distinctions in hues in this golden retriever color chart, even if they may seem the same to the untrained sight. Therefore, you will have many choices if you want to bring one home.
Standard Golden Retriever
Naturally, any color other than gold should be the first choice. You may argue that these canines are the only ones who can be called Golden Retrievers.
This may be the Golden Retriever’s original coat color; nevertheless, just because they were named after this hue doesn’t make them superior to other breed varieties.
Common Golden Retrievers have a coat color anywhere between honey and gold. It epitomizes the breed and instantly conjures up whenever the name Golden Retriever is spoken.
Like other Golden Retrievers, these gold Golden Retrievers have double coats of hair that are lustrous and luxurious yet shed heavily. They may shed a lot, but their stunning good looks and endearing personalities are more than makeup.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes this as one of the most desirable coat colors for Golden Retrievers while competing in dog shows.
Also read: Golden Retriever Weight By Age
Light Golden Retriever
There are light Golden Retrievers, even though the average person can’t tell the difference between the many colors of gold.
As a general rule of thumb, this hue is best described as being darker than cream-colored Retrievers (which we’ll get to in a while) and lighter than traditional gold Golden Retrievers.
You’ve undoubtedly seen several of these dogs before, given how common they are, but you may not have noticed the variations in coat color. This pale gold shade is second only to the standard gold in terms of prevalence and favor.
It might be tough to tell the difference if you aren’t familiar with this type of dog and don’t spend much time among canines.
It would help if you kept in mind that your dog’s disposition is more vital than its coat color when owning a Golden Retriever.
Dark Golden Retriever
Most people think that dark Golden Retrievers are the most striking. Their name comes from the fact that they are just a darker version of the usual golden hue in Golden Retrievers.
People commonly mistake dark Golden Retrievers for red Retrievers. However, the latter contains red and amber pigments, while the former does not. To put it simply, these young men are just really dark golden guys.
Dark Golden Retriever pups start with a lighter coloration, but their coats gradually darken as they mature. Even in very young pups, the ears are noticeably darker than the rest of the coat, providing the most significant indication of the actual color.
Similarly to the previously described golden puppies, the disposition of the dark golden ones remains unaltered. The only real distinction is between the various gold tones.
Cream Golden Retriever
This cream hue and the red color we’ll talk about in a moment are not recognized by the AKC, but they do exist and enjoy considerable popularity in other areas of the globe. Maybe you’re wondering, “Where?”
This should satisfy your curiosity since they are also English Cream Golden Retrievers and British Golden Retrievers. In places like England, Europe, and other areas, their presence is typical and not at all out of the ordinary.
Cream Golden Retrievers may be seen at dog shows all across the UK since The Kennel Club officially recognizes them. According to the Golden Retriever Club of America, the cream has always been a classic hue for these dogs.
The Golden coat’s palest shade resembles an off-white or light cream. Additionally, people often mistake them for Labrador Retrievers due to their similar coat color.
Because their hair is thinner, you may not notice as much shedding from these dogs as from other color variants. Aside from that, you can count on having the same kind, laid-back, and friendly dog that will charm you with its wonderful nature.
To learn more, check out the article Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic? Fantastic Advice for Allergy Sufferers
Red Golden Retriever
Finally, there are red Golden Retrievers, which are as unique as they are beautiful. The mahogany or amber pigments in their fur give it a reddish-gold hue. In other cases, it will be a dark brown with a definite reddish undertone.
While this will never be established with certainty, many people think that the red Golden Retriever we see today originated in Ireland, when breeders began crossing Golden Retrievers with Irish Setters to create the deeper coat seen in certain modern Goldies.
Compared to other Golden Retrievers, red ones stand out the most for their unique look. Their fur is often shorter, straighter, and thinner than a typical Golden and is a distinct color.
These working dogs are smaller and leaner, with less fluff on their legs and tails. However, you should still expect to see a lot of hair lying about since the shedding process remains the same.
Which Color of Golden Retriever is The Best?
There is no clear winner when comparing Golden Retrievers of varying coat colors. All that changes save the fur color is the appearance of these animals. As said in this golden retriever color chart, possible shifts in their gold coloration do not affect their character.
They’ll still be fantastic pets who are gentle with kids and responsive to commands while still loving, obedient, and even a little silly and lovely. It would help if you didn’t base your decision on the dog’s color.
It’s very natural and acceptable to have aesthetic preferences, and if you like the appearance of one hue of Golden over the other, that’s OK too. The bright side is that the only thing that will be altered from the original is the color.
Also read: Golden Retriever Growth Chart
Care for and Grooming of Golden Retrievers
Grooming is required for all Golden Retrievers, regardless of coat color. You still have to take the same simple precautions with that thick, wavy, double-layer coat with a lot of it.
To remove dirt, debris, and loose hair from your Golden Retriever’s thick coat, you should always have more than one kind of brush on hand.
Using the right Golden Retriever shampoo may help you keep your dog’s hair and skin pH level healthy. This is important for keeping your dog’s hair and skin in good shape.
Depending on your Golden’s age and activity level, you may not need to wash him more than once a week or once every few weeks.
However, you can depend on brushing your dog at least once every few days and maybe more often during the twice-yearly seasonal shedding.
Final Thoughts
We hope you liked reading about the lovely golden retriever color chart. Do you have a preference for any particular Golden Retriever coat color? In the comments, share the hues of the coats you want the most.