Differences Between American and English Golden Retrievers
Have you ever wondered what all the hype is over an English cream golden retriever? To start with let's clarify that they aren't a separate breed. American, English (or English cream, European, British), and even Canadian Goldens are all the same breed. They originate back to 1868 when a wealthy English gentleman named Sir Dudley Marjoribanks bred a Tweed Spaniel to a Gold colored Retriever in Scotland. From this litter, the Golden Retriever breed spread throughout the world. While they all have the same ancestors and are the same breed, there are undeniable differences between the Golden Retrievers found in the US, Canada, and England.
One Breed, Two Standards
The Golden Retriever breed was recognized by The Kennel Club (the United Kingdom's Kennel Club) in 1911. What is called a breed standard was then developed. This standard lists the desired physical and temperament attributes of a Golden Retriever and is used by judges in a show ring to decide which dog is better. Responsible breeders also refer to this standard when selecting which dogs to breed. As Golden Retrievers became popular throughout Europe, most other countries adhering to the International Canine Federation (FCI) adopted the same standard laid forth by the United Kingdom. In 1925 when Canada recognized the breed, they did not use the breed standard laid out by the KC, but instead created their own with a couple of differences. Comparing the Canadian style of Goldens is outside the purpose of this article. For more information on the Canadian breed standard visit Canadian Kennel Club.
These beautiful dogs began to be imported into the US at the beginning of the 20th century. If these imported Golden Retrievers had been bred exclusively with other imported Goldens in the US, you can imagine that after 100 years you would begin to see some differences. Even if the US adopted the KC standards, and every American breeder was trying to achieve the same style of breed as breeders in Europe, the isolated genes would still look slightly different. The solidifying fact that these two lines of Goldens would become different styles of the breed is when the AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized the breed in 1932 and developed its own breed standard. The AKC was not trying to produce a new breed, but it did prioritize some different things in its breed standard. The breed standard the US judges used to compare two dogs in the show ring would be different than the standard used by the KC judges. The dogs in the show ring that remain faithful to the breed standard of their respective country would be different, though some are rather slight and open for interpretation.
One of the more notable differences between the two Golden standards is in the coloring. The AKC standard says “Rich, lustrous golden of various shades…body color which is either extremely pale or extremely dark is undesirable.” While at the same time, the KC says they are looking for “Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany”. This is why Golden retrievers from the English line are often called English Cream Golden Retrievers. This is not the best title for the English style of Goldens, since the cream color is not the only color accepted by the KC. You aren’t going to see dark mahogany Goldens in Europe like you will in the States. However, many champion dogs in Europe do have light to medium shades of Golden. Likewise, cream and light-colored Goldens don’t often win shows in the States, but there is some crossover between what colors are accepted between the continents.
One Breed, Two Cultures
If they are the same breed why is it that even someone with an inexperienced eye can look at Goldens from the two continents and see a difference? The obvious answer is that they are held to different standards. But there is more to it than that. These styles of Goldens have been shaped by two cultures on different sides of the Atlantic. The community of breeders, judges, handlers, veterinarians, pet owners, and the nation at large all play a role in the development of a breed. The more vague a breed standard is the more the culture pushes a breed in a direction of a certain style and temperament. The Golden Retriever breed standard, when compared to other breeds is more vague in some areas. This gives judges and breeders more freedom when selecting a dog. The culture surrounding the interpretation of the breed standard perpetuated for 100 years will create two very different styles of Golden Retrievers.
Dog breeds worldwide experience the shifting of culture. Skilled handlers hide too well the faults of their dogs to win a show; puppy buyers are excited by a certain fad; veterinarians overemphasize the danger of a disease; breeders band together to eliminate a pesky trait in their breed; and judges’ personal tastes change based on their biases are all ways that this culture shifts. These influences of the culture uphold certain qualities of a breed making them the priority over others. When a breed rises to fame through television or celebrity ownership, it drives demand for the breed, which creates opportunities for profiteers to cut corners in unethical breeding. Even the government can play a role in a breed's development, just as the UK’s ban on breeding big dogs during World War II. The dogs we have today are a reflection of what the previous generation prioritized. Golden Retrievers are a living specimen of how two cultures can move the same breed in different directions.
One example of the cultural effects on Golden Retrievers are the eyes of the American Goldens. While the breed standards states that “Slant eyes and narrow, triangular eyes detract from correct expression and are to be faulted,” many American Goldens have these narrow and slanty eyes, which is becoming a distinguishing marker of the breed. Not only in your average Golden Retriever but also on dogs winning championship titles in the AKC. The differences in the breed standard handled by different cultures have had a ripple effect on their lineage. Another example of culture's effect would be the hindquarters of the American Golden. While the American breed standard does call for a slightly sloping rump, this has progressed into a sloped topline and back in many dogs. Some breeders desire to shift the American style to more closely conform with the breed standard. For this to happen, it has to be a unified effort from American breeders. This would prove challenging because of the popularity of the breed and the variety of influences on changing a breed.
A breed standard is developed to outline the particulars of a breed. When you look at an American golden it appears to be an athletic energetic, sporty, lean, and happy dog. The American breed standard does leave some room for this style of dog. And in the US this seems to be what the puppy buyers have been looking for in mass quantities, demanding high volumes of Goldens in this style. It isn’t necessarily wrong for American Goldens to be built this way. It is however different from how English Goldens typically appear, having a broader and more muscular build. They appear to be built to work. Something in the European breeding culture has preserved this attribute of the breed. It is interesting to note that the English standard for Goldens is far more vague than the American standard. Perhaps this is why the American line gets more flack for moving away from their breed standard. At the same time, the English line can evolve with little deviation from the breed standard. Or perhaps the American Golden is more influenced by culture than their breed standard.
The breed was originally designed to be a gentlemen's hunting dog. It isn’t however expressly written in the breed standard that the breed must maintain the purpose of the breed’s development. And certainly, few people in today's society go gamebird hunting on a regular basis. So in some sense, the purpose of the breed may be in some ways antiquated. The argument could certainly be made that it is a good thing that the American Golden Retriever style has evolved with culture to fit the needs of the 21st-century person. It is also true that the English Golden has better maintained the breed's purpose. With a robust stature, they would be able to push through the thick marsh to retrieve a goose if called upon to do so. Their physic reflects the desires of that original English gentleman to create a hunter’s companion.
One Breed, Two Health Statics
It is well known that bigger dogs tend to have more health issues. Responsible breeders seek to eliminate the major causes of death and pain in their breeds. No matter the breed of dog you get or the style you choose, the most important factor in limiting the chances of your dog getting one of these illnesses is buying from a breeder who has selected dogs from within the breed and from a style that have limited occurrences of these diseases. Sadly, all dogs will die at some point and it is impossible to completely eliminate all causes of death in our dogs.
One of the biggest health issues for Goldens are cancer and hip dysplasia. Bear in mind that any dog can get cancer and that several factors can be involved, their environment being a huge contributing factor. However, studies have been done indicating that American Goldens are more prone to cancer than Goldens in the UK. A study done by the Golden Retriever Club of America showed cancer as the cause of death in 61.4% of Goldens, other studies in American Goldens show that the number is even higher. Another study looking at cancer rates in Golden Retrievers in the UK showed only 38.8% die from cancer. In the same study, it was reported that the average age for Golden Retriever was 12 years and three months. The cancer rate for the English style of Goldens in Scandinavia is shown to be even lower. The American Golden on the other hand is expected to live between 10 and 12 years according to the American Kennel Club. Critics will say that this is a very small margin. Certainly, the most important factor in having a healthy dog is ensuring it comes from a healthy line, no matter the style. In addition to this, giving them a healthy environment in which they can thrive has a huge impact on their health. The difference in the health data is still worth mentioning and considering when trying to understand the differences in the breed styles.
One Breed, Thousands of Temperament
Of the four differences, temperament is by far the most subjective and controversial. Many have claimed that the English Goldens are calmer and more friendly. This is tough to prove one way or another. It can’t be evaluated the way breed standards can, or quantified in the same way health studies are done. No two dogs are the same. Even full siblings can have very different temperaments. Just like with the health of our dogs, there are a lot of factors contributing to their personality. The biggest proof that English Goldens might have a calmer temperament is their rise to popularity as family and therapy dogs. Through this, they have developed a reputation for being very calm and friendly. Critics would say that is due to false claims people have made trying to sell their dogs. We would encourage anyone trying to decide between the styles of Goldens to make their own observations. Talk to people who have experience with both styles. Most importantly, talk with the potential breeder and ask how their dogs carry themselves as there will be lines of dogs in any breed or style that aren’t a good fit for some people.
What Style of Golden is better?
This is largely a matter of preference. Both styles of Goldens are beautiful and have created many wonderful additions to families. There are breeders of both styles who love and care for their dogs, have ethical breeding practices, and desire to produce conformationally sound dogs with little health issues and sweet temperaments. There are also breeders of either style that don’t care much about the health of their animals or how their dogs conform to the standard. This is why it is so important no matter what breed or style of dog you choose to do your research on the breeder, making sure that they do the necessary health tests and care about where their breed and style is going. These are breeders who produce quality dogs from great lines. If you have found a breeder who does this it is up to you to decide if you like that style of Golden.
A Personal Note
Before purchasing our first Golden we did a lot of research on what prompted healthy dogs. The hereditary nature of a lot of issues in large dogs initially scared us. This was one of the first things that led us to the English style of goldens. We quickly fell in love with how the English line maintained the qualities of the breed so well. The look of the English style became our preference. We love the level topline, the broad chest, lighter color, and wide head that the English style produces, as well as the European style of shows and the community of breeders we have found worldwide. One of our goals at Kenwood is to encourage the growth of the European style of Goldens in the US without comprising any of the characteristics that first drew us to that style.
Further Resources
Flaim, D. (2020, September 28). Golden Retriever History: Behind the Breed’s ‘Unfashionable’ Past. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/behind-the-breed-golden-retriever-history/
Retriever (golden). The Kennel Club. (n.d.). https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-golden/
Golden retriever dog breed information. American Kennel Club. (n.d.). https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/