The Truth About English Cream (White) Golden Retrievers

The Beautiful Golden Retriever

Everyone knows that Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs blessed with long, shiny coats in some shade of gold—and they have wonderful demeanors to boot.

If you've seen the English Cream Golden Retriever (or "white" Golden Retriever) in magazines or ads, you may be wondering what it is and where you can get one.

What makes them different from the average Golden Retriever that you see every day in America? Are they the same breed? Is the only difference the coat color? In this article, we will take a look at some differences and learn the truth about English Cream Golden Retrievers.

Below, you'll find answers to these questions:

1. Are cream-colored Golden Retrievers still Golden Retrievers?
2. Are American Golden Retrievers genetically different from English ones?
3. How do English Golden Retrievers compare with American Golden Retrievers?
4. Do English Retrievers shed less?
5. Are cream or white-colored Golden Retrievers healthier than darker Goldens?
6. Are white Golden Retrievers rare?
7. What colors of Golden Retrievers are there?
8. How much do cream (white) Golden Retrievers cost?
9. How do you buy a white Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder?
10. Can cream-colored Goldens be officially recognized by the AKC?
11. What do different countries' kennel clubs say about cream-colored retrievers?
12. What is the history, temperament, and general health of the breed?

Are Cream Golden Retrievers Still Golden Retrievers?

Yes. It's incorrect to call a lighter-colored golden retriever by a different name. Sometimes, breeders change their names to trick buyers into thinking that these lighter-colored dogs are rare.

Some breeders incorrectly call them "Rare White European Golden Retrievers," "Exquisite Platinum Imported Golden Retrievers," or "English Cream Golden Retrievers." No matter what they are called, they are Golden Retrievers, and they are recognized as such by English and Canadian authorities.

Are American Golden Retrievers Genetically Different From English Ones?

Somewhat. Even though American Goldens descend from English lines imported to the U.S. via Canada, the breed evolved and developed differently from its English counterpart because it was bred according to the American Kennel Club standard rather than the standard of the Kennel Club of the UK.

Let's take a look at a few of the differences.

English Golden Retriever vs. American Golden Retriever

Do English Retrievers Shed Less?

Because English retrievers have less hair, you will notice less hair around the house, but this does not mean that they shed less compared to their American counterparts. All retrievers shed at the same rate and usually shed the most during spring and fall.

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Are Cream or White-Colored Golden Retrievers Healthier Than Darker Goldens?

The color of the coat has nothing to do with a dog's health, but ancestry could possibly have an effect on health. There is at least a little evidence that, on average, English bloodlines are healthier:

• A 1998 study found that 61.8% of American Goldens died from cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma, whereas a 2004 British Kennel Club Purebred Dog Health Survey for Golden Retrievers found that only 38.8% of Goldens from English bloodlines were affected by cancer.
• Research also found that goldens from English bloodlines had an average lifespan of 12 years and 3 months, whereas American goldens lived for an average of 10 years and 8 months.
• This data does not necessarily mean that an English retriever is immune from cancer and will die only at a ripe old age.
• There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of English retrievers dying from cancer and living shorter lives than expected.

The health of your dog will depend on good breeding lines, not on whether it is English or American, cream-colored or toffee-colored. The secret to health and longevity is ultimately a combination of nature and nurture—good genes plus optimal care by responsible owners.

Are White Golden Retrievers Rare?

No. Those who are looking for a "white" or "platinum" golden retriever will be disappointed. While some Goldens may appear very light in color, they are not actually white. The color white doesn't genetically appear in this breed.

Any ad offering "rare white Golden Retriever puppies" should be interpreted as a scam! Terms like "white," "platinum," "rare," or even "English Cream" are marketing words used to trick buyers into paying more for an ordinary retriever with a lighter coat color.

A "white" golden is also frowned upon by both British and American kennel clubs. Any amount of light-colored hair is considered a fault and will be penalized.

Golden Retriever Colors

• Cream
• Light golden
• Golden
• Dark golden

The cream color was added to the English standard in 1936. After years of selective breeding, these lighter specimens were given the name "English Cream Golden Retrievers."

Today, these light-colored specimens may also be called English Golden Retrievers, European Golden Retrievers, Blond Golden Retrievers, Light Golden Retrievers, White Goldens, or Platinum Blond Goldens.

How Much Do Cream (White) Golden Retrievers Cost?

Golden retrievers—no matter their color—cost anywhere between $500 and $2,500, depending on the location, the reputation of the breeder, and whether the puppy descends from champion lines.

Adoption

If you adopt a Golden Retriever puppy with no health clearances or lineage documents, expect to pay around $500 or less. Anything above this range is a rip-off.

Pet Store

Depending on how reputable the pet store is and how well the puppy has been bred, the price can range anywhere from $500 to $1,000.

Breeder

The cost of a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder will set you back $1,500 to $2,500. Dogs descending from champion bloodlines will be on the higher end of this price spectrum.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a "White" Golden Retriever Puppy

Make sure you are ready and that you go through the list of things to know before adopting a dog, then keep the following considerations in mind:

• Cream-colored dogs—very pale yellow dogs—who otherwise meet the standard are accepted as Golden Retrievers by English and Canadian authorities. The American Kennel Club doesn't accept any other colors than dark golden, golden, and light golden.
• Don't believe any claims that a "white" retriever will be recognized as a Golden Retriever by the AKC because that will not be the case. These dogs may be "registrable," but people bypass the system by registering them as light golden, which is not the case with white specimens.
• Be very skeptical of any breeder who claims that cream-colored retrievers are healthier, longer-lived, or more valuable than a darker gold-colored variety.
• Although English dogs are slightly genetically different from American ones, a cream-colored dog is not better than a darker one just because of its color. A dog's quality depends on its bloodlines and the care it is given.
• Look for good structure, good temperament, full clearances, and great bloodlines. A good breeder shows his/her dogs in conformation, obedience tests, and hunt tests and offers a history of health and longevity in its bloodlines.
• A good breeder will interview you to make sure that you and your home environment will be a good fit for their puppy.
• A good breeder will also show you the parents and allow you to socialize with the puppy and watch it socialize with other dogs and other people.

There are quality, ethical breeders out there. It's up to you to do your homework to find them. Look for ethical breeders that adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA).

Can Cream-Colored Goldens Be Officially Recognized by the AKC?

No. Currently, the American Kennel Club allows registration only for Goldens under the following standard colors: dark golden (registration code 080), golden (registration code 093), and light golden (registration code 119). Many breeders are registering their whites under the light golden category, which is not accurate.

If you find a breeder of cream-colored goldens in the States, it'll be challenging to get conformation titles because this color is frowned upon by the AKC. It's hard for a cream-colored dog to pass an American test. If an American breeder is offering cream-colored goldens and charging a premium price for them, this is a big red flag. You may be dealing with an unethical breeder.