Many dog owners may be on the search for golden retrievers for sale and not realize there are multiple types of golden retrievers. These dogs are almost always happy-go-lucky and devoted to their owners.
However, the English and American golden retrievers are very different, although they may have some similarities. For example, both dogs love spending time with their owners, but each type will have a different head shape and coat color. The coat length will also vary.
6 easy to spot differences between American and English Golden Retrievers?
The English golden retriever is more relaxed
The English golden retriever is more relaxed than its American counterpart, meaning you may not need to offer it as much emotional support. The English golden retriever typically likes to lounge, relax, and cuddle more than the American golden retriever, who may pester their owners to play and then plant themselves in your lap when they get exhausted.
The English golden retriever is much easier to manage and can be more docile than the American variety, making it an ideal choice for many families.
The American golden retriever is prone to anxiety
The American golden retriever is prone to separation anxiety and may have difficulty being away from you. This anxiety may mean your dog will destroy things or chew on their paws in your absence to help ease their stress.
Although you can solve anxiety symptoms with more quality time together, the cost of replacing your destroyed items can contribute to a higher cost of dog ownership.
The English golden retriever is not AKC-certified or purebred
The American Kennel Club is among the most revered dog associations and has gone to extensive lengths to verify dog breeds. The English golden retriever is considered a hybrid dog breed and is not recognized by the AKC, but the American golden retriever has been recognized for many decades.
Some dog experts theorize the English golden retriever came from the American golden retriever and thus should be classified as a hybrid.
The head shape is different
The head shape of an English golden retriever is much flatter than that of an American golden retriever. The American golden retriever is famous for the arch that sits atop the head and seems to fit perfectly in the palm of a hand.
However, the English golden retriever doesn’t have this arch and instead has a more oblong, ovular head shape.
English golden retrievers have shorter legs
English golden retrievers have shorter legs and can get irritated when they walk through tall grass, making fake grass perfect for these dogs. These dogs are lower to the ground and are subject to parasites, infections, and lice infestations because they are closer to where these pests reside.
Additionally, you may notice the underbelly of an English golden retriever is much dirtier much more quickly because it’s so close to the ground.
Coat color and length differs
An English golden retriever’s coat color and length differs wildly from that of its American counterpart. English golden retrievers were bred to have lighter-colored coats and never usually come in dark colors because they were often used as hunting dogs out in the woods. While hunting, dark coats could have caused them to be mistaken for a bird or other creature, resulting in them being shot while hunting.
American golden retrievers can come in many colors and typically have a long coat of hair that needs frequent brushing and washing.
Final thoughts
The American and English golden retrievers are similar but have striking differences that can make each dog type look stunning and unique. Remember these differences before choosing the kind of golden retriever you want to adopt into your home.
