Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. They originated from Scotland in the mid 19th century. And were initially bred from a mix of yellow retrievers and Tweed Water Spaniels as hunting dogs to retrieve waterfowl.
Also other breeds like the Bloodhound and Irish Setter. The influence of the Irish Setter is for its deep red coat.
Golden Retrievers are recognized for their light to medium golden shades. And Dark Golden Retrievers have a deep amber or reddish hue that makes them visually striking. This color variation is natural and falls within the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard.
Physical Appearance
The coat color of a Dark Golden Retriever is not always fully apparent at birth. They are born with lighter coats that darken as they mature. When they get to 3 to 6 months of age the longer “feathering” on the tail, legs, and chest start to darken. Dark Golden Retrievers have a slightly thicker coat compared to lighter Goldens.
Height And Weight
Males:
- Height: 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61 cm).
- Weight: 65 to 75 pounds (29 to 34 kg).
Females:
- Height: 21.5 to 22.5 inches (55 to 57 cm).
- Weight: 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kg).
And they also have slightly narrower chest, longer legs, more defined muscle tone and slightly narrower and more elongated head.
Eye And Nose Color
Dark Golden Retrievers have dark brown and medium brown eyes. And their nose can be black, brown, light brown and pinkish.
Genetics Behind Dark Coat Color
The coat color of Golden Retrievers with dark shades and light shades is influenced by the type and amount of melanin produced in their hair follicles. Melanin comes in two forms, Eumelanin and Pheomelanin. So the dark Golden Retriever ones have higher concentration of pheomelanin that’s why they have richer golden and reddish hue.
They also have a more active expression of the Agouti gene(A locus). On the other hand light golden retrievers have lower pheomelanin concentration that’s why they have pale gold or cream shades. And here the chinchilla gene(C locus) is more active.
When both parents have dark golden coats their puppies are likely to inherit a dark coat. And if both parents are light Goldens their chances of producing a dark coated puppy are lower.
Temperament
Dark Golden Retrievers have the same core personality traits. That defines the breed such as excellent family dogs, therapy animals, and hunting companions. Their temperament is not shaped by their coat color.
It’s more dependent on their lineage, upbringing, and environment. They like to be gentle with children and get along well with other pets. And they will also alert their owners if something unusual occurs. They also have higher energy levels compared to lighter Golden Retrievers.
Health
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia is a common issue in Golden Retrievers, including dark Goldens. This condition occurs when the hip or elbow joint develops abnormally. If they are facing it you will notice difficulty standing up.
This can be managed if you will manage their weight and give them joint supplements, physical therapy. But if the case will be severe then surgery may be required.
Cancer Rates In Dark Goldens vs Light Goldens
Cancer is the cause of death in Golden Retrievers. Common types include:
- Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is the cancer of blood vessel walls which affect the spleen and heart.
- Lymphoma
It is cancer of the lymphatic system.
- Osteosarcoma
It is a bone cancer common in larger breeds.
And studies show that light Golden Retrievers have a slightly higher risk of certain cancers. Due to breeding practices at achieving lighter coat colors. So to manage cancer early detection is important.
Eye Conditions
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A degenerative disease that leads to blindness over time.
- Cataracts
It is the clouding of the eye lens which can cause vision impairment.
- Pigmentary Uveitis
It is a condition that affects the iris and can lead to glaucoma and vision loss.
- Entropion
Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward and irritates the eye. So regular eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist can help catch these issues early.
Heart Conditions
- Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS)
It is a congenital heart defect where the aortic valve is narrowed. And blood flow from the heart becomes harder.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
It is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and weakened. So its ability to pump blood efficiently reduces. Heart screenings can help to detect early.
Lifespan Of Dark Golden Retriever
Dark Golden Retrievers have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. But several factors such as genetics, diet, exercise and healthcare also influence how long a dark Golden Retriever lives.
Care And Grooming Of Dark Golden Retriever
Dark Golden Retrievers require regular grooming and a well balanced diet to keep their coats shiny and healthy. Because dark Golden Retrievers will show noticeable changes in coat texture and shine if their care routine is neglected.
Dark Golden Retrievers have a dense and water repellent double coat that protects them. So to maintain it you have to brush their coat 3 to 4 times per week. They shed twice a year in the spring and fall. And during shedding season you can use a slicker brush to remove their loose hairs. And for non shedding months you can use a bristle brush or pin brush.
With this also bathe them after every 6 to 8 weeks with a shampoo formulated for dark coats. Also use a moisturizing conditioner with ingredients like coconut oil or avocado oil. It will give softness to their coat. You can also add a few drops of coconut oil to their food.
Exercise And Training
Dark Golden Retrievers are active and intelligent dogs that’s why they like regular exercise and mental stimulation. They require 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. In which they can do running, swimming or playing fetch. If you take them to a park they may play with other dogs there.
And if your dog is up to 1 year old then they should not run on hard surfaces. For training when they get 8 weeks old. You can start with basic commands sit, stay, come and heel using treats and praise. For crate training you can provide them a comfortable crate with blankets and toys.
Differences Between Dark Golden Retrievers And Other Golden Retriever Colors
| Trait | Dark Golden Retriever | Light Golden Retriever | Cream (English) Golden Retriever |
| Coat Color | Deep golden or reddish hues | Pale golden to yellow | Very light cream to almost white |
| Coat Texture | Slightly wavier | Fluffy | Straighter |
| Lineage | American or field bred lines | Mix of show and field lines | European bloodlines |
| Size | Can be slightly more muscular and lean | Average | Broader head |
| Shedding | Moderate to heavy | Heavy | Heavy |
| Commonly Found In | United States, Canada | United States | UK, Australia, Europe |
Misconceptions About Dark Golden Retrievers
Some people think that dark golden retrievers are not purebred. Because popular images of Golden Retrievers are of light or medium golden shades. But dark goldens are purebred.
Secondly is that dark golden retrievers are more aggressive. So it’s not true. Thirdly, akc registration, so akc also recognizes dark goldens.
6 Famous Dark Golden Retrievers
✅ Shadow (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, 1993)
✅ Comet (Full House, 1987-1995)
✅ Air Bud (1997 Film Series)
✅ Liberty (Gerald Ford’s Presidential Dog)
✅ Trixie Koontz (Dean Koontz’s Dog)
✅ FTCH Asterling’s Wild Card MH (Field Champion Golden Retriever)
5 Dark Golden Retriever Breeders
5 dark golden retriever breeders are as follows:
🔹 Rockvale Puppies (Pennsylvania, USA)
🔹 My Golden Retriever Puppies (Ohio, USA)
🔹 Field Bred Golden Retrievers (Various Locations, USA)
🔹 Red-Dawn Golden Retrievers (Texas, USA)
Average Price Of Golden Retrievers By Coat Color
| Light / English Cream | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Standard Golden Retriever | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Dark Golden Retriever | $1,800 to $4,500 |
