Some unknowing people believe there is no distinction between the European Golden and the American Golden,,,  if this is their true belief, IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE!?!  The truth can be learned from history.  Allow me to explain. 

   The distinction between European and American began with the recognition of the breed in different regions at different times.   The Golden Retriever breed was first recognized in 1911 by The Kennel Club (TKC) in England.    This was followed by the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) recognition that came in the year of 1925.   This is where the distinctions began because breeders in America, and breeders in England and areas of Europe began breeding for whatever traits they preferred.   -Now You Know-

   The European Golden has gone by many names to make,,,  If you have surfed the net looking at the Euro Golden you are familiar with hearing these dogs go by many names :   English Cream Golden Retriever, White Golden Retriever, Platinum Golden Retriever, English Creams etc... to name a few!  These names are used  by some breeders to FANCY up the title and make the European Style Golden Retriever seem RARE... Great Sales pitch i'd say.

   As a buyer, you want to look past the fancy title jargon and scheming as lots of breeders have no healthy genetics and quality dogs to offer.  They have found this system to benefit there sales to unknowing buyers and fill their pockets...  To them its money.   They are not out to better the breed.  

   Chances are they will not be able to offer any sort of quality health  guarantee on there dogs past 1 or 2 years.  At that point the dog is not finished growing and most pet buyers either don't know or have no intention on spending the extra money for OFA clearances along with genetics testings as puppies or OFA/Pennhip testings for Dysplasia on dogs hips & elbow at 2 years of age.  Therefor by the time you find out your dog has a genetic defect like dysplasia...  It's too late and the breeders guarantee is over... 

   I will tell you now...  There is a lot of bad Champion genetics out there for cheap...  you will spend more in keeping your friend going than what you saved.  This leaves you with an unhappy/broken/cancer ridden dog and a loving owner with a mountain of vet bills and heart ache.  Where is that dogs breeder now?!?!  They are long gone... and will not stand by their dogs after the small possible 1-2 year guarantee they offered.  

(We offer a LIFETIME GENETICS GUARANTEE for the Life of your best friend.) 

    There is no need to use a fancy name if you have quality CLEAR European genetics,  as ours come from over 35 years of breeding out defects.  Clear of GR_PRA 1&2, ICT, HIPS, ELBOWS, HEART, MD, DM etc.  The European Golden is already an imported European style of Golden Retriever and that in itself is rare enough as its standards can only be found in Europe, and by top European breeders at that.  

   Even European breeders will be all too happy to sell you there bottom of the barrel dogs.  The dogs they can't seem to get rid of in Europe.  (Been there, had that happen early on in my dealings.  Not fun.) After All,,, overseas there is no contract!!! and you hold no ground if unsatisfied.  The IMPORTANT thing is to look for a HEALTHY dog.  One that is not riddled with the Genetic defects and cancer the breed in its entirety is known for.

I hope I have helped educate and enlighten if nothing else.

Standards Of EUROPEAN GR vs.  AMERICAN GR?

    The European Style Golden Retriever 

          -Generally lighter in color but can range from the lightest cream 

                  to most solid dark gold.   (Gold is actually the most popular 

                  color in Europe as cream is in US)

          -Level slope topline. 

          -Broader head width and round level eyes.  

          -Long, protruding neck.  

          -Clean and often trimmed ruff.  

          -Tail is level with the back

          -Overall build is heavier, stockier, dense boned... 

          -Males range in height from: 22 - 24 inches 

          -Females range: 20 - 22 inches.  

          -Average cancer rate 38.8%...  *less than half of the American*

   The American Style Golden Retriever 

          -Generally darker in color but can range from the lightest cream  

                  to most solid dark gold.

          -Topline slopes down a little  

          -Narrower profile that blends into the skull

          -slanted/almond shaped eyes

          -Tail has a slight upward curve

          -Overall build is lean and lightweight

          -Males range in height from: 23 - 24 inches 

          -Females range: 21 - 23 inches..  

          -Average cancer rate 60%...  *over double that of the European*

BREED FACTS:

Temperament: 

   Friendly, Intelligent, 

   Confident, Kind, Reliable

   and Devoted.

Height: 

      Males     22 – 24 in. 

    Females  20 – 22 in.   

Weight: 

       Adult Male    64 – 106 lbs. 

    Adult Female  60 – 81 lbs.   

What were they bred for?

   The Golden Retriever is a large-sized breed of dog bred as gun dogs to retrieve shot waterfowl  such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties, and were named 'retriever' because of their ability to retrieve shot game undamaged. Golden Retrievers have an instinctive love of water, and are easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards.  They are a long haired-double coated breed, with a dense inner  coat that provides them with adequate warmth in the outdoors, and an outer  coat that lies flat against their bodies and repels water.  Golden Retrievers are well suited to residency in suburban or country environments.  Although they need substantial outdoor exercise, they should be housed in a fenced area because of their instinctive tendency to roam.  They shed copiously, particularly at the change of seasons, and require fairly regular grooming.

Breed History?

   As the breed was accepted in several countries, specifically England and the United States, two major different standards of breeding the Golden Retriever developed.  In 1911, the Golden Retriever breed was accepted in the British Kennel Club (KC) while it was accepted in the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.  Throughout time, the Americans took a different standard of breeding to match the preferences of the American market while the British diverted their efforts to suit the European taste.

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 and genetics DO 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 study found that only 38.8% of goldens from English bloodlines were affected by cancer.  Studies 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.

------  We would like to continue adding helpful Q & A for our viewers to educate themselves on the European Golden Retriever...  Frequent questions will be added to this page with the appropriate answers...  Please IM or email us with questions.  Email - See bottom of page.  Thank you!!!  -------