Black Golden Retriever: Same Adorable Breed with a Strikingly Different Look

Updated: August 2nd, 2022

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black golden retrievers

INTRODUCTION

Think about the perfect family dog. It’s likely that you want something that is easy to take care of, great with people, and loving and loyal. And who can say no to a Labrador Retriever puppy or, even cuter, the Golden retriever puppy—one of the most adorable pups in the animals’ world.

If these are things you are looking for in a dog, look no further than a Golden Retriever. These dogs are fantastic companions. As long as they have enough exercise they will be the perfect addition to your family.

The most popular Goldens come in—you guessed it—a gold color. However, some people have an interest in black golden retrievers.

There are many questions: Do black golden retrievers exist? Are they different from regular golden retrievers?

In this article, we will take a look at this golden retriever breed and answer all of your questions.

WHAT ARE BLACK GOLDEN RETRIEVERS?

Black Golden Retrievers are a variety of Golden Retriever dogs. They have all of the same characteristics of a Golden but come in a midnight shade.

Black Golden Retrievers do exist. They can even be purebred! They are likely black because of genetic diversity that was added to the bloodline in the development of the breed.

Many people believe that a purebred black Golden is the result of a Flat-Coated Retriever used in the breeding process to develop Golden Retrievers. That black color simply became a recessive gene that showed up in later litter.

It is not uncommon for Flat-Coated Retrievers to be confused for Black Goldens.

However, the Flat-Coated is an entirely different breed that is not as suitable for first-time owners.

It has a higher impulse to wander than the Golden and might have higher exercise needs. It also has a harder time controlling its energy, making it better-suited to older children.

In contrast, the Black Golden will be easy to train, relaxed, and will stick by your family. They won’t roam far if they are off-leash and will relax happily with enough exercise.

There are physical differences between the two breeds as well. Although the Flat-Coated also has a long, wavy coat, it is nowhere near as thick as the Golden’s.

This makes grooming low maintenance because the coat does not require as much brushing.

Interestingly enough, although Black Goldens can be purebred, they cannot perform in show rings. This is because the Canadian, British, and American Kennel Club are strict in their coloration requirements.

HOW DO BLACK GOLDENS COMPARE WITH TRADITIONAL GOLDEN RETRIEVERS?

Black Golden Retrievers are actually no different than traditional Golden Retrievers. The only difference is that their coat is entirely black.

Because of this, you can still expect your Black Golden to live for 10–12 years and stand about 23–24 inches tall. It will weigh between 65 and 75 pounds (See the full Golden Retriever weight chart).

Besides the different coloring, you can expect your Black Golden to have the same temperament as a traditional Golden. This means you will get a dog that is affectionate, friendly, and somewhat goofy.

This dog will turn heads wherever you go, but it will also make friends with strangers. If you take it to a sidewalk cafe, don’t be surprised if it introduces itself to the people at the next table. If you aren’t petting the dog, it might try to find someone nearby to fill in for you!

Golden Retrievers also have a high need for exercise. They love to swim and their favorite game is to play fetch at a beach or lakeside. All you have to do is toss a stick into the water and your dog will be more than happy to bring it back to you!

You should be careful with this activity, though. Golden Retrievers are highly enthusiastic and will focus on one game for a long time.

They might play so hard that they get too tired to walk home! You should also be careful if there are birds on the water. The dogs will swim far out to investigate the waterfowl.

Your Golden will always be full of love but you do need to take care to keep him stimulated. This includes both mentally and physically.

Without enough exercise or playtime, the dog can quickly become bored or even a little mad. This might result in your favorite pair of shoes as they become a new chew toy.

black golden retrievers

SHOULD I GET ONE?

If you are looking for a Golden Retriever with an interesting colored coat, look no further than this dog. It has all of the amazing characteristics of a Golden Retriever in an interesting and refreshing color.

We recommend this dog to families first. This is because it is extremely sociable. It will always want to be around people and will mope around the house if ignored for too long. It makes sense as a family dog because there are more people to pay attention to it.

This dog is also great for families because it is patient and gentle. It plays well with children and is happy to join in their adventures. It is a perfect playmate for younger kids.

Young families also love this dog because it is easy to train. Goldens are incredibly focused and they learn quickly. If you are juggling a small child and a puppy at the same time, this is a lifesaver!

If you are interested in getting a Black Golden Retriever, you will likely have to go through a breeder.

Golden Retrievers tend to always look like a perfect mix of their parents. They are not like Labradors which can have three different colored puppies in a litter. Because of this, you will probably have to find a Black Golden Retriever specialist.

You can expect one of these dogs to cost your family about $1,500. While it is expensive, it is absolutely worth the price. You not only get a new best friend for 10 years, but the dog is practically guaranteed to be healthy.

If coming from a reputable breeder, puppies will have undergone numerous (documented) health checks prior to going home with you. Their lineage will also be well-known and the pride of the breeder.

To make sure that you find a reputable breeder, be sure to ask around. This industry works almost exclusively through word-of-mouth so check reviews online. The breeder should be knowledgeable about the dogs, of course, but they should also care about the animals. Generally, they will be more concerned with finding a good home for the puppies than making money.

CONCLUSION

Black Golden Retrievers are an interesting and exciting twist on the traditional Golden. They will be a loving part of your family for years to come!

Written By

Wendy is a self-employed beauty therapist, mother of two, life-long pet parent and lover of dogs who somehow manages to squeeze in the time to satisfy another of her loves - writing. Wendy is the founder, main contributor to and editor of TotallyGoldens.

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5 Comments

  • Robin Bowen
    Posted May 19, 2018 at 12:20 am 0Likes

    Wendy, coat color genetics tell us that a black Golden is not possible, as all Goldens are ee on the locus that determines their color.
    Black is E and is dominant.

  • Patrick
    Posted June 20, 2018 at 2:04 am 0Likes

    Where can I get one?

  • Robin
    Posted March 31, 2019 at 10:07 pm 0Likes

    The only real question about this article is whether the writer simply doesn’t understand what she’s writing about or is being purposely misleading. Purebred black Golden’s are not genetically possible. Period, no ifs, and or buts. They are mixed breeds being sold to the gullible and the uninformed.

  • Saamantha Lee
    Posted April 18, 2019 at 2:23 am 0Likes

    Ok, I have to add my comments. I have a black Golden, more likely than not. I have been told by total strangers that my dog is a Groenendaal mixed breed. Twice. Both were former owners of that breed. I did a lot of research online, of course, and was told that way back, maybe 150 years ago, a golden colored English Cocker was added to the breed. I don’t really care, but I think it is strange that purebreds are not “Supposed” to be black. I am a senior, so I remember tales of dogs being drowned as puppies if they did not look purebred…YIKES! I am going to try to attach a video of my dog barking at a squirrel. He looks like a wind up dog I used to have with an artificial bark. He weighs around 60 pounds and is only happy if he can swim daily. He would prefer hourly. He has a scary loud bark which he rarely uses, and gets along with all, unless the other dog threatens him, pins him down, or jumps on me. Yes he simply must be around kids, or he gets depressed. You have described him to a T, except that he is not interested in birds or balls.

  • Gina
    Posted July 4, 2019 at 6:18 pm 0Likes

    This article is highly opinionated and full of nonsense, and therefore, irresponsible. There is nothing here of value. You should take it down.

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