More often than not I hear many myths, good and bad, about English standard golden retrievers. Many sites are dedicated to telling lies about English standard goldens, AKA English Cream Golden Retrievers. So I decided to create my own list of myths and try and give my take. So here goes my list of myths about English cream golden retrievers followed by my explanations.
English Cream Golden Retrievers Have Less Cancer Rates
The above statement in it’s literalness is actually true. Multiple studies have proven this fact that golden retrievers in Europe do have less cancer. I discussed this issue on my English verses American Golden Retriever post. However, that does not mean that because you buy a English standard golden retriever, that it won’t develop cancer. For one the cancer rate is half, so you still have a chance at getting a golden with cancer. Secondly, and more importantly the studies done never look at practice and nurture. Many countries in Europe do not alter their dogs. In their respective countries it is inhumane to spay/neuter them. Thus resulting in dogs who are less likely to get cancer. That practice alone decreases a dogs chance of getting cancer by a substantial amount. I personally believe if we had this practice in America, our American counterparts would have a similar rate of cancer. However, because of a years old practice we are told to alter our dogs at an early age, and nearly assuring our goldens with a death sentence.
English Cream Golden Retriever Are Rare
This statement is entirely false. Many breeders want to be able to sell their dogs for a high price, and want you as a customer to think you are getting some type of bargain. Many golden retriever breeders offer multiple color options. Often cream colored goldens do come from Europe. There are more breeders who breed for a darker golden color, but those who do breed for cream don’t have anything special in their stock other than they are likely from another country. There is a big industry in near white (cream) goldens. Since fewer breed lighter goldens, breeders started charging more and call them English Cream as a marketing technique. For me I charge a high price, but I don’t charge a high price because of color. I charge a high price because of my breeding practices. My goldens are not breed in kennels, and are part of my family, as well as much more. Never pay a high price for color alone.
There Is No Difference Between English and American Goldens
This is the biggest myth and lie I’ve seen spread around by many American golden retriever breeders. I’ve even seen one American breeder go to say that English standard goldens that are in America are Europe’s rejects. That is by far from the truth and in fact many come from champions across Europe. English standards are very different than American ones. I cover their differences on “The Breed” post on my site. The differences are big enough whereas most English standard goldens can not compete in AKC competitions. Color alone is not the biggest factor in their differences. Length of the loin, eyes, size, shape of the head are just a few to name of differences. Some people prefer one standard over another and differences should be cherished.
The English Standard Golden Is White
Lets stop right there. There is no white golden retriever, unless they have a form of albinism. Golden retrievers who are sold as cream are not albino. They are a light shade of gold. Many people are confused when they see a English standard golden that are a dark shade of gold. I’ve been asked if my goldens were pure English because they had gold in them. Somewhere throughout the years people have been lied to and are convinced that English goldens must be white. English standards (TKC) call for all shades of gold or cream, except red or mahogany. In America AKC frowns upon extreme blonde goldens (cream) while mahogany is acceptible. That still doesn’t mean that both standards don’t have both sides of the color spectrum.
More Myths to Come
I’m sure as the time goes on I will add more to the list. Hopefully the myths I covered are helpful.
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