English Cream Golden Retriever – Your Pale Goldie

First of all, don’t let the pale coat color fool you – an English Cream Golden Retriever is still a Golden Retriever!

According to the American Kennel Club, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds.

They are listed as the third most popular breed out of 194 recognized by the AKC.

As the Golden Retriever Club of America has made clear, the cream color of the English Cream Golden Retriever has always been included in the spectrum of their breed.

This article will give you all the English Cream Golden Retriever information you need before you decide whether this dog is the right one for you!

History of the Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers hail from Scotland where they originated in the 1800s.

The now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel and a yellow-coated retriever pup bred and gave birth to the first yellow retrievers.

Golden Retrievers make great gundogs and were therefore utilized by gamekeepers in the late 1800s.

In 1906, the yellow – later classified as golden – retriever made its first appearance at dog shows.

Origins of the English Cream Golden Retriever

English Cream Golden Retriever puppies were first bred in North America.

Their ancestors are Golden Retrievers from a variety of locations, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavia.

The cream colored Golden Retrievers are not recognized by the American Kennel Club due to not fitting their three coat color standards of dark golden, golden, and light golden.

In contrast, the UK Kennel Club accepted the English Cream Golden Retriever beginning in 1936.

Pale Coats & Show Line Standards

English Cream Golden Retriever breeders and owners are particularly drawn to the lighter coat color.

Most noteworthy, though, is how the pale coat color of the English Cream Golden Retriever is viewed differently within show line standards based on location.

The American Kennel Club and UK Kennel Club maintain strict breed standards for show dogs. The English Cream Golden Retriever is accepted outside of the U.S. when it comes to dog shows.

Cream colors are more common outside of the United States, so this is partly why the UK Kennel Club accepts cream as a shade and the American Kennel Club does not.

The coat’s color ultimately does not distract judges from the aspects of the dogs being evaluated in the rest of the world.

The cream-colored retriever is penalized in dog shows in the U.S. if they do not fit the Standard of rich, lustrous, various shades of golden.

Consequently, English Cream Golden Retrievers perform better in show lines when not being judged by the American Standard.

English Cream Golden Retriever Health Issues

An English Cream Golden Retriever’s health is not determined by its coat color.

Actions taken by English Cream Golden Retriever breeders certainly affect the breed’s health and good breeders prioritize a healthy bloodline.

Some breeders try to claim that the pale coat is equivalent to a healthier or superior retriever, but that is false.

Focusing on specific colors while breeding can lead to hereditary health issues or reduce the Golden Retriever gene pool.

The parent’s health will likewise play a part in the health of an English Cream Golden Retriever, so physical and blood tests should be performed.

Hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and some heart diseases are common in the breed.

The Canine Health Information Center advises that Golden Retrievers should be evaluated for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. They should also be examined by an ophthalmologist and receive a congenital cardiac exam as well as an advanced cardiac exam.

You will also want to check their ears regularly to avoid infection.

Golden Retrievers & Cancer

Most importantly, Golden Retrievers are susceptible to cancers.

The 1998 Golden Retriever Club of America National Health Survey found that the highest amount of cancer-related deaths was in Golden Retrievers between the ages of 8-12.9 years.

That same study found that dog deaths due to cancer began at about three years old.

The most common forms of cancers found were hemangiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma.

In addition, a health survey for Golden Retrievers found that the main cause of death in the breed is cancer.

They also found that about 66% of male Golden Retrievers and 57% of female Golden Retrievers will die from cancer. English Golden Retrievers specifically die from cancer at a rate of 38.8%.

The Golden Retriever Club of America measures that around 60% of Golden Retrievers will succumb to the disease.

Another study in 2013 revealed that early or late neutering of a Golden Retriever can increase disease rates in the breed including cancer.

The study notes that neutering dogs early, such as before one year of age, can impact important gonadal hormones in development.

Health testing

To help avoid buying English Cream Golden Retriever puppies with cancer you can test or research the parent’s health to see if they are cancer free.

However, cancer is not only an inherited disease, which is why evaluating your English Cream Golden Retriever’s health is important.

Since there is no evidence proving that coat color and cancer are correlated, the cream color is not indicative or predictive of cancer rates in English Cream Golden Retriever puppies.

English Cream Golden Retriever Facts

Now that we have gone over important English Cream Golden Retriever information, it’s finally time to discuss the rest of the facts you’ll need to know if you are considering buying one.

Due to the Golden Retriever health issues that exist, it is certainly a good idea to research English Cream Golden Retriever breeders.

You want to find a trustworthy breeder who has done their part to keep their English Cream Golden Retriever puppies healthy.

Likewise, no matter where your new companion comes from, getting the history of the puppy’s parents and examining the environment they’ve been raised in is important.

Having a basic understanding of your dog’s physical and mental expectations is helpful when choosing a new puppy.

So, keep reading to learn the basics about the English Cream Golden Retriever!

English Cream Golden Retriever Size, Height, and Weight

English Cream Golden Retrievers are a medium to large-sized breed when fully grown.

A female English Cream Golden Retriever ranges in height between 20-22 inches.

Males range between 22-24 inches in height.

The English Cream Golden Retriever weight falls between 55-75 pounds, depending on male or female breeds.

You can also expect the English retriever to have a larger and blockier head than the American Golden Retriever breeds.

Defining Characteristics of the English Cream Golden Retriever

The main defining characteristic of the English Cream Golden Retriever is its pale colored coat.

Furthermore, they are identified by their slightly arched broad heads without prominent frontal or occipital bones. Their thick, feathery tails are also noteworthy of the breed.

Golden Retrievers are also known for their kind eyes and soft expressions in contrast with their powerful, sturdy, symmetrical, balanced build.

English Cream Golden Retrievers are confident and alert. They are natural workers and highly intelligent.

In addition, Golden Retrievers have gentle, soft mouths that can carry game and even eggs without cracking the shell.

English Cream Golden Retriever Temperament & Behavior

The English Cream Golden Retriever temperament will maintain puppy behavior into adulthood since the breed matures slowly, keeping them playful.

Golden Retrievers are friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic, on top of being intelligent and very devoted to their human counterpart.

They are great hunting companions thanks to their calm demeanor and worker sensibility, hence why the breed is classified in the gundog group.

Their smarts, loyalty, and laidback and loving character makes them good family dogs.

In addition, the hardworking breed also serves as therapy, service, guide, and search and rescue dogs.

Golden Retrievers are known for frequenting dog events and dog shows, and they love the outdoors.

With that being said, as long as they get plenty of exercise, English Cream Golden Retrievers are comfortable indoors, too.

Grooming & General Care for the English Cream Golden Retriever

The English Cream’s medium-length coat should be groomed weekly because they shed regularly.

When they shed their thick coats heavily once or twice a year, brushing daily will help.

The occasional bath also helps with brushing but make sure the coat is dry first.

However, if your main concern is cleansing, Dr. Caroline Coile recommends in The Golden Retriever Handbook to bathe the dog after brushing. When the excess dead hair is removed, it is easier to clean down to the skin with water and shampoo.

On top of grooming and cleaning your English Cream Golden Retriever’s coat, be sure to also trim their nails regularly.

Most importantly, Golden Retrievers can struggle with their weight if not properly fed. Because of this, keep an eye on food consumption, which includes giving treats in moderation.

You can learn more about the main nutritional needs for your English Cream Golden Retriever and recommended food brands here.

If you’re specifically looking for how to feed your English Cream Golden Retriever puppies, check out our piece focused on the best food for Golden Retriever pups.

English Cream Golden Retriever Exercise & Training Needs

Golden Retrievers are active and energetic dogs, so they should be exercised at least two hours daily.

The English Cream Golden Retriever does well with consistent training. Treats can be utilized for training, but as mentioned before, make sure you don’t overfeed them.

Thanks to their intelligence in addition to their eager-to-please mentality, Golden Retrievers are easy to train.

Let your English Cream Golden Retriever socialize with people and other pets at a young age.

You can also consider obedience training, which will bond you with your Golden Retriever puppies.

There is no limit to the type of exercise your English Cream Golden Retriever will love, which includes swimming, fetching, walks, bike rides, hunting trips, and more.

It is also important to check with a vet which activities could hurt the retriever’s joints and bones.

Should I Get an English Cream Golden Retriever?

Since they are active dogs with a lot of energy and require exercise, an ideal home for an English Cream Golden Retriever would be a large house with an owner who has the time for play.

The breed is also great with kids and other pets, making them good family dogs.

Generally, Golden Retrievers cost between $500 to $2,500 or more. So, expect the English Cream Golden Retriever price to fall anywhere in that area.

At the time of this writing, the cost for English Cream Golden Retriever puppies is about $695 to $1,500.

Do You Have an English Cream Golden Retriever?

What’s your puppy’s name? Did you go with a traditional title or pick something a bit more unique?

Do you have any thoughts on whether English Cream Golden Retriever puppies differ in any aspect from the darker coat Golden Retrievers?

Tell us about your pale-colored fur baby in the comments below!

References and Further Reading

• The American Kennel Club
• The Kennel Club UK
• The Institute of Canine Biology
• Golden Retriever Club of America
• The Golden Retriever Club of Canada
• Brown, B, What Exactly is an “English” Golden Retriever?, Golden Retriever News for Golden Retriever Club of America, 2009
• De la Riva, GT; Hart, BL; Farver, TB; Oberbauer, AM; Messam, LLM; Willits, LH, Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers, PLOS Journal, 2013
• Coile, C Dr., The Golden Retriever Handbook, 2000
• Glickman, L; Glickman, N; Thorpe, The Golden Retriever Club of America National Health Survey, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, 1998-1999
• Kennel Club and British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee, Summary results of the Purebred Dog Health Survey for Golden Retrievers
• Lappin, M, GRF Research: Zeke Fund, Golden Retriever Foundation, 2018
• Nordone, S, et al, Golden Retriever, Canine Health Information Center, 2009
• Hovan, R, Understanding Cancer in Golden Retrievers, Perspectives: Golden Retriever Club of America, 2006