Though Golden Retrievers were initially bred to handle the rainy climate and rugged terrain of the Highlands in Scotland, they’ve since become one of America’s most popular dog breeds. Whether they’re hunting, working as guides for the blind, performing search-and-rescue missions, or cuddling on the couch, Golden Retrievers are known for being as powerful and hardworking as they are loyal and sweet. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of this breed, but here’s what you may not know: there are actually three different kinds of Golden Retrievers. Though the differences are slight, here’s what makes Canadian, British, and American Golden Retrievers distinct from one another.
Related: 9 Health Conditions to Be Aware of When You Adopt a Golden Retriever
Getty / Darren Boucher
Canadian Golden Retriever
Unlike British and American Golden Retrievers, the golden coats of Canadian Golden Retrievers are generally shorter and thinner than its counterparts’ coats. According to the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, the texture of a Canadian Golden Retriever’s hair tends to be “not as hard as that of a short-haired dog nor silky as that of a setter,” with less feathering than the other two varieties. The average male Canadian Golden Retriever is 23 to 24 inches in height, while females are usually 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall.
Getty / back in the pack dog portraits
Canadian Golden Retriever
Getty / Ron Levine
Canadian Golden Retriever
Getty / David Leswick / David Leswick - D Stop on Flickr
Canadian Golden Retriever
Getty / Helen E. Grose
Canadian Golden Retriever
Getty / S Turner / Image copyright of S Turner
Canadian Golden Retriever
Getty / Victoria Phipps / Photographed by Victoria Phipps
British Golden Retriever
British (or English) Golden Retrievers have the long, feathery coats characteristic of the breed, but unlike Canadian and American Golden Retrievers, British Golden Retrievers usually have cream-colored coats, according to The Kennel Club. Those coats can be flat or wavy, but usually have plenty of feathering. British Goldens tend to be slightly smaller than the other two varieties, with males typically measuring 22 to 24 inches in height, and females an average of 20 to 22 inches.
Getty / Images say more about me than words.
Getty / John McKeen
American Golden Retriever
According to the Golden Retriever Club of America, American Golden Retrievers are most easily recognized by their color, which is “rich, lustrous golden of various shades.” Their dense coats tend to be neither coarse nor silky and lie close to their bodies, with heavier feathering on the neck, thighs, and tail. Just like the Canadian Golden Retriever, the average male American Golden Retriever is 23 to 24 inches, and females usually measure 21.5 to 22.5 inches in height.
Getty / Sharleen Chao / © copyright 2011 Sharleen Chao
American Golden Retriever
Getty / Purple Collar Pet Photography
American Golden Retriever
Getty / Capuski
American Golden Retriever
Getty / Elizabeth Aldridge
American Golden Retriever
Getty / mladenbalinovac
American Golden Retriever
