White Golden Retrievers vs. Traditional Golden Retrievers: What’s the Difference?
Golden Retrievers are among the favorite breeds of dogs in many many countries because they are friendly, intelligent and obedient. More recently, however, one particularly unusual spin-off has created a lot of interest among pet lovers: the so-called “White Retriever.” This is due to the lighter hue of its color, which is almost white.
Contrary to what these colors suggest, this Retriever is not a breed in its own right. These breeds of dogs are basically the Golden Retriever but with certain distinguishing factors that makes them different.
What is a White Golden Retriever?
White Golden Retrievers coats are pale and almost white, owing to the extensive breeding processes that have been conducted on them. These retrievers are not entirely different from the typical Golden Retrievers but are distinct in looks from them. The coat of the white Golden Retriever is usually cream or of a light pale gold color, which is different from black or darkened retrievers.
Key Physical Differences
The most apparent distinguishing factor between white Golden Retrievers and traditional Golden Retrievers is, you guessed it, fur color. Standard Golden Retrievers have straight golden fur with varying shade from light to dark gold. A white Golden Retriever has a white coat which is much lighter in color than that of the standard Golden Retriever. It is almost white but not pure white.
Temperament and Personality
As it is just the fur color which differs, owners of white Golden Retrievers and traditional Golden Retrievers are likely to have similar temperament preferences. These pets are friendly, affectionate, and have a good temper—which makes them the best family companions. Both are considered as smart breeds that can be easily trained, and in fact, Golden Retrievers are often used as service, therapy or search and rescue dogs.
Overall, while white Golden Retrievers do not seem to have a different temperament from traditional Golden Retrievers, temperament may differ from dog to dog.
Health and Life Span Considerations
As with any breed, there are potential health issues that the Golden Retrievers can be diagnosed with, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and various types of cancer. The white Golden Retrievers are not immune to the mentioned health problems; they are just like any other Goldens.
The life span of Golden Retrievers is, on a mean average estimate, 10-12 years. The factors considered to influence this include health and genetics. Good breeders usually tend to perform special checks to ensure that the cases of inherited disease are detected, and congenital issues are not passed onto future generations of puppies.
Which Is Better, a White Golden Retriever or a Regular Golden Retriever?
In conclusion, there is no major difference between a white Golden Retriever and a Traditional Golden Retriever apart from the color of their coat—thus it all depends on personal preference. Both of the types are tender in nature and intelligent, but the white Golden Retrievers have a different look, which seems to attract the love of some dog lovers. Whether you fancy the smooth fur of a white Golden Retriever or the sheer yellow hues of the Traditional Golden Retriever, you will be getting a nice and friendly dog.
