We all know that the dog kingdom is filled with a lot of beautiful dog breeds. Some breeds might be more popular while others are still under the radar. When it comes to popular breeds, all of them have their characteristic appearance.
When someone mentions a German Shepherd, a Husky, or a Rottweiler, we all have an image of that dog that is well-carved in our head. But, over time, there might be some exceptions made because people played with genetics a bit.
As a result of that, you may see a mini Husky or a white Rottweiler. This is something that has been developed over time, but might not be accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC). In these cases, the dog is still considered to be a purebred.
There are some situations where a debate can be started, and a black Golden Retriever is one of those cases.
Some people might think that this dog is a purebred while others think that it is a completely different breed or a mixed breed. Before reading this article, we would like to know what you think the truth is.
There is a lot to go through so let’s start this interesting ride.
What Is A Black Golden Retriever?
Some people probably never heard of the term ‘black Golden Retriever’, and we can understand why because it is quite unusual. This dog brings a lot of debate among dog lovers, and it can get quite heated.
Some people might think that this dog is truly a purebred Golden Retriever that has had some genetic anomalies. Others think that this is not a Golden Retriever, but a dog that resembles one very closely.
Them being a mixed breed might be the most popular opinion.
The first and main thing we need to say is that a black Golden Retriever is NOT a purebred dog. We surely hope that we did not disappoint you – that was not our goal, but we want to tell you the facts.
There is a dog that is called the Flat-Coated Retriever, and it truly resembles a black Goldie. They look alike, and they also have some similarities.
A black Goldie is also either a mix between the black Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, or a mix between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Retriever.
Why do we want to emphasize this? There might be some breeders who claim that they are breeding black Golden Retrievers, and because of that, raise the price of the puppies. You need to know that this is only a cash grab.
There are breeders who breed dogs that look like the black Goldie, but they will emphasize that this is a mixed breed.
In today’s article, we will be focusing more on the mixed breed, and talk about the dogs that are part of the mix.
Let’s Meet The Parent Dogs
As we already emphasized, a purebred black Golden is a dog that does not exist. It is either a purebred Flat-Coated Retriever or a mixed breed.
To get to know a mixed breed, we always like to talk about the parent dog breeds. This way, you can get an idea of what you can expect from your crossbreed.
An interesting thing is that all three dogs are quite similar, and because of that, you can really get a close picture of what this mixed cutie will be like.
Now, let us start with the parents.
Golden Retriever
We can freely say that the Goldie is a star when it comes to this mixed breed since it truly resembles the dog that people tend to think is a purebred black Golden Retriever.
The Golden Retriever breed is one of the most popular dog breeds in the whole world. These dogs are truly man’s best friend. They have a super calm nature, and everybody just adores them.
They have their goofy side as well, and when you are around this dog, you need to know that you will never get bored.
They get along with everybody. Other dogs, kids, people… whatever pops into your mind, a Golden Retriever will make friends with it. Because of this, people who have small children usually tend to get one of these beauties.
But, don’t let that smile fool you – when it comes to their family, they are willing to do anything to protect them. They might not immediately go into attack mode, but they will for sure alarm you if there is any potential danger.
But, this is also something you need to teach them. Since they are super friendly, they might try to make a friend with an intruder. All of this is because Goldies are really not aggressive dogs, and there have almost never been a situation where you have heard that a Goldie turned out aggressive if the owner did everything right.
Goldies are quite big dogs, and because of that, they might not be the perfect fit for everyone, but their personality will make up for their size when it comes to making the decision on whether or not to get one.
If you want to see how big they get, you can always check out our Golden Retriever growth chart to find more information.
They are also amazing working dogs that are highly intelligent, and are eager to learn new things and please their owner by showing off what they have learned.
As their name suggests the color of their coat, you need to know that they come in different colors.
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Labrador Retriever
Just like a Goldie, a Labrador Retriever is also a very popular dog breed that a lot of people decide on getting. These pooches are one of the best family dogs, but they are for sure more energetic than a Goldie.
These dogs are a great match for any family, but a family that is living a bit more of an active lifestyle is the perfect match for these doggies.
When it comes to appearance, these dogs come in different colors, and they have a short coat that sheds a lot. This is something that you need to keep in mind if you are deciding on getting this dog. If you have allergies, you might have a problem, and if you live in a small apartment, you can expect a lot of hair floating around.
Since they are high-energy dogs, they will be on the go a lot, and because of that, you will be able to see their muscles. These athletic dogs like to spend time with their owner, but they also need a lot of exercise.
You can lounge with them as much as you want, but under the condition that you provide them with enough exercise so that they can let go of all that build-up energy. The interesting part is that they love water, so if you can take them to a lake or a beach, they will appreciate it a lot.
These dogs are friendly, and they love to play with other dogs. When it comes to small kids, you need to always keep an eye on them during play sessions. This does not mean anything bad… it is just to be safe because the dog can get carried away and unintentionally hurt kids while playing.
These dogs are intelligent and hard working. They excel in many different dog sports, and are up for any challenge. They need mental stimulation every day as well as physical.
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Flat-Coated Retriever
These pooches are the ones that cause confusion for some people. Because of their appearance, people tend to think that these dogs are Golden Retrievers with a black coat. This is far from the truth. We already mentioned that there is no such thing as a purebred black Golden Retriever.
This is a completely different breed. Not a lot of people know about this breed, and we need to tell you that if you are one of them, you missed out on a lot. But, don’t worry – there is time to compensate for the lost time.
These pooches were bred to work both on land and in water. Even today, they are amazing working dogs, and are also amazing therapy dogs, and they excel in agility, obedience, and rally.
They have a lot of energy, and this is important for people who live in an apartment. This dog might not be the best fit for apartments. However, they can adapt if you exercise them enough throughout the day.
An interesting thing about them is that they are considered as the Peter Pan in the dog world. Why is that so? Well, they stay in the puppy-like mentality for a long time… longer than other dogs. They will have playful energy for a long time, and you will never be bored with this pooch.
Their appearance is most easily described as a Golden Retriever that has pure black fur. Their coat texture is also very similar, but it can be longer and a bit wavier than the Goldie’s coat.
Since they are a breed by themselves, their appearance, which resembles the Golden Retriever, is completely within the breed standard.
These pooches are not the best guard dogs, but they will for sure bark to show you that there is possible danger.
Black Golden Retriever: Personality And Temperament
By looking at the parents of this mixed breed, we can see that they resemble each other a lot. When it comes to mixed breeds, being 100% certain about their personality is not always possible. When it comes to this breed, we can for sure say a lot of things about their temperament and personality.
All the similar traits among the parent dogs will transfer onto this dog as well.
Here are some personality and temperament traits that you can expect from this pooch.
They Are Loving And Friendly Dogs
Since all three of the potential parent dog breeds are dogs that love attention and love to give love, these dogs will as well. They can get along with everybody.
Making new friends is not a problem for them, but make sure that the black Golden Retriever puppy has had a good socialization and training process.
Their loving side can turn out to be too much sometimes because they can decide to never leave your side. This is also something that needs to be balanced while they are still puppies.
Hanging out with kids is something that they love, but since they are big dogs that are energetic, you need to always be present when the kids are playing with the dog.
They Are Energetic Dogs
This is something that is very important to know if you are considering getting this dog. The energy factor is very important for a lot of people.
This dog can not be owned by people who are not active and only love to lounge around. Don’t get us wrong… these dogs also like to spend some time lying around and cuddling with their owner, but they need to have their daily dose of exercise.
A long walk is not enough for them. They need a quality form of exercise or they will have some trouble, and can even become a bit destructive. This does not mean that they will become aggressive, but it is just their way of showing you that they need more time to let go of all that energy.
Make sure that they have at least an hour or even two hours of high-energy exercise.
These dogs are great for first-time owners, but their energetic side is something that you need to keep in mind. It might be too much for some people.
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They Are Hard working
All three of the parent dogs were originally bred to be some type of working dog, and in that way, they worked side-by-side with their owner and helped make their life easier.
This dog is no different. They can make amazing hunting dogs, therapy dogs, and almost anything you wish them to become.
If you did not plan on using this dog for these purposes, you can always give them some small daily tasks that they can fulfill. This is good for them because they will be mentally stimulated, and this will also be good for you because they can help you out with some things.
They Are Intelligent
These pooches are truly a delight to train. Their memory is incredible even when they are puppies. There is a saying that you can not teach an old dog new tricks, but this dog will not agree with that.
Even when they get older, they are more than willing to learn new things. They are focused, but they also have a playful side to them that can make training sessions really fun even for the dog owner.
You can always use some treats to speed up the process. But, do not let them fool you – especially with the power of puppy eyes. They might try to get a lot more treats than they are allowed.
Black Golden Retriever: Appearance
When it comes to mixed breeds, you need to know that sometimes you can not predict how they will look. Some mixed breeds have truly developed their physical characteristics, and they now have an appearance that they are known for.
A Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle is one of those examples. It is known that they will have a curly coat like a Poodle, and will have some shade of cream coat color.
Even though the black Goldie is not that known, they have a characteristic appearance. This is one of the reasons why they are thought to be purebred Goldies with a different color.
General Appearance
The easiest way to describe these dogs is to look at either an English or an American Golden Retriever. Their build is very similar. The head will resemble the English cream Golden Retriever, which makes it narrower than the American one.
American Golden Retrievers are leaner than the English ones, and this mix will resemble the American Goldie more in that sense.
They will have long and droopy ears that are covered in long hair. In most cases, their tail will be the same as the Golden’s – long, and with long hair. It almost looks like a decoration, and the tail for sure can make them appear more elegant.
When it comes to their size, it can vary depending on what dog they take on more, but since all the dogs are similar in height, the difference will not be that big.
The average height of these dogs is somewhere between 23 and 35 inches, and they can weigh around 65 to 75 pounds.
Coat
This is the thing that is most similar to the Golden Retriever. In most cases, they will have a long coat, but the color will be taken from either the black Retriever or the Flat-Coated Retriever. The color can range from pure black to dark brown.
When it comes to the length of the coat, there might be some differences between these mixed breeds. They can either have a long coat or a short coat that is more on the Labrador side, and they can either be fluffy or straight.
If the coat is short or fluffy, it might not look like a black Goldie, and in these cases, people might think that they are some other mixed breed.
Whatever the case might be, they will shed for sure because all three of the parents shed. People who have dog allergies will not appreciate all the hair around their home, so if you are one of them, you should reconsider getting this dog.
The Black Golden Retriever: Grooming
Having a dog that has a long coat can be sometimes difficult to maintain. You need to make sure that they are always brushed properly so they do not get tangled, washed accordingly, and all in all, groomed just right.
These pooches are not the ones that need regular trimming, but this depends on the preference of the owner. A lot of people tend not to touch the coat of these dogs because they consider that it is a part of them and an addition to their personality.
Whatever your preference might be, you need to know that all dogs that have a double coat should not be shaved, and this dog is one of them.
If you live somewhere in nature or you visit nature often, a shaved dog might be the easiest to maintain, but we advise you not to do so with this pooch.
There are always some things that you can do at home that will save you some money and time. Some of the things might be too much for you to do on your own, but if you want to try, you are more than welcome.
– Bathing. Bathing is one of those things that some people and dogs enjoy while others… well, it can get chaotic, to say the least. This is something that you need to teach your dog to enjoy from an early age because it will for sure make it easier when they grow up. When you live in an apartment, bathing can get a bit hectic, but try to make it a fun routine.
– Cleaning the ears. Since these dogs have droopy ears, a lot of things can go unnoticed like black gunk and ear mites. All you need is a cotton pad, an ear-cleaning product, and a clean towel. The process does not last long. If you see something stuck in there and do not feel comfortable getting it out by yourself, you can always call the vet.
– Clipping the nails. Sometimes, dog owners forget the nails. Dogs that spend a lot of time outside get their nails trimmed by the rough terrain. These pooches might be easier with this because they spend a lot of time outside. This can be a bit scary for some people, so you can hire a professional groomer to help you out with this.
– Brushing. This is the most important part of grooming for this dog, especially when they have a long coat. You should brush them on a daily basis, or at least a couple of times a week. This way, you will control their shedding and prevent any tangles from appearing.
The Black Golden Retriever: Health Issues
Every dog has some health issues that they are more prone to. When it comes to mixed breeds, there can be more potential health conditions that you need to keep an eye on because they can inherit them from both parents.
You need to know that this does not mean that your pooch will get any of these for sure. This is just a list that we like to make with every dog breed that we are describing so that potential future owners will know what to look out for.
Your dog should visit the vet regularly and receive all the necessary vaccinations. The thing you need to know as well is that sometimes you can be doing whatever is in your power to keep your dog healthy, but they can still get sick.
This is why we do not want you to get overwhelmed and feel guilty. We are sure that you do your best, but things still can happen.
Here are some of the health issues that this dog can be more prone to:
– Patellar luxation
– Osteosarcoma
– Hemangiosarcoma
– Bloat
– Hip Dysplasia
– Epilepsy
Their lifespan can be anywhere from 10 to 12 years if their health is in good condition.
Small Lecture On Genetics And Coat Color
When it comes to genetics and coat colors, there are two alleles – recessive and dominant ones. The dominant allele ‘E’ is the one that is responsible for the production of the black pigment, known as eumelanin.
The recessive allele ‘e’ (or the recessive gene) is the one that is responsible for turning all the eumelanin into pheomelanin. This gives the dog yellow or red hues.
It is impossible for the Golden Retriever to pass on the dominant ‘E’ allele, and because of that, they can never be black.
Some genetic mutations can appear and give the Goldie a black or dark mark, but it will never make them black completely. The mark can be described as a birthmark, but their golden coat will still remain golden.
To Sum It All Up
Black Golden Retriever is not a purebred dog. This is a mix of either a Labrador Retriever or a Flat-Coated Retriever with a Goldie. A purebred Flat-Coated Retriever can also be considered as a black Goldie because there are a lot of similarities when it comes to appearance.
This black dog has a lot of debate, but one thing is for sure – they are truly amazing. Their personalities are just to die for. Fun, hardworking, loving, and intelligent family pets are just some of the ways you can describe these dogs.
We hope that this article has taught you a lot of things about this mixed breed, and that if you had any doubts about getting one, they went away.