Black Golden Retriever
Black Goldens and regular Golden Retrievers are very similar dogs through and through. The primary difference is in their fur color and texture, which you’ll be able to tell from the moment you give one of them a pet.
If you’ve already been a parent to a Golden Retriever, you already know how to train a Black Golden the right way. The dogs are almost identical in terms of temperament, energy levels, and more.
However, remember that some Golden Retrievers can be purebred, meaning they’ll only have typical Golden Retriever characteristics. In contrast, Black Goldens by their very definition have some other breeds mixed in with their genes. Therefore, a given Black Golden might have a few minor behavioral differences based on whatever breed gave them their black coat.
If you plan on adopting a Black Golden, it might be smart to do a DNA test and find out what other breeds are mixed in with their genetics. This can give you some insight into their future behavior and what training styles might be most successful for your dog.
What Are Black Golden Retrievers? Are They “Real”?
Let’s clear up a little confusion right off the bat – Black Golden Retrievers do exist, but they aren’t considered purebred by any means.
A “normal” Golden Retriever will obviously be marked by its titular golden coat of fur. So what happens when a Golden Retriever is all black instead?
In all cases, it’s due to one or more recessive genes combining and causing a black coat to be produced instead. These genes, of course, come from the pup’s parents. Naturally, a black coat is not native to the genes of a purebred Golden Retriever, which means that the black fur gene has to come from somewhere else.
This doesn’t mean that a Black Golden Retriever’s parents weren’t also mostly or almost entirely Golden Retrievers. It just means that, somewhere down the line, one or both parents had an ancestor (such as a grandparent or great-grandparent) that had black fur.
Because of this, a Black Golden Retriever isn’t considered a purebred. Some speculate that Black Golden dogs come from mixes between regular Golden Retrievers with Flat-Coated Retrievers decades ago.
However, Black Golden Retrievers can look just as beautiful as their golden-furred counterparts. Black Golden Retrievers can also make fantastic companions. Aside from the color of their fur, Black Golden Retrievers are essentially the same dogs as regular Retrievers.
Since they’re very similar to Golden Retriever, Black Goldens are generally happy and sociable dogs that are perfect companions for families or active adults. Even better, Black Goldens are usually quite easy to train, making them perfect trick dogs or assistant dogs.
Black Golden Temperament and Energy Levels
What about temperament? Black Goldens are friendly, easygoing canines that have a goofy or silly streak that never really goes away. Black Golden Retrievers are also usually quite loving and will be devoted to your family if you decide to get one. In addition, Black Goldens are quite smart and can pick up new commands or tricks pretty easily.
Just like their Golden Retriever cousins, Black Goldens have a deep need for exercise. These dogs will live their best lives if they have enough room outside to run around, like a backyard. Alternatively, you can take a Black Golden walking or hiking frequently to make sure they don’t feel too cooped up in a house.
Black Golden Puppies
When training a Black Golden as a puppy, you’ll need to be very strict regarding bite control and teaching them not to chew on things throughout the house. Even with proper training, it’s not uncommon for Black Goldens to pick a favorite shoe or sock to snack on if they become bored. Be sure to give your Black Golden puppy plenty of toys so they don’t do this!
Black Goldens have a few differences in terms of their physical characteristics compared to regular Golden Retrievers. For example, their coats are usually a little shorter and smoother than the thick, wavy coats of regular Goldens. This may make them a little easier to groom and clean – you might even benefit from less shedding on your furniture and clothes!
Black Goldens should live for about 10-12 years on average and will typically stand between 23 and 24 inches tall. Black Goldens usually weigh between 60 and 80 pounds with some variation depending on the sex of the dog.
Black vs Traditional Golden Retrievers
Black Goldens and regular Golden Retrievers are very similar dogs through and through. The primary difference is in their fur color and texture, which you’ll be able to tell from the moment you give one of them a pet.
If you’ve already been a parent to a Golden Retriever, you already know how to train a Black Golden the right way. The dogs are almost identical in terms of temperament, energy levels, and more.
However, remember that some Golden Retrievers can be purebred, meaning they’ll only have typical Golden Retriever characteristics. In contrast, Black Goldens by their very definition have some other breeds mixed in with their genes. Therefore, a given Black Golden might have a few minor behavioral differences based on whatever breed gave them their black coat.
If you plan on adopting a Black Golden, it might be smart to do a DNA test and find out what other breeds are mixed in with their genetics. This can give you some insight into their future behavior and what training styles might be most successful for your dog.
Is a Black Golden Retriever Right for You?
All in all, Black Goldens are fantastic dogs for families and for active folks who want a long-time, loving canine companion. They’re also a little more visually distinct and unique compared to regular Golden Retrievers.
Unfortunately, their black fur coats lead some people to assume that Black Goldens will be more aggressive or less sociable. This is not the case, yet it results in plenty of Black Goldens never finding their forever homes. You can do your part by making sure at least one Black Golden gets a loving family to call their own.
We’d recommend Black Goldens if you have a family, have room to play, and want a sociable, goofy dog to be your friend for over a decade.