Many people believe that Golden Retrievers only come in a simple shade of ‘gold’, hence the name. However, Golden Retrievers can have an entire black coloration which enhances their long, fluffy coat and generally attracts many dog owners. These dogs have a lush, ebony-colored coat that shines. These are beautiful and fascinating colored dogs that have much to offer in the form of appearance and temperament. The Black Golden Retriever is highly intelligent and playful, with a loyal nature. Not only is their appearance striking, but their origin and history are fascinating as well. If you are interested in learning more about this Golden Retriever coloration, then this article is perfect for you! The Earliest Records of Black Golden Retrievers in History The Black Golden Retriever originates from the United Kingdom, England, and Scotland. The Black Golden Retriever is not an AKC-registered purebred as it most likely has a mix of another dog breed in their ancestry – the flat-coated retriever or Labrador. In 1868, a Scottish man bred a black wavy coated retriever to a Tweed water spaniel which produced a litter of three yellow puppies which were the base for continued breeding. He then used the sandy-colored Bloodhound and a flat-coated black retriever in breeding efforts to produce his goal breed. The result was an energetic and loyal dog who could retrieve downed waterfowl during a hunting trip. The main reason the Black Golden Retriever exists is that it carries recessive genes from the flat-coated Black Retriever. It is also possible that a breeder added a new dog breed into the mix without reporting it to breeding authorities. The dog’s black coat could be from just one generation back in their ancestry lineage or span back several generations.
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A post shared by Lizzie & Rawlings (@lizzie.the.black.goldador)
How Black Golden Retrievers Gained Popularity Black Golden Retrievers first gained popularity in the 19th century when black was a preferred and rare color for a Golden Retriever to have. The athletic build and affectionate temperament drew in dog owners worldwide. Since this dog features a genetic mutation, there was originally a lot of fascination and confusion as to how such a unique-looking Golden Retriever was produced. The Black Golden Retriever has all the same temperament and husbandry requirements as the original Golden Retriever; however, their coat is more sought out and unique. Furthermore, excitement over this color mutation spans way back and better quality lineages have been produced from this coloration to create a stark black and shiny coat that can be long or short, wavy, or straight. Formal Recognition of Black Golden Retrievers According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Black Golden Retriever is not the official color form or dog breed relating to the Golden Retriever. The AKC states that their standard coat for a Golden Retriever is a rich, lustrous golden coat of varying shades, disallowing extremely light or dark coats. Following this information, it can be concluded that the Black Golden Retriever is considered a ‘polluted’ genetic mutation of the purebred Golden Retriever. However, the Black Golden Retriever has been part of many Golden Retriever clubs if their bloodline closely dates back to the generation of this dog breed.
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A post shared by Woodson (@woodson.theflatcoat)
Top 5 Unique Facts About Black Golden Retrievers
- Genetic Mutation The Black Golden Retriever is not a breed itself, but it can be considered a genetic mutation with a history of a Golden Retriever in their blood. This comes from generations of other dog breeds being mixed with the Golden Retriever to produce the ‘black’ coat we now see on the Black Golden Retriever. Image Credit by Pixabay
- Brains and Strength Golden retrievers are well-known and loved for their glamorous appearance and energetic and loyal temperament. Since the black coat is generally just a genetic mutation, the Black Golden Retriever has acquired the same popular temperament. These dogs are smart and easy to train while being incredibly strong and agile.
- Rarity The Black Golden Retriever can be considered rare. This is because there are not many specimens that have a black coloration while still featuring the typical look of the Golden Retriever.
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A post shared by The Guess pups🐾 (@raider.gunner.whiskey)
- Flat-coated or Golden Retriever? There is a lot of confusion over whether the black coloration can only come from the flat-coated or Golden Retriever which are two separate breeds that have slightly different appearances. However, a Golden Retriever can have a black coat coloration because of a genetic mutation, but it is easy to get the two breeds mixed up.
- Not AKC-registered Black Golden Retrievers are not a registered dog breed as they do not meet the AKC’s breed standards.
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A post shared by Woodson (@woodson.theflatcoat)
Does a Black Golden Retriever Make a Good Pet? This dog is great for children and adults alike. They are family-orientated and loyal which makes them a great guard dog that is active and goofy. Many owners will describe their Black Golden Retriever as a family dog that is willing to protect them, but not afraid to show their affectionate side by appreciating cuddles and pets. Black Golden Retrievers are a great choice for a dog if you have an active lifestyle. They will gladly accompany you on walks, hikes, and runs with bursts of energy and excitement. This dog has all the loveable qualities of the popular Golden Retriever, which is why this rare coat-coloration is so interesting. The Black Golden Retrievers are a lifelong commitment as they can live for over a decade. You need to be prepared to care for them for several years and plans are necessary to ensure that your Black Golden Retriever always has a safe place to go if you can no longer care for them. Conclusion The Black Golden Retriever has an interesting history and a confusing ancestry, but they are worthy dogs full of personality and a luxurious coat appearance. Aside from being such an undeniably family-orientated and obedience dog that can fit into nearly every family, the Black Golden Retriever will turn heads with its beauty and this dog is guaranteed to be a great companion for years to come. We hope that this article has taught you something new about the backstory of the Black Golden Retriever.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
Many people believe that Golden Retrievers only come in a simple shade of ‘gold’, hence the name. However, Golden Retrievers can have an entire black coloration which enhances their long, fluffy coat and generally attracts many dog owners. These dogs have a lush, ebony-colored coat that shines. These are beautiful and fascinating colored dogs that have much to offer in the form of appearance and temperament. The Black Golden Retriever is highly intelligent and playful, with a loyal nature. Not only is their appearance striking, but their origin and history are fascinating as well.
If you are interested in learning more about this Golden Retriever coloration, then this article is perfect for you!
The Earliest Records of Black Golden Retrievers in History
The Black Golden Retriever originates from the United Kingdom, England, and Scotland. The Black Golden Retriever is not an AKC-registered purebred as it most likely has a mix of another dog breed in their ancestry – the flat-coated retriever or Labrador.
In 1868, a Scottish man bred a black wavy coated retriever to a Tweed water spaniel which produced a litter of three yellow puppies which were the base for continued breeding. He then used the sandy-colored Bloodhound and a flat-coated black retriever in breeding efforts to produce his goal breed. The result was an energetic and loyal dog who could retrieve downed waterfowl during a hunting trip.
The main reason the Black Golden Retriever exists is that it carries recessive genes from the flat-coated Black Retriever. It is also possible that a breeder added a new dog breed into the mix without reporting it to breeding authorities. The dog’s black coat could be from just one generation back in their ancestry lineage or span back several generations.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lizzie & Rawlings (@lizzie.the.black.goldador)
How Black Golden Retrievers Gained Popularity
Black Golden Retrievers first gained popularity in the 19th century when black was a preferred and rare color for a Golden Retriever to have. The athletic build and affectionate temperament drew in dog owners worldwide. Since this dog features a genetic mutation, there was originally a lot of fascination and confusion as to how such a unique-looking Golden Retriever was produced. The Black Golden Retriever has all the same temperament and husbandry requirements as the original Golden Retriever; however, their coat is more sought out and unique.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lizzie & Rawlings (@lizzie.the.black.goldador)
A post shared by Lizzie & Rawlings (@lizzie.the.black.goldador)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Furthermore, excitement over this color mutation spans way back and better quality lineages have been produced from this coloration to create a stark black and shiny coat that can be long or short, wavy, or straight.
Formal Recognition of Black Golden Retrievers
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Black Golden Retriever is not the official color form or dog breed relating to the Golden Retriever. The AKC states that their standard coat for a Golden Retriever is a rich, lustrous golden coat of varying shades, disallowing extremely light or dark coats. Following this information, it can be concluded that the Black Golden Retriever is considered a ‘polluted’ genetic mutation of the purebred Golden Retriever.
However, the Black Golden Retriever has been part of many Golden Retriever clubs if their bloodline closely dates back to the generation of this dog breed.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Woodson (@woodson.theflatcoat)
Top 5 Unique Facts About Black Golden Retrievers
1. Genetic Mutation
The Black Golden Retriever is not a breed itself, but it can be considered a genetic mutation with a history of a Golden Retriever in their blood. This comes from generations of other dog breeds being mixed with the Golden Retriever to produce the ‘black’ coat we now see on the Black Golden Retriever.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Woodson (@woodson.theflatcoat)
A post shared by Woodson (@woodson.theflatcoat)
2. Brains and Strength
Golden retrievers are well-known and loved for their glamorous appearance and energetic and loyal temperament. Since the black coat is generally just a genetic mutation, the Black Golden Retriever has acquired the same popular temperament. These dogs are smart and easy to train while being incredibly strong and agile.
3. Rarity
The Black Golden Retriever can be considered rare. This is because there are not many specimens that have a black coloration while still featuring the typical look of the Golden Retriever.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The Guess pups🐾 (@raider.gunner.whiskey)
4. Flat-coated or Golden Retriever?
There is a lot of confusion over whether the black coloration can only come from the flat-coated or Golden Retriever which are two separate breeds that have slightly different appearances. However, a Golden Retriever can have a black coat coloration because of a genetic mutation, but it is easy to get the two breeds mixed up.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The Guess pups🐾 (@raider.gunner.whiskey)
A post shared by The Guess pups🐾 (@raider.gunner.whiskey)
5. Not AKC-registered
Black Golden Retrievers are not a registered dog breed as they do not meet the AKC’s breed standards.
Does a Black Golden Retriever Make a Good Pet?
This dog is great for children and adults alike. They are family-orientated and loyal which makes them a great guard dog that is active and goofy. Many owners will describe their Black Golden Retriever as a family dog that is willing to protect them, but not afraid to show their affectionate side by appreciating cuddles and pets.
Black Golden Retrievers are a great choice for a dog if you have an active lifestyle. They will gladly accompany you on walks, hikes, and runs with bursts of energy and excitement. This dog has all the loveable qualities of the popular Golden Retriever, which is why this rare coat-coloration is so interesting.
The Black Golden Retrievers are a lifelong commitment as they can live for over a decade. You need to be prepared to care for them for several years and plans are necessary to ensure that your Black Golden Retriever always has a safe place to go if you can no longer care for them.
Conclusion
The Black Golden Retriever has an interesting history and a confusing ancestry, but they are worthy dogs full of personality and a luxurious coat appearance. Aside from being such an undeniably family-orientated and obedience dog that can fit into nearly every family, the Black Golden Retriever will turn heads with its beauty and this dog is guaranteed to be a great companion for years to come.
We hope that this article has taught you something new about the backstory of the Black Golden Retriever.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
