There Are 3 Varieties of Golden Retrievers: Here's What You Should Know About Them

Though Golden Retrievers were initially bred to handle the rainy climate and rugged terrain [1] of the Highlands in Scotland, they've since become one of America's most popular dog breeds [2]. Whether they're hunting, working as guides for the blind, performing search-and-rescue missions, or cuddling on the couch [3], 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.

Canadian Golden Retriever

Unlike British and American Golden Retrievers, the golden coats of Canadian Golden Retrievers are generally shorter and thinner [5] 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.

Canadian Golden Retriever

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-coloured coats [6], 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.

British Golden Retriever

American Golden Retriever

According to the Golden Retriever Club of America, American Golden Retrievers are most easily recognised by their colour [7], 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.