Black Golden Retriever
Purebred Black Golden Retrievers do occur naturally, but they do not meet the AKC standard for the breed. In other words, a black Golden Retriever or even a very dark mahogany or red Golden will not be considered for AKC papers or be eligible to participate in a dog show. A Black Golden Retriever can make a perfectly wonderful family pet, however.
Black Golden Retrievers can also be the result of mixing Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers on purpose. Hybrid dog mixes have become very popular in recent years, and Lab/Golden mixes are among the many hybrid dogs that are catching on.
The AKC refers to Lab/Golden mixes as Golden Labradors, but they are also often called Goldadors or Goldador Retrievers. Goldadors are not a separate breed in their own right, but they are frequently bred on purpose. Some kennels intentional breed many generations of Golden Labradors, so these dogs may or may not be 50/50 Labrador and Golden.
Should you consider adopting a Black Golden Retriever? That depends entirely on why you want the dog and what you intend to do with it. If you are looking for a show dog for professional development, a Black Golden Retriever is not the right animal for you, since it doesn’t meet the accepted standards. If you are looking for a family pet or a hunting dog, you will want to discuss that individual dog’s temperament with the breeder.
A good breeder will want to match you up to an animal most likely to fit into your household. Black Golden Retrievers that are a Golden/Lab mix can be exceptional hunting dogs; possessing the best qualities of each separate breed in one animal. Black Goldens that get their coloroation from being the unusual dark pups from a purebred litter can make perfectly wonderful family pets. What you decide depends entirely on your own personal situation.
If you are buying a Black Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder who is not mixing Labs and Goldens on purpose, the breeder should definitely give you a bit of break on the price and should offer this without you having to ask. On the other hand, Golden/Lab mixes can be nearly as valuable as purebred Goldens depending on where you live and the demand for these dogs in your specific area. You may or may not save money by buying a Black Golden.
Both Labs and Golden Retrievers are medium sized dogs with lots of variation within each breed in terms of size and color. Purebred male Black Golden Retrievers and black Golden/Lab mixes weigh about 65-75 pounds fully grown. Females weigh about 55-65 pounds. A Black Golden Retriever that is over 100 pounds in weight is considered obese. Labs and Goldens both stand about 26 inches at the shoulder for males, with females a bit shorter and smaller.
Black Golden Retrievers that come from purebred stock can be shorthaired or long-haired, depending on whether the parents are English Golden Retrievers or American Golden Retrievers. English Golden Retrievers have shorter fur and a stockier build than longhaired American Retrievers, but both variations can produce an occasional black pup in aby normal litter.
The color black is recessive in Golden Retrievers, meaning it occurs very rarely because other colors are genetically stronger. This does not mean that purebred Black Golden Retrievers are naturally any weaker or less healthy than their paler brothers and sisters. Black Golden Retrievers are just as susceptible to genetic diseases as any other Retriever, however. Breeders should screen all parent dogs for these problems and present buyers with proof of such screening no matter what color the dog is.
Black Goldador mixes should also be screened for inherited diseases common to large dogs. Buying a Black Golden Retriever or a Black Golden/Lab mix from a classified ad or a pet store is tempting, but in the long run you’ll spend more money and experience more grief if you take home a dog with a genetic problem that you will if you bite the bullet and buy from a reputable breeder. Some genetic bone disorders can be repaired with expensive, difficult surgery, but often a dog with a genetic disorder must be euthanized.
In short, Black Golden Retrievers are every bit as friendly, energetic, and rewarding as pale Goldens. Buy your Black Golden Retriever from a reputable breeder, train it well, find a good vet, and you are sure to have many happy and memorable years together.
