If you are looking for a Golden Retriever puppy by now you have probably come across many sites that describe their Goldens with very picturesque adjectives as "English Cream Golden Retrievers" or "Rare White European Golden Retrievers" or ‘"Exquisite Platinum Imported Golden Retrievers" or "White Russian Golden Retrievers". Such cream Golden Retrievers are frequently being touted as being healthier, of having better temperament, of having stronger longevity and the implicit suggestion is that they therefore are more valuable than the more golden-colored Golden Retrievers. Do not be fooled by this marketing ploy! Not only the puppies these sites are advertising are substandard for several reasons that I will explain later, but this is a scam to make you believe that these puppies are special, hence to convince you to pay ridiculous amount of money to buy one. One of the intentions of these websites and their scams is to mislead the average puppy buyer into believing that such cream Golden Retrievers are a separate breed. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is only one Golden Retriever breed, governed by the breed standard endorsed by various recognized Kennel Clubs around the world. These fallacious websites make false statement about the breed standard adopted by different countries, claiming that there are major differences among them, to substantiate their effort to convince you that the English Creme is a totally different breed. Once again don't be fooled, breed standards only differ minimally on few points.
The cream colour has always been part of the full spectrum of colors found in our breed, as well as the deep gold tending to the red shades. Both light and dark shades can also occur in the very same Golden Retriever litter, with full siblings varying in color from very light cream to a rich gold.
Some breeders might prefer a lighter or a darker golden, but good breeders focus on the breed standard, which is the template of breed type. Type is "the desired physical features" which makes a dog a typical representative of its breed. Simply put, type is what makes a Golden Retriever a Golden Retriever and a Dobermann a Dobermann. Type includes movement, temperament and style. The various styles reflect the individual breeders' aesthetic preferences and their interpretation of the standard, however good Golden Retrievers of differing styles should all possess strong breed-type. They should be readily recognized as Golden Retrievers, whether they are a rich gold or a pale cream.
The Golden Retriever breed originates from Scotland, which is a part of Great Britain. All Golden Retrievers across the world are descended from this original Scottish stock. To call them ‘English Cream Golden Retrievers’ as it is done only is North America, is incorrect terminology first of all, and it is misleading as well, in fact the majority of these dogs do not even come from England, but are bred right here in North America. Ironically, the breeding stock these deceptive websites are displaying is generally coming from some poverty-stricken eastern european country, where some less than reputable breeders have discovered a very remunerative market in North America thanks to the "English cream" fad. The majority of these pseudo breeders in North America are either brokers that bring in shipments of puppies from the east of Europe for resale, or puppy millers. These poor puppies are Golden Retrievers just on papers, in reality they are so lacking in type they hardly look like a Golden, they are sickish looking and most of the time are already sick as puppies, and their parents do not have the necessary health clearances. They are high priced timing bombs.
To sum it up:
A scam alert bell should ring if you stumble upon:
*Any website that focus mainly on color or that claims that light creams are more valuable or healthier than darker colored Golden Retrievers.
*Any websites that claims that their English Creme dogs are more valuable than others because their pedigree is loaded with champions, to justify the high prices of the progeny - the value of the dog lays in a combination of factors: the pedigree, the dog itself, its health clearances, its achievements, his/her progeny, NOT in the pedigree alone.
*Any websites that sells puppies for a ridiculous amount of money.
Please do you research from well respected sources - breed clubs for example- before buying a puppy, to ensure you are dealing with a reputable breeder, someone with strong knowledge and ethics, that breeds for type and makes the interest of the breed his priority.
Please take your time to visit the following sites:
A note on the "Designer Dogs Fashion"
You might find website promoting "mini Goldens" or "comfort size Goldens" : they are nothing but a cross between a Golden and a Spaniel. Same as the Goldendoodle, a cross between a Golden and a Poodle. Beside the fact that these dogs are getting the worst of both breeds -their health problems for examples and not the best qualities as marketed- these dogs are mixed breeds, they do not have paperwork and are not recognized by any breed club. As such they should be free of charge.
If you want a mixed breed, go to the local shelter and adopt one of those pour souls!
Statements of Golden Retriever Club of America on Pure White/English Cream Goldens and Doodles:
Statements of Golden Retriever Club of Canada on Pure White/English Cream Goldens and Doodles:
