Black Golden Retriever: Breed Info, Pictures, Facts & Traits
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If you’re looking for a family-oriented dog that’s friendly, loyal, and lots of fun to be around, you should consider the Black Golden Retriever. As the name suggests, the Black Golden Retriever looks a lot like a Golden Retriever1 with a black coat.
The striking appearance of this dog’s lush, black fluffy coat, along with its playful and loyal nature, makes it an amazing dog to own. On top of being beautiful to look at and very good-natured, the Black Golden Retriever has an interesting history behind it.
If you’re thinking of getting a Black Golden as the breed is also called, continue reading to find out more about the breed to ensure it’s a good fit for you.
The Earliest Records of The Black Golden Retriever in History
It’s believed that the Black Golden Retriever dates back to the 1860s in Scotland. The story goes that a Scottish breeder bred a wavy-coated black Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel, producing a litter of yellow puppies he later used to continue breeding. He then bred a light-colored Bloodhound with a black Flat Coated Retriever to produce the Black Golden Retriever.
The primary reason we have Black Golden Retrievers is that this breed possesses recessive genes from the black Flat Coated Retriever. It’s also likely that another dog was used for breeding along the way without recording it, as keeping formal breeding records wasn’t a priority for many people years ago. So, it’s anyone’s guess if the Black Golden Retriever’s midnight-colored coat comes from a generation or two back in its ancestral line or spans back much further.
How the Black Golden Retriever Gained Popularity
The Black Golden Retriever became popular during the late 1800s when many people wanted large and friendly black dogs. The Black Golden’s friendly nature and athletic build quickly won the hearts of people in Scotland, the UK, and later, in much of the world including the United States.
The loveable Golden Retriever had already won the hearts of people the world over, so when the Black Golden sprung onto the scene, dog lovers were giddy with excitement. After all, the Black Golden Retriever has the same amazing temperament as the Golden Retriever, only it proudly wore a pitch-black and shiny coat.
Formal Recognition of the Black Golden Retriever
The Black Golden Retriever is not a breed that’s recognized by the American Kennel Club, the UK Kennel Club, or the Canadian Kennel Club. You cannot register a Black Golden Retriever with any of these organizations because the dog is not considered purebred.
With that being said, the Black Golden Retriever is still considered a healthy and viable breed that is welcome to compete in many hunting trials and other types of dog sports that the Golden Retriever is welcomed to attend. Even though it’s impossible to register a Black Golden Retriever with the American Kennel Club, this dog still makes an amazing pet that’s friendly, fun-loving, and loyal.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Black Golden Retrievers
1. It’s a Dog That Likes to Go
The Black Golden Retriever is an active dog that requires a lot of exercise. If you want a dog you can play with for hours and one that will want to join you wherever you go, a Black Golden may be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you’re on the lazy side, this dog may be too much for you to handle.
2. It Looks Very Similar to a Golden Retriever
The Black Golden Retriever looks a lot like a Golden Retriever as both dogs have the same body shape and size, albeit the Black Golden often has a narrower head. What’s different about these two breeds is the Black Golden can have shorter, straighter fur, like a Flat Coated Retriever, and it can be many shades of dark brown to black.
3. It Loves the Water
If you decide to get a Black Golden Retriever and you have a swimming pool or lake nearby, expect your dog to be drawn to the water. Black Goldens love the water and are adept swimmers. This is great news if you spend lots of time poolside or at the beach because your dog will want to follow along so he can spend time splashing away and having fun.
Does a Black Golden Retriever Make a Good Pet?
The Black Golden Retriever has a wonderful personality that can be a bit goofy at times. This is a kind, sweet, and loving dog that gets along well with people of all ages.
A Black Golden Retriever can be a wonderful pet for anyone who has the space available to keep a large dog that needs plenty of daily exercise and lots of human interaction. The Black Golden Retriever has plenty of energy, so having a big, fenced yard would be ideal. This dog also makes a great watchdog that will keep an eye on your home and alert you to anything that’s out of the ordinary.
Conclusion
The Black Golden Retriever is a beautiful dog that shares many similarities with the lighter-colored Golden Retriever. In a way, the Black Golden has gotten a bad rap, as this breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Nonetheless, the Black Golden is an amazing dog that’s loads of fun to be around. If you decide you get a Black Golden Retriever, you’ll have a loyal and loving friend for life!
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Featured Image Credit: Fotoshautnah, Pixabay
