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Block Head Golden Retriever | Dog Breed Info: Pictures,

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By Nicole Cosgrove

smiling retriever

Height: 21.5 – 24 inches
Weight: 55 – 75 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Colors: Cream and white (most common colors), can also be found in varying shades of gold
Suitable for: Any family or individual who can tolerate shedding.
Temperament: Loyal & loving, intelligent, super easy to train, very sociable, can be talkative, eager to please

There’s really no other dog breed around quite like a Golden Retriever.

These pups are part of the working group of dogs, and they absolutely love working for you. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any other dog breed that’s so content on making you happy. They are also the ultimate family dog! And that’s probably why they’ve been in the top three most popular dogs on the planet since the turn of the century—and many years before that. Let’s learn more about the Block Head Golden Retriever if you’re thinking of adding one to your family.

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Block Head Golden Retriever Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Now, there’s one thing to keep in mind when you’re thinking of getting a Block Head Golden Retriever. They’re just a differently built Golden Retriever. All of the famous loving and gentle characteristics of other Goldens are found within the Block Head Golden Retriever.

As a matter of fact, Block Head Golden Retrievers can be born within the same litter as Goldens with more wedge-shaped heads. The Block Head Golden Retriever, though, is more commonly found within British or English Golden Retrievers.

These British Goldens usually have a much lighter cream-colored coat than when compared to American or Canadian Golden Retrievers. Also, they tend to have longer more feathery coats as well.

However, the biggest differences found within these pups lie with their physical builds. The Block Head Golden Retriever has a much broader head than other retrievers. Along with that, their eyes are often much rounder and darker than other Goldens whose eyes tend to be more almond shape and lighter in color.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Block Head Golden Retriever

1. Block Head Golden Retrievers are less prone to cancer.

In a 1998 study on Golden Retrievers, English Golden Retrievers were shown to be affected by cancer at a 38.8 percent rate when compared to other Goldens at 61.8 percent. Studies have also shown that this sub-breed live longer lives than other types of Golden Retriever.


2. Many of these Golden Retrievers are not an AKC recognized color.

The only colors of Golden Retriever that are recognized by the American Kennel Club are light golden, golden, and dark golden. Cream-colored or white Golden Retrievers are not certified colors. However, you may see some owners and breeders bypassing the system by registering them as “light golden”. Block Head Golden Retrievers are more commonly found among white and cream-colored retrievers.


3. Block Head Golden Retrievers are walking garbage cans!

Not to say that they smell bad, but these dogs will eat anything and everything. As a matter of fact, they’re so enamored with food, this breed is extremely prone to obesity and overfeeding. Do not be fooled by their wily charm and lovable face. They don’t necessarily need the 4 extra cups of food they’re asking for!

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Block Head Golden Retriever🧠

Mean and difficult Golden Retrievers are hard to find. As a matter of fact, you may spend your whole life looking and not find a single one. They are amongst the gentlest and kindest souls of any living creature on the planet. Not only that, but they are exceptionally loyal and faithful dogs that live to make their masters and families happy.

They are also very intelligent dogs. Normally, intelligence and stubbornness go hand-in-hand when it comes to dogs. However, such is not the case with the Block Head Golden Retriever. Their desire to please overrides the usual stubborn urges. In turn, Goldens are very easy to train.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

When it comes to looking for the best family dog around, Golden Retrievers in general are usually the overall pick over any other dog breed. They’re super patient and love being friends to children of all ages. Golden Retrievers are also known for their “gentle mouths” and are more prone to walk around carrying a favorite towel or rug than actually bite anything or anyone.

They can also be trained to help out elderly individuals or other family members with disabilities. We cannot recommend this dog enough when it comes to finding the perfect dog for any family situation.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Not only does this dog get along with other pets, they also love them! To the Block Head Golden Retriever, other pets are just playmates and family members. They’ll do their absolute best to treat them as part of the family and please them just as they would their masters.

If you’re considering adding a new dog to your family—especially if you have other pets—you won’t go wrong when choosing a Golden Retriever.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Block Head Golden Retriever:

Owning a Block Head Golden Retriever truly is a joy. However, just like any breed, there are some key things to note when properly raising one.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

When it comes to their diet, they’ll generally eat anything and everything put in front of them. Seldom will you find a picky eater among this bunch. And that’s why you need to pay close attention to what they’re eating. They might get into something they shouldn’t (such as pesticides or fertilizer) and eat it because it looks like kibble.

Also, you’ll need to do your absolute best not to fall for their puppy eyes and give them more food than they need. Being larger dogs, 3-4 cups of high-quality food a day should be more than sufficient. And we recommend spacing out their feedings as well instead of leaving constant food in their bowls. That’s just an easy way to start overfeeding.

Exercise 🐕

Golden Retrievers (including the Block Head) are active, playful dogs. They might not have the full-on energy of a Husky or Australian Cattle Dog, but they definitely love to play. A good solid hour of play each day will satisfy their exercise requirements. However, they may want more just because they’ll love spending so much quality time with you. These dogs are also known for their puppy-like personality even late into their twilight years.

close up golden retriever
Image Credit: Jonathan Meyer, Pexels

Training 🦮 

This is one of the easiest dogs out there to train. And that’s because they’re smart with a hard drive to please their owners. And while they love a good treat as a reward, Goldens will appreciate a nice head scratch and an “Attaboy!” even more.

Grooming ✂️

Perhaps the biggest downfall to the Golden Retriever is their propensity for shedding. They aren’t a shed-free or hypoallergenic breed—especially a Block Headed English—so we recommend you invest in a quality vacuum cleaner.

To minimize their shedding, you should brush your Golden fully 2-3 times a week with a slicker brush. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be an issue as they’ll love the time and attention you’re giving to them.

Health and Conditions ❤️

As far as general health is concerned, Golden Retrievers are relatively robust when compared to other dog breeds. However, there a few conditions that the breed is more prone to than others.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are the two biggest areas of concern for these dogs. This is more commonly found in larger dogs. These conditions are when the hip or elbow bones don’t fit snugly into their respective joints. This can lead to arthritis and other problems down the road. These are inheritable genetic conditions as well. So, if your Golden is experiencing these conditions, you should avoid breeding them.

Another big cause of concern for this breed in particular is gastric dilation-volvulus—more commonly known as bloat. Due to their innate ability to consume anything and everything at the speed of light, they’re much more prone to swallowing more air than other dogs. If you realize your pup eats too much too fast, just make sure they get a good rest or nap immediately afterward before letting them run off and play.

Minor Conditions
  • Arthritis
  • Cataracts
Serious Conditions
  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Hypothyroidism

Male vs. Female

There are very few differences when it comes to male and female Block Head Golden Retrievers. Females may be slightly smaller and faster to mature, but as far as which one makes a better pet, there’s really no right answer, so it is a matter of personal preference.

Whichever sex you get, it is important to spay or neuter your dog. This not only prevents roaming behaviors and puppies, but it can also reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviors associated with mating and can reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.

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Final Thoughts

There’s a reason why Golden Retrievers are among the top three dog breeds in the world. They’re loyal, lovable, great with families, easy to train, and an all-around good time. And these Block Head retrievers are no different. They actually live longer and are generally healthier as well.

Just be sure when searching around for your new family member, you find a reputable breeder. The immense popularity of these pups can lead to some pretty shady breeding practices.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: JACLOU-DL, Pixabay

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