19 Yellow & Golden Dog Breeds (With Pictures)
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When you think of yellow or golden dogs, your mind likely goes immediately to yellow Labs and Golden Retrievers. While these are the two most popular dog types, they’re far from the only yellow and golden options out there.
In the list below, we rounded up a few of our favorite light-colored breeds. The yellow and golden dogs on the list represent animals of all sizes from all parts of the world. Who knows, you may just find your next best friend among their ranks?
The 19 Yellow & Golden Dog Breeds
1. Yellow Labradors
Just because we said that these are the first dog you think of when you think of light-colored pups doesn’t mean they won’t be on our list of yellow & golden dog breeds (and you can probably guess what dog will come in at #2). Yellow Labradors are the prototypical dog: intelligent, loyal, playful, and great with kids.
2. Golden Retriever
These high-energy pups make fantastic pets, although they do need plenty of exercise (and regular grooming). Golden Retrievers perform equally well as working dogs as they do pets, and they can thrive in just about any conditions.
3. Chow Chow
Chow Chows look like miniature golden bears, and they’re as well-known for their smushy faces as they are for their blue tongues. They’re difficult pets for first-time owners, though, as they tend to be suspicious of strangers (you would be too, though, if every stranger you met wanted to smush your face).
4. Pomeranian
Next on our list of yellow & golden dog breeds is the Pomeranian. This popular toy breed is often gold and white, although they also sometimes have orange and red mixed in. Just because they’re tiny little lapdogs doesn’t mean that Pomeranians don’t have feisty spirits, though, and they make surprisingly good guard dogs despite the fact that they can’t physically overpower anything larger than a cricket.
5. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Known for the prominent line of fur that runs down their backs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are usually a solid golden color. You may be tempted to make fun of them for being blonde, but before you do, remember they were originally bred to protect sheep and cattle from lions, so be careful.
6. Jindo
These medium-sized dogs are found almost exclusively in Japan and Korea, largely due to restrictions on exporting them. Regardless, Jindos are extremely intelligent and beautiful, and they’re a lot like Border Collies in terms of energy and temperament.
7. Afghan Hound
You won’t find many other breeds that look like Afghan Hounds, as these big pups look like short-haired dogs wearing long-haired sweaters. They come in a wide range of colors, but gold, white, and cream are the most common.
8. Goldendoodle
A relatively new designer breed, Goldendoodles are a mix of Golden Retrievers and Poodles. They’re hypoallergenic, which makes them popular for dog lovers with allergies. They’re also fantastically intelligent, although they tend to get destructive if not provided with enough daily exercise.
9. Shar-Pei
Famous for their wrinkly faces, Shar-Peis are an ancient breed that originated as guard dogs in China. These are medium-sized dogs, but they often seem to be bigger and fatter than they actually are, thanks to all their extra skin.
10. Bullmastiff
If you can’t decide between getting a dog or a horse, a Bullmastiff might be a good compromise. These giant dogs are gentle giants, but they make excellent guard dogs, as you certainly don’t want to make them angry. Also, if their teeth don’t get you, their flatulence will.
11. Boerboel
Up next on our list of yellow & golden dog breeds is the Boerboel. These guard dogs hail from South Africa, where they were bred to protect livestock from predators. Boerboels have short, golden coats that require little grooming, and they get along well with children. Just be aware that they can weigh as much as 180 pounds, so you may have to choose between feeding your dog and feeding your kids.
12. Bloodhound
Renowned for their incredible sense of smell, Bloodhounds have golden or black-and-tan coats to go along with their sad, droopy eyes. They make fantastic pets, although you may not want to keep one in an apartment, as their barks can raise the dead.
13. Kangal
Another giant guard dog, Kangals started off in Turkey, where they protected other animals from wolves. They make excellent family pets, although if you’re looking for something to protect your kids from wolves, you might be better off moving rather than getting a dog.
14. Cairn Terrier
You probably know Cairn Terriers from The Wizard of Oz, as Toto was a member of this breed. They make great, low-maintenance pets, even in apartments, although they’ll do little to protect you from witches and flying monkeys.
15. Vizsla
Similar in size and temperament to Wirehaired Pointers, Vizslas make excellent pets, as they’re calm, affectionate, and not prone to aggression. They’re usually monochromatic, but their golden coats are sometimes flecked with white markings.
16. Scottish Terrier
Scottish Terriers are more commonly known for having black coats. Certain members of the breed have yellow coats, but regardless of their color, one thing is for certain: you’d better set aside quite a bit of time to groom them every week.
17. Dogue de Bordeaux
Also known as the “French Mastiff,” the Dogue de Bordeaux is a huge, gentle breed that prefers curling up next to you on the couch to venturing off on long hikes. They make great guard dogs, but are prone to health problems and have relatively short lifespans.
18. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
While these hunting dogs can also be found in chocolate, they’re also commonly yellow or gold. They love to have a job to do, so if you’re not going to take your hunting, expect to play hours and hours of fetch every day. Then, once you’re done, it will be time to play more fetch.
19. Brussels Griffon
This toy breed has a curly coat and what can only be described as a Wookie-like face. They tend to think they’re as formidable as Chewbacca, too, so while they can make good guard dogs, you’ll have to be wary of any aggression issues.
Worth Their Weight in Gold
The yellow & golden dogs on this list represent some of the most popular breeds in the world, and they come in all shapes and sizes. If you can’t find the perfect pet on this list, you’re not looking hard enough.
Then again, there are so many retrievers here that you may not have to look at all — they’ll come find you.
Featured Image Credit: RetyiRetyi, Pixabay
