Thanks to their beautiful light cream coat, English Cream Golden Retrievers are head-turners wherever they go. These dogs are perceived to be rarer than the average Golden Retriever, but are they actually difficult to find?
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the English Golden Retriever.
We’ll also be addressing questions such as “What are the differences between English and American Golden Retrievers?”, “How much do they typically cost?”, and “Where can we find healthy English Golden Retrievers for sale?”
Contents show
Breed Overview
| Height: | 22 – 24 inches |
| Weight: | 50 – 75 pounds |
| Life Expectancy: | 10 – 12 years |
| Coat Colors: | Light cream |
| Temperament: | Calm, gentle, energetic, affectionate, friendly, active |
| Suitable for: | Families, active people; being a therapy dog |
What Is an English Cream Golden Retriever?
English Cream Golden Retrievers are descendants of gun dogs bred in Scotland. These cream pups originated alongside other members of the Golden Retriever breed; however, their peculiar coat color makes them unique. English Cream Goldens are loyal, friendly, and smart dogs.
English Cream Golden Retrievers are known for their many names, such as white Golden Retriever, rare white European Retriever, and platinum Retriever.
That said, in all parts of the world except the United States, these dogs are simply known as Golden Retrievers.
Some people think that English Goldens are a separate breed; however, this is not the case.
English Creams are merely a variation of the Golden Retriever breed. They only gained their fancy nicknames for their very light cream colors.
The distinction came from the fact that the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize such a breed as a part of the Golden Retriever family. Thus, it could be challenging for English Retrievers to be registered with the AKC.
If you want to know more about the different types of Golden Retrievers, feel free to watch this video:
3 Types of Golden Retrievers and How to Identify Them?
Are English Cream Golden Retrievers Rare?
A common misconception about this breed is that they are rare. If you think about it, this is quite a reasonable thought. After all, these dogs are also called the rare white European Retrievers.
However, while platinum Golden Retrievers may sound like a name for a rare pooch, they are actually pretty easy to find. These European Golden Retrievers have become so popular, that they are so common across the world.
Unlike other unique shades of the American Golden Retriever that may be extremely dark, the pale cream color of the English Golden has become a favored coat color by lovers of the Golden Retriever breed.
English Cream Golden Retriever Origin and History
English Cream Golden Retrievers share the same breed history as American Golden Retrievers. They descended from gun dogs bred by Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland,
The common Golden Retriever was produced by mixing a yellow Retriever with the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. The resulting offspring were bred and used to assist hunters in retrieving prey.
In the early 1900s, the English Cream Retriever was bred for dog shows. Winners of these dog shows were referred to as English champions by Americans.
Later on, the name stuck around, and these wonderful dogs were called English Cream Golden Retrievers.
As years passed, the distinction between the American Golden Retriever and the English Creams grew significantly.
However, some kennel clubs still do not consider them to be different breeds that deserve a different breed standard from each other.
Today, English Retrievers are still yet to gain the recognition of the American Kennel Club, though other countries, like the United Kingdom and Canada, have already recognized them as a type of Golden Retriever.
In terms of purpose, most English Cream Golden Retrievers are now used as companion dogs. These smart pooches also do well as service dogs and therapy dogs.
English Cream Golden Retriever Appearance
At first glance, the English Cream Golden Retriever is an easily recognizable dog. Much like most Golden Retrievers, Cream Goldens have a wavy and fluffy coat, large, round eyes, and well-balanced stature.
These medium-sized dogs also have floppy ears and an overall jolly gait. English Cream Goldens also sport water-repellent coats.
In fact, their coat texture and density are very similar to the rest of their Golden Retriever cousins.
White Golden Retrievers have well-chiseled heads and a wide muzzle. Their eyes can vary in color from light to dark shades of brown.
However, as you would expect, English Cream Golden Retrievers set themselves apart from other Golden Retrievers. Of course, the asset that makes them stand out the most is their cream-colored coat.
To the untrained eye, English Creams may look like a designer dog breed. After all, their pale cream-colored coats are quite peculiar for the Golden Retriever breed.
Cream-colored Golden Retrievers are also slightly different in size compared to their Golden Retriever cousins.
English Cream Golden Retrievers are more muscular and heavier than their American counterparts, but they are a bit shorter in wither height.
English Cream Golden Retriever Size and Weight
Fully grown English Cream Golden Retrievers are medium-sized dogs with a robust build. On average, they are shorter in height than American Golden Retrievers. That said, creams are a bit beefier in the overall physique.
The average male Cream Golden Retriever can grow up to 22 to 24 inches tall, while its female counterparts can grow 20 to 22 inches.
In terms of weight, male English Cream Golden Retrievers can weigh 65 to 75 pounds, while females can weigh 50 to 70 pounds.
Like most dogs, white Golden retriever puppies go through a growth spurt during their younger years. These dogs grow the fastest from 3 to 10 months and slowly dial down at around one year.
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize English Cream Golden Retrievers?
Though the American Kennel Club does not accept the English Cream Golden’s registration, other kennel clubs recognize this light-colored canine as a member of the Golden Retriever dog breed.
For example, the UK-based kennel, The Kennel Club, allows a wide range of coat shades for Golden Retrievers. Anywhere from a light cream color to dark golden is recognized and may be registered as a Golden Retriever.
On the flip side, they don’t recognize Golden Retrievers with red or mahogany coats. Fortunately, English Creams fall within the scope of their breed standard.
If you really want to register your English Cream, then the Kennel Club is one of your best bets.
Another option is the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Basically, CKC follows the same rules as the Kennel Club; however, the CKC breed standard is stricter regarding strands of white fur.
Simply put, any strand of white fur on an English Cream Golden Retriever is already enough ground for disqualification.
Stray white fur is considered an impurity when it comes to English Creams. This is an indication that the dog may not be purebred.
Alternatively, you can also register your dog in your local Golden Retriever club. Because of the breed’s popularity, you won’t have a hard time finding a reputable Golden Retriever club in your area.
On the other hand, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) only recognize Golden Retrievers with lustrous golden coats.
Cream and deep red Golden Retrievers are also disqualified and cannot be registered under these kennel clubs.
Moreover, as per the AKC breed standards, light Golden retrievers are “undesirable.” Unfortunately, AKC sees the extremely pale coloration of the English Cream as a fault in the breed rather than a unique trait.
English Cream Golden Retriever Temperament and Personality
There are claims that English Cream Golden Retrievers are better than American Goldens in terms of personality, but this part is entirely subjective.
However, because they are of the same breed, they have almost similar characteristics.
If anything, English Golden Retrievers are slightly calmer than American Golden Retrievers.
This makes creams better suited for timid homes or apartment living. This also makes them ideal for people with young children or other pets.
English Cream Golden Retrievers are also known for their intelligence, loyalty, friendliness, and affection. They are friendly toward everyone, which, unfortunately, does not make them good guard dogs.
Like other dog breeds with smart and gentle dispositions, the English Retriever is also effective as a therapy or service dog.
These loving and smart pooches are big people-pleasers as well! Aside from that, English Cream Golden Retrievers aren’t aggressive and are highly obedient too, especially when trained.
That said, early socialization is still essential for this pooch. These dogs benefit highly from playdates and other socialization activities.
English Cream Golden Retriever Lifespan and Health Issues
The English Cream Golden Retriever is a generally healthy dog, so taking care of its health is a breeze. This fur buddy has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years — just like the American Golden Retriever.
However, like any other dogs, English Cream Golden Retrievers may be prone to breed-related or genetic health problems.
Here are some common health issues faced by English Cream Golden Retrievers:
- Heart Disease: Cream Golden Retrievers may suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart thins and enlarges and becomes too weak to perform its function of pumping blood to the body. This is a life-threatening disease and should be treated early on.
- Cancer: Cancer is the number one health enemy of Golden Retrievers. Some forms of cancer for dogs include hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, and mastocytoma. Studies suggest that English Retrievers are less likely to die from cancer than American Goldens.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): Also called bloat, this disease is common among dogs with narrow chests, like golden retrievers. Gastric dilatation occurs when a dog bloats and causes its stomach to twist and gas to enter. As a result, the blood supply to the stomach and, in some cases, the spleen are cut off.
There are health issues that won’t show symptoms until it’s too late, so be sure to take your English Cream Golden Retrievers to the vet for a regular check-up to prevent or cure diseases early on.
How to Care for Your English Cream Golden Retriever
English Cream Golden Retrievers require a moderate amount of maintenance and attention in terms of their diet and nutrition, grooming, and training needs.
If you wish to know more about caring for your English Retrievers, keep on reading.
Food and Diet
Eating is one of your English Retriever’s favorite activities, and while you may be tempted to feed them as much as they want, it isn’t necessarily healthy.
As with most large breed dogs, one rule when feeding English Creams is never to practice free feeding.
These dogs tend to eat a lot, and for dogs that are prone to obesity and hip and elbow dysplasia, this is far from ideal.
You need to control their intake of food and even dog treats based on their nutritional needs and activity level. What you feed your English Retriever should depend on its age.
English Cream Goldens require lots of protein in their diet, so feed them meat and animal organs. Make sure to remove all fats and keep the meat lean.
Avoid feeding your Cream Golden Retrievers processed dog food as this is high in sodium content.
You may feed them vegetables as natural dog treats, but most vegetables must be cooked before feeding them. Further, avoid foods that have certain toxicities to dogs, like grapes, garlic and onions, and coffee.
Cleaning and Grooming
Cleaning and grooming an English Cream is just like doing it for any other Golden Retriever. You need to start by training your pet to get used to being touched, especially on the head, mouth, ears, and feet.
This introduces them to grooming, which they will regularly need, thanks to their excessive shedding.
Their coats self-clean, but it is necessary that you brush them and bathe them regularly. Brush their coat every two weeks to remove any dead hair using a steel comb.
Shedding gets more intense during spring and winter, so you may need to brush your English Retrievers more frequently then.
English Retrievers should be bathed as frequently as weekly to every six weeks. Gentle shampoo and conditioner are advised if you’re planning to bathe your English Retriever frequently. Brush their coat before and after bathing.
Regular nail trimming, ear and dental cleaning, and coat trimming are great for your English Cream Golden Retrievers. Since grooming these dogs can be a bit tedious, you may consider opting for professional grooming services.
Training and Exercise
English Cream Golden Retrievers are easy to train because they are smart and active dogs who love mental and physical stimulation. However, there are times when they get too playful and overly excited.
Early training is very important to get a hold of your English Cream Golden. You must know how to control your pup’s excitement and how to make them behave under your command.
Positive reinforcement training is one of the best ways to train your English Cream Golden. This training method uses toys, treats, affection, verbal praise, or attention to discipline a dog.
Similarly, crate training, potty training, behavioral training, leash training, and socialization training are some areas you should train your English Retriever puppy on.
Exercise Golden Retrievers for a minimum of two hours per day. This may include walking, running, playing together, and training.
How Much Does an English Cream Golden Retriever Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
An English Cream Golden Retriever puppy can cost as much as $1,500 to $3,500. What makes these dogs so expensive is their perceived rarity. The demand for these dogs is so high that their price rarely takes a dip!
However, you may consider adopting these European Goldens for only about $150 to $600 from local rescue organizations. That said, finding these dogs for adoption is quite a challenging task.
Aside from the cost of the English Cream Retriever puppy, you should also consider the initial expenses for its basic needs and maintenance.
Here is a breakdown of the initial expenses for your English Cream Golden Retriever:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $70 – $110 |
| Bowls | $10 – $30 |
| Toys | $30 – $60 |
| Beds | $40 – $200 |
| Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
| Crates and Carriers | $50 – $370 |
| Grooming Essentials | $50 – $160 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Other Essentials | $20 – $50 |
| Total Initial Cost | $505 – $2,710 |
With total initial costs of $505 to $2,710 plus the purchase or adoption costs, getting an English Retriever can easily dent your bank account. However, the fun and love this breed will bring your family is all worth it.
As for recurring expenses, you will need about $147 to $404 on a monthly basis. This should be enough for dog food, dog shampoo, grooming supplies, snacks, pet insurance, and a few other things.
Places to Find English Cream Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Contrary to popular belief that English Cream Retrievers are only bred in Europe, you can actually find several breeders in the United States. In fact, there are quite a lot of them!
In this section, we have rounded up some of our top picks where you can get a good Golden Retriever with a light cream coat color.
Here are some reputable breeders where you can find English Golden Retriever puppies for sale:
- Majestic Manor Goldens – Majestic Manor is an English Cream Retriever breeding business run by a family who once had an English Cream Golden Retriever. The passing of their dog led them to learn about breeding. Their first litter of English Retrievers was born in 2012.
- Summer Brook Goldens – Summer Brook Goldens proudly boasts of their well-trained Golden and English Cream Retrievers. They train their dogs through positive reinforcement to ensure they are well-behaved and obedient. This family of breeders is based in Chelsea, Alabama.
- Pristine English Creams – Pristine English Creams is a reputable breeder in Indiana. They sell farm-bred show-quality English Cream Golden Retrievers as well as pet-quality ones. Give them a call to see if they have available Cream Goldens!
Below are some of the rescues where you can adopt an English Cream Golden Retriever:
- Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida – This rescue organization based in Goldenrod, California, started its initiative in the early 1990s. They provide sanctuary for Golden Retrievers of any color, so you might be able to find English Retrievers here.
- South California Golden Retriever Rescue (SCGRR) – SCGRR is the third-largest rescue organization that caters to Golden Retrievers in the USA. They place rescued Golden Retrievers in foster homes, where they are cared for before putting them up for adoption. SCGRR is based in Los Angeles, California.
- Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR) – Founded in 1993, DVGRR is dedicated to rescuing Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles. This rescue has found new owners and homes for over 5,000 dogs within its service region. You can find them in Reinholds, Pennsylvania.
Alternatively, if these sources didn’t work out for you, you can try other methods to find free puppies in your area, like checking the local pet shelter or joining groups dedicated to English Cream Golden Retrievers on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are English Cream Golden Retrievers Calmer?
Generally, English Cream Golden Retrievers are calmer. Usually, these dogs are not as jumpy and energetic as the American Golden.
However, they still need the same amount of physical and mental stimulation as their American counterparts.
Do English Golden Retrievers Shed?
Yes, English Retrievers shed. In fact, these dogs shed quite a lot, so they need to be brushed regularly to manage loose fur. Make sure to use a steel, wide-toothed comb for best results.
Are English Golden Retrievers Smaller?
Yes, English Golden Retrievers are smaller than American Golden Retrievers by an inch. While American Golden Retrievers can grow to around 23 to 24 inches, English Golden Retrievers can grow to approximately 22 to 24 inches tall.
Are English Cream Golden Retrievers More Aggressive?
Cases of aggression among English Cream Golden Retrievers are rare. They are friendly, docile, gentle, and calm dogs, making them excellent therapy dogs for many people.
That said, you should still watch out for same-sex aggression, especially if your dog rarely socializes with other animals. Past trauma and abuse may also cause an English Cream to exhibit aggression at times.
How Many Types of Golden Retrievers Are There?
There are three types of Golden Retrievers: English Golden Retriever, American Golden Retriever, and Canadian Golden Retriever.
There are a few differences between these three, mainly in terms of their physical appearance and origin. However, they are almost similar to each other regarding temperament.
Final Thoughts
English Cream Golden Retrievers are great companions and family dogs. They are perfect for people with an active lifestyle, as they can be energetic at times.
These witty dogs are also easy to train and relatively low-maintenance. That said, English Creams are the perfect match for many households.
So unless you are looking for a small dog breed, you cannot go wrong with this light-colored canine companion. What are your thoughts about the Engish Cream Golden Retriever? Share your thoughts through the comments below!
