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Pale vs red goldens?

2K views 18 replies 19 participants last post by  Mandarama 
#1 ·
Why is there such a degree in color with goldens? Some are pale and others are dark red.

My brother told me that a golden should not be red. He can be a know it all but any guidance is appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Hello, this is from the Ultimate Golden Retriever Second Edition and quotes the ACK and BKC standards: AKC: "Rich, lustrous golden of various shades. Feathering may be lighter than rest of coat. With exception of age, any white marking, other than a few white hairs on chest, should be penalized... Predominant body color which is extremely pale or extremely dark is undesirable." BKC: "Any shade of gold or cream, neither red or mahogany. A few white hairs, on chest only, permissible."

I hope this helps answer your question. We previously owned a reddish golden, and now own a cream one. Many people just have a personal color preference. If you are looking for a show dog, it would be more of an issue.
 
#7 ·
LOVE that picture! Thanks Carol. Meggie is second from right. Would have her no other way - she is perfect. :)
 
#8 ·
Cool pic! Apple is the 3rd from the left....

any color golden is beautiful...mostly because their personalities cannot be beat!!
 
#11 ·
Love that picture!

Riley is probably right between the third and fourth from the left - but closer to the third. Cooper was second from the right and I love them both!

Now the people who just moved in a few doors down have a dog that's SO red, it's either a young Golden or a small Setter. He's so dark that from a distance, I honestly can't tell. Sure looks pretty whatever he is, though. :)
 
#13 ·
Mine have all been red, but that's just because they were the ones needing to be rescued when I was available. I didn't own a dog for 15 years due to work and life style. We moved and life eased up and I found a beautiful, old red golden when I went fishing one day. I've been hooked ever since.
 
#18 ·
Ryder was a dark red.
Timber is getting darker as his big boy coat comes in but won't be near as dark as Ryder.
It doesn't really matter though - they are all beautiful, light or dark, and I don't imagine any of us would change a thing about them :)
 
#19 ·
I love that "rainbow" photo! Since we are preparing to adopt a rescue golden, we've seen all those shades in our group's available pups. All with the same wonderful smile!

I'm curious about the original question. If the AKC standard is butter / gold and not red, where do the redheads come from? They are still considered purebred, but not conforming? or do they have some Irish setter influence? (That's the only other red dog I've seen.) Curious!
 
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