So...do people get confused when a single color has different names in different countries?
If I say brown, a Spaniard will say marrón, a Dane will say brun, a Finn will say ruskea, a Croat will say smeđa, a Czech will say hnědý. Now here is where it gets interesting ask a Portuguese speaker from Europe for the color brown and it will be castanho. Ask for that same color form a Portuguese speaker from Brazil and you will get marrom. That is I believe the crux of the whole “Cream” color debate for those breeders who are reputable and are not trying to breed white dogs.
Yes, both the UK and US a speak English but they are not identical. We have differences and divergences on how we use the same language in lots of different ways. For example I would say let me pull the suitcase from my car’s trunk. That would be confusing to someone in the UK because they don’t call their cars container area a trunk, they call it the boot. If a person from the UK came to the United States and asked for a biscuit they would be very disappointed.
All of these slight differences in the language that we share, cause confusion and I think that’s exactly what we see here. The US breed Standard truely is not very different at all from the UK version but the language differences do create confusion. The US breed standard does allow for a color of dogs that is very light - it is called light golden. That same color in the UK and in Canada is also included in their standard but they use the term cream. Light Golden = Cream. It is the same color just using different terms very much like those two Portuguese speakers who use two different words for the same color brown.
Now you do have people in the US who are breeding specifically to get as far away from the breed standard color as possible. To get as close to white as is possible. In all breed standards regardless of where they come from the color white is purposely excluded. In the US when we see repeatedly breeders who are trying to breed specifically for a color that should not and literally can not exist in this breed, along with the awful lies and lack of health Certifications...yeah, the word cream has a very negative connotation to those of us who do care about the breed in the US.
I’ll be honest I actually have a physical reaction (negative) when I hear a person in the US use the word cream to describe their golden. But when I am talking to someone who lives in Canada or Europe or Australia that term does not bother me at all. That’s because this color in that country is the same color as dogs in my country that are light golden. Breeders in Canada, Europe and Australia are not saying the word cream as kind of a bait and switch for really meaning as white as I can possibly get this dog.
As for buyers, I don’t know how to combat this. I think very differently about dogs than they do. I think they see colors like a paint job. Like a blue Honda Civic is the same as a grey Honda Civic. From that standpoint I do see how we get to the thoughts of “what’s the big deal” or “Why am I getting a hard time about a color preference” or “I know this forum is bias against pale dogs”. I don’t see it as paint though. The dogs in the US bred for color are nearly always missing critical other points in the standard. Because a breeder is purposely breeding outside the standard in one way (targeting white) they often deviate away in many. That standard is the blue print for a Golden so if a breeder doesn’t care about up holding the standard the dog on paper will be a Golden but the actual animal may no longer really have much in common with the breed. No breeder can focus on a single trait to the exclusion of all else and not see incredible negative impacts on other traits, because color is not simply Mother Nature’s paint.
Thought experiment - You be the breeder
You have to choose which parent dogs to breed together to make your puppy
The main breeding Axiom: There are no perfect dogs.
If something is unmentioned, please assume it is the positive option and shared by all dogs.
Example: I did not specifically mention Ichthyosis so assume all have been tested and all are negative (they don’t carry any bad copies of the gene).
Potential momma
Your female dog was imported from Eastern Europe sight unseen. She is so pale that everyday Joe’s you run into call her White. She is over two and has passed all her health certifications. She has been working on her CGC with the dream of doing therapy work. She has had some struggles with the walking through a crowd, reacting to distractions when it is dropping things and the supervised separation. You feel if her personality where a bit bolder these would not be an issue. You don’t know much about structure but you do see that her front two paws would point to 10 and 2 on the clock and while 10/2 might be okay for driving hands it doesn’t look comfortable on your girl’s feet.
Potential Dads (all are fictitious but similar to what is found in real life)
1. Medium Gold in color from an American based pedigree, overall structure is great. He doesn’t have any titles himself but he does have all the appropriate health certifications. His owner says he has a great temperament but a friend has shared that this dog has a streak of protection she did not like. You go to visit and see no temperament issues displayed. He is close and affordable to use.
2. This is very pale, almost white dog that was imported from Eastern Europe. His structure leaves a lot to be desired and looks like he may have health issues as he ages from the lacks in his structure (fiddle front, cow hockey, sway back, etc.) This dog has no titles and is missing health certifications or they where not done correctly (too young or not by the appropriate specialist). He never leaves his property so there is no one to ask about his temperament but his owner and they say it is great. You go to visit and this dog seems timid and doesn’t make eye contact. The owner just says, “look how calm he is, he always makes very calm puppies”. He is close but more expensive than dog number one.
3. A dog who is light Golden and has a blended pedigree. He is impressive in his titles as he has an AKC Championship along with several obedience titles. He has all of his health certifications as do the generations behind him. He has what looks to be lovely structure although he might be a bit smaller in height that you were hoping. The owner describes this dog as one that will never be a couch potato but has a good off switch. You visit and the dog is lovely but you do see that this dog is more active in general than the other two. He is further away and because he will be going out to shows you may have to do an AI breeding. If he is at home, the cost would be comparable to dog 2 but if he is out showing the need for an AI will increase your costs.
4. A very pale dog that currently lives in a bordering country he was imported from the UK. He is impressive in his titles as he is a Champion in his country as well as having a hunting title and a therapy designation. He has all of his health certifications as do the generations behind him. He has what looks to be lovely structure although you would have liked a bit more substantial legs. His owner describes him as her heart dog, a lovely boy who is game for anything she wants to try. There will not be the opportunity to meet him in person but his owner is happy to send photos, videos or anything else you need. The stud owner will require that you sell all puppies on spay neuter contracts and that only a puppy you keep in your own name solely will be allowed to have full registration. His cost is comparable to dog 2 even after needing to do an AI.
5. A very pale dog, even a little lighter than your girl and is of European lineage. His structure could be better and he has the same issue with his front feet that your girls does, perhaps even a bit worse. This dog has an IABCA International title but when you ask about how he did, the owner says, “He showed well but was always last place behind two American looking dogs. I think the judge just wouldn’t look at pale dogs.” This dog does have a therapy designation. He has almost full certifications except his heart was not tested by a Cardiologist. You ask if the owner would be willing to retest but they decline saying none of his 100+ puppies have ever had any issues. His owner says his temperament is great. You go to visit and this dog seems fine but you realize he is being kept separate from all the other dogs. You ask to see him interact with another dog but they only give excuses. You do see him catch sight of another dog, he gives that dog a hard stare and his heckles raise. He is close and the most expensive but they will waive the fee for two puppies out of the litter.
Which stud dog would you choose?
What stud dog do you think a color focused breeder in the US would choose?
that will live for 11-13 years (and hopefully longer with teeth maintenance, annual vet visits, a lean/healthy diet, and exercise/entertainment).
