If you love golden retrievers, choosing to purchase a purebred grants predictability and peace of mind. One of the best things about purebred dogs is that once they reach adulthood, they will develop the temperament, traits and behaviors that golden retrievers are known for. So, how can you tell if your pup is purebred?
Before heading to your local pet store or contacting a breeder, let’s review some of the most reliable ways to identify a purebred golden retriever.
Purebred Documents
A purebred dog is the result of careful breeding backed up with registered documentation. One of the most important ways to tell if a golden retriever is purebred is through its paperwork and a proper pedigree. The largest dog registry in the United States is the American Kennel Club (AKC). AKC certified pedigrees contain:
- The name and registration number of the dog.
- Colors and markings.
- Competition titles held by the pup’s ancestors.
- Any health-related information available.
How to Identify a Purebred Golden Retriever Without Paperwork
While a pedigree can be helpful if you want to know any health problems inherent to your puppy, it’s not essential. A pedigree won’t make your golden retriever any more beautiful, loyal or friendly. How can you tell whether your dog is a purebred golden retriever if it doesn’t have proper paperwork?
This task can be difficult, if not impossible. Golden retrievers vary in size, shape, coat thickness and colorings. Here are a few other ways you may be able to distinguish whether or not your dog is purebred without registered papers.
What to Expect in a Purebred Golden Retriever
While there are a few cosmetic distinctions between one golden retriever to the next, they usually share many of the same characteristics. Here are some of the most common features that define the golden retriever breed:
- Personality: Golden retrievers are playful yet gentle and tend to be quite affable, even with other pets and strangers. They are eager to please and usually respond well to obedience training. They’re also even-tempered, affectionate and intelligent.
- Color: The golden retriever’s signature golden coat can display a range of shades — dark golden, light golden, cream golden, red golden and white golden.
- Tail: Golden retrievers have long tails that extend to the hock but not below. The length varies and can be anywhere from 4 to 12 inches long. Some dogs have shorter, fluffier tails, while others have less feathering.
- Ears: Golden retrievers have short ears that fold over.
- Coat and hair: The outer coat of a golden retriever is dense and water-repellent, while the undercoat is thick. The hair can be wavy or straight. Golden retrievers have feathering on the back of the front legs, along the tail and on the chest.
Where to Get a Purebred Golden Retriever
If you want to adopt a verified purebred golden retriever, you need a trusted, reputable breeder. As an AKC Breeder of Merit with over 25 years of experience, Golden Meadows Retrievers breeds and trains golden retriever puppies to become loving companions in homes across the country. Our puppies receive early socialization skills and training to ensure they make a great addition to your family.
Contact us today to learn more! If you’re ready to get started, fill out our puppy info request form so we can match you with your perfect purebred golden retriever pup.