Black Goldens.....?

So what, exactly, is a “black golden”?  And does it really exist?  There is a pretty active debate that has been ongoing amongst Golden people about this very thing.  Some say a “black golden” is simply a mix of different breeds, such as a Golden who is also part Black Labrador, or even a Golden mixed with an Australian Shepherd.  Others say a “black golden” may not even be a Golden at all but rather a Flat Coated Retriever, a dog resembling the “black golden” (and sharing many of the same characteristics of the Golden), but registered as an entirely different breed with the American Kennel Club.

But evidence exists that “black goldens” may be just that…a black Golden Retriever whose unique color is the result of what is referred to as a somatic mutation – an alteration in the DNA of a cell.  Such mutations can actually result in a Golden born with spots of black in their otherwise golden coat or even with an entirely black coat. 1

Interestingly, Golden Retrievers are genetically black, but look golden-yellow to reddish due to their genes restricting the development of black pigment.  A mutation in a particular skin cell allows the black pigment to form in cells descended from the original mutant cell. Some of these Goldens, with their lovely spots, may also sport black noses. 1

Seth is an AKC registered Golden Retriever with black markings.

Seth's black markings.

Unfortunately, since the early 2000’s, animal rescue workers have noticed an increasing phenomena called “Black Dog Syndrome,” which is that black dogs tend to be adopted slower than dogs of other coloring.  As a result, there are more black dogs in shelters, and they have a higher euthanasia rate – purely because of the color of their coat!  In a recent survey done by the adoption website “Petfinder,” Petfinder member shelters and rescue groups reported that most pets are listed for 12.5 weeks on Petfinder, whereas, less-adoptable pets (such as black, senior, and special needs pets) spend almost four times as long on Petfinder. 

You may ask, "What does this have to do with a Golden Retriever rescue?"  SGRR often goes a step further than basic rescue, taking in dogs that might be thought of as “less adoptable” because of the physical conditions in which they are found.  We have recently been taking in more and more of these special black dogs, many times considered to be golden mixes, into our rescue.  We see an overwhelming interest in these “black goldens,” getting requests about them the minute we publish their picture on our site!  You never know… that “black golden” you see on our website may be a mix of wonderful breeds such as the Labrador or Aussie. Or he/she just may be a purebred Golden!  Either way, like all of our dogs, these pups are just looking for a family to look past their coloring and see their true “golden heartedness,” to love them and make them their own!  You’ll be glad that you did.

1.   McDonald, L. (1999 - 2009). More Than One Base Color Somatic Mutations. Dog of Two Base Colors – Somatic Mutations. Retrieved from http://www.color.ashgi.org/color