If you are wondering whether golden retrievers change color as they age, then the answer is yes. These dogs start out golden brown and gradually lighten to a golden yellow with time.
Here are some reasons why golden retriever color changes over time.
Why do golden retriever colors change?
The color of your golden retriever will vary depending on its parents and other golden retriever forefathers. There are different types and colors of Golden Retriever.
Smaller golden retrievers may stay the same hue as bigger golden retrievers lighten over time.
The shade of a golden retriever can also depend on where they live; for example, if a golden retriever spends most of the time in direct sunlight or near water then its coat will be lighter than Golden retrievers who live indoors all day long.
Related Post: 50 Facts about Golden retrievers
How can you tell what color a Golden Retriever puppy will be?
Puppies tend to take on some of the shades of both parents while still being different colors depending on their environment and genetics.
To determine whether your golden retriever’s color change is imminent, examine his ears. If the puppy’s ears are a light golden brown, they will become a bright gold when fully grown, and their fur may have red or white highlights based on genetics.
However, golden retriever breeders have come up with a list of golden retriever colors and shades that you can use as a guideline.
Golden Retriever Colors:
- Apricot – golden with red undertones, sometimes called “blond” or “frosty golden”
- Dark Golden – has brownish tones in the coat which is what gives it a darker golden color
- Golden – a solid golden in color with no red tones or any other shades mixed into the coat
- Red Golden – similar to Apricot except without having brown undertones, this is considered an “evening” golden retriever since it has more of a reddish hue to its fur when the sun sets
- Silver golden – these golden retrievers have a silver or white shade to their coat and are usually lighter than the other golden retriever colors
Golden Retriever Shades:
When it comes to golden retrievers, there are seven distinct shades that make this breed of dog so unique.
Here’s the list of the seven shades: ash gold, champagne gold, cream gold, fawn gold, lemon gold pearl, golden and white gold.
- Ash golden – has more of a grey, ash color instead of yellow and is considered an “evening” dog as well
- Champagne golden – has a golden coat with light brown undertones
- Cream golden – similar to ash golden but with more of a cream color instead of grey
- Fawn golden – also called “Isabella”, this shade is slightly lighter than champagne golden and looks like the fur on an Isabella horse
- Lemon golden – these golden retrievers have a lighter coat that is more of a yellow with some brown undertones
- Pearl golden – has light grey or white fur and looks silvery when in the sun, but becomes darker at night
- White golden – also known as “silver”, this shade of gold golden retriever has a white coat that usually develops darker golden patches over time
Note: The cost of a golden retriever will varry depending on this color shades.
How long does golden retriever color change take?
On average, this process takes about six months; however, golden retrievers may change color as early as 3-4 months of age depending on their environment.
When golden retriever puppies are born, they have a darker shade with mottled brown or black fur. Their tails are dark and their paws are light in color. They also usually have spots on the body that later fade away by the age of three months.
The golden retriever’s color change goes from a darker hue to a lighter golden brown or tan with white and yellow highlights.
In some cases, adult golden retrievers may have black hair on their backs that is sometimes called “blooming.” This means they are going through another stage of color change from gold to silver-golden-colored fur.
Signs that your Golden Retriever is changing color are:
– You may notice that your golden retriever’s fur is losing its rich color and starts looking more like a yellowish shade.
-When you look at the dog’s nose, it will be dark in color with brown shading around the eyes or grey/silver-tinted black areas. These are all signs of an adult golden retriever.
-You may notice the dog’s tail turning silver or white with age as well.
-Ears turn from light to dark brown, and it is lighter in color around the outer rims of the ears (turning gold).
-The fur on your golden retriever starts losing its shine but still maintains a healthy look.
-The fur will also be lighter in color.
-If there is any black hair on the back of your dog, it may start to turn silver/white when they age.
Final thoughts : Do golden retrievers change colors?
Yes! Golden retrievers go through a gradual color change that starts with them being born dark brown and ends in them having a golden yellow color. This usually takes about six months, but the process can vary depending on your environment and genetics.
If you are wondering what colors to expect from a Golden Retriever puppy, examine his ears because they will tell you exactly what color he is going to be as an adult! You might also notice that their nose darkens with age. If your Golden Retriever starts developing black hair on the back of their coats, this is another sign that they are going through a color change!
Is it normal for a golden retriever to change colors? Yes, but there might be something wrong with your dog if they do not go through any changes in adulthood. As long as your dog’s fur is healthy and shiny, they are probably going through a color change! It may take about six months for the process to complete.
Is it normal for golden retriever puppies to change colors? Yes! Golden retrievers go through a gradual color change that starts with them being born dark brown and ends in them having a golden yellow color. This usually takes about six months, but the process can vary depending on your environment and genetics.
If you are wondering what colors to expect from a Golden Retriever puppy, examine his ears because they will tell you exactly what color he is going to be as an adult! You might also notice that their nose darkens with age. If your Golden Retriever starts developing black hair on the back of their coats, this is another sign that they are going through a color change!
