Blog
part of a tennis ball
dog leash
dog bone

How Long Do English Cream Retrievers Live?

Golden Retrievers are the perfect family dog. They’re intelligent and confident animals who are loyal to their owners. An easily trainable breed, people gravitate toward them. In fact, they’re consistently listed as one of the top five most popular dogs in the country.

This dog breed looks a bit different depending on whether you get an American or English Golden. There are American Golden Retrievers with breeding standards from the American Kennel Club. There are also English Golden Retrievers whose breed standards are specified by the UK Kennel Club.

Both these dogs have similar personalities, but their coat colors aren’t the same. An American Golden Retriever has colors that vary from dark to light golden. English or European Golden Retrievers have a cream or gold color. 

Many people choose English Cream Golden Retrievers for their beautiful, lustrous color and sweet personality. But, like all dogs, they have a limited lifespan, and if they suffer from health problems, the lifespan could change. So if you’re getting an English Cream Golden Retriever puppy, you want to know how long it could live.

Let’s explore that topic and learn more about English Golden Retriever puppies and dogs.

What Is the Average English Cream Retriever Lifespan?

The Golden Retriever is a large dog. Male Cream or light Golden Retrievers grow between 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm), while female cream-colored Golden Retrievers grow between 20 to 22 inches (51 to 56 cm).

While the American Kennel Club specifies a weight range for American Goldens, the British Kennel Club does not. But healthy blond Golden Retrievers are between 65 to 75 pounds for males and 55 to 65 pounds for females.

When it comes to their lifespan, many people assume that the longevity of Golden Retriever lives depends on whether it’s American or English or what coat color it has. The assumption is not true since lifespan does not depend on where the dog comes from or whether it is a white Golden Retriever or a dark golden one.

Coat color doesn’t impact health or longevity. Instead, the lifespan of your pet depends a lot on its ancestry. If you are getting a dog from reputable breeders who have healthy litters of cream Golden Retriever puppies, then your puppy will also be healthy and live longer.

English Cream Golden

Image Source

According to the UK Kennel Club, the average lifespan of English Cream Golden Retrievers is more than ten years. A study conducted in the 90s by the Golden Retriever Club has indicated that female platinum blond Goldens may live a bit longer than males.

There are no further lifespan specifications because every dog is unique. Some English Cream Golden Retrievers will simply live longer than others. 

So the lifespan of your Golden Retriever does not depend on whether it has a cream color or a lustrous golden color. It depends on its ancestry and how well you take care of it. Ultimately, how long Cream or White Golden Retrievers live depends on a combination of nature and nurture.

Do Neutered and Spayed English Cream Golden Retrievers Live Longer than Intact Dogs?

A long-debated issue by dog lovers and experts worldwide: should Golden Retriever owners spay or neuter their pet for health reasons? Everyone wants to know whether having a neutered or spayed English Cream Golden Retriever positively affects its lifespan.

Research provides an incomplete answer. Studies have shown that while lifespan depends on many factors, neutering and spaying might positively affect lifespan and decrease the risk of some health issues in dogs.

For example, a study that looked at 40,000 domestic dogs showed that sterilization reduced the risk of death from infectious diseases and some types of cancer, such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

On the other hand, the same study showed that sterilization, especially if done very early in the life of a Golden Retriever English Cream puppy, could negatively affect its lifespan.

If European Goldens and their American counterparts are sterilized before they’re six months old, they could have a higher chance of developing lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and neoplasia.

For example, a study by the Institute of Canine Biology found that spaying and neutering Golden Retrievers before they’re six months old increases the chance of Elbow Dysplasia by almost 60%.

English Cream Golden Elbow Dysplasia Statistics

Image Source

So while it’s good practice to neuter and sterilize your pet to prevent unwanted litters, it’s still unclear whether it will make it live a longer and healthier life. Despite this, studies remain inconclusive because every dog is different and you can’t really say if it is going to be healthier than others just because it is spayed or neutered.

Health Issues that Affect English Cream Golden Retrievers’ Lifespan

The British Kennel Club specifies that just like other Golden Retrievers, the English Creams can also suffer from various health problems. A dog’s health and lifespan can be affected by such issues, and when you are aware of them, it’s easier to anticipate them and get treatment.

In general, an English Cream Golden Retriever is prone to hip and elbow problems. They could also end up with illnesses that impact their hearts and eyes. And an English Cream Golden Retriever can suffer from cancer, just like any other Golden Retriever or Labrador Retrievers.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common diseases that your English Cream Golden Retriever could develop that can affect its lifespan.

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia

This disease affects the elbows and hips of your English Cream Golden Retriever. Its elbow and hip sockets don’t join as they should with the bone. In time, the socket wears down and causes your pup pain.

This disease usually develops at an older age. It might not be immediately noticeable in a healthy puppy that you just brought home from a good breeder or a pet store.

Heart Problems

Your healthy dog could also develop dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that weakens and enlarges the heart. We recommend you check your dog’s heart regularly to spot this disease quickly and begin treating it. 

Eye Disease

English Cream Golden Retrievers could suffer from a variety of eye diseases. These include retinal atrophy, uveitis, and cataracts. Uveitis is the most common eye disease for this dog breed.  With uveitis, the middle layer of your pup’s eye becomes inflamed and swells up—this can cause permanent loss of eyesight.

Cancer

One of the biggest concerns for all dog breeds is cancer. English Cream Golden Retrievers are prone to developing certain types of cancers.

While people assume that English Creams have a lower cancer rate, risk depends on whether you’re getting your dog from a reputable breeder. When you understand a dog’s family history and ancestry, you can anticipate whether it is more or less prone to cancer.

Tips for Helping Your English Cream Retriever Live a Healthier and Longer Life 

Whether we’re talking about American Golden Retrievers or English Golden Retrievers, there are various factors influence a dog’s lifespan. Understanding those factors and creating the best lifestyle that fits your pet’s temperament is crucial.

Choose a Reputable Breeder

As we mentioned before, getting your dog from top-notch breeders is key. A dog’s health depends on its ancestry and family line—having a healthy family means it may live longer. This holds true for any English Cream Golden Retriever and other dog breeds.

While you might have preferences over a coat color, the most critical factor is to get your dog from a good breeder who can walk you through choosing the healthiest dog. Avoid puppy mills as you never know what type of dog you’re getting, and you could end up with an unhealthy puppy.

Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet

English Cream Golden Retrievers are large dogs, and they need the proper nutrients to grow and remain healthy. Avoid cheap dog food brands and choose high-quality food with the right amount of protein for the dog breed and its weight.

Don’t overfeed your English Cream. And don’t share your food, no matter how adorable the look on its face while you’re enjoying a meal! Overfeeding might lead to weight gain, which can increase its risk of developing health problems.

Make Sure They Get Regular Exercise

English Cream Golden Retrievers were bred to be active, and they love to run, swim and do all kinds of retrieving activities. As such, an English Cream Golden Retriever requires a lot of exercise, more than two hours per day. In addition, you should be careful not to overexert your puppy, as this could cause joint problems.

You should try to give English Cream Goldens plenty of daily attention. Play different types of games with them to help them remain active, both physically and mentally, such as fetch, water games, and tug of war. 

Conclusion

Golden Retrievers can have two bloodlines: American and English bloodlines. Their colors differ and can range from a darker coppery gold to an extremely pale cream color. 

In general, an English Cream Golden Retriever lives longer than ten years, but several health problems could make its lifespan shorter. To ensure a healthy Golden Retriever puppy, you should get your English Cream from a reputable breeder and take good care of its diet, exercise, and health needs.

If you love Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers, visit Snowy Pines White Labs for a well-bred and adorable pup. At Snowy Pines, we breed only healthy retrievers.

When you buy a puppy from us, you get a pet that has a documented family history, has been well-trained, and is ready to adapt to its new home with you. So don’t wait—choose your new furry friend at Snowy Pines today!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About the Author

tom-massey

Tom Massey

Tom Massey has owned and operated Snowy Pines Labradors for over a decade. They have become the leaders in English Labradors in the US. He and his team serve customers all over the US and Europe. They house their "dog family" in a state of the art facility on a large farm in the Ozark Mountains. With an obsession for genetics and temperament they raise and train dogs known across the globe for health and personality. Tom serves the pet industry in many forms campaigning for ethical breeding, training, and pet ownership.

#1 ENGLISH LABRADORS IN THE NATION

Calm Tempered, AKC Purebred, and Certified Genetics.

OUR TOP PEDIGREE ENGLISH LAB PUPPIES ARE READY TO FIND THEIR FOREVER FAMILIES

CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY