Golden Retrievers are a unique breed with an incomparable personality, they are known for their loving nature, unconditional affection, and their intelligence combined with an eagerness to please their owners; they are great as family dogs or even for singles. But this unique breed has some look-alikes, you would just wonder whether there is a breed similar in personality as well or just the looks.
So, What Dog Breeds Look Like Black Golden Retrievers? Breeds that look like Black Golden Retrievers in the build and appearance include Flat-Coated Retrievers, Black Lab and Golden Retriever Mixes, Newfoundlands, Black German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever Mixes; These can easily be confused with the Black Golden Retrievers.
Keep reading to get to know more about Black Golden Retrievers and differentiate them between other look-alike breeds.
Are There Dog Breeds that look like Black Golden Retrievers?
There are some breeds that seem like Golden Retrievers in appearance, whether it’s the pleasant face, elegant bodies of comparable form, luscious long coats, or sweet, kind disposition.
Other breeds may be confused with Golden Retrievers due to their personality traits like the ease of training, expressiveness of the eyes, kind attitude, unconditionally loving nature, or eagerness to please their owners.
We all know that golden retrievers are one-of-a-kind creatures. However, there are other breeds that resemble golden retrievers. Because of the remarkable and eerie likeness, we’re sure you’ve mistaken at least one of these dog breeds for a golden retriever in the past.
4 Dog Breeds that look like Golden Retrievers
Flat-Coated Retrievers

The dark-colored fur with a similar texture will make you mistake this dog breed for a golden retriever, particularly those with a black coat. However, the flat-coated retriever lacks many of the characteristics of the golden retriever like the slightly longer coat. Nonetheless, sometimes it appears to be the same.
Because both breeds are highly active in activities, their defined muscles and medium-tall height contribute to this coincidental similarity. Over the years, many people have confused these two breeds.
While they mature more slowly than most other breeds, this trait makes them appealing, active, and energetic partners that most people look to have whether families or individuals who enjoy active dogs; these traits are typically found in Golden Retrievers as well.
Black Lab and Golden Retriever Mix

A Goldador is a combination of a black lab and a Golden Retriever, and it’s usually a medium to large dog. A Goldador will typically reach a height of 21.5 to 24.5 inches. As adults, they usually weigh between 55 and 80 pounds.
The Goldador is a loving, clever, loyal, and energetic dog who gets along with everyone. It’s why he’s not a very good watchdog because he’s too nice with strangers.
It is for this reason why socialization and training are so essential for him, as he grows more submissive and calm among others.
He adores his human family and hates being left alone for lengthy periods of time. He is an easy dog to teach since he is intelligent and alert, and he makes it simpler by wanting to please.
Sounds familiar? Definitely! Goldadors are so similar to Goldies in both appearance and personality traits.
A Labrador Golden Retriever hybrid will frequently acquire the Lab’s thick double coat, despite the fact that the Golden Retriever parent has a longer coat with considerable feathering.
A silky undercoat sits beneath a tough, water-resistant topcoat in this double coat.
The coat length of Golden Retriever Labrador mixes may be shorter than that of their Lab father.
Alternatively, they may have a coat that is somewhat longer and wavier than their Golden parent’s but with less feathering than a purebred Golden.
Newfoundlands

Both the New Foundlands and Golden Retrievers are Purebred, their lifespans are close with the golden retriever 10-12 years while the Newfoundland 8-10 years.
The Newfoundland is slightly bigger and heavier than a Golden Retriever, as goldies come in Height of 21-24 in. and Newfoundlands come at 25-30 in. and a Weight of 55-80 lb for goldies and 100-150 lb for Newfoundlands.
Both breeds are intelligent and fairly easy to train but Goldies tend to possess more intelligence.
Both the Golden Retriever and the Newfoundland are ideal alternatives for novice or inexperienced owners.
Both the Golden Retriever and the Newfoundland are fantastic with children; both require modest maintenance and are above-average barkers.
Black German Shepherd and Golden Retriever Mix

A golden retriever and black German shepherd mix is another hybrid that might result in what looks like a black golden retriever.
It’s easy to understand how this combination may resemble a black golden retriever because these two breeds are close in size and have nearly similar-sized heads and skulls size.
The ears are the major distinction between these two breeds. Due to the fact that German shepherds have pointed ears and golden retrievers have floppy ears, a mix would most likely have ears that are somewhere in the center.
Another difference is the personality, due to the juxtaposition in the german shepherd’s and the golden retriever’s personality. A German Shepherd is a guard dog that is alert, protective, smart, and not easily scared, while goldens don’t make good guard dogs as they are nice to everyone, compassionate, loving, and caring.
Are There Black Golden retrievers?
Golden Retrievers, although an uncommon variety of the breed and rare to find, but do exist, They have all of the qualities of a Golden but come in coats of a dark, midnight hue. With a deep chest and a robust, muscular frame, the Black Golden Retriever is a well-balanced, sturdy dog.
His head is wide, with a straight nose that is proportional to the size of his head, and brown to dark brown eyes.
The ears of the Golden Retriever are velvety and dangle near to the cheekbones. They usually have extremely pleasant looks and the appearance of a caring, devoted dog.

They have a jet black double coat that is long, thick, and silky, with no waves or curls.
The ears, neck, underbody, and front legs have moderate feathering, whereas the rear legs, chest, and tail have thicker, dense feathering. Their tails are velvety to the touch and elegantly plumed.
Black Golden Retriever Males weigh 65 to 75 pounds and stand between 23 and 24 inches tall on average, while females weigh 55 to 65 pounds and stand between 23 and 24 inches tall on average. They usually grow to be between 21 and 22 inches tall.
Black Goldens are elegant, agile, and dynamic in their movements. They are noted for maintaining a pleasant disposition.
This eager-to-please, loyal breed is known for its mild, easy-going, happy-go-lucky demeanor.
Some golden retrievers can also have some black spots on them, but the reason can vary quite a bit. You can learn why some golden retrievers have black hair or fur here, and why some golden retrievers have black bellies here.
What are flat-coated Retrievers?

Flat-coated retrievers are black-colored dogs with fine-haired coats that are smooth, medium-length, and thick.
Flat-coated retrievers’ ears are positioned slightly above the nose and hang close to the head, according to breed standards. Their eyes are dark brown or, on rare occasions, hazel. The legs and tail have a lot of whiskers on them.
Male flat-coated retrievers stand between 23 and 24.5 inches tall, while females stand between 22 and 23.5 inches tall. Females weigh between 60 and 80 pounds (27 and 36 kilograms), whereas males weigh between 60 and 80 pounds (27 and 36 kilograms).
Although the flat-coated retriever has a youthful enthusiasm that is sometimes appealing, it can provide problems for owners who believe that all dogs reach adulthood by the time they are one year old. Due to his lively, active, and most of the time juvenile demeanor, the flat-coat takes a long time to grow; he may appear and act immaturely for a long period.
Flat-coated retrievers are considered to be clever and sensitive, and positive, non-coercive teaching approaches work well for them.
Before bringing a flat-coated retriever into your life, keep in mind that this breed has a busy routine. These gregarious, boundlessly energetic canines adore being with their human partners, especially if they are busy and on the go. Flat-coated retrievers love intense activities such as jogging, swimming, and playing fetch.
They are a low-maintenance breed of dog. They just need to be brushed once a week and have very little, if any, hair cutting.
The Different Types of Retrievers and How to tell the differences between them
Golden Retrievers

The Golden Retriever is often regarded as the greatest all-around companion for all members of the household, whether children, adults, or other pets.
They are extremely sociable, kind, loving, and good-natured, but as goldens naturally want to love everyone, you won’t get much use out of them as a family defender.
Golden Retrievers are clever and well-behaved dogs who are easy to teach. They are tolerant, kind, and gentle with children, which is one of the main reasons they are so popular as family pets. Goldens are energetic, self-assured, and eager to please, making them excellent obedience dogs.
While their tremendous energy is wonderful on the field, if they are not psychologically and physically exercised on a regular basis, it can lead to a destructive or high-strung dog.
Agility courses, obedience competitions, performing tricks for their family, hunting, and swimming are among the activities that goldens like the most.
Curly Coated Retrievers

Small, tight, water-resistant curls differentiate the Curly Coated Retriever from the others. With only a few baths, its kinky, curly coat is really rather easy to maintain.
Curly Coats are not only brave and persistent but also active and clever, with exceptional natural field abilities. Curly Coats make excellent companions as long as their owners provide regular exercise and are persistent with their training; otherwise, they will quickly grow bored and destructive. They are the most independent of the retriever breeds, yet, like the majority of retrievers, they are eager to please.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

This retriever is a robust, powerful, and powerful dog. They are very clever, as are other retriever breeds, and eager to please, making them easy to teach. Chesapeake, like the rest of the retriever family, is affectionate, loving, and sociable. They appear to be the most dominating of the retrievers, therefore they should be well socialized and have owners who take the lead since the Chesapeake can become aggressive, possessive, or willful. They are not advised for any new or unskilled owner.
Flat-Coated Retrievers

Flat-Coated Retrievers have a dependable disposition and pleasant attitude. They are a lively, charming breed with a puppy-like outlook on life that appears to like everyone they meet.
These dogs are highly energetic, eager to play, and especially to retrieve, but with enough of exercise and stimulation, they can be pretty quiet indoors, conserving their energy for outside play. The Flat-Coated Retriever can readily bore because of its great activity and trainability. They are intelligent, loyal, and social.
Labrador Retrievers

The Labrador is America’s sweetheart. The breed was developed in the United States and has been holding the crown as the most popular dog for US families for a while now.
The breed is divided into two types: English and American. English dogs are often bulkier and blockier than their American equivalents.
Taller and lankier dogs were produced in the American breed. The coats of labs are short, hard, and water-resistant, making them one of the simplest retriever breeds to care for.
The English breed is more laid-back and peaceful than the American variety, and they develop more quickly as well. Labrador Retrievers come in show and field lines, with the show lines being more laid-back and the field lines being more active. You can learn more about the English VS American Labradors here.
Labrador retrievers are recognized for their intelligence, desire to please, and enjoyment of both work and play. The majority of labs are simple to train. Some Labs may be a little hesitant with strangers, but this can be remedied with early and regular socializing.
If labs are not regularly exercised, both physically and intellectually, they may rapidly become destructive.
Their boundless energy necessitates regular outlets, and Labs are up for anything. Adult Labs are typically powerful dogs, so train them effectively as puppies to avoid having a tugging dog or one who runs from doors.
Most labs make excellent watchdogs, but only a handful are suitable as guard dogs. They are willing to attempt whatever you throw at them, including obedience trials, agility courses, and other sports.
Labradors come in many different colors, and you can learn about all the colors of Labradors here to find out what makes each of them unique and which one is the best for you and your family.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

Some people may mistake a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever for a tiny golden retriever at first appearance.
This breed is clever and simple to train. They are intelligent canines who get along well with youngsters and are great companions. This type, like all other retriever breeds, requires a lot of activity to keep its energy levels in check. Another significant distinction between Duck Tolling Retrievers and their counterparts is that they might be reserved with strangers.
I have a full guide on the shedding of all retriever dogs here that you should definitely check out.
Related Questions
What is a Black Golden Retriever?
A Black golden Retriever is one of the varieties of Golden Retrievers; They have all of the same qualities as Golden but in a darker hue Goldens come in a range of colors, including black. Black Goldens are graceful, nimble, and energetic, cheerful but also calm, easygoing, and eager-to-please.
You can check out my guide to golden retriever fur colors here.
What is a Black Retriever Called?
Black Retrievers are also called Flat-coated retrievers yet they are a completely different breed; they are black-colored dogs with fine-haired coats that are smooth, medium-length, and thick. This breed is similar to labs and golden Retrievers in their kind demeanor, and affection.
Can there be black golden retrievers?
Yes, Black Golden Retrievers are a rare breed variant with all of the traits of a Golden Retriever. They have dark, midnight coats and have all of the qualities of a Golden Retriever. The Black Golden Retriever has a broad face, with a straight nose proportionate and brown to dark brown eyes.
What do you call a black golden retriever?
A Black Golden Retriever is typically called a rare breed variant of golden retrievers; they are normally confused with Flat-coated retrievers, black-colored dogs with smooth, medium-length, and dense fine-haired coats; yet they are a completely different breed.
Is a black golden retriever rare?
Yes, Black Golden Retrievers are rare, they are a breed variant with all of the traits of a Golden Retriever. They have dark, midnight coats and have all of the qualities of a Golden Retriever. The Black Golden Retriever is a well-balanced, strong dog with a deep chest and a powerful, muscular body.
Helpful Resources
How Many Types of Retrievers Are There?
Labrador Retriever History: Behind America’s Most Popular Breed
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
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