Platinum Retriever Dog Breed Facts and Information

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Dog searching? The Platinum Retriever may be the one for you! Their friendly, loyal, and intelligent nature make for the perfect family dog.

The Platinum Retriever is a Golden Retriever with a pale and light-colored coat. It’s a medium to large sized dog that weighs 55 to 75 pounds. Platinum Retrievers are easygoing dogs whose characteristics include their active, friendly, and intelligent nature which make them a great family dog.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about Platinum Retrievers, such as if they’re a certified breed, the distinctive characteristics of a Platinum Retriever, its appearance and personality traits, along with how to train them. Lastly, I will go through how to care for a Platinum Retriever, and common health issues they may have, and issues that you need to pay attention to and keep an eye on.

Getting to Know the Platinum Retriever

Contrary to rumors and widespread speculations, Platinum Retrievers are not a different breed of dogs in itself but are merely very light-colored Golden Retrievers.

The Platinum Retriever, also known as the English Cream Golden Retriever, is a Golden Retriever of English origins with a very pale and light-colored coat. The Platinum Retriever is also sometimes referred to as Exquisite Platinum Imported Golden Retriever or Rare White European Retriever, mostly by breeders who would like to make it seem as if they’re a rare breed of dogs compared to the Golden Retriever.

The origins of Platinum Retrievers can be traced back all the way to the 1800s in Scotland. Platinum Retrievers were first bred in the mid to late 1800s by Baron Tweedmouth of Guisachan. In 1968, Lord Tweedmouth mated a yellow Wavy Coated Retriever named “Nous” with a Tweed Water Spaniel named “Belle”, both the Wavy Coated Retriever and the Tweed Water Spaniel are now extinct.

This breeding produced four yellow puppies who were the first Golden Retrievers, and therefore the first English Cream Golden Retrievers or Platinum Retrievers. These puppies were used as gun dogs because of their “soft mouth” grip which allowed them to be greatly skilled in retrieving games both on land and water.

There is little to no difference between Platinum Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers come in three different colors – golden, light-golden, and dark-golden. Platinum Retrievers fall under the light-golden color since they have a very pale and light-colored coat.

Platinum Retrievers gained popularity in the early 1900s in England and were introduced as a hunting dog and companion in North America during the early 20th century. Now, Platinum Retrievers are considered to be one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

Even though it’s popular, the Platinum Retriever is unique and special. Their shiny cream coat adds a mellow touch to their friendly and sweet nature, and to their fluffy and huggable physique. Their fluffyness and huggable physique are both reasons as to why they’re considered to be one of the best breeds for a family dog.

Is the Platinum Retriever a Certified Breed?

It’s essential to keep in mind that the Platinum Retriever is not a separate breed from the Golden Retriever, nor is it a type of Golden Retriever. It’s not distinguished as its own breed because Platinum Retrievers are simply English Golden Retrievers with very pale and cream-colored coats.

However, the Golden Retriever is an officially recognized breed. There is only one Golden Retriever breed and it comes in three types – English, Canadian, and American. These three types have subtle differences between them, such as in this case color. If a Golden Retriever is of a platinum color, it’s generally considered to be a Platinum Retriever.

How Are Platinum Retrievers Bred?

Platinum Retrievers are bred by breeding pale or most light-colored Golden Retrievers together. The Platinum Retreiver is bred according to the standards of the Kennel Club (KC) for breeding Golden Retrievers in the UK. There’s also several breeders in America that are able to breed the Platinum Retriever according to the KC standard.

If you plan on having a Platinum Retriever of your own, I highly recommend that you look for a reputable and certified breeder. Platinum Retrievers are typically more costly compared to American Golden Retrievers since they’re typically transported from Europe.

If the breeder says that they offer rare and valuable dogs while flexing fancy names such as Rare White European Golden Retrievers or Exquisite Platinum Imported Golden Retrievers, I believe that to be a red flag. Instead, legitimate breeders should tell you how their dogs are healthy, smart and loyal.

A Platinum Retriever from a reputable breeder may be costly, but they’re worth every penny. Reputable breeders have more knowledge to help ensure that your puppy is bred in the best possible conditions. They also highly value the health of the puppies, and might have fewer health issues as compared to those from puppy mills.

The Appearance of a Platinum Retriever

Since it has a muscular and athletic physique, the Platinum Retriever’s size varies from medium to large. Male Platinum Retrievers are typically 22 to 24 inches tall, while females are usually 20-22 inches tall. The healthy weight of a Male Platinum Retriever ranges from 65 to 75 pounds, while for a Female Platinum Retriever, it ranges from 55 to 70 pounds. These are generally the same breed standard as the American Golden Retriever.

Compared to American Golden Retrievers, Platinum Retrievers have blockier heads, as well as stockier and bigger bones. Their neck is more muscular, heavier, and thicker, making the Platinum Retriever quite strong. Their eyes are also darker than the ones of a Golden Retriever.

A Platinum Retriever’s coat is medium to long in terms of length. The coat is longer around their ears, neck, and tail. Their coat is soft, shiny, and silky. The Platinum Retriever has a double coat, which makes them a moderate shedder all-year-round, also having two heavy shedding seasons – in the spring and during the fall.

Platinum Retriever Color Options

What makes a Platinum Retriever so unique is its very pale and light-colored coat. In accordance with their breed standard, the color of a Platinum Retriever should be “any shade of gold or cream”. Although their pale lighter-cream coat is the most popular color, they can be more golden yellow, according to the breed standard.

Whichever shade or color of the Platinum Retriever you end up getting, you’re sure to have a charming and delightful pup with a great personality.

What Is the Personality of a Platinum Retriever?

Platinum Retrievers are known to be playful, loyal, and intelligent. This beautiful breed boasts a marvelous personality that is sure to melt your heart and blow you away.

I believe the Platinum Retrievers, compared to their American Golden counterparts, to be calmer and more mature. They’re rarely rowdy nor do they get overly hyper, unlike American Golden Retrievers. This is not to say that the Platinum Retriever is a boring breed, quite the opposite. Platinum Retrievers are active and quite playful, making them very fun companions.

These dogs love being cuddled and getting belly rubs. They like sitting on your lap, even if they don’t exactly have a small frame. They’re quite clingy and do require some attention, which is why they need to spend lots of time with their family, and generally considered a great family dog.

The Platinum Retriever enjoy being with groups of people and are incredibly sweet, devoted, and friendly, and are also gentle when playing. Their playful and energetic nature paired with their gentleness and patience makes them such good playmates for children.

Even though it’s best for Platinum Retrievers to live indoors where they can be included in family activities, they love being outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Platinum Retrievers need to have access to an outdoor space where they can run around, play, and exercise. This is why condos and apartments aren’t the most optimal environment to raise Platinum Retrievers.

Even though Platinum Retrievers are big and muscular, that doesn’t necessarily make them the best watchdog, since they have little sense of stranger danger.  They  don’t hesitate when meeting new people, they have a very friendly nature and are good-natured and well-mannered which is often considered to be a great future, but it also means that the dog might not protect you as much as a protective dog such as the Doberman.

However, these charming dogs are intelligent and easy to train. They also take pride in their obedience and agility, which is why they’re often trained as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs. They’re also considered to be great search and rescue dogs, and incredible hunting dogs.

Training a Platinum Retriever

Platinum Retrievers are intuitive, intelligent, and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. They’re also a good choice for first-time dog owners because of their calm and mature nature. Even a beginner can teach a Platinum Retriever to be well-bahaved as well as few basic commands.

Platinum Retrievers are also considered to be the fourth smartest dog breed, which makes them all the more of a joy to train. They’re are one of the best when it comes to obedience training. They learn commands quickly, given that you follow the right techniques while teaching them.

These retrievers are very motivated by positive reinforcement techniques which is considered the most effective training method for Platinum Retrievers. Some of their favorite rewards include tennis balls, toys and also general praise from you, their owner, that lets them know thay you think they’re doing a good job. Although these are the most common rewards, the preference of your dog may differ so make sure you get to know what they want.

As part of their training, socialize them with different people and other pets at a young age. Exposing them to different experiences, sounds, places, and situations play a big role in helping them grow into a well-mannered and balanced dog.

Taking the dog on long walks gives them the opportunity to experience different kinds of environments while giving them (as well as you!) exercise.

How to Take Care of a Platinum Retriever

Platinum Retrievers crave attention and enjoy spending lots of time with their family. These dogs need to exercise daily and must be attended to when needed. In this part of the article, I will teach you everything that you need to know to take care of a Platinum Retriever in the proper way.

Platinum Retrievers adapt well to spacious environments. As previously mentioned, Platinum Retrievers are large and active dogs, as such, they need to have access to an outdoor space wherein they can enjoy the fresh air, run, play, exercise, and burn excess energy. This is why small spaces such as condos and apartments aren’t the best place to raise a Platinum Retriever. Such spaces will limit their movement and might be depressing for them in the long-term.

Platinum Retrievers require around one hour of intensive exercises every day. Here are a few good exercises for Platinum Retreivers:

  • Fetch
  • Tug of war
  • Flyball
  • Swimming
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

Mental Stimulation for a Platinum Retriever

If your dog doesn’t get the recommended amount of time to exercise each day, they  become bored and restless. In turn, they might take it out on your belongings and other things at home, it might as well affect their mood and health.

It’s important to make sure that your Platinum Retriever is mentally stimulated as much as he or she is physically stimulated. Spend at least 15 minutes playing with your dog using mind games or toys that stimulate the mind.

Not only does this keep them mentally stimulated, but it also develops his attachment and relationship with you, his or her owner.

Nutrition and Diet

To keep your Platinum Retriever healthy, you must follow a balanced diet that consists of, not only high-quality dog food but also food from different kinds of food groups. A well-balanced diet includes a sufficent amount of protein, healthy carbs, omega fats, and fiber.

It’s also important to not only monitor what they eat but also how much they eat. When feeding your dog, make sure to follow the instructions on the package so that you don’t overfeed or underfeed him. Platinum Retrievers are susceptible to obesity, and when left unattended, this could lead to them developing cardiac and joint issues. Both of which they’re prone to as well.

Since Platinum Retrievers are also prone to developing other health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, which we will discuss more in detail later on, you must make sure to get a head start in maintaining an optimum nutrient balance and healthy diet for your Platinum Retriever by doing so at a young age, this greatly reduce the risks of health complications.

Grooming a Platinum Retriever

Platinum Retrievers have a double coats and are moderate shedders, in other words, grooming is absolutely necessary. You need to have a regular brushing routine since a Platinum Retriever should be brushed several times a week.

Make sure that you’re using the most appropriate brush for his or her coat. I really recommend this brush by Hertzko for a Platinum Retreiever.

A Platinum Retriever should be bathed once or twice a month, depending on how much they play outdoors or engage in activities that gets them dirty. Platinum Retrievers often have sensitive skin, therefore, look for shampoos that are made for sensitive skin and prevent skin irritation.

Overbathing could also lead to skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, wherein they experience mild to severe itching and, when left untreated, could lead to further skin irritation, infection, and discomfort. You need to develop a routine where you bath your Platinum Retriever whenever necessary, while not overdoing it.

Another grooming recommendation that I have is to brush the coat before bathing. This will make it easier to clean his skin with water and shampoo since all the excess dead hair has already been removed.

Aside from brushing and bathing, you must also regularly clip their nails and take care of their paws. It’s also important to regularly brush their teeth, so as not to develop dental problems. I recommend this nail grinder for clipping their nails, and this dog toothbrush and toothpaste set for brushing their teeth.

Make sure to sometimes check their ears for dirt and clean them when necessary.

Common Health Issues With Platinum Retrievers

Platinum Retrievers have an average lifespan of 12 years. Just like most purebred breeds, Platinum Retrievers are prone to various health issues. As the saying goes, it’s better (and often easier) to prevent than to cure. It’s wise to take preventive measures and be on the lookout for the common health conditions and diseases your dog might have.

Since Platinum Retrievers are large dogs, they’re prone to Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia is when the hip and elbow bones aren’t joined properly joined in the socket and eventually strains the ligaments causing pain and discomfort.

Some symptoms of Hip and Elbow Dysplasia in dogs include:

  • Decreased activity
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Difficulty in rising, jumping, running, or climbing stairs
  • Lameness in the hind end
  • Loss of thigh muscles
  • General stiffness

If any of these symptoms are exhibited by your dog, set a checkup with your vet as soon as possible. When left untreated, it can cause pain and lameness, and it only worsens as they age. It’s far better to check up on your dog too often than too little.

Platinum Retrievers are prone to developing eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Cataracts. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, also known as PRA, is a hereditary condition (which is why it’s important to choose a reputable breeder since this is a condition that could have been gotten from the dogs’ parents) wherein the retina slowly deteriorates.

During the early stages, they start to develop night blindness, which can be recognized easily as they would often bump into things when it’s dark, or when they become clumsier in unfamiliar surroundings.

There is currently no specific treatment for PRA, however, you must take your dog to the vet as soon as they exhibit these symptoms.

Other common health problems include skin diseases, heart problems such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy, and cancer.

Most of these common health problems can be prevented by scheduling regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Though some of them can be quite serious, you don’t have to worry as long as you consult your vet as soon as you spot its symptoms.

When you’re at the vet, make sure to explain your situation and to ask if lifestyle or diet changes that may be necessary, given the current condition of your dog. As I said, prevention is often overlooked.

Final Thoughts

The Platinum Retriever is a fantastic dog breed. There’s so much about them that I find amazing and lovable. These pale and light-colored dogs with big friendly eyes and stocky builds will surely melt your heart.

Beneath their muscular and athletic physique is a wonderful personality. If you’re looking for a sweet-tempered, loyal, mellow but also playful companion, then the Platinum Retriever is an excellent candidate. Although they’re not a separate breed from Golden Retrievers, they’re still unique and wonderful dogs. They’ll enjoy your attention and will love spending time with you, and they won’t be afraid to show it!

They (like all dogs) need to be taken care of very well, especially given the several health issues they may face. Make the wise choice of selecting a legitimate and reputable breeder that values the health, temperament, and well-being, and you will surely have a wonderful puppy that brings joy to everyone around him!