We specifically breed "field goldens"
Field Golden Retrievers vs. Show Golden Retrievers Overview
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the differences between these two styles of goldens, let’s make a few things clear…
First, these are both golden retrievers, they’re just different styles of the same breed.
And because they’re the same breed, they’re more similar than they are different.
However, they are bred for different purposes, and those purposes influence all of the factors that we’ll discuss here.
Second, let’s clear up some terms.
The term “field bred” and “field” mean the same thing, and the terms “conformation” and “show” also mean the same thing.
And finally, these differences are generalities, not hard set rules.
Every dog is an individual and can be on any end of the spectrum for the factors we’re talking about here.
Now let’s talk about the differences between these two styles…
Purpose
Field Golden Retriever:
Field bred golden retrievers are bred to hunt.
They’re meant to be in the field all day retrieving gunned down fowl.
They’re bred for a specific personality and drive.
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Show Golden Retriever:
Show golden retrievers are bred for a specific look.
They’re bred to look like what the judges at conformation events expect them to look like based on the breed standard.
Size and Body Type
Field Golden Retriever:
Field bred golden retrievers are athletes.
They’re smaller and slimmer, and have body types that help them run, jump and swim all day.
Their heads are usually “wedge-shaped.”
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Show Golden Retriever:
Show golden retrievers are bigger, thicker, stockier, and “big-boned.”
They often tend to have heads that are more blocky.
Energy Levels
Field Golden Retriever:
Since field golden retrievers are bred to hunt all day, they have tons of energy.
Typically, they have more energy than show golden retrievers.
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Show Golden Retriever:
Show golden retrievers typically have less energy than field golden retrievers, but don’t underestimate them.
All golden retriever puppies, no matter which style, have tons of energy, and just because show golden retrievers typically have less energy than field bred goldens, they can still be quite the handful.
Coat
Field Golden Retriever:
Field bred golden retrievers typically have darker coats in shades from gold to red.
They’re usually shorter than conformation goldens.
Because they have shorter coats, they have less volume of fur to shed, so it may feel like they shed less.
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Show Golden Retriever:
Show golden retrievers have long, beautiful coats with long feathers.
They’re typically light gold to gold in color.
Since they have such full coats, they shed excessively, so get used to it being all over the house.
Training Needs & Abilities
Field Golden Retriever:
All golden retrievers, especially field goldens, are very smart, love to please people, and love treats and praise, so they naturally take well to training and enjoy it.
If you don’t train them, their brainpower will usually manifest itself in something mischevious, like chewing up shoes or stealing socks.
Field golden retrievers love training and they need lots of it.
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Show Golden Retriever:
Just like field goldens, show golden retrievers make great students because they are intelligent people-pleasers that love treats and praise.
However, they may need slightly less work than field goldens because they weren’t bred for such drive and the need for a job.
Are they good with families & children?
Field Golden Retriever:
Field golden retrievers typically make great pets, however, they need lots of attention and can be mouthy (after all, they are bred to carry game in their mouths).
They can be a little on the rough and tumble side, but are very loving and devoted to their families.
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Show Golden Retriever:
Since show golden retrievers are typically a little calmer, need a little less training, and are a little more friendly, you could make a case that they make better family dogs.
However, both styles of goldens make great family pets.
Jobs
Field Golden Retriever:
Obviously field golden retrievers make good hunting dogs, but their drive and energy also make them good search and rescue dogs. They’re also good at sports such as agility and dock diving.
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Show Golden Retriever:
In addition to excelling in dog shows, show goldens, or dogs from show golden lines, are often therapy dogs or service dogs.
Personality
Field Golden Retriever:
Since field bred golden retrievers are bred to hunt, they typically have more driven personalities.
Like all golden retrievers, they’re loving and aim to please.
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Show Golden Retriever:
Show golden retrievers tend to be more sociable.
They’re typically friendlier and, like all golden retrievers, they too aim to please.
Both breeds are also usually good with other dogs.