German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix: Breed Info & Tips

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is commonly known as the Golden Shepherd, and this is what we will refer to him as throughout this article. He is an energetic, fun and friendly pup who is insatiably loyal and intelligent. He is relatively easy to look after, as long as he is placed with an active family who can guarantee him company and exercise.While he may have inherited his family’s German Shepherd’s protective abilities, this trait can be managed as long as socialization begins at an early age. The goal of this cross is to combine the general friendliness and kindness of the Golden Retriever with the loyalty and obedience of the GSD.

Compared to purebreds, the Golden Shepherd makes a great family pet, although there’s no guarantee that any mixed breed will show up with age. Keep going so you can learn more about the history of the parent breed and what happens when you apply this mixture.

Parent Breeds

The term designer dog is relatively new, but the process of breeding two different breeds of purebred dogs has been around for centuries. However, it has grown in popularity over the past few decades. Not only does it give dog owners a wider range of options for finding the perfect family dog, but it also increases their gene pool, scientifically proven to produce healthier, stronger animals.

It is also very popular these days to ‘customize’ your breed, hoping to inherit all the good characteristics of both parent breeds. Some traits are inherited from purebred parents and you cannot train them. This makes a breed like the Golden Shepherd both a great choice and a riskier gamble when it comes to temperament.

To better understand this combination, it’s important to know more about his parents. We also have an article comparing German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, so why not increase your knowledge and read this article?.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever was developed in the Scottish Highlands during the 19th Century. His creator, Lord Tweedmouth I, was very interested in animal breeding and the Golden Retriever is his most famous work.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) first recognized the Golden Retriever in 1932, and since then its popularity has skyrocketed, and although it is still used as a hunter, it is now Here it is often found in homes used as companion dogs. In the very unlikely event that you don’t know or have never met a Golden Retriever before, be sure to check out one of the main Golden Retriever fan Instagram accounts, which provide a daily dose of Golden Retrievers its healthy 1.8 million followers.

The Golden is a great breed for families with children, and it is extremely popular in the United States. He is described as friendly, intelligent, and devoted, and this is where the Golden Shepherd inherits his soft and sweet nature. Goldens are extremely popular with the designer dog crowd, noted by the Goberian breed and the Golden Retriever Corgi breed.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd was originally developed as a herding dog in Germany during the 19th Century by a German Cavalry Officer. They came to America long before the World War, but it wasn’t until then that he became famous. However, in the US, more emphasis was placed on their appearance than on compliance with breed standards, and as a result, many breeders bred other German Shepherd breeds, including the King Shepherd and Shiloh. Shepherd. This is an attempt to recreate a dog that resembles the original German Shepherd and a slightly healthier one.

The German Shepherd remains the most recognizable dog in the security service arena, but it is also an equally great family pet. Again, in the unlikely event that you haven’t met a German Shepherd before, be sure to check out the ‘German Shepherd World’ Instagram account so you can see how gorgeous and adorable they really are.

GSD is described as confident, brave, and intelligent. This is where the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix inherits its brave and noble traits.

Golden Shepherd

It is not known when the first Golden Shepherd was created, but it is believed to have originated in the United States. He is not recognized as a breed by any kennel club, but he is recognized as a breed by the International Designated Canine Registry (IDCR) as well as owners and breeders alike. It has been possible to register him since 2009.

His parents are currently Silver and Bronze Medal winners in the AKC Popularity Contest and you know he’s going to make a fantastic mixed breed dog, so let’s take a closer look at him and help you decide if this dog is for you. Soul mate dog.

We’ll outline the typical German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix. As mixed breed dogs, some puppies may have some slight differences.

Temperament

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is ​​a friendly and sociable pup who loves to be the center of family fun. He gets along well with all family members and doesn’t just focus on his owners like his GSD parents. He is also friendly to strangers and outsiders, rarely indifferent. That being said, he will often let his owner know that someone is at the door with a bark or two, but it is more of a welcome bark than a warning. If your family is in imminent danger, he won’t hesitate to protect his family.

Golden Shepherds are energetic and boisterous, which can lead to destructive tendencies if left alone for too long or if they feel bored and restless. But as long as you meet his exercise needs, he’s a lot of fun and is always up for a game of fetch in the backyard. He also inherited his detective tendencies from his German Shepherd parents. If there’s even the slightest gap, this curious dog will likely find his way out of the closed enclosure.

Since he’s a social butterfly like his Golden Retriever parents and a most loyal animal like his German Shepherd parents, this guy is obsessed with human company. He is very attached to his family and as a result, he is likely to suffer from extreme separation anxiety. For this reason, he really shouldn’t be left alone for more than a few hours, and if this is a regular occurrence, then a Golden Shepherd is not for you.

Size & Appearance

The Golden Shepherd is a large breed, measuring between 21 and 26 inches from foot to shoulder. He will weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. This combination has a thick body, deep chest and strong frame. He is slightly longer in stature, but he should not have a sloping back like a German Shepherd.

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix looks wilder than its Golden Retriever parent. His ears will be large triangles. They will stand up or drop down along the contour of his jaw. He tends to have a long, thick tail and large paws. He will have large black eyes and a long mouth that extends into his broad skull.

Coat & Colors

Their double coat will be medium to long and very thick and dense. If his German Shepherd’s parents are Long-haired German Shepherds, it’s likely that his coat will also be much longer. Because of its thick double coat, it sheds moderately and for this reason it is not considered a hypoallergenic breed.

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever’s mixed coat will be black and tan, golden, dark yellow, solid black, solid white or solid brown. In the end, he’ll take any color from either mom or dad and doesn’t seem to have a typical color. He may also have inherited facial markings from his German Shepherd parents.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Golden Shepherd is a high-energy breed that needs at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. If you want to tire him out then this exercise needs to be intense, not just an hour of walking. As an intelligent dog, it will need plenty of exercise or activity sessions. This will help keep him physically stimulated. If it’s likely he’s inherited the Golden Retrievers’ love of water, he’ll also enjoy a dip or two in the local lake, play catch and go hiking in the woods with his owner.

Because he’s so smart, he’ll need a variety of mind games to help keep him high throughout the day. Training sessions are always great to keep him. This helps him learn new tricks and put them in a routine that will help him obey. Balloons or candy-filled jigsaw puzzles are another great way to keep your child’s mind busy.

Because he is large and sturdy, we recommend that he have a house with a wide patio. While he enjoys an afternoon nap, he likes to spend a lot of his time in the fresh air. He is not suitable for small houses or apartments unless there is an exercise shop. As long as it is socialized at an early age, it will do well in a family with many pets. Just make sure to give him the right amount of attention. He’s also great with kids. Because of his athletic stature, he should be around older kids that he can’t push.

Training

The Golden GSD mix is ​​very intelligent and very eager to please its owner. This combination makes for a completely trainable dog. He’s more likely to enjoy being praised or won by his owner for a toy than an edible treat. Remember to stock up on tennis balls to reward him. Reward-based training is the most effective way to train a dog. Especially those who are very hungry for praise, so stick with this method.

Although he is said to be less protective than his German Shepherd parents, it is still possible that he will inherit this trait. It is important to communicate with him from an early age. Expose him to strangers of different genders and sizes from the start. Teach him that if a guest is greeted by his host, it is imperative that they be friends forever. It is important to welcome other people’s dogs on the property so that they do not become overprotective.

No matter how talented he is, he still needs a steady and consistent owner. That combination takes someone who doesn’t let his practice slip. This combination is stubborn and he won’t learn commands unless you teach him and keep up with the training. If he’s about to become the family dog, be sure to teach the whole family commands to expect. This will ensure his training is consistent and doesn’t become chaotic.

Health

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is ​​a relatively hardy breed. He outlives both his parents due to hybrid vigor. His average lifespan is 10 to 13 years. Because he is a relatively new designer breed, health checks are not recommended. It is best to consider the health of his parents to see what diseases he may be susceptible to.

Your dog may be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. This is an abnormal formation of the affected joint, which can lead to severe arthritis over time. Golden Shepherds are also predisposed to many eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy or uveitis pigmentosa. This can eventually lead to complete blindness. He is also prone to heart problems such as aortic stenosis. This condition is usually diagnosed when a puppy has a heart murmur. It is especially important to keep your veterinary exams up to date, as this is a problem that cannot be caught alone. He is also at risk for degenerative myeloma, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. This results in immobility of the lower extremities.

Golden Muds are prone to gastric torsion, also known as flatulence, which is a twisting of the stomach after eating, just before or after strenuous exercise. While this may not sound particularly serious, it is a life-threatening condition that is usually fatal. If you suspect it has bloating, take it to the vet right away.

Nutrition

The average Golden Shepherd consumes about 3 cups of food per day. It depends on how active they are. If your puppy is a bit sedentary, they will need less, and if they are always on the go, they may need more. High quality kibble is recommended for high energy dogs.

This is a medium to large mixed breed that may be prone to gastric torsion. Therefore, he should be fed according to the recommended amount of food for at least 2 different sessions. You also shouldn’t eat right before or after strenuous exercise.

Grooming

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever is a bit demanding when it comes to grooming. This mixture requires brushing 2 to 3 times a week. You’ll want to maintain this routine to keep their medium to long coat healthy and shiny. He is a moderately shedding species, especially during shedding season. During this time, he will require daily brushing to keep his coat manageable and your sofa ruffle-free. If you are not a person who likes to have dog hair on your clothes or in the house, then you may want to consider a different breed.

The Golden Shepherd, with its high energy levels and curiosity, is likely to get muddy and dirty while walking. He should be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks. This frequency will ensure you keep them clean but try not to wash them too much as you risk damaging their skin’s natural oils. All other grooming routines are the same in terms of frequency and cost.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

The Internet will be your best friend in this search. Many Golden Shepherd breeders appear on the first few pages of any search engine. While it is easy to find a breeder, it is important to find a reputable breeder. Look for a breeder who will take care of the puppy’s health above all else. Read reviews and meet them in person with their puppies.

The average cost of a Golden Shepherd puppy is about $800 or more. If a breeder is selling a puppy significantly below or above this price, proceed with caution. This could be a sign that something is wrong. Most reputable breeders will register their Golden Shepherd with IDCR. Ask to see the parents’ paperwork to verify that your dog comes from healthy lines.

Rescue & Shelters

Your local specialized German Shepherd or Golden Retriever rescue center is the most likely place to find the Golden Shepherd. Some rescue centers have waiting lists if not available. This means that they will notify you when they adopt one, giving you a chance to adopt your perfect puppy.

like a family pet.

• The Golden Collie is a friendly and sociable dog that gets along with everyone.
• GSD retriever mixes may still inherit protective traits that make socialization important.
• He is an active dog that must be bred with an active family.
• You need to commit to at least 1 hour of exercise a day.
• They are intelligent dogs that must be trained and exercised.
• Puzzle games are great to keep his mind busy.
• He needs to be in a larger house with closed backyard access.
• He is a moderately shedding person with a medium length coat.
• He is not the best choice for people who are allergic to dogs.
• Due to its size, it is more suitable for families with older children.
• The Golden Shepherd is happy to share his home with other family pets.
• He is a very affectionate and loving dog that needs to be with his family.
• He is not the best breed to be left alone for long periods of time.

Final Thoughts

The Golden Shepherd is a wonderful dog who has the right doggy balance. Not only is he super friendly, sociable, and fun, but he is intelligent and devoted to his family. If a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd will fit with your lifestyle, then there is no reason why the Golden Shepherd won’t!

Having access to a backyard is recommended with the Golden Shepherd. If not, as long as your pup is regularly exercised, you can expect a well-behaved dog. You should be prepared for any traits that he may inherit from either parent as well. If you can handle the exercise and very few health issues, then this mix will fit perfectly into your family.