Golden Shepherd – Size and Appearance
The Golden Shepherd is a large mixed breed. Males can stand as tall as 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 95 pounds. Females are a bit smaller, with a typical height of 24 inches and weight of 75 pounds. But don’t let their size intimidate you – these dogs are loving giants!
Coat Texture and Color
The Golden Shepherd has a thick, golden coat that can be wavy or straight. They may also have black hair around their muzzle, tail, and paws. Besides golden, possible colors include black, cream, red, tan, and blue. There is some variation in the markings and coat length, but regardless of their appearance, these dogs shed a lot.
Face and Build
The Golden Shepherd has a large head and strong jaw that they don’t hesitate to use – they can be quite mouthy! They also have almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown or black. Their ears are pointed or floppy, depending on which breed’s genes take over.
The Golden Shepherd’s body is muscular, with a long neck, deep chest, and straight back. Their tail is thick at the base and tapers to a point. It’s difficult to predict which parent breed the dog is going to resemble more when they grow up. However, they’ll most likely be strong and have the German Shepherd’s facial features.
Golden Shepherd – Temperament and Personality
It’s no surprise that the Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix makes a great family dog. They are loyal and protective of their loved ones, but also friendly with strangers and children. What they don’t tolerate, though, is being alone – if you’re gone for long periods during the day, they may become destructive.
Exercise Needs
These dogs need plenty of exercise – a big yard is ideal, but they’ll do fine with a few walks per day if that’s all you can provide. Take them to the park for an hour and let them run around, or go hiking with them. They love to explore, and they’re always curious about new sights and smells.
Intelligence and Trainability
The Golden Shepherd is an intelligent dog that learns quickly. They respond best to positive reinforcement training methods, but they’re probably too much for a first-time dog owner. Be patient and consistent with your commands, and they’ll soon be housebroken and obedient.
Barking and Stranger Danger
Golden Shepherds are bred from watchdogs, so they may bark when strangers approach. This can be a great deterrent for burglars, but it may not be ideal if you have close neighbors. To keep them quiet, socialize them early and often with people, other dogs, and different environments.
Mouthiness
These dogs are known for their playful nature – and that includes being mouthy. They love to chew on things (including your shoes), so be sure to provide them with plenty of appropriate toys. You may also want to crate-train your puppy to keep them away from furniture when you’re not at home.
Health and Life Expectancy
Golden Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, and they can live between 10 and 14 years. Like all mixed breeds, they can suffer from conditions that are common in their lineages. For the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix, these include:
- hip and elbow dysplasia,
- bloat (GDV) and diarrhea,
- degenerative myelopathy.
Hip and elbow dysplasia typically affects rapidly growing dogs, and it’s characterized by an abnormal formation of the joints. It causes pain and lameness, which can be managed with surgery and medications.
GDV is a life-threatening condition that is most often observed in large dogs. It occurs when a dog’s stomach twists, cutting off blood flow. It’s caused by eating too much or drinking excessive amounts of water too quickly. Signs include vomiting, retching, painful abdomen, and pale gums.
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive neurological disease that eventually leads to hind leg paralysis. It’s most frequently seen in older dogs, and there is no cure. Both Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are predisposed to it, so breeders should have their puppies’ parents tested for the condition.
Unwanted Behaviors
Golden Shepherds descend from working dogs, so they have a lot of energy. If they don’t get enough exercise, they may become destructive or start barking excessively. And while they’re not usually aggressive, they may not like the presence of other dogs if they hadn’t been exposed to them enough as puppies.
They may also mouth your hands or clothing – this is normal behavior for young puppies, but it should stop as they mature. To help, give them plenty of chewing toys and train them not to chew on furniture or people.
Golden Shepherd – Grooming and Care
This large breed sheds year-round, so be prepared to vacuum often! Brush their coat at least once a week to help keep shedding under control. Bathing with a mild shampoo should be done once every few months or when they get into dirt.
Trim their nails monthly, and brush their teeth daily with a dog-specific toothpaste to avoid tartar buildup. Check their ears weekly for any wax buildup or redness, and clean them with a cotton ball dipped in the wash recommended by your vet.
To minimize the risk of joint diseases, avoid walking your puppy on hard surfaces (such as the pavement) until they’re fully grown. It’s best for them to play on grass, sand, and other natural surfaces. Your vet should be able to tell you if they’re growing properly during routine checkups.
Golden Shepherd – Breeding
The Golden Shepherd is a relatively new mixed breed, so there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to find one at your local shelter or rescue organization. If you’re set on this pup, your best bet is to contact a reputable breeder.
Most puppies you’ll find on the market will descend directly from one German Shepherd and one Golden Retriever parent. However, it’s also possible to take two Golden Shepherds and produce a second generation of the mixed breed. In any case, breeders should test the parent dogs for genetic conditions and prove that they’ve done so to their customers.
When looking for a breeder, always visit the puppies in their home environment and meet the parents (if possible). This will give you a good idea of what to expect from your own pup when they’re grown. A reputable breeder will be able to answer all of your questions and provide documentation of the puppy’s health and lineage.
Golden Shepherd – Price
Puppies usually cost between $500 and $800, depending on their parentage, coat color, and other factors. Be sure to budget for additional costs such as food, toys, vet care, and training classes. An adult Golden Shepherd will typically eat four cups of food per day, so factor that into your budget as well!
When adopting a Golden Shepherd from a shelter or rescue organization, the adoption fee is typically between $50 and $500, depending on the veterinary procedures that need to be done. This includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Adopting instead of shopping lets you save money on the dog initially, but remember that pups from the shelter have unknown lineages, so they may turn out to have certain diseases as they age. If they were rescued from a shady breeder, the organization you’re adopting from should inform you of this and give you helpful advice.
Golden Shepherd – History of the Breed
When were Golden Shepherds first bred? It’s a relatively new mixed breed, but there’s no definitive answer to the question. Most experts believe that the mix has existed in North America since the 1990s, but intentional crossing of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers didn’t happen until 2009.
Designer dog breeders wanted to achieve a dog that had the intelligence and loyalty of the German Shepherd, along with the golden coat and gentle personality of the Golden Retriever.
History of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a breed that was developed in the late 1800s in Germany. They were originally used as herding dogs, but their intelligence and trainability soon made them popular for a wide variety of tasks including search and rescue, police work, and military service. Now, they’re one of the most common dog breeds in the world, and they’re valued both for their hard work and friendliness.
History of the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a breed that was developed in Scotland in the mid-19th century. They were originally bred as hunting dogs, and their retrieving abilities soon made them popular for a wide variety of tasks, including assistance work. Today, Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly personalities and belong to the most popular dog breeds in the world. They’re also trained as guide dogs, just like Labradors, Standard Poodles and German Shepherds.
Golden Shepherd – Who Should Adopt?
The Golden Shepherd descends from hunting dogs, so they’re naturally active and enjoy spending time outdoors. They shouldn’t live in small apartments, and if you’ve never owned a dog before, we recommend picking a different breed.
Besides, Golden Shepherds are sensitive and may not tolerate a noisy and chaotic household. If you have small children, we recommend another breed that’s more tolerant of rowdy kids. Older children make great company for these playful dogs, but never leave them together unsupervised.
If you’re an experienced dog parent looking for a watchful dog and family companion, this pup may be for you! Just make sure you have enough space for them to run and play in, and enough time to keep them busy so that they don’t become bored and destructive.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Golden Shepherd?
If you’re planning on welcoming a Golden Shepherd into your home, there are a few things you’ll need to do in order to prepare.
First, prepare a crate for your pup to eat and sleep in. This will help them feel comfortable and secure in their new environment, and allow you to lock them away for a short time when necessary. A crate-trained dog won’t chew up your furniture when you have to leave them alone for a bit.
You should also puppy-proof your home by removing anything that could be harmful to them, such as medications, cleaning supplies, and small objects that they could choke on. Golden Shepherds are curious and mouthy, so you need to be extra careful not to leave dangerous stuff around them.
It’s also important to create a space for them to run and play in. If you have a backyard, that’s ideal, but if not, try setting up an indoor play area with toys that are good for chewing and mental stimulation.
Finally, make sure you’re up for the challenge of house training your new pup. Golden Shepherds are intelligent and can be potty trained relatively quickly, but it will require patience and consistency on your part.
Dietary Needs
A healthy adult Golden Shepherd will typically eat about four cups of food per day. Split that into several smaller meals to prevent digestive issues. These dogs are prone to weight gain, so they should have a diet that’s high in protein and low in fat. You can find quality dog food at most pet stores, or talk to a pet nutritionist about what would be best for your pup.
Golden Shepherd – Fun Facts
Hungry for more knowledge about this charming dog breed? Here’s our selection of interesting facts!
- Other names for the breed include the German Retriever and Golden German Shepherd.
- Golden Shepherds tolerate both hot and cold temperatures, making them good pets for people all around the globe.
- Despite their size, they can learn to play gently with cats and other small animals if socialized properly.
- Golden Shepherds are recognized by the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), and Dog Registry of America (DRA).
Is the Golden Shepherd the Right Companion for You?
The Golden Shepherd is a great choice for an experienced dog parent who’s looking for a loyal and protective family companion. They need plenty of exercise and should not be left alone for long periods. With proper training and care, these dogs can be wonderful additions to your home.
Do you think a Golden Shepherd is the right dog for you? If so, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder, or adopt one from a shelter or rescue organization. Happy dog paw-renting!
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