The coming together of two extremely popular dog breeds, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is an active and highly intelligent dog. It is a designer dog breed that is the offspring of the purebred German Shepherd and the purebred Golden Retriever.
For people who love mixed breeds, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is nothing short of a dream come true. Also known as the Golden Shepherd, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is a mixed breed in very high demand today. A dog breed that stands quite tall at the shoulder, the Golden Shepherd has the retrieving instincts of one parent and the tendencies of the other.
Overall, the German Shepherd is an affectionate, playful, and energetic dog. Here, we will cover origins of the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix, its appearance, personality traits, health, grooming, and training & exercise needs. So, let’s begin.
The Origins of the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix
There is no documented history of the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix. So, the next best thing that we can do is look at the origins of its parents i.e. the origins of the German Shepherd and the Golden Retriever. We will start with the origins of the German Shepherd.
Perhaps the most recognizable dog breed in the past hundred years, the German Shepherd has come a long way since its earliest days. Initially, the dog breed was used as sheep herders in Germany. At that time, people would keep German Shepherds for their work ethic more than anything else. The appearance of this dog breed was not even a consideration.
It was at the end of the 19th century that German Shepherds started to be considered as a pet to keep at home. This was when Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz, a breeder based in Germany, created a club to maintain and regulate the standards of the breed. The outcome of this was a German Shepherd breed that could be domesticated.
Soon, German Shepherds started to become a popular choice among dog lovers. However, the popularity declined starting from the beginning of WWI and continuing till the end of the Second World War due to anti-German sentiments. However, the popularity of the German Shepherd picked up once again in the 60s and it has had an upward trend ever since.
Talking about the origins of the Golden Retriever, the other parent breed of the Golden Shepherd, it originated in the highlands of Scotland and was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, a British aristocrat. In its initial days, the Golden Retriever was used to retrieve birds. The Retriever still has this quality and thus is used by hunters even today. However, the Golden Retriever is mostly used as a pet today mainly because it is a friendly, affectionate, and intelligent dog.
No one knows the exact time or year the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix came about. However, what is known to most is that the Golden Shepherd is recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry. However, it is yet to receive official acknowledgement as a breed from the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The Appearance of the Golden Shepherd
The Golden Shepherd is generally a big-sized dog. This is because both of its parent breeds have a large size. In terms of size, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix can weigh about 70 pounds and stand 24-inches tall. However, there may be a slight difference in the size of a male and female Golden Shepherd.
A male German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix can have an average weight between 65 and 90 pounds and an average height of 24 to 26 inches. On the other hand, the average weight of a female Golden Shepherd is between 50 and 70 pounds while the average height is 22 to 24 inches.
If the parent breeds are anything to go by, then you should be ready for a hefty pet if you decided to get the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix home. Not only is the Golden Shepherd a big-sized dog, it is also extremely furry which means that you will be spending a lot of time on its grooming and hygiene.
The German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix may inherit the pointed and black or brownish colored ears of its German Shepherd parent. On the other hand, its coat may resemble that of its Golden Retriever parent which means that its coat could be golden in color and extremely long.
If you really want to get an idea of what appearance your German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is likely to have, take a good look at the physical attributes of both the German Shepherd and the Golden Retriever. This is because the Golden Shepherd is likely to take on the physical characteristics of either one of its parents or a combination of both.
The Personality Traits of the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix
There are several factors that will determine the personality and temperament of an individual German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix. Depending on the environment and the task it is given, the Golden Shepherd can have two completely different personalities. For this reason, you will have to train your dog to behave a certain way inside the house and outdoors.
Since it is the offspring of German Shepherd, a herder, you can expect the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix to be an extremely loyal and protective dog. Additionally, the Golden Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog breed and can sense beforehand what it is supposed to do.
The German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix can also take on the personality traits of its Golden Retriever parent. This means that your Golden Shepherd might be an easygoing dog that loves to be around people.
At times, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix will showcase the guarding instincts of its German Shepherd parents which means that it can be overly protective at times. The good news is that you can easily handle this problem with proper training.
However, since your Golden Shepherd can inherit the guarding instincts of the German Shepherd, you will have to be extremely careful when socializing your dog. To avoid problematic situations, make sure that you don’t expose your German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix to intensive socialization. This is important to ensure that your dog is happy to meet strangers or new people and is not frightened by them.
Overall, the Golden Shepherd is a dog breed that shows a lot of affection and provides great support to its owners and the family.
Health and Grooming
Compared to its parent breeds, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is a healthier dog breed overall. This is because the dog breed does not inherit too many of its parents’ health problems. As far as the lifespan of the Golden Shepherd is concerned, it can live for anywhere between 10 and 14 years, provided its nutrition and grooming needs are taken care of. However, there are a few health risks posed to the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix. These include:
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Allergies
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Flea infection
- Eye problems
- Infections from ear mites
- Cancer
- Joint dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Bloating
Your Golden Shepherd may go through its entire life without developing any of the above-mentioned diseases. However, it is always good to know about the potential health risks posed to your dog since it allows you to take the appropriate preventive measures and care.
When it comes to grooming, one of the most important areas that you will need to pay attention to is your Golden Shepherd’s coat. This is because this dog breed is known for ‘shedding’. Not only will you have to regularly brush and trim your dog’s hair, but you will also have to vacuum the furry coat that the Golden Shepherd regularly sheds.
In addition to taking care of your dog’s hair and coat, you will also need to regularly examine your German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix’s ears. This is because the pockets of the Golden Shepherd’s ears are deep and can quickly accumulate wax, which can only be found on close inspection.
Training and Exercise Needs
Since both its parents are active dog breeds, your Golden Shepherd will need to be exercised regularly. An extremely active dog that loves to run around, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix should get adequate exercise or activity, but not too much, since this can cause hip issues in your dog later in its life. The best thing to do would be to start slowly and the increase activity as your dog builds the stamina and muscles needed to keep active for a long time.
As it grows older, keep your Golden Shepherd engaged in light exercises so make sure it is never bored and does not chew on things it isn’t supposed to. Mental stimulation is extremely important for the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix.
Additionally, the dog appreciates positive reinforcements but can be taken aback by negative actions and words. Like most other dog breeds, the Golden Shepherd enjoys being given a treat and would be prepared to listen to you to get it.,
Our Final Thoughts
Overall, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is a great dog breed to own and pet since it is an affectionate dog and has a strong desire to be around people. If you’re considering getting a Golden Shepherd for yourself, then we would recommend that you go ahead and do just that.
