Golden Shepherd

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

Trainability:

Barking Level:

Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

Protective:

Height: 34 - 36cm M | 24 - 27cm F

Weight: 58 - 63kg M | 42 - 50kg F

Life Expectancy: 10 - 14 Years

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Introduction

The Golden Shepherd is a mixed-breed dog. To create this designer dog, breeders crossed the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever. This medium to large dog breed is a capable watchdog.

Golden Shepherds are protective and devoted to their families. Wary of strangers, it takes them some time to welcome new faces. They are spirited and gregarious family dogs that can adapt well in families with children and other pets.

The Golden Shepherd breed is a moderate shedder with low grooming needs. He has high activity levels and does not mind carrying out various tasks. His average lifespan is 10–14 years.

History

The Golden Shepherd is a German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix. He is not a purebred canine and is regarded as a designer dog. It is speculated that Golden Shepherds have long existed since the 1980s to 1990s. But they only gained fame in 2009.

Much like most mixed-breed dogs, a large chunk of the Golden Shepherd's origins remains unknown. So let's take a look at his parent breeds to understand more about this designer dog.

The German Shepherd breed’s early years were spent as a herding dog in Germany. However, later on, he was used in various canine work because of his versatility. This purebred dog is a popular choice that serves in the police and military. The German Shepherd is a keen, smart, and hard-working canine.

The Golden Retriever was a skilled gundog from Scotland. He is mainly tasked to retrieve game from the water. His bubbly and affectionate personality made him a well-loved family dog. Aside from being a wonderful home companion, the Golden Retriever is a capable guide dog, detection dog, and search and rescue dog.

Golden Shepherd breeders crossed both breeds to lessen the health problems plaguing purebreds. It was also to create a loving family companion and watchdog. Hence, the birth of the Golden Shepherd dog breed.

This German Shepherd cross Golden Retriever dog is not yet recognised by major kennel clubs as he is a mixed breed. However, other associations acknowledge and welcome Golden Shepherds for registration. The breed is accepted in the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DRA), and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Appearance and Grooming

The Golden Shepherd breed is a medium- to large-sized dog. Male Golden Shepherds weigh between 34–36 kilos and grow around 58–63 centimetres tall. Female Golden Shepherds' weight can range from 24–27 kilos and measure approximately 43–50 centimetres in height.

As a medium-to-large dog breed, the Golden Shepherd is slow to mature. It takes around 2–2 ½ years for Golden Shepherd puppies to become fully grown.

The Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix’s appearance is a combination of his 2 parent breeds. In general, he has a long and muscular body with a deep chest. Having a sloped back, which his German Shepherd parent possesses, is regarded as undesirable in this mixed breed.

The Golden Shepherd’s head is large and broad. He has large, deep brown eyes and a long muzzle. His ears are large and can either stand upright or droop alongside his jawline. He has a long, thick tail and large paws.

Golden Shepherds are double-coated mixed-breed dogs. They have a rough outercoat and a downy undercoat. They can either possess a long or medium-length coat. It is dense and may create feathering on their legs, underbelly, and tail.

Some Golden Shepherds may inherit the facial markings of their German Shepherd parents. The Golden Shepherd dog breed's main coat colors are black, blue, cream, tan, and red. His coat can be either solid or a mix of colors.

The Golden Shepherd is a non-hypoallergenic and moderate-shedding dog. Although he has a thick coat, his grooming needs are relatively low. He needs brushing twice or thrice a week.

However, as the Golden Shepherd blows out his coat twice a year, daily brushing is necessary during those periods. It will help manage his shedding. Be sure to ready the vacuum too.

Bathing the Golden Shepherd should be done every 3–6 months. Avoid frequent washing as it can strip away the natural oils of the coat. Shaving double-coated dog breeds like the Golden Shepherd is highly discouraged. It can ruin his coat and weaken its effectiveness in protecting him during harsh weather.

Other grooming needs of this mixed-breed dog are weekly ear cleaning and nail trimming. Do not forget to brush the Golden Shepherd’s teeth daily too. If this is not possible, doing it 2–3 times a week will suffice.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Golden Shepherd dog breed wonderfully matches the playfulness and high energy of children. Thus, he is a great canine companion for them. Make sure to teach children the importance of handling their furry friend with respect and gentleness. This will prevent both parties from getting hurt.

No matter how gentle your Golden Shepherd is, always be there to supervise his interaction with children.

The Golden Shepherd forms a strong bond with other pets. For this to happen, he should have plenty of positive exposure to other animals. Gradual introduction between both pets is also a crucial step in helping them build a friendship with each other.

These German Shepherd Golden Retriever mixes have a fairly high prey drive. With that in mind, keep an eye on them, especially when playing with small animals. Training will also help in managing this behaviour.

The parent breeds of Golden Shepherd are popular dogs for their high intelligence. This mixed breed inherited this trait, making him highly trainable.

He is an eager-to-please dog, so positive reinforcement and rewards-based training work well with him. Don't impose harsh punishments during training. It can negatively affect your bond with your dog.

Are Golden Shepherds good dogs?

Yes, Golden Shepherds are good dogs and are skilled in guard-dog and watchdog duties. Inheriting the protectiveness of the German Shepherd, they are aloof around strangers.

Whilst these hybrid dogs are not barkers, they will alert their owners if they sense danger. Early socialisation and training Golden Shepherds is essential to make them watchful but non-aggressive dogs.

Are Golden Shepherds good family dogs?

Yes, Golden Shepherds make good family dogs. Much like their German Shepherd and Golden Retriever parents, they are deeply loyal to their owners.

These mixed-breed dogs love to hang out with their family as well. So much so that they cannot be left alone for extended periods. Otherwise, they may develop separation anxiety.

Nutrition and Feeding

As a medium-to-large breed of dog, the Golden Shepherd has a calorie requirement of around 1,500 per day. Give him 3–4 cups of high-quality dog food daily. Make sure to choose a dog food that is specifically formulated for his size and age.

Be aware that Golden Shepherds are susceptible to deadly canine bloat. It can occur if they consume large meals too fast. To lower their risk of this disease, their meals should be split into 2 smaller portions.

Since these mixed-breed dogs have dense coats, hot days put them in danger of overheating. Fresh water should always be available for them throughout the day to keep them well-hydrated.

Health and Exercise

The Golden Shepherd breed can live between 10 and 14 years. He is a healthy canine, but predisposed to certain health issues much like most dog breeds. Below are the prevalent medical conditions this German Shepherd cross Golden Retriever dog is vulnerable to:

Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia

Both are bone and joint problems that are common in large and giant dog breeds. Sharp pain, mobility issues, and the possibility of permanent lameness are the results of these conditions. Golden Shepherds suffering from these diseases can be treated through medication. If it does not work, surgery may be necessary.

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

It is a gradual degenerative disease that mainly affects the spinal cord in dogs. This can result in the paralysis of the hind legs. Both the parent breeds of Golden Shepherds are at risk of developing this disease. Unfortunately, canine degenerative myelopathy is an incurable illness.

The Golden Shepherd breed has moderate to high energy levels. He requires an hour of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Take him out for joggings and runs to exhaust his excess energy.

Some Golden Shepherds love to swim like their Golden Retriever parent. So once in a while, let your dog wade in the beach, lake, or a doggy pool.

Also, allow your Golden Shepherd to participate in various canine sports, including agility and obedience training. This mixed-breed dog enjoys receiving different tasks to do. So train him to carry out simple chores in your household. For instance, picking up the remote, sorting laundry, and closing doors.

Golden Shepherds also need a spacious back garden to freely run around in. As they are full of energy and vigour, living in small houses and apartments is not ideal for them.

Cost of Ownership

Depending on the size of your Golden Shepherd, he may need a considerable amount of dog food. His feeding expenses in a year can total £300–£600. Since you need to buy basic supplies such as a crate, lead, and toys for your new family companion, be ready to spend around £100–£300.

Vet care is essential in keeping your Golden Shepherd puppy healthy and disease-free. Fees for each vet check-up session costs around £30–£60. His vaccinations may cost around £100–150, whilst his annual boosters are approximately £50–£60.

Spaying or neutering your Golden Shepherd pup can cost you £110–£400. Safeguard him from parasites by administering worm, tick, and flea treatments. These cost a total of £15–£30.

Think about getting pet insurance for your Golden Shepherd. The monthly insurance fee for mixed-breed dogs such as the Golden Shepherd is around £23. Puppies and healthy dogs have lower insurance fees than senior and sickly dogs.

How much is a Golden Shepherd?

A Golden Shepherd puppy costs around £1,200. Be sure to acquire your canine companion from a reputable breeder to ensure that he is healthy and has a stable temperament. The average litter size of the breed is around 6–10 puppies. Thus, you may not need to be on a waiting list and can obtain your Golden Shepherd puppy right away.