The Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd are amongst the most popular dog breeds in the world. With two highly intelligent, energetic and loyal dogs on the cards, it's no surprise that the Golden Shepherd makes an adorable and devoted pet.
When it comes to crossbreed dogs, there’s no way to predict exactly what the puppy will end up like. It depends on what traits they inherit from each of their parents. However, combining two breeds you love means you’ve got a good chance of ending up with the perfect little pup.
Let's meet the parents' breed.
Meet the Golden Retriever x German Shepherd parent breeds
When you combine two striking breeds, the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd, the result can vary greatly in appearance. Plus, you can be sure that the dog will be obedient and intelligent and will make an excellent pet.
Because each breed has unique needs, challenges, and expectations, it is important to consider both breeds when creating a designer breed. This is especially true for distinct breeds such as the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd.
Now, with that being said, let's find out a little more about the Golden Retriever German Shepherd mixed breed's parents.
The Golden Retriever
“The typical Golden Retriever is sweet and friendly, ready to accompany you on the most mundane task or the most exciting adventure. A Golden can be the dog of your dreams, but only if you choose him carefully and are willing to exercise and train him,” says Gerilyn J Bielakiewicz in The Everything Golden Retriever Book. Often used as guide dogs, golden retrievers are smart, devoted and intelligent dogs who want to be by their owner’s side at any opportunity.
The German Shepherd
These large working dogs originate from Germany and are known for their exceptional intelligence and obedience once trained. Because of these traits, German shepherds are commonly used in the police, search-and-rescue, and military forces. German Shepherds have long, sturdy bodies that were made for strength and endurance. They’re loyal, fearless, and fairly protective of their owners.
Physical characteristics of the Golden Retriever x German Shepherd
Crossbreeds can vary in physical appearance and temperament depending on the percentage of traits taken from each parent. However, coming from two medium-large sized dogs, you can be pretty sure that the German shepherd cross Golden retriever will end up as a fairly big dog. You can expect a Golden Shepherd to measure around 50-67cm (20 to 26 inches) at the shoulder and weigh in at around 27-40kg (60 to 88 pounds).
Generally, females tend to be slightly smaller than males - but in general, you’d have a pretty hefty pup on your hands. It seems more common for a Golden Retriever x German Shepherd mix to take on the sturdy body (though the back will be much shorter) of the German Shepherd with the Golden Retriever's sweet, innocent face and almond eyes.
Coat colours range from black to white, with common colours being cream, tan, yellow and golden.
Temperament of the German Shepherd - Golden Retriever mixed breed
With loyal, playful, intelligent parents on both sides, there’s no doubt that you’re in for - you guessed it - a loyal, playful and intelligent Golden Shepherd. While a Golden Retriever isn’t the best guard dog, this mix combines the German Shepherd’s protectiveness with the Golden Retriever’s easy-going temperament. This makes them the perfect match for those looking for a loving pooch who’d also make a good watchdog. But despite the German Shepherd’s ancestry, this mix will be warm and affectionate towards most people they come across if trained and socialised - unless they are provoked.
Generally, a Golden Retriever x German Shepherd dog is eager to please and is friendly. Golden Retriever - German Shepherd mix dogs can be a little on the needy side. If you’re looking for a pup who loves being around you, will follow you wherever you go and will never shy away from cuddles, you’ve found your perfect pooch. This mix thrives on being around their family and needs a lot of interaction. On the other hand, if you need a dog who is okay with being alone some of the time, they’re not a good option for you.
Socialisation and training
We know how smart the Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix is, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require hard work in terms of socialisation and training. No matter what breed you choose, without training, you could have a difficult pup on your hands. Always use positive reinforcement when training a dog; it's the best way to bond with your animal and train him at the same time.
German Shepherds can sometimes be overprotective of their owners, so this needs to be addressed in a golden shepherd puppy.
Before you commit, it’s a good idea to meet the German Shepherd's parents and see if they’re happy around strangers. Socialising your puppy with adults, children, and other animals from a young age is the best way to combat any guarding issues.
Due to their high intelligence, Golden Shepherds can easily learn tricks and be trained. If you’re proactive in rewarding them for their good behaviour, they tend to understand right and wrong quickly. They like to please their owners, which simplifies the training process.
How much exercise does the German Shepherd cross Golden Retriever need
If you adopt a Golden Retriever x German Shepherd, you’ll need lots of time on your hands to exercise and play with them. They’re very energetic dogs in general, and will easily become bored and frustrated without their daily jaunt.
Golden Retrievers adore playing fetch, frisbee, walking, jogging, running, hiking, and swimming—basically, anything that requires physical activity. For this reason, the German shepherd—golden retriever mix is best placed in a household with an outside play area. They won’t be so happy in an apartment or house without a garden. Aim for 60-90 minutes of exercise per day.
How to groom a Golden Shepherd
Though physical attributes will vary from puppy to puppy, Golden Shepherd’s have a fairly long coat in most cases. If you don’t like shedding, this pup probably isn’t for you - there will be hair all over your house! You’ll need to incorporate a daily brush in your dog’s routine, as well as check their nails regularly as they’re prone to getting long quickly. An ear wax check and clean-out are also beneficial, as both breeds tend to suffer from wax build-up.
Health problems of the German Shepherd cross Golden Retriever
Make sure you inspect the veterinary records of any German shepherd cross Golden retriever puppy you buy. It can also help to dig deeper into the parent’s health, as some issues may be genetic. You can expect your Golden Shepherd to live to around 10-14 years old, which is a good life expectancy considering their size. The most common health concerns of this mix breed are:
- Allergies
- Ear Mites
- Joint dysplasia
- Bloating
- Epilepsy
- Eye problems
- Cancer
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Degenerative Myelopathy
It’s still unlikely that your pooch will suffer from all or any of the above diseases, but it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the symptoms. That way, you’ll be able to detect them at the earliest opportunity and get your pup some help.
Overall, the German Shepherd cross Golden Retriever can make the ideal family or companion dog. A well-trained and socialised Golden Shepherd is sweet, obedient and extremely affectionate - what’s not to love?
