Golden Shepherd: The Complete Info Guide

Last Updated on August 20, 2023 by Fumipets

Golden Shepherd

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The most popular dog breeds in the world, German shepherds and golden retrievers, were crossed to create the golden shepherd. This mixed breed, sometimes known as a golden German shepherd, is totally lovely, very intelligent, fiercely devoted to his family, and, above all, immensely affectionate. For families with lots of free time and energy to devote to regular exercise and attention, golden shepherds make wonderful companions.

Appearance

Like other hybrid breeds, golden shepherds inherit characteristics from both parent breeds. They may strongly resemble one parent or the other, or they may appear like a blend of the two—it all depends. They are half German shepherd and half golden retriever. 

Liz Claflin, a trainer and Zoom Room’s vice president of operations, explains that since this breed is a cross, there aren’t many breeders and the genetics are still being worked out. It’s impossible to predict what a golden shepherd hybrid might look like.

If you want to know what your dog could look like before you get a golden shepherd, look at golden retrievers and German shepherds. 

Golden retrievers normally weigh 55 to 75 pounds and measure 21 to 25 inches tall. The colour of this breed’s fur, as implied by its name, ranges from creamy white to dark golden yellow. Their tails are fluffy and almost never stop wagging with joy.

German shepherds typically weigh between 50 and 90 pounds and measure 22 to 26 inches tall, making them roughly the same size as golden retrievers. Usually black and tan in colour, these regal-looking dogs may also have black, black with red, sable, or white fur. 

The coat of a golden shepherd is likely to combine colours and patterns from the two parent breeds (for example, some golden shepherds have a darker “mask” on their faces like a German shepherd and a golden-hued coat on their body like a golden retriever). Similar to golden retrievers, golden shepherds may have either the alert, erect ears of a German shepherd or the floppy, folded-over ears of a golden retriever.

Your golden shepherd puppy will probably be adorable no matter which parent he resembles. Before bringing a golden shepherd home, think about how much space you have since they are typically medium- to large-sized dogs when they are fully grown.

Temperament

Golden shepherd dogs are the ideal compromise for fans of German shepherds and golden retrievers. These friendly puppies inherit the intelligence of the German shepherd, the joyous disposition of the golden retriever, and the familial character of both parent breeds.

There is a reason why golden retrievers are so well-liked, especially among families with young children: they are happy, fun-loving dogs with endearing dispositions. They like running around and playing, but they also enjoy watching films while curled up on the sofa. Golden retrievers are excellent companions that would happily go wherever with you since they greatly like receiving attention from their human owners—pets, scratches, compliments, and hugs are their favourites. They often steal the show at events and are amiable with strangers.

German shepherds are very clever canines with a natural interest in their surroundings. A German shepherd needs a daily dose of both physical and cerebral stimulation since they like taking walks and learning new commands and tricks. They are sometimes referred to as “Velcro dogs” because of their intense affection for and need for constant proximity to their human family members. They’ll also promptly let you know if a delivery is at the door.

Golden shepherds, a cross between a German shepherd and a golden retriever, are likely to have unique personalities that draw characteristics from both of their parents, according to Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, a Rover pet lifestyle specialist. 

“Being a mix, this varies a lot, but they are known for their strong work ethic and drive, while still being a great companion dog,” she claims. There is no way to predict how much a German shepherd or a golden would tilt to one side since both breeds are energetic and lively, yet both dogs like company and education.

Living Needs

The most contented golden shepherds are those that can spend as much time as possible with their human owners, despite the fact that they are versatile dogs who may flourish in a variety of living settings. They are thus perfect for households where everyone spends a lot of time at home or for young people working from home.

“This breed loves people,” adds Ellis. They are perfect for a companion who has time to devote to them.

They need an active owner who has time in their schedule for daily walks, jogs, hikes, training sessions, trips to the dog park, or agility training sessions (or, ideally, some combination of these activities! ), as they’ll behave themselves best when they get a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Feeders and puzzle toys may also keep your golden shepherd entertained.

The golden shepherd thrives with at least 60 minutes of movement every day, according to Ellis, “having two high-energy parents.” “A person who loves being outside with their dog—running, hiking, and more—is best.”

Ellis continues, “Golden shepherds are very happy to be couch potatoes after they burn off some steam and use their brains.”

Care

Although a golden shepherd requires very little upkeep in terms of grooming, you should be aware that your dog will probably shed quite a bit (golden retrievers and German shepherds both shed somewhat year-round and substantially in the spring and autumn).

Brush your golden shepherd’s coat at least once every week, and bathe him with shampoo made specifically for dogs when required, to keep him looking his best. Regular brushing may assist to some extent keep the shedding under control, but you might also want to consider investing in a decent hoover cleaner.

Even though exercise and outdoor play can help a golden shepherd’s nails deteriorate naturally, you’ll probably also need to trim their nails from time to time with clippers or a grinder (or schedule an appointment with a reputable groomer). Additionally, brush your golden shepherd’s teeth every night (or as frequently as you are able to!) and ask your vet if regular dental cleanings would be beneficial for your dog as he ages. Make a note to yourself to routinely clean your golden shepherd’s ears as well.

Due to his golden retriever ancestry, your golden shepherd may naturally be a highly friendly dog, but it’s still crucial to socialise him from a young age. In this manner, he will feel at ease among strange sights, noises, scents, and humans as well as other dogs. Your golden shepherd puppy might benefit from attending puppy kindergarten courses where they will socialise with puppies of different sizes and shapes as well as their parents and learn new signals.

Keep in mind that golden shepherds react best to positive reinforcement that includes a reward, like as high-value goodies, caressing, and effusive praise, while you look for a training facility or start creating your own training programmes, advises Ellis.

Health

The condition of a golden shepherd’s parents has a significant impact on his wellbeing and anticipated lifetime.

German shepherds may be predisposed to a number of hereditary illnesses and maladies, including elbow and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, bleeding issues, eye problems, degenerative myelopathy, hemangiosarcoma, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. These dogs normally survive 7 to 10 years. 

Golden retrievers typically live between 10 and 12 years, which is a little longer than the norm. Similar to German shepherds, golden retrievers are susceptible to eye diseases such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy as well as elbow and hip dysplasia. Additionally prone to allergies and hypothyroidism are golden retrievers.

According to Ellis, it’s crucial to understand that both German shepherds and golden retrievers are prone to bloat, also known medically as stomach dilatation-volvulus, which may be fatal if left untreated. She says the good news is that hybrid breeds often have fewer health issues than purebred dogs, but you should still be mindful of these typical worries. 

“While the chances are smaller, there is always the possibility for health issues,” she explains. “German shepherds and goldens both have a lot of health risks.”

History

The precise history of the golden shepherd is uncertain, much as with other hybrid breeds. Golden retrievers were created in the Scottish Highlands in the middle to late 1800s by Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord of Tweedmouth, who intended to create a talented hunting dog that could handle the area’s challenging terrain.

German military commander Capt. Max von Stephanitz is credited with creating the German shepherd breed in the late 1800s. These intelligent canines are rapid learners, which makes them a popular option for essential occupations like search and rescue operations and law enforcement work.

Golden shepherds are mostly kept as pets and companions nowadays. You could have trouble finding a golden shepherd breeder since there aren’t many of them in the United States. But frequently check with your neighbourhood animal shelters and rescue organisations as they could have a mixed-breed dog with a little German shepherd and golden retriever in him (or canines with traits like these two puppies!).