Seeking out a designer dog is a relatively new trend when it comes to looking for pets.
Designer dogs come from the deliberate breeding of purebreds with the goal of creating a hybrid that possesses the best qualities that can be found in both of their parents.
When it comes to a German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix, the hope is to create a dog that has the alertness, courage, and speed of a German Shepherd along with the retrieving abilities and gentle temperament of a Golden Retriever.
Here is an in-depth look at the Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix to help you determine if this might be the right dog for you.
What Is A Golden Shepherd?
The beautiful and loving Golden Shepherd is a smart and gentle dog that is generally an ideal family pet.
Bred from a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever, these dogs love to please their families and typically get along with everyone.
The German Shepherd was originally bred in the early 20th century by a German cavalry captain named Captain Max von Stephanitz, whose goal was to breed a superior herding dog.
The end result was a dog that was smart, quick, brave, and athletic.
The captain began using the German Shepherd in military and police work, working as a rescuer, guard, Red Cross dog, and supply carrier during World War I.
As people began to notice this dog’s abilities, they started to become increasingly popular.
German Shepherds today can be reserved, but they’re very loyal and dedicated to those they love.
They’re easygoing and affectionate, but if a German Shepherd feels there’s a threat present, he will become protective of himself and his family.
They’re easy to train, extremely smart, and they are exceptional work dogs or family dogs.
However, because of their intelligence and need for activity, they can become destructive if they get bored.
Golden Retrievers were developed in the 19th century by Lord Tweedmouth who was an avid hunter and felt he needed a retriever more alert than setters and spaniels.
He also wanted a dog that would be a relaxed and loyal companion at home.
Golden Retrievers were recognized as a breed by the English KC in 1911 and were formally named the Golden Retriever in 1920.
Today, Golden Retrievers remain calm and gentle pets who love people. They’re eager to please and enjoy being a part of the fun.
Golden Retrievers are smart and trustworthy and enjoy being mentally stimulated.
These dogs prefer to not be alone for a long period of time and need a decent amount of physical exercise each day.
A Golden Retriever and German Shepherd mix is simply a mix between these two purebred dogs.
This designer dog mix only dates back 30 or 40 years to the 1980s, which is when breeders first started to cross purebreds to produce an ideal dog.
Because of the American Kennel Club’s commitment to purebred dogs instead of mixed breeds, designer dogs like the Golden Shepherd doesn’t qualify to be a part of its coveted registry.
However, both parent dogs are long-time members.
What Does A Golden Shepherd Look Like?
Their bodies resemble those of a German Shepherd’s but their heads look more like a Golden Retriever.
Their ears tend to be short and droopy, but they perk up when the dog becomes excited.
They have long coats with a thick chest that can vary from soft to rough and from wavy to smooth.
Golden Shepherds are often black, off-white, golden, or white, and some may have a hint of blue.
How Big Will A Golden Shepherd Get?
This largely depends on how big the parents of the dog are.
However, these dogs are large, weighing up to 85 pounds and standing up to 26 inches tall.
In order for your German Shepherd to thrive while growing, it is important to feed him a proper diet.
Look for high quality, dry foods that are specifically made for larger dog breeds in your dog’s age group.
You want to make sure the food you give your dog is rich in proteins and low in fillers like carbohydrates.
Fillers such as these will cause your dog to want to continue to eat until he is uncomfortably full, meaning he will constantly be hungry and looking for a snack.
Because the Golden Shepherd also has a tendency to become bloated, it is critical to his health that he isn’t fed a lot of food in one sitting or have constant access to a bowl of food.
To make sure that your dog grows properly and is able to reach his highest potential weight, give him two or three smaller meals throughout the day and make sure to keep up with your exercise routine.
Grooming Your Golden Shepherd
The Golden Shepherd mix originates from two breeds that both have thick, double-coats, which means these pups are likely to shed.
It is important to take the time to brush your Shepherd Retriever mix every day to help prevent excess shedding.
It’s not necessary to seek out professional grooming, and bathing should only occur when it is absolutely necessary.
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If your dog inherits the floppy Golden Retriever ears, it’s important to do a weekly inspection and cleaning to prevent infections — however, you don’t want to put anything deep into your dog’s ear.
A quick wipe with a cotton ball will clean away dirt and yeast infections that can accumulate if left untreated. If your dog is a swimmer, make sure his ears are completely dry after swimming because damp conditions may also lead to infections.
The Golden Shepherd’s nails must be clipped when they get long, but it’s important not to cut them too short.
Their teeth need regular brushing as well, at least three times a week.
How to Train A Golden Shepherd
The purpose of training is to teach your Golden Shepherd the appropriate ways to act both at home and when he is socializing.
This is important in order to prevent your dog from developing behavioral problems or to fix some misbehavior that he is currently displaying.
Because these dogs are intelligent, they are able to learn quickly and they are willing to obey commands, which makes training relatively easy.
Golden Shepherds need fewer repetitions than other dogs do to learn a command.