Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Golden Shepherd is one of the most unusual mixed breeds alive. This breed is a cross between the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd dog breeds.
They are large, energetic, and above anything else loyal.
These dogs were primarily bred to accompany people through everyday time, but their role over time evolved significantly.
After all, parents of the breed are high-value working dogs who are still superb in their duties.
German Shepherd is an excellent search and rescue and military dog, while Golden Retriever is often seen searching or serving as a therapy dog.
Some crossbreeds are smaller, some are bigger, while some are just, according to dog lovers, just perfect, and a German Shepherd is one of them.
After all, the German Shepherd is the outcome of breeding two of the most popular dogs in the States.
This breed goes by many names, including German Retriever, German Shepherd Golden Retriever, and Golden German Shepherd.
Basically, whenever you hear German Shepherd and the dog’s name is long, know that they are probably talking about this breed.
This breed is definitely not for first time dog owners.
Can you imagine a new owner, without any dog experience, handling a breed that has a German Shepherd and Golden Retriever in him?
It’s not an easy task. Therefore, owning this breed should be an option only when you gain some serious dog experience.
Are you still interested in getting a German Shepherd? Check below for more information on the breed.
Quick Facts
Real name: Golden Shepherd
Other names: German Retriever, German Shepherd Golden Retriever, and Golden German Shepherd
Breed type: Mixed Breed Dogs
Weight: 55 to 85 pounds
Height: 20 to 26 inches
Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
Litter Size: Around 8 puppies
Color: Coat color usually vary, from golden to mixed color coat. This could be black, cream, yellow, tan, white or blue
Coat: Long or short
Golden Shepherd History
Golden Shepherd is what happens when you mix the two most beloved breeds in the States.
This golden-like dog is an outcome of a carefully planned breeding between a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever.
Breeders wanted all the perks that German Shepherd possesses but is enhanced with Retrievers playfulness and soft character.
Breeders had a clean vision when creating this breed – they wanted a mix with minimal health problems that usually affect purebred dogs.
Another goal was to create the ultimate watchdog and family companion. Surprisingly, people were interested in this breed from day one, and the demand for Golden Shepherd only grew.
Today, you can find this breed mostly across the States, but as their popularity goes up, it’s just a matter of time when the rest of the world will catch on.
The very first Golden Shepherd was first seen in 2009, making this breed a relatively young one.
They are yet to be recognized by any major Kennel Club. They have been registered by the International Designer Canine Registry since 2009.
The Golden Shepherds are also registered with the Designer Breed Registry.
Golden Shepherd Physical Appearance
If you are serious about getting this breed, there are certain things that you should think about.
First, activity level. This is far from being small size dog, and you can expect to spend a significant amount of time outside making that dog tired.
With 20 to 26 inches and between 55 to 85 pounds, the Golden Shepherd is considered to be a larger dog.
Their coat comes in many colors, and you can never know for sure what puppy you are going to get.
Their longer coat will demand proper care and grooming. So, make sure that you have the proper grooming tools on hand, to make the process easier.
It will always be hard to predict how your Golden SHpher puppy will look. This is especially the case if your puppy is a first-generation mix.
As a general rule, their ears should be floppy, just like in German Shepherd puppies.
Some are seen all-black while some are tan coloring, and some will have golden color tones – you will see parents in their appearance.
They usually have longer coats, but shorter versions are an option as well.
The appearance is more known if you are getting second and subsequent generations of Golden Shepherds – their appearance is easier to predict.
Otherwise, you can enjoy the diversity of Golden Shepherd’s appearance.
Golden Shepherd Personality
Golden Shepherds are really great companion dogs. Thanks to their origin, they are also amazing family dogs, who will love being around children and the elderly.
They are highly protective in nature.
As such, they will always inform you when a stranger is approaching. They may be aloof with people they aren’t familiar with.
However, once they start trusting you, they will be your real furry friends.
As a result of two highly working breeds, the Golden Shepherds are often seen doing physically high-demanding jobs.
After all, Golden Shepherd’s parents are alert and working dogs. As result, Golden Shepherd loves having a job to do.
They thrive on human affection and when there is a job to be done. Don’t forget that a good dog is a tired dog.
When days are rainy or when the snow is too much to handle, provide indoor games to help your Golden Shepherd burn that extra energy.
To keep this breed active and happy, you should provide them a job to do, no matter how small it may sound to be.
Having a sense of purpose is equally important both to humans and dogs. Just like his parents, the Golden Shepherd is a highly trainable dog.
They thrive easily on positive reinforcement. It’s important not to leave them alone for too long, nor too frequently.
As an active breed, they can easily become bored and frustrated.
When bored, dogs may become depressed, and even develop separation anxiety, which will result in destructive behavior.
Golden Shepherd Training
The Golden Shepherd is an all-around dog with a significant amount of energy.
Having a high-energy dog is great, as long as your energy can match the dog.
If you prefer to be a couch potato and have calm winter nights or stay in when the rain is too hard, then Golden Shepherd isn’t for you.
In that case, you should be honest and ask yourself if getting a dog is for you.
Being honest about your lifestyle and needs can save you a lot of trouble when it comes to dog ownership.
Golden Shepherd is an active dog, who will demand proper training and exercise time.
They are social, which means that training shouldn’t be a trouble, as long as you know what you’re doing.
As a highly trainable breed, this dog is always eager to please. They love and want to obey.
They prefer a strong leader, someone who will be consistent and knows how to make a great training.
Keeping training sessions fun, short, and effective is the best way to train your dog.
A consistent and predictable training method is what works the best. Still, make sure that you don’t repeat training methods and sessions every time, but mix it up a bit.
Include a new command, master the basic commands, and have treats on hand. Make training fun and interactive.
Dogs love being busy and giving them a job to do is always a plus. Training, indoor games, and positive reinforcement time should be enough to keep your dog happy.
Golden Shepherd Exercise
As a highly active dog, your Golden Shepherd will demand outdoor time and many games.
As an active breed, Golden Shepherd needs a minimum of 45 minutes of exercise per day.
If you don’t provide enough playtime, your dog will eventually become bored and destructive.
They will equally enjoy long walks and runs on the beach.
Make sure that your Golden Shepherd is always on a leash. Otherwise, you won’t be able to catch him if he runs away with his playmates.
Having a large yard should serve its purpose and provide enough space for exercising your Golden Shepherd.
When it comes to indoors you should provide enough toys, chew toys, and balls for him to play with.
If you are up for a challenge, this dog is a great choice for dog sport competitions, such as agility.
Golden Shepherd Grooming
Grooming is an important part of dog ownership. This practice is what brings dogs and people together, making their bond stronger.
To make grooming a joyful experience you should start with this practice while your Golden Shepherd is a still puppy.
This period is very important for creating firm and daily habits. It’s well-known that German Shepherds shed a lot.
They are so heavy shedders that people have to learn how to brush them properly.
Talking with your veterinarian and professional groomer can help you tremendously deal with these issues.
So, when it comes to your Golden Shepherd expect a fair amount of shedding as well.
They have a heavy coat and will shed it frequently. This is why the right grooming tools are important.
To keep his coat in order use a simple pin brush up to three times a week.
As a general rule, brushing sessions should occur daily during the shedding season. This is period during the spring and fall.
Bathing should occur only when really needed. Dogs don’t need as much bathing as humans do.
The rest is regular care. Learn how to clean ears, check eyes and gums. During brushing, sessions check the skin for any sign of infection or fleas.
Golden Shepherd Health
Golden Shepherds are generally healthy dogs. Still, just like humans, they can develop certain conditions during their lifetimes.
Plus, since this is a mixed breed, they can inherit healthy conditions from both parents.
Some of conditions that you should be well-aware off when getting this breed are:
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Eye conditions
- Diabetes
- Von Willebrand’s disease
It’s very common in German Shepherds to develop conditions called hip and elbow dysplasia which is why regular check-ps and mandatory, next to keeping dog’s joints in order.
The best cure for any condition is prevention.
This is why you should take your dog to your vet as soon as you bring him home. Every check-up is potential prevention for future issues.
A healthy Golden Shepherd will usually have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.
Golden Shepherd Nutrition
Like with any other dog breed, nutrition is a big part of overall well-being. As long as you provide proper nutrition, you can expect your dog to thrive.
If your dog is fed high-quality food you can see his coat getting better over time, becoming stronger and shinier.
However, if you feed your dog with low-quality food you can expect poor gums, overall low health, and a constant need in your dog to chew extra food.
You should know how much you should feed your dog, how often, and which human foods you can serve to your Golden Shepherd.
If you are thinking about raw food diet, talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to implement it and what may be pros and cons.
Always serve food that is appropriate for your dog’s age. Never feed a puppy with senior dog food. Whenever in doubt of feeding style and habits, talk to your veterinarian.
Be careful when it comes to treats because you don’t want your Golden Shepherd to become obese.
Obesity in dogs is one of the rising issues across the States, and you don’t want to be part of that statistics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t03XZrM4nUo
The Bottom Line
If you fancy mixed breeds, and you want the best from the German Shepherd world with a touch of Golden Retriever, then Golden Shepherd should definitely be on your list.
They may be a little protective and defensive when it comes to their property, but they will always do their best to keep you safe.
If you’re sensitive when it comes to brushing, then you might rethink getting this specific breed.
Otherwise, if you are up for an active dog, who comes with high energy levels, and sheds more than an average dog, then you have found yourself a furry buddy for life.