German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix: The Best Of Both Worlds

The outcome can vary greatly when you combine two striking breeds, the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd. The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix can vary significantly in appearance, but you can always count on an obedient and intelligent species that will make a great family pet.

As each breed has unique care needs, challenges, and expectations, it is important to consider both breeds in the mix when creating a hybrid. This is especially true for such distinct characteristics as the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd.

German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix At A Glance

Also known as the Golden Shepherd, the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever can stand between 21 to 26 inches tall and weigh between 50  to 70 pounds. The average lifespan of The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is between 10 and 14 years.

Since the appearance of these two different breeds is so striking, there are many color variations. The most common color variations in the German Shepherd Golden Retriever include black, white, black and tan, gold, dark gold, and brown. 

Because their parent breeds are both active, affectionate, and playful, a new owner can expect these hybrids to be loving, affectionate, and eager to please. They are the best companion dogs and are well-suited to families that have large homes and lots.

Parent Breeds Of German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is the second most popular dog among the 191 registered breeds. The German Shepherd originated in Germany.

Males are usually between 24 and 26 inches tall, and females are between 22 and 24 inches. Males generally weigh between 65 and 90 pounds, and females between 50 and 70 pounds. The average life expectancy of a German Shepherd is 7 to 10 years.

This breed of dog is renowned for his courage, loyalty, confidence, and trainability. Because they can be trained so easily and have a fantastic work ethic, the German Shepherd is a popular breed for herding dogs. In military and law enforcement applications.

Golden Retriever

This makes sense, considering that this breed is easygoing and fits right into the family dynamic. Golden Retrievers are sporting dogs that originated in Scotland.

Males usually measure between 55 and 60 centimeters, and females between 52 and 56 centimeters. Males generally weigh between 29 and 34 kilos, and females between 25 and 30 kilos. The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is between 10 to 12 years.

Golden Retrievers are highly valued as guides for the blind, and their used in search and rescue operations, competitions, and other obedience work. They are eternally loyal and hardworking and have a demeanor that begs them to please.

They will retain the same playful and cheerful demeanor from youth into adulthood with proper training.

They like to play outdoors, fetch and swim, and need plenty of outdoor space to run and play. They tend to be a popular choice for everyone, including adults, children, and families with other pets. 

What can you expect from a German Shepherd crossed with a Golden Retriever?

Since the two breeds are relatively similar in size, it doesn't matter which is female and which is male when mating if you're trying to determine your puppy's size.

Considering the large size of both parent breeds, it will take around 18 months for your pup to reach full maturity.  It's possible that your hybrid pup's ears may be floppy at birth and later become more pointed and erect. However, it's also possible that your puppy's ears will remain floppy for life. 

Your pup's coat color and markings can also change over time, becoming lighter or darker over time. However, you can likely get an idea of ​​your pup's markings when he's young.

Best Products for German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

Personality

When raised properly, a German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix should be an intelligent and athletic dog that is both sociable and easy to train.

Both German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are loyal, eager-to-please companions, so you can expect those same qualities from a hybrid. In 2009, International Designer Canine Registry registered The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix.

They are complementary breeds as they are both active and athletic, with similar sizes and lifespans. This is a popular hybrid mix because it combines two dog breeds that are extremely popular with families. The results can be pretty amazing when you get the best of these two popular AKC breeds.

Temperament 

Comparing the two breeds will help you better understand the most salient characteristics of the two temperaments that will combine to create this hybrid. The Golden is quite sociable, and the Shepherd adapts and trains. Both breeds are loyal and hardworking. Together, they are playful, eager to please, and affectionate breeds.

From the Golden Retriever, you can expect a friendly nature and the ability to tolerate all family members. Golden retrievers love everyone, young and old, including teenagers and children. 

From the German Shepherd, you can expect a dog that learns quickly and is eager to receive new training and learn new tricks and techniques from everyone in the family. Shepherds are social creatures that make excellent family dogs and thrive in active, busy homes.

Your German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix will be a mix of these qualities. You must be prepared to cultivate your love qualities through training and socialization. If there are any qualities you don't particularly like, you can use training and socialization to ensure they don't appear.

For example, the protective nature of the German Shepherd can manifest himself in increased alertness or increased barking. The Golden Retriever's hunting instinct can translate into a need to chase wildlife like squirrels or chipmunks outdoors.

They are both active and busy breeds that love to entertain and work. It would be beneficial to crate-train your dog to make sure he knows how to handle being left alone and that he doesn't get agitated if you have to leave him alone for a while.

If you need to leave your dog alone for an extended period, it's ideal to hire a dog daycare or dog walking service, as intelligent breeds like these get bored and easily agitated. They can also be prone to separation anxiety if they are often left alone.

Care

Although neither of these breeds requires special maintenance, there are still some considerations to consider when caring for your dog daily. Food, exercise, training, and grooming needs are essential.

Your dog needs about 1,500 calories of food per day to stay healthy.

That equates to about three cups of high-quality dog ​​kibble a day. You need to make sure that you choose a food that meets the nutritional needs of these breeds.

As a puppy, you should aim to give small amounts of food four times a day, then reduce it to two meals a day as an adult. Your puppy will reach adulthood between 18 and 24 months. The goal of feeding smaller meals is to avoid stretching your dog's stomach as he grows.

Training Considerations

You should find this dog breed relatively easy to train as they are a very intelligent dog breed just waiting to please their owners. Some of the best tools available to you are reward-based training and the use of positive reinforcement. This means that you are going to want to use lots of rewards and positive praise whenever your dog behaves the way you want.

Mental stimulation will be necessary for your dog throughout his life. If your dog is developing the protective nature inherent in the German Shepherd breed, early and frequent socialization of your dog will be critical as part of your training program. Dog crate furniture can help you with this training.

In addition to mental stimulation, you will also need to ensure that you give him daily exercise. This breed will particularly excel when it comes to learning new tricks and exploring brain games and challenges.

Health Problems

There are a small handful of health issues that this breed can inherit from his parents. You need to be prepared to watch out for the three most common allergies, bloating and degenerative myelopathy.

Both parent breeds can be predisposed to a wide range of different allergies. The most common symptoms of allergies are scratching, swelling, nibbling, chewing, inflammation, and general signs of illness such as runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, or sneezing.

Bloat is a common condition in large dog breeds. When bloated, gas fills the stomach, which can cause the digestive tract to twist or twist. Medical intervention is needed to prevent severe and long-term damage.

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive and incurable disease that affects the dog's spinal cord.

It is manifested by the weakness of the dog's hind limbs, and over time the dog completely loses their use.

Appearance

As the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever are very different in appearance, this hybrid mix can vary greatly in appearance as well. However, both breeds are similar in size. You can expect a large dog ranging in height from 21 to 26 inches and weight from 50 to 70 pounds. 

Some aspects of the dog's appearance vary, including coat coloration, coat length, and ear shape. Some will have pointed, erect ears, like the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd, while others will have significant, droopy ears, like the Golden Retriever.

Dog colors can vary widely, from black and tan to white, gold, brown, or dark gold. What is not likely to vary is that the breed is expected to have a thick double coat since both parents of the breed have the same.

This breed needs regular bathing and grooming to maintain his appearance and health. The Golden Retriever is notorious for its coat that tangles if you neglect the grooming requirements. Along with caring for your dog's coat, you must ensure that the ears, nails, and teeth are regularly groomed.

Conclusion: The best of both worlds

When you combine the best qualities of both breeds, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix offers a lot. This breed is exceptionally people-loving and displays great intelligence and unwavering loyalty.

Additionally, this breed is easy to train and tends to adapt. They tend to get along well with adults, children, and other pets and adapt well to large homes and yards. Remember that early training and continued socialization are the best ways to achieve ideal behavior.

If you're looking for a smart, loyal, and intelligent companion for your family, the Golden Shepherd is a mixed breed worth considering.