German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix: The Ultimate Dog

When you combine two striking breeds like the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd, the result can be amazing and can produce the ultimate dog.

Thanks to the German Shepherd genetics, this mix will have the desire to protect you and your loved ones. This hybrid pup will also be fun loving and get along great with all members of the family thanks to the Golden Retriever bloodline.

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix, or Golden Shepherd, can range rather significantly in terms of appearance, but what you can always count on is an obedient and intelligent dog that will make a great pet.

Since each breed comes with its own set of unique care requirements and challenges, it becomes essential to understand each of the parents’ needs and characteristics prior to adopting one.

Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix: Characteristics At A Glance

Also known as the Golden Shepherd, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix can range between 21 inches and 26 inches in height, and can weigh between 50 lbs and 70 lbs. The average lifespan ranges between 10 years and 14 years.

As the appearance of these two different breeds is so strikingly different, there are many different color variations that can result.

Some of the most common color variations of the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix include black, white, black and tan, golden, dark golden, and brown.

Since their parent breeds are both active, affectionate, and playful, a new owner can expect these hybrids to be loving, doting, and eager to please.

They are best suited as companion dogs, and are ideal for families who have large homes and yards.

The Golden Shepherd: What To Expect In This Hybrid Dog

When properly bred, 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 companions who are eager to please, so you can expect these same qualities in a hybrid.

Keep in mind that this hybrid breed is acknowledged by the International Designer Canine Registry because it is a mixture of breeds. However, it is not registered with any of the Kennel Clubs.

The German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix has been registered with the International Designer Canine Registry since 2009.

These are also complementary breeds because they’re both active and athletic, with similar sizes and lifespans. This is also a popular hybrid mix because it combines two extremely popular dog breeds for families.

Breed Profile: German Shepherd Dogs

The German Shepherd is the second most popular dog of 191 registered breeds, and are herding dogs that originate from Germany.

The males are generally between 24 and 26 inches tall, and the females are generally between 22 and 24 inches tall.

The males generally weigh between 65 and 90 lbs, and the females generally weigh between 50 and 70 lbs. The average life expectancy of a German shepherd dog is between 7 and 10 years.

This dog breed is well regarded for its courage, loyalty, confidence, and trainability.

Since they are easily trained and have tremendous work ethics, German Shepherds are a popular breed for the military and police departments.

Breed Profile: Golden Retriever Dogs

The American Kennel Club says that the Golden Retriever is the third most popular dog breed out of 191 registered breeds, and are sporting dogs that originate from Scotland.

Their popularity makes sense when you consider how easy going the breed is, and how well they fit in with the family dynamic.

The males typically reach heights of 23 to 24 inches, while females can be between 21.5 and 22.5 inches tall.

The males weigh between 65 and 75 lbs, and females between 55 and 65 lbs. The average life expectancy of a Golden retriever is between 10 and 12 years.

Golden retrievers are often used as guides for the blind, as well as for use in search-and-rescue work, competitive events, and in other obedience work.

They are eternally loyal and hardworking with an eager-to-please demeanor. With proper training, they will keep this playful and joyous demeanor from youth into adulthood.

They enjoy outdoor play, fetching, and swimming, and should have ample outdoor space to run and play. They tend to be a popular choice for people from all walks of life including families with other pets.

Golden Shepherd Puppies 

Since both breeds are relatively similar in size, it won’t matter which is the female and which is the male when mating if you’re trying to determine the size of your puppy.

It will take approximately 18 months for your puppy to reach its full maturity considering the large size of the two parent breeds.

It’s possible that your hybrid puppy’s ears will be floppy when they’re first born, and will later become pointier and more erect.

However, It’s also possible for your puppy’s ears to remain floppy throughout its entire life. Unfortunately, You won’t know until your puppy gets a little older.

The coat color and markings of your puppy may also evolve, becoming lighter or darker over time. However, it’s likely that you can get some idea of your puppy’s markings while they’re young.

Temperament 

Comparing the two breeds will help you better understand the most prominent characteristics and temperaments that come together to create this hybrid.

The Golden Retriever is quite sociable, while the German Shepherd is adaptable and trainable. Both breeds are loyal and hardworking.

Both dogs tend to be playful, eager-to-please, and affectionate breeds.

From the Golden retriever genes, you can expect a friendly nature and the ability to tolerate all members of the family. Golden Retrievers love everyone, and tend to get along well with other animals.

From the German shepherd, you can expect a quick learner excited to receive new training and tricks from every member of the family. Shepherds are social creatures that make excellent family dogs, and thrive in busy homes.

The hybrid’s behavior

Your German Shepherd Golden Retriever hybrid is going to exhibit a mixture of these qualities. You should be prepared to nurture the qualities that you like through training and socialization.

If there are qualities that you do not particularly like, you can use this same training and socialization to ensure they do not manifest.

For example, the protective nature of the German shepherd may manifest in alertness or increased barking. The Golden Retriever’s hunting instincts may result in a need to chase wild animals like squirrels or chipmunks.

These are both active breeds that like to stay entertained. Crate training is advisable to ensure they can handle being left alone, and won’t become restless if you have to leave them alone for a period of time.

Doggie daycare and dog walking services are also great options since these intelligent breeds bore easily, and can be prone to separation anxiety.

Caring For Your German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

Although these aren’t high maintenance breeds, there are still some things to remember when caring for your dog on a daily basis. Food, exercise, training, and grooming requirements are of particular importance.

Your dog will need around 1,500 calories of food every day to stay healthy, according to the American Kennel Club.

This equates to around three cups of high-quality dog food per day. You will want to make sure that you are choosing a food that is meeting the nutritional requirements of these breeds.

As a puppy, you should aim to feed in smaller amounts four times per day, then reduce down to two meals per day as an adult. The purpose of feeding smaller meals is to prevent stretching your dog’s stomach while it matures.

Your puppy will reach adulthood between the ages of 18 and 24 months.

Training Considerations 

This dog breed will be relatively easy to train thanks to its intelligence and eager to please attitude.

Reward-based training and positive reinforcement are ideal with these breeds.

You’re going to want to use plenty of rewards and positive praise whenever your dog is behaving how you want it to behave.

Mental stimulation is also going to be important for your dog throughout its life. If your dog develops the protective traits that are inherent in German shepherds, then socializing early and often will be a crucial part of its training.

In addition to mental stimulation, you will also want to make sure that you are providing daily exercise. This breed is going to excel when it comes to learning new tricks, and exploring brain games and challenges.

Health Concerns

There are a handful of health issues which this breed may inherit from the parent breeds. The most common to watch out for include allergies, bloat, and degenerative myelopathy.

Both of the parent breeds can be predisposed to a wide range of different allergies.

The most common symptoms associated with allergies include scratching, swelling, nibbling, chewing, inflammation, and general signs of sickness such as a runny nose, watering eyes, coughing, or sneezing.

Bloat is an illness that is common among larger dog breeds, and when it occurs, gas fills the stomach and may cause a twist or turn in the digestive tract. Medical intervention is necessary to prevent serious, long-term harm.

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive and incurable disease that affects a dog’s spinal cord. Early warning signs include weakness in the hind limbs.

Golden Shepherd Appearance 

This hybrid mix can vary quite substantially in terms of appearance. Both breeds are similarly sized, so a large dog between 21 inches and 26 inches in height, and between 50 lbs and 70 lbs in weight can be expected.

Some aspects of the dog’s appearance will vary including the coloration of the coat, the length of the coat, and the shape of the ears.

Some will have pointy and erect ears like the GSD, while others will have large floppy ears like the Golden Retriever.

The colors of the dog can range significantly from black and tan to white, golden, brown, or dark golden. Despite all of these unknowns, the breed is likely to have a thick double coat.

This mix will require regular bathing and grooming in order to keep it looking and feeling healthy. The Golden Retriever is especially known for its coat becoming matted if you neglect its grooming needs.

As part of a regular grooming routine, make sure to clean the ears, nails, and teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a golden shepherd?

The size of a golden shepherd will vary depending on a number of different things. However, on average a golden shepherd will be around 20 to 27 inches in height, which does put them into the large category of dog.

When you take into consideration that a golden retriever and a German Shepherd are both large breeds, this is not surprising.

When it comes to their weight, again this will vary slightly. However, on average they will tend to weigh around 60 to 95 pounds. Though some can be lighter or heavier than this.

With mixed breeds it is difficult to give an exact figure as they are two breeds combined. In addition to this, their overall size and weight comes down to genetics to an extent. If the parents are larger breeds, their offspring will likely be larger.

If they are smaller for their breed, they will likely weigh less on the whole. 

How bad do Golden shepherds shed?

When it comes to shedding, golden shepherds are amongst the worst for this. This is due to the two mixes of dogs they are. A German shepherd has a thick undercoat that will blow twice a year. This is quite difficult to upkeep, and will require keeping on top of.

In addition to blowing their fur twice a year, German Shepherds do constantly shed. As a result of this, you will find hair around your home a lot, and they need to be brushed regularly to reduce this. 

When looking at golden retrievers, they are another type of dog that has a lot of fur. As a result, this when paired to the double coat of a German Shepherd can be difficult to manage.

The most important thing to remember is to keep on top of the grooming and brushing. By doing this, you can help with the shedding. As they shed however, if you have allergies, they are not a suitable mix of breeds for you. 

Where can I get a golden shepherd?

Where possible we would recommend reducing or adopting a golden shepherd from a charity or adoption center. As they are not the most popular mixed breed, you may find that they will have one available.

This is such a rewarding way of owning a golden shepherd.

However, if you are looking for a golden shepherd puppy, we would recommend getting in contact with breeders. They will be able to advise you on when their dog is next going to have a litter. It is so important to do your research and choose a reputable breeder.

You will need to ensure that they are following the correct processes. 

Are Golden shepherds easy to train?

Yes, on the whole, golden shepherds are fairly easy to train. When you think of golden retrievers and German Shepherds individually, they are both very responsive to training.

They are attentive and learn quickly. They are breeds capable of following commands and quickly show respect. 

As a result of this, when you combine both of these breeds together, the dog will be easy to train. While all dogs can be stubborn or mischievous, keeping on top of the training will help to prevent this.

It is important to remember that all dogs are trainable. How trained your dog is will depend on you as an owner ultimately. If you are willing to put all the time and effort required into training, then you will see the results.

However, if you do not put the time into training a Golden Shepherd, given that they are quite energetic and intelligent, you may find that the dog will not behave and will become destructive. On the whole they are fairly easy to train, and they will respond well to this. 

What is the lifespan of a Golden Shepherd?

When it comes to the lifespan of mixed breeds, it is difficult to provide an exact age. However, we can guesstimate. On average, a golden shepherd will live for around 10 to 14 years.

However, this will vary depending on the health of the dog. When it comes to the health of a dog, this is why it is so important to choose a reputable breeder. You should always ask for the health history and background of both parents before purchasing.

This will give you a better idea of any potential health issues that may arise. The dogs being bred should be healthy and free from illnesses where possible to prolong the lifespan. 

Conclusion: The Best of Both Worlds

When you combine the best qualities of both breeds the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix has a lot to offer. This breed is an exceptional people-lover with great intelligence and unyielding loyalty.

Additionally, this breed is easily trained and tends to be quite adaptable. They tend to be great with adults, children, and even other pets and work well with large homes and yards. Keep in mind that they will do best with early training and continued socialization for ideal behavior.

If you are seeking an intelligent and loyal companion for your family then the Golden Shepherd is a hybrid breed well worth your consideration.

If you need more convincing, here is a great video with puppy pictures and more facts about the Golden Shepherd mix.

Breed Comparison: German Shepherds & Golden Retrievers

Name	Appearance	Breed History	Personality & Temperament	Coat Care	Size	Exercise & Training	Health & Life Expectancy	Kid Friendly?
German Shepherd		German origins, created by Max von Stephanitz in the late 1800s. Renowned working, guarding, & service dog. 2nd most popular dog in America.	Extremely intelligent & energetic. Loves ‘working a job’. High prey drive. Unwavering loyalty to their owners.	Sheds heavily year-round and seasonally. Double-layered coat, medium in length. Requires regular brushing & grooming.	50-90 pounds, 22 to 26 inches tall. Females will be 10-15 pounds lighter and two inches shorter.	Needs 1-2 hours of exercise per day. Begin socialization & training as early as possible in the puppy's life.	Lifespan of 9-13 years. Common genetic (heritable) health issues include: Dysplasia (hip, elbow), Eye issues, Cardiac issues, Autoimmune thyroiditis, Degenerative myelopathy.	Yes - when properly trained.
Golden Retriever		Originally bred in Scotland as hunting dogs. 3rd most popular dog breed in America. Ideal working, family, & service dogs.	Extremely social, intelligent, loyal, sociable, & trainable.	Thick topcoats and undercoats that shed year-round. Regular brushing is recommended.	WEIGHT: Female: 55–70 lbs, Male: 66–75 lbs. HEIGHT: Female: 20–22 inches, Male: 22–24 cm	High energy dogs that thrive with daily exercise & playtime.	Lifespan of 10-12 years. Common health issues include: canine hip dysplasia, hyperthyroidism, skin problems, allergies, eye disorders, seizures, and tumors.	YES!!! These dogs are perfect for pretty much any family.