Golden Shepherd: Your Complete Guide
Golden shepherds are a mix between German shepherds and golden retrievers. For this reason, it’s common for golden retrievers to behave like a combination of a German shepherd and a golden retriever. Basically, you’re getting an intelligent dog with a lot of energy, curiosity, and a desire to play.
Furthermore, golden shepherds are capable of developing deep bonds and remaining loyal to their owners.
Golden shepherds are a great dog breed to adopt, and they’re suitable for people from all experience backgrounds and living situations. That said, you have to know what you’re getting into before adopting a golden shepherd, or you’ll be surprised when you find clumps of dog hair all over your house.
The good news is that we’re here to help. We’ll take you through everything you need to know about golden shepherds to help you see if they fit you, your home, or your family.
Quick Look at the Golden Shepherd
Below is a glance at the golden shepherd in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 22-26 inches, 50-90 pounds. |
| Coat Type | Straight or curly, medium to long |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Outgoing, playful, loyal, energetic |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-14 Years |
What Is the History of a Golden Shepherd?
Golden shepherds have been around for a long time, but have only been recognized as a legitimate breed in 2009. To understand the full history of the golden shepherd, it’s important to understand the history of the parent breeds.
The German shepherd has been around for more than 100 years. They originated in Germany, and Max Emil Frederick von Stephanitz started the first German shepherd breed club. The purpose of this club was to maintain a standard across the breed. German shepherds were bred as work dogs because of their intelligence, patience, and calculated aggression.
While they were popular in the early 1900s, they lost favor during World War II because of their association with the Germans. However, during the 1960s, the breed had a resurgence, and today, they’re one of the most popular breeds in the United States.
Golden retrievers also have a notable history. The breed was created by Lord Tweedmouth, who brought the first retriever to England. He then coached the dog to perform tasks like catching birds. This early version of the golden retriever remained popular, but it was eventually bred with a water spaniel that’s no longer in existence today.
From this point, the golden retriever was bred to be a sports dog because of its ability to fetch, learn new tasks, and desire to please their owners.
When it comes to the golden shepherd, the history is less well-known. It appeared as a designer dog during its initial breeding but has since become a popular breed for everyone.
Evidence that it was once a designer breed is found in its recognition by the International Designer Canine Registry in 2009. However, most major kennel clubs, like the American Kennel (AKC) Club and United Kennel Club (UKC), don’t recognize this dog breed.
What Do Golden Shepherds Look Like?
Golden shepherds share traits with golden retrievers and German shepherds, so they resemble a combination of the two breeds. For this reason, most golden shepherds have black, tan, white, yellow, and some multi-color patterns.
When it comes to coat length, they’re considered medium-length dogs, and this is true for their size as well. They’re about 25 inches tall and weigh about 40-60 pounds with a muscular build.
Hair and size aside, they have adorable faces. Their ears can be pointy or droopy, depending on the genes from their parent breeds, and they have a long snout. When it comes to eye color, expect dark brown, black, or light brown. Some other colors are possible, but more of a rarity.
The last thing to note is that female and male golden shepherds look the same, aside from their height and weight.
What Size Is a Golden Shepherd?
Golden shepherds are medium-sized dogs that stand at about 22-26 inches. Female golden shepherds are slightly shorter than their male counterparts.
As for their weight, male golden shepherds weigh 60-90 pounds, whereas female golden shepherds weigh between 50-70 pounds. Some variation in weight is possible, but it depends on the parents of the golden shepherd because they have German shepherd and golden retriever genes.
What Is a Golden Shepherds Coat Type and Length?
Golden shepherds have medium to long coats. The length of their coat varies based on the dog’s genetic makeup. For example, some golden shepherds will have long, curly hair if more golden retriever genes slip through.
On the other hand, golden shepherds will have straight, shorter hair if more German shepherd genes fall through. Therefore, their hair type and length vary based on the individual dog.
What Is a Golden Shepherd’s Temperament?
Golden shepherds have a consistent temperament across most of the breed. However, there are some exceptions based on where the dog was raised, how it was trained, and influence of its parents. That said, the average golden shepherd is a healthy combination of golden retriever and German shepherd personality traits.
From the German shepherd, golden shepherds get their intelligence, alertness, and trainability. These traits make for a loyal dog that will alert you to potential danger or strangers approaching your home.
Like German shepherds, they’re also easy to train and love to learn new commands. Cleverness is also a common personality trait among golden shepherds, so keep this in mind as they roam around your home or backyard; it’s wise to be puppy-proof as much as possible.
Golden shepherds also get some favorable traits from golden retrievers. From golden retrievers, they get traits that make them loyal, outgoing, social, and affectionate.
Furthermore, many golden shepherds love to please and play with their owners. While this can seem annoying at times, it’s a great way to help them expend their high energy. So, play that game of fetch when they start to get rowdy.
Overall, golden shepherds are the perfect combination of desirable traits from golden retrievers and German shepherds. After all, that’s why this breed was made in the first place!
Are Golden Shepherds Good With Kids?
Golden shepherds are good, loyal dogs that love to play with children and protect the family. They can match the high energy levels of toddlers and adolescents, so it’s a pairing that can tire each other out.
Still, it’s important to note that golden shepherds might not be friendly, playful, or loyal at first. This is because they need to accept the child as part of the family first. We recommend socialization training from a young age to help them through the process.
Also, never leave your small child alone with a large dog. Regardless of the situation, sometimes dogs can become aggressive and hurt someone. Thankfully, this is rare among the golden shepherd breed.
Are Golden Shepherds Good With Other Animals?
Golden shepherds are compatible with most animals, but things get risky when you leave them alone in the house with loose guinea pigs, mice, hamsters, and other small animals.
On the other hand, they get along with large animals, like horses or goats, very well. Additionally, golden shepherds won’t give you any problems with other dogs once they accept them as part of the family.
It’s also a good idea to have your golden shepherd undergo socialization training from a young age for the best results and cooperation with other animals.
Are Golden Shepherds Aggressive?
Golden shepherds are not aggressive dogs. However, they do have some German shepherd genes, so they can become aggressive. You’ll only have to worry about them getting aggressive if they’re untrained and threatened. Otherwise, golden shepherds are calm dogs that won’t get aggressive unless provoked.
Keep in mind that several factors contribute to aggressive behavior in dogs. If they had a dangerous upbringing or experienced abuse, this might contribute to aggression and require training.
Do Golden Shepherds Bark?
Golden shepherds aren’t dogs that bark frequently. However, they will bark at strangers approaching if you don’t train them. They may also bark if they get startled or feel uncomfortable. Regardless of their barking habits, they’re trainable dogs, and these traits can be altered or removed through training from a young age.
Are Golden Shepherds Affectionate?
Absolutely! Golden shepherds are loyal, protective, and love to cuddle up to their owners. Most of their affection traits come from their golden retriever parents, but German shepherds are also affectionate once they try their owners.
While it might take time for golden shepherds to open up to you, once they do, you’ll have trouble going anywhere without them wanting to join you.
Are Golden Shepherds Intelligent?
Golden shepherds are intelligent dogs. Their parent breeds, German shepherds and golden retrievers, are some of the smartest dogs around, so it’s no surprise that golden shepherds maintain high levels of intelligence. They can be curious, clever, and even solve complex problems.
Their intelligence also makes them a good fit for any type of training, even if it’s specialized. Overall, a golden shepherd’s intelligence makes them one of the most flexible breeds around for agility, service dog, and general training.
Are Golden Shepherds Energetic?
Golden shepherds can be energetic dogs, especially if you don’t exercise with them often. Like golden retrievers, it’s best to make sure they get at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be split into two 30-minute walks, or two 30-minute play sessions. It’s best to split up their exercise so that they can feel stimulated.
If you don’t exercise with your golden shepherd, they might get anxious and start damaging furniture or getting rowdy in the house.
Are Golden Shepherds Easy to Train?
Yes, golden shepherds are easy to train. Golden shepherds are one of the easiest dog breeds to train because of the combination of golden retriever and German shepherd traits. When you pair a golden retriever’s desire to please their owners with a German shepherd’s intelligence, training becomes a breeze.
With these genes, it’s no surprise that they can learn complex commands, solve puzzles, remember people, and perform complex tasks like service dog work.
Are Golden Shepherds Good Watchdogs?
Yes, golden shepherds are good watchdogs. They’re good watchdogs because they love to protect their owners and keep them safe. Golden shepherds are brave enough to risk their lives for their families and to help people when necessary.
Aside from protecting a family, golden shepherds can also be trained to alert you to danger if something is wrong or a stranger is approaching your home.
While golden shepherds don’t bark much, they bark enough to get your attention when something is wrong. Plus, you won’t have to worry about them barking at random.
Are Golden Shepherds Good Service Dogs?
Golden shepherds make great service animals, emotional support animals (ESA), and therapy dogs. They’re great service dogs because they can learn complex tasks that service dogs need to perform. Examples include being taught to open doors, clear rooms, lead people to safety, fetch medications, and apply pressure or get help.
Aside from physical training, golden shepherds are also great at mental service dog work. They can remind people when it’s time to take medication, stop panic attacks before they begin, and help someone navigate a crowd if they have social anxiety.
When it comes to ESA and therapy dog work, they make great companions if you have the space. They’re great for nursing homes, hospitals, and other places where groups of people need comfort. Furthermore, they’re emotionally intelligent enough to bond with an individual for ESA.
How to Care for a Golden Shepherd?
Golden shepherds aren’t a challenging breed to care for as long as you brush their coats and make sure they get plenty of exercise.
When it comes to brushing their coat, make sure you brush them at least twice per week. Brushing twice weekly will reduce shedding and prevent their coats from getting matted. That said, your golden shepherd won’t hate you if you brush them daily, so feel free to do whatever you’re comfortable with.
Aside from brushing their coats, exercise is key. They have a prey drive, so make sure you train them on a leash to prevent them from running off at the first sight of a squirrel. Also, keep your yard fenced in and try to walk them twice per day at the minimum. You can get away with playing instead of walking sometimes.
Later in life, it’s important to monitor their health and take them to the vet regularly. Doing so can help you prevent illnesses and treat illnesses before they get worse. Finally, check on their dental health. Golden shepherds have good teeth, but they will start to wear down with age. You can brush them yourself, have a groomer do so, or feed them teeth-cleaning dog treats.
Do You Need to Groom a Golden Shepherd?
Yes, you need to groom your golden shepherd. You need to brush their coat at least three times per week. It also doesn’t hurt to brush their coat daily when possible.
Brushing aside, make sure you bathe them as well. Washing them once a month is enough unless they get dirty, so keep some of your favorite dog shampoo in the house. When washing your golden shepherd, begin at the head and work your way down to their feet. Don’t forget to get in between the paws!
If you don’t want to bathe or clip their nails, you can take them to a professional groomer monthly.
Do Golden Shepherds Shed?
Yes, golden shepherds shed, and they shed a lot. They’ll shed moderately all year, but once the spring and fall months roll around, they will start to shed even more. This is because they have an undercoat that needs to be cleared during these months. Brushing their coat can help you prevent shedding.
What Health Problems Do Golden Shepherds Have?
Golden shepherds share many health problems with golden retrievers and German shepherds. Therefore, you’ll want to keep an eye on their hips.
Conditions like hip dysplasia can begin later in life and result in painful inflammation around the hip joint. Unfortunately, this can result in problems with walking that progress into your golden shepherd being unable to walk. Elbow dysplasia and other joint problems are also common in golden shepherds.
Some other conditions to keep an eye on include:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy (usually begins at a young age)
- Allergies (pollen and other allergens)
- Canine degenerative myelopathy
- Cataracts
- Heart disease
Golden shepherds may also inherit some conditions common in German shepherds, like von Willebrand disease and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Von Willebrand disease makes it difficult for blood to clot, whereas EPI isn’t well understood, but it causes pancreas problems.
How Long Do Golden Shepherds Live?
Golden shepherds live a long life. They’re around for between 10 and 14 years, which isn’t bad for a medium-sized dog. Monitor health problems as they develop later in life to prevent premature death. Also, a good diet and plenty of exercise can help them live longer.
What Should a Golden Retriever Eat?
Golden retrievers should eat a healthy diet rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. This can be found in most types of dog food made for medium-sized dogs; wet food or kibble will do, but a combination of both works best. You can also give them some table scraps like beef, chicken, and some vegetables.
When shopping for dog food, we recommend choosing the best brands, not just the store brands.
Is a Golden Retriever the Right Dog for Me?
Golden shepherds are great dogs for just about anyone as long as you can keep up with their energy levels. Plus, they’re not hard to care for, and even a beginner can have success caring for and training a golden shepherd. Overall, golden shepherds are a good fit for most people who have the time to care for them.
That said, there are a few factors to consider. First and foremost, make sure you have the space for them. Having a backyard is huge, especially if you don’t live near a dog park or other open spaces. Also, they don’t like to be left home alone, so they’re best in homes with a family member who stays home.
Lastly, keep an eye on them around small children to ensure that they don’t play rough.