Thinking of getting a Golden Shepherd but have no idea about them? Well, look no further as we have brought you a complete guide on Golden Shepherds with all their breeding, history, and health care details so you can easily make up your mind and start taking care of your Golden Shepherd.
Golden Shepherd Overview
Golden shepherds are a mixed breed resulting from German shepherds and golden retrievers. Due to this combination of breeds Golden Shepherds are highly intelligent, extremely loyal, and super athletic.
These dogs are moderate to highly active and with proper training can be of great help. If you are someone who is looking for a pet to love them as much as you would? Look no further as Golden Shepherds are the perfect match for you.
Golden Shepherd Feature and Appearance
| A mix of German shepherds and golden retrievers | Medium to large size Weighing 60-100 lbs and 22-26 inches tall |
| Intelligence | Highly Intelligent |
| Temperament | Affectionate, loyal, and protective |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Coat | Thick double coat |
| Color | gold, black, white, sable, cream, and grey |
| Easy to Train | 100% |
| Good With Kids | yes |
| Good With Other Animals | yes |
| Energetic | Quite Energetic |
| Breed | Mix of German shepherds and golden retrievers |
Golden Shepherd Origin and History
The origin of these dogs comes from Scotland and in the original breeding of Golden Shepherd a yellow retriever was crossed with a Tweed Water Spaniel.
Initially, these dogs were trained to retrieve birds and other animals while hunting and soon they became very popular in the US.
Golden Shepherd was first originated by Von Stephanitz in Germany where he started his club called Shepherd Breed Club. His purpose for this club was to maintain a standard during the breeding process to maintain the great characteristics or features this breed holds.
Golden Shepherd Nature
Golden Shepherds are extremely loving, loyal, and protective. They have a protectful nature as they are highly alert to any stranger.
They love their family and so if they are not around these cute friends can get sad because once they become friends with you then this friendship is for a lifetime.
Golden Shepherds have been seen to possess positive reinforcement and are great with training. This is the main reason why they are great watchdogs, Police dogs, and even military dogs. They are highly intelligent.
They can work for quite some time as they are highly energetic but can also become easily bored which causes unwanted behaviors.
Golden Shepherd Health Concerns
Due to the fact that golden shepherds are mixed breed, they are predisposed to the conditions inherited from their parents (German shepherd and golden retriever).
We have listed some of the most common issues faced by golden shepherds:
Hip Dysplasia: The thigh bone does not fit securely into the hip joint in people with hip dysplasia. While some dogs with hip dysplasia may exhibit pain and lameness on one or both back legs, other dogs may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Arthritis may appear as the dog gets older.
Elbow Dysplasia: This is caused by Joint laxity which results from uneven growth rates in the three bones that comprise the dog’s elbow. This may result in pain while moving. Your veterinarian might advise either medication to manage the pain or surgery to fix the issue.
Cataracts: Cloudy patches on the eye lens, which may enlarge over time are known as cataracts. They can appear at any age and usually don’t affect eyesight, however in rare cases, they can seriously impede it.
Bloating: this potentially fatal illness primarily affects large, deep-chested dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, and is more likely to occur if the dog is served a single, large meal per day, eats quickly, drinks a lot of water, or engages in rigorous exercise right thereafter. Bloat is the result of the stomach twisting after becoming enlarged with gas or air. The blood flow to the heart is hampered, and the dog is unable to vomit or belch to get rid of the extra air in his stomach. The dog has a reduction in blood pressure and shock. The dog could die if medical assistance is not given right away.
Golden Shepherd Health Care
Golden Shepherds require great care. These dogs require running, hiking, training, and a proper physical routine with a great diet.
We have listed a few activities that you can do with your Golden Shepherd so they can stay in optimum mental and physical state:
- Daily walk
- Playtime Games including Fetch and tug of war
- Training sessions such as Obedience (‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘down’) and advanced training (problem-solving).
- Indoor activities including toys.
How to Feed a Golden Shepherd?
Feeding your Golden shepherd is crucial. It’s important to feed it 3 times a day with a balanced diet and to give it clean water. Clean its eating and drinking bowls regularly as you would clean your dishes.
The diet should include a good amount of protein, healthy fats, fibers, and essential nutrients.
Wet food is considered a top priority but you can also feed your dog with raw or cooked beef, chicken, and some veggies. Usually, dry dogs’ foods may lack the essential nutrients hence we recommend wet food.
Golden Shepherd Grooming
Grooming is an essential part of taking care of your pet. These furry animals tend to shed and hence it is important to brush and groom them on a regular basis.
- Weekly Brushing: Reduces shedding, removes tangles, distributes natural oils, and prevents matted hair.
- Bathing: Bathe your dogs every 2 or 3 months with dog shampoo to ensure the fur remains soft and tangle-free.
- Nail Trimming: Every Month with Nail clippers or a grinder. If you are not able to do so please take your pet to a nearby pet salon or a vet who will assist you in this process.
- Ear Cleaning: Every Month to be done by a professional.
Note: Even after these care tips you should be mindful of some shedding so it is suggested to invest in a good vacuum cleaner and a lint roller to make your life easy.
Golden Shepherd Interaction with Kids and Other Pets
Golden Shepherds are loyal and protective towards their family. They protect the younger ones in their family and have a constant eye on them.
But it is worth noting that this loyalty and friendship develops over time. They take time to accept new family members but once they do it is for a lifetime.
We advise you to never leave your children alone, especially newborns with a dog as they require training and time to socialize.
Despite that sometimes the dog might not be in a good state or mood and may cause harm to anyone surrounding it.
As far as how golden shepherds interact with other animals, they have not been observed to be aggressive. They are usually friendly but if left alone with extremely small animals such as hamsters, birds, etc things might get out of hand. But have been observed to interact well with large animals such as horses, sheep, or goats.
How Long Do Golden Shepherds Live?
Golden shepherds live a long life between 10 and 12 years.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, if you are looking for an extremely intelligent, loyal, protective, and active dog then you have found your match. Golden shepherds are a great option to keep as they not only take care of and love you but also serve as great watchdogs. With proper training and positive reinforcement, you can turn this dog into a wonderful partner but keep in mind they can have separation anxiety as well.
Tags:
- evergreen
- German shepherd dog mix
- golden retriever mix
- high energy
- high shedding
- indoor
- large dog
- long hair
- mixed breed
