German Shepherd Basic Facts
German Shepherds are often used as guard dogs, K-9 police units, and military dogs. However, theyre incredibly loyal in any setting. Whether you want a protector or a cuddler, you can train your GDS to be the perfect companion.
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One of the main behaviors that you need to keep in mind is that German Shepherds tend to bond most closely with one person. Theyll be by your side at all times, so they wont interact with the rest of the family as much as they will with you.
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Despite their classification as a aggressive breed in some circles, German Shepherds are calm and mild-mannered in the right household. However, theres no doubt that theyll remain alert and let you know if anyone uninvited shows up at the door.
With a powerful bark and a strong presence, German Shepherds will no doubt keep away the bad guys simply due to their reputation.
Heres a list of some more basic GSD facts:
Debate Of Health Difference Between Purebred And Mixed Breed
You might have heard before that a mix is healthier than a purebred. Many do debates whether this is true.
On the one hand, many think its easier to control against diseases when the kind of dogs used is limited. The unfortunate side of this is that examples have shown us over time they may change into something not as healthy. A great example of this is the English Bulldog.
Yet, on the other hand, mixing combines the positive traits of two types while getting rid of the negative. It takes a lot of time and hard effort, but it can happen.
Regardless of this debate, whether your pup is healthy comes down to the breeder you choose and the parents. Remember to work together to ensure you grab a healthy German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix.
The German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix Is Considered A Designer Dog
German Shepherd Golden Retriever dogs are considered a designer dog breed.
Also known as the Golden Shepherd, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is likely not the first dog you think of when you think of designer dog breeds, but this hybrid still falls into that same category.
Neither a purebred nor a mutt, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever, is a purposefully designed dog crossed between two specifically chosen purebred parents.
While crossbreeding is centuries old tradition, the trend of crossbreeding designer dogs has exploded over the last two decades, made popular by celebrities, politicians, and other well-known and highly respected people in society.
Still, there is some controversy when it comes to the trend of crossbreeding.
Initially designed to perfect dogs and create new breeds, crossbreeding was once primarily done by experienced breeders. Their intent was typically not to sell the first, second, and even third-generation offspring but to perfect them instead.
The German Shepherd dog and the Golden Retriever originated from being crossbred long ago, though they are now considered purebred dogs after generations of perfecting by professionals.
Today, first and second-generation crossbreeds like the German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix are being sold and rescued by owners hoping to obtain a dog with a combination of the best qualities of each of its parent breeds.
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Caring For A German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix
This dog requires someone to be with them for most of the day due to separation anxiety. They are an active breed and need an active household. They do well with other dogs and they love children.
You should be prepared to exercise them for at least an hour every day.
They dont mind how they exercise and are happy to be your running pal or do agility classes with you. Everyday brushing is needed and they will probably need to go to the groomers on a reasonably regular basis. Lets look closer at their care requirements.
Feeding A Golden Retriever Mix Diet Requirements
| Daily Food Consumption |
|---|
| 1,500 |
| Cups of Kibble |
Ensure the food you are feeding your dog is of a high quality and meets his daily nutritional requirements.
Being a large mix, you should aim to feed him four times per day as a puppy, this is usually reduced to 2 meals per day as an adult this will be after hes matured between 18-24 months.
Feeding your puppy four meals daily will help to avoid stretching their stomach whilst maturing.
Being highly trainable, you wont need to use many treats when training your German Shepherd and Golden Retriever Mix they learn quickly.
Obesity can be an issue in both breeds, so be mindful of what you are feeding your pooch and consider using low calorie dog treats if necessary.
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How About A German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix For Adoption
What a great idea! Many people dont know this, but a lot of mixed breed dogs end up in shelters for different reasons. And aside from giving another canine a chance to be loved and be part of a family, its also mostly cheaper.
Generally, adoption costs are around $300, but the price can go lower or higher. You may be glad to know that most dogs are already trained and vaccinated! Amazing, right?
If youve already visited your local shelter, but you still want to check out those fur angels who can be adopted, rescued, or fostered, check out these sites:
Golden Shepherd Is This Cute Mix The Perfect Dog For You
The German shepherd golden retriever mix isnt a purebred dog but rather a recently developed hybrid that has caught the attention of dog lovers around the world. Loyal, loving, and protective of its people, this energetic dog makes a wonderful family pet and companion.
If you are looking for a family companion that can double as a guard dog, the shepherd golden retriever mix is the perfect dog for you. The golden shepherd is a large, highly energetic dog with a soft side it is exceptionally affectionate and devoted to its owners. When not busy cuddling or licking you, this pooch will be your exercise partner, always pushing you to go the extra mile.
Since they are highly energetic and large dogs, golden shepherds need a lot of exercise and are best suited for people with active lifestyles or families with older children that can play with a dog all day long.
Keep on reading to find out more about this gorgeous mix, including their temperament, exercise requirements, dietary needs, and much more!
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How To Feed A Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix
You should ensure that you feed this mixed dog in a high-quality diet that meets his daily nutritional requirements.
Since the Golden Shepherd is a large crossbreed, you should aim to feed him four times a day as a puppy and reduce this to 2 meals per day as he becomes older. This is usually at around 18 to 24 months.
During training use, low-calorie treats as obesity could be an issue in both breeds and also be mindful of the number of calories you give to him.
| Calories Per Day |
|---|
| ~3 |
Where To Get A German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix
Finding a German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix can be a little bit difficult because its a designer breed. However, rescuing a German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is still possible if you contact rescue organizations for both parental breeds. You may not know the dogs parentage for certain, but youll be giving a good home to a dog that needs one.
However, if youre set on raising a German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix puppy, make sure to go to a reputable breeder. A good breeder will have extensive information on both parents and their health history. They will know how to select the best parents to breed healthy golden shepherds.
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The German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix Can Vary In Appearance
Your Golden Shepherds appearance will depend on the genetics they inherit from his parent breeds.
One of the controversies surrounding crossbreeding is the unpredictability that comes with appearance.
Unpredictability is especially prevalent in first-generation crossbreed German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix dogs .
However, on average, your German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix will fall somewhere in the below descriptions:
- German Shepherd Golden Retriever Height: 20 to 26 inches
- German Shepherd Golden Retriever Weight: 55 to 85 Pounds
- German Shepherd Golden Retriever Coat Color: Black, cream, sable, brown, gold, tan, white, grey, or a combination
- German Shepherd Golden Retriever Coat Type: Double-coated and thick and long and wavy or sleek and glossy depending on genetics
- German Shepherd Golden Retriever Eye Color: Brown
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.
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Golden Shepherd Dogs Are Great Protectors
Your mixed breed dog may be more German Shepherd than Golden, or vice versa, when it comes to their temperament.
Generally, the Golden Shepherd is affectionate, playful, smart and sociable.
Yet, it is possible that they could inherit the more protective nature from their Shepherd parent so they might be a perfect watchdog.
Early socialization is essential in warding off particularly wary behavior from an overly protective dog.
German Shepherd Golden Retriever Health Problems
A German Shepherd Retriever Mix dog lives an average of 10 to 14 years if taken care of properly. Mixed-breed dogs are ordinarily healthier than their parent breeds, yet this specific breed is more prone to certain health conditions than others. Most of these health problems are seen as the dog gets older.
This breed enjoys being active and playing which can cause a harmful impact and damage on their bones and joints. Receiving an average level of activity would prevent them from having these problems. Here are some more health hazards that you need to be aware of:
- Allergies
Both parent breeds are prone to allergies and German Shepherd Retriever Mixed dogs share this trait. Their common allergies mainly affect their skin and flea bites or certain foods typically cause these. Fleas are tiny parasites that dogs can accumulate from outdoors. There is also an allergy called Canine Atopic Dermatitis which is common to Golden Retrievers. You can prevent this by avoiding physical contact with environmental allergens.
- Von Willebrands Disease
Von Willebrands Disease is the most common acquired blood clotting disorders in canines. Dog owners will only notice the symptoms when its already severe. The symptoms include mouth or nose bleeding, blood in the urine, and excessive bleeding, and unfortunately, there is no cure yet. Its significant to take care of your dog to narrow the chances of occurring.
- Joint Dysplasia
- Bloating
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German Shepherd Golden Retriever Puppy
German Retriever puppies are super cute puppies that will easily melt your heart.
If your Golden Shepherd Puppy is the first-generation mix, the temperament and appearance are harder to predict.
They are often born with floppy ears, that eventually become erect in most cases.
These puppies may differ in appearance, some of the puppies having the German Shepherds black and tan coat and some may inherit the golden color tones of the Golden Retriever.
If your puppy is a second-generation mix, its appearance will be a bit easier to predict, but if you have a first-generation mix, you really cant be sure what you will end up with as it is difficult to predict.
German Shepherd: Loyal And Tough
This breed is one of the most recognizable dogs in the world. Its the 2nd most popular in the US.
When Germany chose the German Shepherd as their official dog and Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz created a club to regulate standards, their popularity really boomed! This happened at the end of the 1800s.
Its no wonder breeders often use these dogs to create mixes, like the Golden Shepherd or the Siberian Shepherd.
They started out as sheepherders in Germany. Owners valued them more for their excellent work ethic versus their companionship. Fortunately, the German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is appreciated for both of these reasons.
Today, German Shepherds are often used with police and the military. They are also known for having the strongest bite. Owners love them for their sharp looks, intelligence, and hard-working skills.
Golden Retriever & German Shepherd Mixes are no exception to this, and, like their parents, also make great workers.
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Golden Shepherd Grooming & Care
Most German retrievers have long and thick double coats, although some may have a medium-long coat. Regardless of the coats length, your shepherd golden retriever mix will shed a lot! Shedding is even more pronounced during spring and fall, and you may end up brushing your dog several times a day just to stay on top of all the loose hair.
To remove loose hair and minimize shedding, brush your dog at least three times a week. Regular brushing will help you control your pups shedding and also prevent mats and tangles from forming. Due to their heavily shedding coats, this designer hybrid isnt a good choice for allergy sufferers or people who dread seeing dog hair on their clothes or furniture.
As mentioned above, their coat is likely to mat, so taking your pooch to a professional groomer for an occasional trim and bath can be a good idea. Alternatively, you can invest in a variety of dog brushes and grooming tools and take care of everything at home. Luckily, this mix doesnt have to be bathed often generally, once every three months is enough to keep your dog clean and smelling fresh.
If trimming your dogs nails is more than you can handle at home, take your golden retriever shepherd mix to the vet or a professional groomer. Theyll be more than happy to trim your dogs nails for you!
Training Your Golden Shepherd Puppy
When it comes to training, the whole family can and should participate. Your Golden Shepherd will be just as happy to take commands from your 5-year-old as they are to take them from you!
But remember that because your puppy may have inherited the guarding and protective nature of his German Shepherd parent, early socialization with all family members, other pets, and even strangers is extremely important to developing a confident and happy Golden Shepherd.
These pups, like their purebred parents, are very eager to please and easily trainable! Training sessions should be rooted in the positive-reinforcement, rewards based method instead of punishment based.
Because both German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are highly motivated, treats may not be a necessary component to your training regimen. Perhaps, high-pitched verbal praise and lots of petting may be enough reward for your Golden Shepherd. Experiment with both methods and discover what works best for you! If you do decide to use small treats to reward your Golden Shepherd, be sure to account for the extra calories in your dogs daily energy needs.
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How Big Will A Full Grown Golden Retriever & German Shepherd Mix Get
Above all, know that these dogs are by no means small! In fact, they can grow to be quite large. But that doesnt mean that will stop them from wanting to be in your lap or by your side 24/7.
This mix will grow to be somewhere in between how big its parents are. So, lets check out those numbers first.
Male and female German Shepherds have a better big difference in height and weight. While males grow up to 24 and 26 inches , females get to be about 22 and 24 inches . As far as weight, males can be 65 to 90 pounds heavy while females are only between 50 to 70 pounds .
The Golden Retriever looks a bit different. Again, there is a difference between the sexes. Lets start with the females first this time. Females can grow as tall as 21.5-22.5 inches and weigh as much as 55-65 pounds . Males are 23-24 inches tall and 65-75 pounds heavy.
But what does this mean for your Golden Shepherd? As mentioned above these dogs grow to 20 to 26 inches tall and 60 to 85 pounds heavy.
But dont be surprised if your Golden Shepherd is taller or heavier like its parents before it. It really is just a guessing game with this breed.
Golden Retriever Guarding Tendencies
It makes no sense to beat around the bush here. The Golden retriever does not make a very good guard dog. This is on account of how friendly this dog breed is.
Golden retrievers would be just as likely to wag and lick a thief as they would a family member, so if youre looking for a dog with strong guarding tendencies, this is not your breed.
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