Judy Powell
The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix combines two energetic and athletic breeds to create a designer dog with lots of personalities.
Any mixed breed dog can inherit traits from either parent, making the results far less predictable than a purebred dog. While it is impossible to say exactly what the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix will look like, or how exactly it will behave, we can narrow it down with some confidence – find out everything you need to know!
History
The Australian Shepherd originally came from herding dogs in the Basque Country between France and Spain. The Basques immigrated to Australia in the 19th century and used their familiar dogs to help herds of sheep. Eventually, the Basques sailed to California, where ranchers admired their herding dogs and mistook themselves for Australian breeds, which led to their name. Since then, the breed has been a huge part of the culture in the American West.
Today, the Australian Shepherd is the 16th most popular breed according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The Golden Retriever emerged from careful breeding in the early 19th century. Ultimately, the goal was to create a breed of hounds that were larger in stature and had the stamina to hunt and bring back large numbers of wild birds at the same time.
A cute and lovable dog, the golden retriever is now a popular breed of dog around the world and is ranked number 3 among the top dog breeds in the United States.
As you can see, the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is made up of two notable breeds that are loved by many.
Appearance
For size, the male Australian Shepherd weighs 50-65 pounds and the female weighs 40-55 pounds.
The breed stands between 18 and 23 inches.
The Australian Shepherd Dog is slender and strong, with a medium-length coat that wraps around the neck and feathers around the legs.
Colors are merle, red merle, blue merle, tan, black, and tricolor.
Australian Shepherds are also characterized by their stunning eye colors, which can be any combination of brown, blue, hazelnut, amber, or green.
As for the gold, the male weighs 65-75 pounds and the female weighs 55-65 pounds.
The breed stands between 21 and 24 inches.
Due to its thick double jacket, it can appear a little larger.
Speaking of golden fur, this is the breed’s most noticeable characteristic. Colors include blonde, yellow, and gold.
In addition, the Golden has a strong and muscular build with a long muzzle, sweet eyes, and a heartwarming smile.
With the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix, your pup will likely be between 55-60 pounds (male) and 45-55 pounds (female).
Without a doubt, there is a guarantee with the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix: she has a nice, fluffy coat.
The color will vary widely and will depend on the dog’s parents and DNA.
The mixture also maintains an athletic build, longer muzzle, and downward-pointing ears.
As mentioned earlier, a mixed breed puppy’s appearance can vary widely.
The dog might end up looking more like an Australian Shepherd or more like a Golden Retriever.
No matter what, it’s sure to be beautiful!
Personality
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, hardworking dog with a natural impulse to the herd.
The Golden Retriever is an intelligent, friendly dog who is totally devoted to its owners.
Both breeds are energetic and love to play, so it’s far from a guarantee that the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix will possess these traits too.
The dog also needs a lot of attention and ultimately serves as a loyal companion to its owners.
Additionally, both parent breeds are exceptionally intelligent, making the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix very intelligent.
The Golden Retriever is a friendly, easy-going breed and is great for new dog owners.
The Australian Shepherd, on the other hand, is not for the faint of heart. Since the breed was developed to protect a ranch, they are extremely protective of their property.
They are also solid with the livestock, trying to herd people, pets, and even young children.
The best solution for the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is to offer plenty of exercises and solid training beforehand (more on this below) to ensure they are mentally stimulated and the best they can be.
Health
The Australian Shepherd is considered a healthy, sturdy dog.
Potential health concerns include elbow and hip dysplasia, eye diseases, and epilepsy.
As for the gold, the cute dog is a healthy breed overall too.
The breed is known to have higher rates of elbow and hip dysplasia, eye diseases, pigmented uveitis, and certain heart diseases.
Hence, it is important to pay attention to it.
The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix, like its parent breeds, will be a sturdy, sporty dog.
The Australian Shepherd Dog lives an average of 12-15 years and the Golden between 10-12 years. With these numbers, the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix will likely live between the ages of 11 and 14.
Care and Maintenance
The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix will no doubt have a lush coat.
Regular brushing is recommended to keep the luscious curls looking good.
You’ll also want to invest in a good vacuum to keep your house in order.
In order for your Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix to look great and be in good health, a solid grooming regimen is required.
This includes getting bathed and brushed regularly, brushing your ears, cutting your nails, and brushing your teeth.
Education and Training
The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix, like its parent breeds, needs regular exercise.
Expect several hours a day to exercise your pup.
This is especially important if you include the Australian Shepherd in the mix.
It is imperative to stimulate these breeds mentally and physically, otherwise, it will become destructive.
Training is also important for this mix.
While the Golden Retriever is considered to be one of the easiest breeds to train, the Australian Shepherd is known for outsmarting its owners.
You will definitely want to invest in obedience classes and spend a lot of time training with this mix!
Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix: Is It Right For You?
The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is a beautiful, intelligent, and athletic dog who is loyal and loving to his family.
The mix requires a hefty dose of exercise, vigorous training, and plenty of space to play.
Before you start a dog of this breed, make sure you can do it.
Ultimately, the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is the ideal choice for someone with a high energy level who is looking for a devoted dog to stand by their side.