The Ultimate Guide to the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix

All of the Best Qualities of an Australian Shepherd and a Golden Retriever Mix

Before we go into the characteristics of this mix, it’s important to note that with crossbreeds, we never know exactly what the puppies will look like. They might look more like one parent breed or the other, or they might be a mix of both. But there’s always a common denominator when it comes to your dog’s appearance, just like having a cross between German Shepherd and Golden Retriever.

When you want a mixed breed, it’s important to like both parent breeds. Breeders can’t always change the traits that mixed breeds inherit from their parent breeds. There is no dog standard when it comes to mixed breeds.

Golden Aussie Mixes are quite expensive because you don’t know what traits the dog will inherit. This is because designer dogs aren’t always cheap. In fact, they can be more expensive than their purebred parents in some cases. The price of a Golden Aussie Mix puppy can cost anywhere between $400 and $1000, which is relatively similar to the price of a Labrador Pitbull mix. This depends on the breeder, where you live, and the parents’ health.

Other factors influence the price you pay for a dog. The location of where you live matters. There may also be many breeders who sell dogs like the type you want to buy, which will make it more expensive. This means that you might have to pay even more money.

Let’s take a closer look at the Golden Retriever mix’s physical features.

Main Traits of an Australian Shep Golden Retriever Mix

Australian Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are both large dogs. So it’s not surprising that the mix between them is also very big.

An adult Aussie Retriever stands between 19 and 24 inches in height and weighs 40 to 65 pounds. Females are typically smaller than males, but they both demand a lot of room and are extremely active. Big houses with a yard are perfect for big dogs. You can buy this designer dog even if you don’t have a yard but have a larger residence. You just need to take them on regular walks and exercise sessions. More on that later.

Unique Look

The body and legs of this crossbreed dog are both long. They’re solid and powerful, but they don’t appear muscular. On their attractive faces, you’ll observe that they have floppy ears, a bigger nose, and round eyes that can be black in color. Their eyes are mostly brown or hazel, but some mixes have blue eyes.

The color of these canines’ coats is one feature that distinguishes them. These dogs come in a wide range of colors and color patterns.

• The following are the most common colors and patterns: Black
• Brown
• White
• Golden
• Merle
• Brindle
• Spotted

I want to tell you about this hybrid dog with a straight coat, sometimes wavy. It is medium-long and usually double-coated. The coat can be quite coarse, but this helps the dog adapt to warmer and colder weather. There are many other possible traits that this type of pup can inherit, so let’s take a look at the Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd separately.

Golden Retriever Appearance

Golden Retrievers are a type of dog. Males are between the ages of 23 and 24 and weigh between 65 and 75 pounds. Females range in height from 21.5-22.5 inches and weigh between 55 and 65 pounds. Golden Retrievers reach their full height by the time they are one year old. They also reach their mature weight when they are two years old. But even though they can grow taller and heavier, mentally, these dogs never fully grow up.

Many people say that Golden Retrievers never really stop being puppies. There are many different color variations of Goldens. Their fur can be lightly golden, dark golden, or red – just like the American fox red Lab. But there are only three colors accepted by the American Kennel Club.

• Dark golden
• Golden
• Light Golden

Different dogs have different coats. Goldens have a coat that is slim and slippy. They always hold their tails high up in the air. What can be bad about Golden Retrievers is that they shed a lot of furs, so they need to be looked after more than other dogs.

They must be brushed daily. This is due to their luscious double coat. Golden retrievers have two layers: one on the outside and the inside. The outer layer is dense and repels water, while the inner layer is thick and fluffy. That’s how they stay warm. Their coats can be wavy or straight, and they have heavily feathered chests, backs of legs, and tails that give them a fluffy appearance.

Australian Shepherd Appearance

Australian Shepherds are a dog breed from the United States of America. This breed was created in the United States in the 1840s. The Australian Shepherd is a little bit taller than he is long. Males are about 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder, while females are about 18 to 21 inches tall. They are also quite heavy. Male dogs weigh between 50 and 65 pounds on average, while female dogs weigh between 40 and 55 pounds.

Australian shepherds are a unique breed of dog. Many people find them appealing in appearance.

Australian Shepherds have medium-length, water-resistant fur. The coat colors can be red with a white stripe or black and white with brown and yellow spots.

Although white Australian Shepherds exist, you should avoid them because they are more likely to be sick. White dogs, or canines with extremely pale coat color, are sicker and deaf by experts. Native Americans gave this dog a nickname, “Ghost Eye,” because of its eye color. The Australian Shepherd’s eyes are usually icy blue.

However, not all Australian Shepherds have blue eyes. Other eye colors are also possible, such as

• dark brown,
• yellowish,
• amber,
• green.

Some dogs have two different colored eyes. This is called heterochromia, which can be seen in several dog breeds, including the Siberian Husky.

The Australian Shep doesn’t have a tail, another distinguishing trait. It used to be usual practice to dock their tails. This is because they were utilized for herding. The chance of being wounded was significantly higher when you had a huge fluffy tail. Cattle could grab them by their tailor step on this dog’s tail.

That is why farmers began having the tails of Australian Shepherds surgically docked after they were born. This would imply that a portion of their natural tail would be removed. This is no longer done because it is no longer necessary. These dogs have naturally bobbed tails as a result of selective breeding today. Luckily, tail docking is nowadays considered cruel treatment.

Golden Retriever Aussie Mix Temperament

Golden retrievers are popular dogs because they are loving and playful. They make great service dogs because they are loyal and protective of their family members. Australian Shepherds are also loving dogs, but they have a protective nature. They will always be loyal to their family members but may be standoffish with strangers. As a result, if you cross a Golden Retriever with an Australian Shepherd, your dog could be of either breed.

The Australian Shepherd is a working dog, according to many owners. They enjoy being active and having a variety of duties and activities to complete. They are very loving too!

Golden Retrievers are affectionate dogs, and because Aussie Goldens are a mix of the two, they will want to be close to their family members all the time. They will also want to be involved in everything their family is doing.

Unpredictable Temperament

Mixed breed dog temperaments can be unpredictable because they can inherit the personality of either their Golden Retriever or Australian Shepherd parent. Suppose the dog inherits the herding instinct from its Australian Shepherd parent. In that case, it might nip at your family members, kids, or even smaller pets. However, there are still some traits that are common to both parents. For example, both parents are energetic dogs and are very intelligent, loyal, and affectionate.

These traits can be found in a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd puppy. As a general rule, Australian Shepherds are affectionate, kind, loving animals who are brave and protective of their families. They think of themselves as part of the pack, and it is natural for dogs to protect their family.

Some puppies may get some of their traits from their parents. For example, they may be very hyper if they don’t get enough exercise. They are also intelligent and easy to train. But it is important to start training them while they are still puppies.

Health and Care

Golden Aussies need a lot of exercises. They need one hour of exercise every day, but if you can give them ninety minutes, that would be even better. If they don’t get enough exercise, they will become destructive and turn to chewing, bark, and digging.

This mix of dogs can live 12 to 15 years. They don’t have many health problems. Generally, mixed breeds are healthier than purebred dogs because they do not have the same health problems that purebreds might have. But they can get sick. Hip and elbow dysplasia is one of the most prevalent health issues than mixed breed dogs confront.

Other health problems that these canines may suffer include:

• Eye cataracts –A surgical procedure removes cataracts under general anesthesia.
• Bloating can be a serious and sometimes deadly condition if you don’t treat it. It’s when the dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and then twists. This is an emergency. You should take them to the vet right away.
• Cancer – Cancer symptoms in dogs are similar to those in people. A lump or bulge, an unhealed wound, any form of swelling, swollen lymph nodes, bone soreness, and irregular bleeding are all possible indications. Hip dysplasia – is a hereditary disorder in dogs. It causes pain and dysfunction in their hips. This can lead to arthritis, muscle atrophy, and decreased mobility. There is no treatment for this, but it’s a good idea to get the parents of any dog you want to buy health screenings from so you can help avoid hip dysplasia in puppies.

Health Problems of the Parent Breeds

Examine the health of both the Golden Retriever and the other breed we’re considering while determining whether or not to purchase a puppy. The Golden Retriever has a 10-to-13-year life expectancy. Some common health problems for this breed include:

• hypothyroidism,
• sub-aortic stenosis (SAS),
• eye diseases,
• elbow dysplasia,
• mast cell tumors,
• Seizures.

Golden retrievers can have minor health problems. But they also have common major health problems. Golden retrievers can have these problems:

• osteosarcoma,
• lymphoma,
• canine hip dysplasia (CHD),
• hemangiosarcoma,
• skin disorders.

Golden Retrievers need regular checkups from a veterinarian. They may offer heart, hip, thyroid, eye, and elbow problems tests. Checking for these issues can help keep your dog healthy.

Now, let’s talk about the health issues of Australian Shepherds and their health. They tend to live for 12-15 years which is a long time. The Australian Shepherd has a low risk of getting diseases that other dogs get, as the Golden Retriever does.

However, they are not immune to illness. They can still get any health issues that other big breeds face, only it’s less likely for them to become ill. These dogs are resistant to several illnesses that more commonly affect other dogs, such as bone, skin, and coat problems.

Now that we have looked at the health issues most common in this breed let’s look.

• hip dysplasia,
• elbow dysplasia,
• collie eye anomalie,
• colobomas,
• cataracts,
• progressive retinal atrophy,
• epilepsy,
• different kinds of tumors and cancers.

Grooming and Training of an Australian Shepherd Mix

Grooming will be a must for the Australian Shepherd mix. Because they have a double coat, they shed a lot.

A medium-length, water-repellent double coat covers the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix. Some websites claim that these dogs shed excessively; however, the truth is that they always shed excessively. It’s just the way their coat is.

Brushing your dog’s coat two to three times a week is the best method to keep it in good shape. That will keep the loose hair under control. You should know that their coat sheds all year, but they may need brushing every day when they are shedding.

You need to brush your dog’s coat every day during that period. Grooming your dog’s coat will keep his skin healthy and his body comfortable. Dead hair will accumulate if you don’t do this and cause matting.

Shedding Season

When your dog is shedding, you should give them a bath. Do not put shampoo on them. Just use warm water and rinse them off.

Some dogs like to play outside and get dirty. But most dogs only need to be bathed every four months or so. Dogs only need a bath if they are really dirty or need it more often because of their coat type.

They should also brush their teeth, nails, and ears regularly. You need to do other things to groom your Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix. Make sure to check their ears once a week for wax build-up and clean them if needed. This will help prevent any ear infections.

Training

Lastly, we want to talk about training. This includes crate training and potty training. These dogs are very smart, so even first-time owners will not have any issues getting these pliable dogs to learn and obey commands. Training is important to every dog owner; if you are unsure if you can do it, you could hire a professional dog trainer.

When training your Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix, one of the most important things to remember is to keep the training positive. The best way to train any dog, including crossbreeds, is to train positive reinforcement. What does this mean? Basically, dogs are motivated by praise and treats, so make sure you give them lots of both when they obey your commands.

Positive reinforcement training gives your dog rewards when they do something good. Anything the dog likes can be a reward, such as food, praise, or toys. Experts say that positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to shape or modify your dog’s behavior because it encourages them to repeat the behavior.

Food, praise, and toys are all acceptable forms of incentive for dogs. Otherwise, they won’t know what they are being rewarded for. Your dog will learn that standing is the correct response if you teach them to sit and reward them for rising up again.

Conclusion

The Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix is a dog that is very unique because it combines the best characteristics of the Australian Shepherd and the Golden Retriever. This dog will become your friendly companion.

These dogs are extremely protective of their home and its inhabitants. But they also need a lot of exercises, so if you don’t get out much, they might not be the best dog for you.

Basically, they are good dogs. If you have the right amount of time and energy for them, they will be a great addition to your family. They will need a responsible dog owner who takes good care of them and their needs.

Don’t be discouraged if you are a first-time owner. This dog will be perfect for your family, especially young families. The fact that this crossbreed isn’t aggressive or dangerous doesn’t matter if you’ve had prior dog-owning experience.

You will need to put in a lot of work and train them well. If you’re not sure you can do it yourself, you can get a little bit of help and hire a professional dog trainer. It’s also a fantastic method to get your dog used to people.

You can visit this site to learn more about the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix.