An Australian shepherd golden retriever mix can be a perfect match for your family if you’re searching for a smart and active dog.
This mixed-breed dog, often known as the Golden Aussie, is ideal for energetic persons and families with children. Even inexperienced owners should be able to teach these friendly, loving, and clever dogs if they have the stamina to keep up with them.
These dogs flourish inactive households where there is always someone around and where they can burn off energy outside during the day. They also require frequent exercise in the form of daily and weekend excursions.
Identifying Features
- 19 to 23 inches in height
- Between 25- and 60-pounds weight
- Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.
- Double coat, medium length
- The most familiar coat patterns are black, brown, and white.
- Shedding that is moderate to heavy
- Intelligent
- Trainable
- Friendly
- High energy – requires at least one hour of daily activity.
- Companionable – Can’t be left alone for long periods.
- Excellent with children (best for older children)
- Apartment living is not recommended.
What Do Australian Retrievers Look Like?
A popular designer crossbreed in America is the Australian shepherd golden retriever mix, sometimes called an Australian retriever or a Golden Aussie.
The Australian Retriever is a cross between an Australian shepherd and a golden retriever. To understand what to assume from a Golden Aussie, you must first understand its parent dog breeds.
Golden retrievers originated in Scotland, where they were used as gundogs in hunting parties to gently recover shot ducks. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds and makes a wonderful companion or service dog. It is exceptionally social, intelligent, and active.
The Australian shepherd was developed to herd cattle for ranchers and farmers in the western United States. Aussies are still employed as herding dogs, but they are also excellent as pets and are one of the most popular dog breeds.
The aspect of the Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever Mix
Any mixed-breed dog’s appearance is tough to predict, and your Golden Aussie mix might look like either of its parents or a perfect combination of both. Your Golden Aussie should have an athletic physique, a straight back, and a wide head in general. Droopy ears, a longer nose, with round eyes that might be brown, blue, or hazel are typical traits.
Colour and Coat
Your Aussie Golden will have a medium-length double coat with a ruff around the neck, which will be straight or wavy. The coat is normally abrasive to the touch, but because of its distinctive texture, this blend may be worn in both hot and cold conditions. The coat can be a range of hues, and each dog is likely to have a unique combination of colors and markings.
The following are the most prevalent colors and patterns:
- Black
- Brown
- White
- Golden
- Merle
- Brindle
- Spotted
The temperament of a Golden Retriever/Aussie Mix
Any mixed-breed dog’s attitude and temperament are impossible to anticipate, and Australian shepherds are no exception. Meeting both of his or her parents and getting a sense of their personalities and temperaments is the only way to get a sense of what’s in store for you and how your mix will be.
Intelligent
You will discover that an Australian shepherd and golden retriever mix is an extraordinarily clever dogs as soon as you bring them home. Needless to say, this mix is extremely easy to train and will breeze through toilet and obedience training.
Highly Activated
To be emotionally and physically fit, the Golden Aussie needs a lot of exercise, playtime, and training sessions. If you lead a more active lifestyle, this blend will fit right in with your routine and make you a perfect running, hiking, or swimming partner. If you are a couch potato, though, your Golden Aussie will act like a drill instructor to get you in shape!
To keep physically and cognitively occupied, your Aussie retriever mix will require at least an hour of exercise every day, spaced out across multiple play sessions. Your golden retriever Aussie mix will utilize destructive chewing, barking, and digging to avoid boredom if they are not given a proper outlet for their energy.
Loving
Because Goldens and Aussies are both social and friendly dogs, it’s no wonder that their puppies are as well. The Australian shepherd and golden retriever mix has a deep relationship with its family and craves human company at all hours of the day and night.
This crossbreed loves being close to its owners and is always up for some cuddling or caressing.
Your Golden Aussie will have a great want to be near you and engaged in whatever you do, and if ignored or left alone, he or she may feel undesired. Before you bring your Golden Aussie home, evaluate how much time you have to spend snuggling and engaging with your dog.
Hard-Working
Australian shepherds and golden retrievers are both working dogs, their puppies are more likely to develop a strong work ethic and be happiest when they have a job to complete.
Your mix may try to herd and nip at your family members, youngsters, and smaller pets, depending on how much of its Aussie parent it has inherited. If you live on a farm, this type of behavior will benefit you; otherwise, you should train to discourage it.
These working talents may be used to teach and exercise your mixes, such as having him fetch and retrieve toys and freebies. In this manner, your dog will feel like they’re performing an essential job while still getting a good workout.
Health Issues with Golden Retriever/Australian Shepherd Mix
The Australian Retriever is a fairly healthy dog with an 11 to 14-year lifetime. Keep in mind that as a mixed breed, he may inherit the health issues of either parent.
Hip and elbow dysplasia: all of his parents are prone to both types of dysplasia, so keep an eye on your Australian Shepherd for this.
Concerns about his eyes are shared by both of his parents. Progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and collie eye are all issues to be aware of.
Cancer: Sadly, neither of his parents has a higher cancer risk than the normal dog population. One of the breeds with a higher rate is goldens.
Nutrition and diet
Every day, the Australian Retriever will eat between 2 1⁄2 and 3 cups of kibble. All of that is determined by his size, whose parent he resembles the most, and his energy level.
He’ll thrive on a high-quality kibble with a well-balanced diet. To keep his hardworking muscles motivated and able to sustain themselves, he focuses on a high protein diet.
Fortunately, the Australian Shepherd has a higher metabolism than his Retriever father, so he is less prone to getting overweight.
However, it is still possible. Always keep an eye on his weight, and if he begins to gain weight, switch him to a weight-management kibble.
Grooming and Maintenance
The Australian Retriever requires regular care, which you will have to include in your daily routine for the next 11 to 14 years. His long feathery jacket will grow tangled and uncomfortable without it. For daily brushing, use a slicker brush, and for weekly grooming, get de-shedding equipment.
For the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix, the best bet is to use a mild doggie shampoo. His skin is delicate, therefore a natural sensitive skin shampoo will maintain his lovely coat smooth and lustrous. Wash your dog no more than once every eight weeks. Otherwise, you risk damaging his natural skin oils if you do it more than this.
Other grooming practices, including teeth, ear, and eye cleaning should be performed at least once a week. To empty any muck, you may need to do this twice a week if he has huge dropping ears. Particularly if he is employed on a muddy property.
Should You Adopt An Australian Labradoodle?
You may still be wondering whether this wonderful crossbreed is suited for you and your lifestyle after reading our entire overview of the Aussie retriever. To assist you in making your decision, we recommend that you ask the following questions.
What is your available space?
Because these dogs are both huge and lively, they benefit from having some extra area to run about in. When such a large dog is roaming around in your apartment, it will feel cramped and restrictive to them, as well as bothersome for you. Even a tiny outside play space will make a significant difference in their overall health and enjoyment.
FAQ’s
What is the price of a golden retriever Australian shepherd mix?
Like any designer puppies, the price fluctuates widely based on where you live in the country and the supply and demand that results. You could anticipate paying between $300 and $900 for each puppy if you purchase from a reputable breeder.
Some of these appealing pups may be searching for homes in a nearby shelter, so make sure you contact around to these shelters first.
Are Australian retrievers only golden?
Australian retrievers can acquire their golden retriever parent’s coat color, although pure golden coats are uncommon since they generally have a mix of color markings like their Australian shepherd father.
Final Thoughts…
That’s all there is to know about the Australian Retriever and whether he’s the ideal dog for you. You should also determine if you are the ideal family for him today.
These dogs are, in general:
- Loyal and vivacious.
- Best suited to having continuous visitors.
- Highly clever with a strong desire for cerebral stimulation.
The Golden Aussie is an excellent choice for active families with plenty of time to spend with their dog and who like going active with them. While they require a lot of love and attention, the unconditional loyalty and affection they provide make the investment worthwhile.