The golden shepherd is a cross between a golden retriever and a German shepherd. They can vary in size (medium to large), and their coat length and coloring also varies, as they may resemble one parent more than the other or appear as a combination of both. One thing’s for certain: golden shepherds are downright adorable.

With such dedicated, active, and loving parents, you can count on a golden shepherd to demonstrate many of the same family traits. These dogs cherish companionship and are ideal for families who are eager to spend quality time together with lots of exercise and affection.

Learn more about the key characteristics and care instructions for the golden shepherd.

Characteristics of the Golden Shepherd

Both golden retrievers and German shepherds are beloved for having a heart of gold and being as loyal as they come. So, when it comes to a golden shepherd, you can expect an amazing canine companion!

Golden retrievers are known as the happy-go-lucky dogs whose puppyish antics are observed well into adulthood, Tatiana Yastremski, M.A. CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, IAABC CSB-D says. Yastremski is a shelter behavior manager at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. She considers goldens’ temperament to generally be very social with people and easily trainable, while German shepherds are loyal to their family, protective and alert, as well as cautious of and tentative with strangers.

German shepherds and golden retrievers are two of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.—and for good reason. They’re extremely intelligent, can be great family pets, and are considered hard-working breeds who can excel at a variety of tasks, such as being guide dogs, working in search and rescue, being working police dogs, and serving as therapy dogs, Yastremski explains.

“While the offspring of GSDs and golden retrievers will inherit their parent breeds’ genetics, it is important to keep in mind that every dog is an individual and that the genetics will not have an exact 50-50 distribution,” she says. “Furthermore, because genetics are not the only factor which contributes to a dog’s behavior, it is difficult to speculate about the prevailing traits and behaviors of a golden shepherd.”

History of the Golden Shepherd

Although the history of golden retrievers and German shepherds is well-documented, it's unknown exactly how the golden shepherd was developed. It's believed that they started as a "designer breed" and were first recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) in 2009. They're also recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and Designer Breed Registry (DBR). Golden shepherds are hybrid dogs and are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

At this time, there are very few golden shepherd breeders in the U.S.

Golden Shepherd Care

With incredibly smart and athletic parent breeds, it may come as no surprise that golden shepherds thrive with lots of exercise and entertainment. Additionally, both breeds shed—a lot. So, you’ll definitely want to find a good brush for your furry friend!

Exercise

Being a cross between golden retrievers and German shepherds and with both being very active breeds, golden shepherds are energetic dogs who require substantial exercise to maintain their physical health and mental well-being, says Bethany Hsia, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of CodaPet.

On average, golden shepherds should get about 60–90 minutes of daily exercise, she says. This can be one long activity to help them put their bodies to work or divided into several short activities throughout the day.

A few activities a golden shepherd will likely enjoy and cater to their high energy levels and intelligence include:

• Walks or jogs
• Playing fetch with a ball or Frisbee
• Swimming
• Agility training sessions

To keep them mentally engaged, playing with puzzle toys is a good activity since it stimulates their ability to solve problems, says Sam Meisler, DVM, veterinarian and founder and CEO of PetWellClinic. Because golden shepherds love to learn, regular sessions with a trainer teaching them new commands and tricks is also a great option. An interactive game, like hide and seek or scent work games, are fun choices as well.

In short, a golden shepherd is sure to love any activity that puts their mind and body to work!

Grooming

Golden shepherds typically require grooming every 4–8 weeks, but this can vary based on individual coat types and seasonal changes, Hsia says. Though it’s hard to say exactly what kind of coat a golden shepherd will have, they’ll have a double coat that’s medium to long in length. Additionally, Meisler says that anyone considering this breed should be prepared for quite a bit of shedding—and even more so during seasonal changes, making a pet hair remover a must-have! To keep their coats healthy, Hsia recommends brushing them at least once a week and bathing every month or two or as needed.

Meisler says golden shepherds generally require nail trims about every 3–4 weeks and regular ear cleanings since their floppy ears can easily trap moisture. Frequent tooth brushing—ideally daily if possible—is also recommended to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Training

Golden retrievers and German shepherds love to learn. Like all dogs, Yastremski highly recommends beginning a golden shepherd puppy’s training shortly after bringing them home, which is around eight weeks of age. When training dogs of any breed, positive reinforcement training is the best pet training method. Not only does it reinforce behaviors by rewarding your pup, but it also creates a stronger bond of trust and protects your dog’s mental health and well-being, she says.

Enrolling your dog in group puppy classes helps train the foundational skills for basic manners, provides dogs with much-needed critical socialization time with other puppies and people, and teaches them how to appropriately interact with other puppies. Yastremski recommends continuing your dog’s training beyond puppy kindergarten and progressing to basic, intermediate, and eventually, advanced obedience courses.

“Beyond basic manners and obedience, there are numerous organized dog sports training opportunities that golden shepherds could excel in, such as agility, scent work, lure coursing, or rally obedience,” Yastremski says.

Common Health Problems

Like any dog—purebred or mixed—golden shepherds can inherit health issues from either parent breed, Hsia says. Some health problems to look out for include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Elbow hygroma
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Osteochondrosis (OCD)
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
• Lymphoma

Diet and Nutrition

Golden shepherds should eat a high-quality dog food that lists real meat as the first ingredient and is formulated for larger, active breeds, nutritionally balanced, and appropriate for their life stage. Our experts recommend splitting their daily intake into 2–3 smaller meals throughout the day to prevent bloat. It’s also important to not to overfeed golden shepherds, as they can become overweight and may develop joint issues, Meisler says.

For older golden shepherds, he mentions supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin might be appropriate to support joint health. It’s always best to consult your vet for recommendations based on your golden shepherd’s individual needs.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Golden Shepherd

If you’d like to adopt a golden shepherd, check with your local shelters and rescue groups to see if any are available for adoption. There are several golden retriever and German shepherd-specific rescue groups to check out as well, such as:

• Golden Retrievers in Need Rescue
• Golden Retriever Rescue Resource
• Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training
• German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions
• Sauver Des Chiens German Shepherd Rescue
• All Shepherd Rescue

If you’d like to purchase a golden shepherd from a breeder, it’s important to look for a responsible and ethical breeder. Since the golden shepherd is a fairly new hybrid, these dogs can be difficult to come across compared to other crossbreeds. Prices can vary depending on several factors, such as breeder, lineage, demand, location, and appearance. However, based on the average cost of a golden retriever and German shepherd, a golden shepherd might cost anywhere between $2,000–$3,000.

Golden Shepherd Overview

Golden shepherds are loyal, friendly, and protective and are excellent choices for families with children and other pets, Meisler says. Since they’re highly active and intelligent dogs, they require plenty of exercise and enrichment daily.

Pros of the Golden Shepherd

• Loves being around their family
• Eager to please and easily trainable
• Can be good watchdogs

Cons of the Golden Shepherd

• Prone to boredom; needs extensive physical and mental stimulation daily
• Doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods of time
• Requires regular brushing due to high, frequent shedding
  

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before deciding on a golden shepherd, be sure to do thorough research on their temperament and care. Talk with other golden shepherd owners, reputable breeders, and veterinary professionals to learn more.

If you’re interested in breeds that are similar to the golden shepherd, check out:

• Belgian Malinois
• Labrador retriever
• Cocker spaniel

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!