Breeds / Large
Golden Shepherd puppies
The Golden Shepherd is friendly, intelligent and loyal, often pairing the German Shepherd's work ethic with the Golden Retriever's cheerful, playful nature. They love company and learning.
The facts
- Size class Large
- A cross of German Shepherd Dog and Golden Retriever
- Country of origin Not published
- Adult weight 22.7 to 40.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 50 to 90 lb
- Adult height 53 to 66 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium to long
- Typical lifespan 7 to 12 years
- Good with children Not published
- Good with other dogs Not published
About the Golden Shepherd
The Golden Shepherd, sometimes called the Golden German Shepherd, crosses the Golden Retriever with the German Shepherd Dog. Daily Paws gives adults as 53 to 66 cm (21 to 26 in) and 22.7 to 40.8 kg (50 to 90 lb), a medium to large dog. They may have a golden coat with a dark German Shepherd mask, and floppy ears or upright ones, in a medium to long coat. Daily Paws gives a lifespan of 7 to 12 years, which spans the German Shepherd's 7 to 10 and the Golden Retriever's 10 to 12.
A pet lifestyle expert quoted by Daily Paws says they do best with at least 60 minutes of activity a day, and they are happiest with someone who loves running and hiking and is at home a good deal. Brush at least once a week, since both parents shed heavily in spring and autumn and moderately all year. Early socialisation and reward-based training suit them, and agility, rally and obedience give a clever dog a job to do. Both parents are prone to bloat, which can be life threatening if not treated quickly, so learn the signs before you bring one home.
A cross, not a breed. The Golden Shepherd is a cross rather than a standardised breed, so looks and temperament vary and can lean towards either parent, and puppies from one litter can differ. Daily Paws notes there are few breeders and suggests checking shelters and rescue groups for German Shepherd and Golden Retriever mixes, and the lifespan range is wide because the German Shepherd parent typically lives only 7 to 10 years.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Golden Shepherd puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Elbow and hip dysplasia, which both parent breeds are prone to
- Eye conditions, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy from the Golden Retriever side
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), seen in both parents and life threatening if not treated quickly
- Epilepsy, from the German Shepherd side
- Bleeding disorders and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, from the German Shepherd side
- Degenerative myelopathy and haemangiosarcoma, from the German Shepherd side
- Allergies and hypothyroidism, from the Golden Retriever side
- Obesity, which large breeds like both parents are prone to
Your Golden Shepherd puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Golden Shepherd.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 22.7 to 40.8 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 42 inch (42 x 28 x 30 in, 107 x 71 x 76 cm) for an adult of up to 40.8 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
Previous: Golden Retriever · Next: Goldendoodle
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- dailypaws.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- Health notes from Golden Shepherd breed information at https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-breeds/golden-shepherd. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for the good with children rating, the good with other dogs rating and country of origin, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.