11 Golden Retriever Mixes With a Heart of Gold
Including the goldador, goberian, and goldendoodle
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The golden retriever epitomizes the ideal family dog, and golden retriever mixes are no exception. Golden retrievers are "amazing with kids and new people, intelligent, playful, and easy to train,” says Raymond Spragley, DVM, of Zen Dog Veterinary Care. Mixes commonly include the goldador, goberian, and goldendoodle, and the intention is to bring together the best of both dog breeds. However, with so much variation in each breed, the result of mixing two breeds is hard to predict.
Bringing home a mixed-breed dog involves a degree of uncertainty. The best advice before purchasing or adopting any pooch is to thoroughly research both parent breeds and make sure the common traits are compatible with your current lifestyle.
Considerations Before Adopting a Golden Retriever Mix
You might’ve heard that it’s better to adopt or purchase a mixed-breed dog because they have a more diverse pool of genes that results in fewer health issues. Jennifer Sperry, DVM, a veterinarian and advisor for American Kennel Club Pet Insurance, refers to it as the “hybrid vigor.” And while this rings true for random-bred pooches (mutts), the same isn't always true for intentionally mixed breeds like many on this list.
“When two breeds are mixed to exaggerate a physical feature, like short legs or long hair, negative health implications can be the result,” Sperry says. To ensure you’re purchasing the healthiest pup possible, Sperry recommends that prospective pet parents ask about the health conditions the parents were tested for when purchasing from a registered breeder. Mixed breed dogs, doodles in particular, have become extremely popular, which has unfortunately led to many puppy mills and backyard breeder situations. If you have your heart set on a particular mixed breed, make sure you are purchasing your dog from a reputable, responsible breeder.
Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle Mix)
The Spruce / Kristie Lee
Perhaps the most famous of them all, goldendoodles are the low-shedding beloved mixes of the golden retriever and poodle. Or perhaps you know them by one of their other monikers: Groodle, golden poo, goldie poo, or curly golden. You can opt for a mini doodle or standard size, and their low-allergen locks come in tight curls or wavy strands. Equally beloved for their family friendly demeanor, they tend to be a bit “bouncier” than a pure golden, says AKC therapy dog evaluator Sally Grottini.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 13 to 26 inches
Weight: Typically 45 to 100 pounds, but can weigh as little as 15 to 30 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, energetic, trainable,
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Wiry, curlier hair or shaggier, straight fur
Color: Gold, cream, red, black, brown, white, gray, or a combination
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Goldador (Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever Mix)
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While it's hard to go wrong with any golden mix, the goldador holds a special place as one of Spragley's favorites. "They tend to have all of the best traits of both the Labrador and golden retriever," he says. “Devoted, gentle, and playful, they're excellent with children and meeting new people, plus they're not big barkers.” They’re generally easy to train and care for, requiring brushing every few days to keep loose fur in check.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 22 to 24 inches
Weight: 60 to 80 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, gentle, outgoing, playful, willful
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium, short
Color: Black, brown / chocolate / liver, cream, gold / yellow
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Goberian (Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky Mix)
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It’s debatable whether these goofballs spread more love or fur, yet those unphased by a little extra maintenance are in for a rewarding experience. Combining the outgoing Siberian husky and cheerful golden retriever, these pups are affectionate, social, and pure joy. Depending on which parent breed they most take after, favorite pastimes (aside from being with their favorite human, of course) could include swimming, digging, fetching, hiking, or even serenading you with classic Siberian moans, groans, and whines. They might have the striking blue eyes of a Siberian or the deep brown gaze of the golden.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 20 to 24 inches
Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, playful, willful
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium
Color: Black, cream, gold / yellow, gray, white
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Golden Shepherd (Golden Retriever and German Shepherd Mix)
This pup combines the unwavering loyalty of a German shepherd with the playful charm of a golden retriever. Basically, a steadfast guard dog who can be gentle with kids, has a quick wit, and lots of energy. And keep up they can! Golden shepherds make for tough competition in canine sporting events. Flyball, anyone?
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 21 to 26 inches
Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, playful
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Long, medium
Color: Black, brown / chocolate / liver, cream, gold / yellow, white
Life Span: 7 to 12 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Coltriever (Golden Retriever and Border Collie Mix)
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Picture a small (35 to 60 pound) golden retriever with the smarts of a border collie —that's the coltriever! While they may inherit traits from either parent, breeders say their golden influence gives coltrievers a relaxed demeanor that’s less sensitive to noises and more tolerant of alone time than pure border collies. That said, these highly trainable pups still require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They also go by the names golden collie, golden border retriever, or gollie.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 18 to 22 inches
Weight: 35 to 60 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, athletic, loyal
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium
Color: Solid color, bicolor, tricolor, merle, or sable
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Golden Cocker Retriever (German Retriever and Cocker Spaniel Mix)
The golden cocker retriever is a cross between a golden retriever and a cocker spaniel. While looks vary, they typically sport a medium-length coat, floppy ears, and a more compact size than their golden retriever parent; females can weigh as little as 20 pounds. Happy to tag along to almost any activity, this water enthusiast is happiest splashing around. They are also known as the Dakota sport retriever.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 14 to 19 inches
Weight: 20 to 60 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, playful, affectionate
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium, long
Color: Black, blue, brown / chocolate / liver, cream, gold / yellow, red, white
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Golden Pyrenees (Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees Mix)
Don't be fooled by their size—Golden Pyrenees, a mix of the Great Pyrenees and golden retriever, are gentle giants known for their loving, patient personalities. They can reach heights of over 30 inches and tip the scales at 100 pounds. As for their coat, expect a creamy color that's thicker and more wool-like than a golden retriever's, but the genetic scales could tip either way.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 27 to 32 inches
Weight: 75 to 100 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, loyal, intelligent, alert, loving, courageous
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium
Color: White with patches of beige, biscuit, black, golden, gray, brown, or silver
Life Span: 10 to 13 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Golden Newfie (Golden Retriever and Newfoundland Mix)
Courtesy of Sally Grotini
You might notice a common thread among the golden mixes on our shortlist: A heart of gold. But introduce a Newfoundland into the golden mix and you have an irresistibly sweet-natured pup ready to come to your rescue. Quite literally, as Newfies are often trained for water rescue missions, thanks to their strong work ethic and webbed feet. While webbed feet aren’t guaranteed, Grottini suggests that you can almost always rely on Golden Newfies to be gentle, affectionate, and devoted to their tasks. This is precisely why she opted for a golden Newfie when selecting a pup for therapy dog work.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 26 to 28 inches
Weight: 100 to 150 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, gentle, playful
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium, long
Color: Black, brown / chocolate / liver, gray
Life Span: 8 to 10 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Golden Irish Retriever (Golden Retriever and Irish Setter Mix)
The looks of a golden Irish retriever are hard to resist. But, remember, individual pups can inherit different golden retriever or Irish setter traits, even within the same litter. You can likely expect your golden mix to have hues of red and deep mahogany to chestnut in their golden fur and feathering on their tail, ears, chest, and belly. Setters were bred for hunting. So, as with any pup, early training and socialization are crucial, especially if you plan to introduce them into a household with prey animals such as birds or cats.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 27 to 29 inches
Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent, athletic, gentle, sweet-tempered
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium, long
Color: Red, copper
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Australian Retriever (Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd Mix)
A mix of an Australian shepherd and a golden retriever inherits the love for outdoor activities and playfulness from both parent breeds. But their Aussie traits definitely amp up the amount of time you'll spend outdoors with your companion. When your pup isn’t happily romping around at the park, hiking trails, or zooming through agility courses, be prepared to provide plenty of stimulating activities, such as food puzzles and ways to utilize their herding and retrieving instincts.
Breed Overview
Group: Hybrid
Height: 19 to 23 inches
Weight: 25 to 60 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent, athletic, gentle, sweet-tempered
Energy Level: Active
Coat: Medium, long
Color: Bicolor, merle, tricolor, golden
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Golden Retriever Mutt
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You never know who you’ll meet when you walk into a shelter or rescue. And you might not even know their exact breed, but that's part of the charm. Shelter staff can help you find a perfect match based on your lifestyle, personality, and the temperaments and behaviors they’ve seen in adoptable pups. You might even have the opportunity to take them for a walk or spend a night together to better get to know one another before committing. Plus, these mixed pups inherit the "hybrid vigor" of genetics that Sperry mentioned.
“Right now, animal shelters across the nation are full and in need of people willing to adopt,” points out Carl Peterson of Bark Busters Home Dog Training, an in-home dog behavioral training service. “Not only does adoption often save a dog's life, but it also opens a space for another dog to seek shelter and a chance to find a forever home.”
Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.
