Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix- Best buyer’s guide

The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is part of the growing designer dog trend.

Both of these dogs sit high as far as being popular is concerned. They are not only beautiful and very adorable dogs but also loving and smart too.

This dog will catch any dog lover that has never seen off guard and surprise him or her with how good he looks.

Also, known as the Australian Retriever, this Golden Retriever mix’ popularity has been on the rise for some years now.

Some can even argue that the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix was bound to happen. And the good news is that it did and we are not disappointed.

So, apart from having good looks and being popular, what else does this mix have to offer?

Well, you should read through this guide as we tell you all that you need to know about this pooch.

From his personality and looks, we are even going to look at how you can best take care of him.

Let us get right into it.

australian-shepherd-golden-retriever-mix

About the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix

The Australian Goldie mix is a dog that is fun-loving and loves adventure and if you are the same he is perfect for you.

These dogs are great companions and working dogs.

Both the Golden Retriever and the Australian Shepherd are athletic and energetic canines. They also have a wide range of personalities and it may be hard to predict exactly how your puppy is going to come out.

However, you can expect a lean and tough pooch.

This designer dog is great with children and does not bark a lot.

They are sometimes referred to as; 

  • Australian Retrievers
  • Aussie Golden Retrievers
  • Australian Golden Retrievers

Origin of the Australian Shepherd

Not much is known about this designer or the first person to intentionally create him was.

However, it is believed that an Australian female breeder was the first to register the dog.

This was after she had bred 3 Golden Retrievers dams with a black Australian Shepherd sire.

In December 2007, she got her first litter of 4 puppies and 2 other litters in 2008.

That is what has been recorded about this mixed dog but to get more information about him we should look at the history of both parent breeds.

Brief Golden Retriever History

The history of the Golden Retriever is more of a romantic story.

Golden Retrievers are believed to have been bred in the late 19th century from some Caucasus circus dogs.

Lord Tweedmouth became so interested in these dogs, but he more fell in love with them and bought them all starting a whole new breed.

However, it was later proved that Goldies did not start this way.

After the breeding records belonging to Tweedmouth were published the real story behind the origin of the Golden Retriever was revealed.

At around 1868 and 1871, Tweedmouth bred female Tweed Water Spaniel with a yellow Retriever to a Golden Retriever for a loyal and efficient hunting partner. He got this retriever from a cobbler.

His first litter had four puppies and the breeding process continued from here. It is said that they were also crossed with Black Retrievers, St. John’s Water Dog, Irish Setter, and even the sandy-colored Bloodhound.

This resulted in the gentle Golden Retriever that we all know today.

The Golden Retriever was named ‘retriever’ because of their ability to retrieve without doing much damage due to their soft mouth.

UKC  recognized this breed in 1911 while AKC recognized them later in 1925.

Golden-Retriever mixes

Other Golden Retriever mixes

  • Golden Retriever Corgi mix is a good-natured pup with the genes of both the Golden retriever and a Corgi.
  • Golden Retriever Husky mix is often referred to as the Goberian.
  • Combining a Poodle and a Golden Retriever gives you a Golden Poodle. 
  • Beagle Golden Retriever Mix is also called Golden Beagle
  • Bull Mastiff Golden Retriever Mix is also called Golden Mastiff
  • Labrador Golden Retriever Mix is also called Golden Labrador

Australian Shepherd brief history

The Australian Shepherd is not from Australian contrary to what the name might have you believe.

These dogs are descendants of herding dogs that were found at the Pyrenees Mountains found at the border between Spain and France.

They were refined further by being crosses with Border Collies and other Collies when they found their way to the United States.

It is ranchers from California that assumed these dogs were from Australia which was misleading and hence their names.

They were mainly bred to be herding dogs and their popularity rose after the second world war.

Some people also prefer to keep them as pets and family dogs especially those that have active lifestyles and can meet their exercise needs.

australian-shepherd

Other Australian Shepherd mixes

Recognition

No major kennel club recognizes the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix.

However, he is still recognized by other clubs as a designer dog and they are;

  • The International Designer Canine Registry.
  • Dog Registry of America.
  • Designer dogs Kennel Club
  • American Canine Hybrid Club.

Pros and cons of the Australian Retriever

Pros

✓ These dogs are super intelligent and highly trainable.

 They are great dogs for active people the love to hike and run.

 The Australian Retriever is a great watchdog.

✔ He is a great dog even for first-time dog owners.

Cons

✘ This dog sheds throughout the year.

✗ He can become very protective of his food and toys.

✘ This dog may not be very ideal for life in an apartment.

✗ They can easily suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long.

Australian-Shepherd-Golden-Retriever-Mix guide

General Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix

Australian Retriever summary table
Height Their height ranges from 19 to 23 inches
Weight They stand at between 30 to 60 pounds
Lifespan 12 to 15 years
Breed Type Mixes and more
Purpose Companion dog
Suitable For Families in general
Grooming requirements moderate to high
Color Variations Black, brown, golden and even white
Health concerns Cataracts, hip and elbow dysplasia, boat and even canine cancer
Temperament Easy-going, loyal, loving, friendly, Playful, Affectionate and driven
Other names Australian Retriever, Aussie Golden Retriever mix

Size

You should expect your Aussie Golden Retriever mix to be a medium-sized dog.

They can have a height of anywhere between 19 to 23 inches and can weigh between 30 to 60 pounds.

Physical appearance

Predicting how exactly a Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd mix will look can be difficult which is the same as any other mixed dog.

The pooch could be a perfect mix of both, he could be an image of an Aussie or he could look more like a Goldie.

However, most of the time these dogs are muscular with alert and friendly eyes. They may also have bushy tails.

australian-retrievers

Coat appearance and color

These dogs have double coats that can be either wavy or straight and are water-resistant.

An Australian Retriever also has a ruff on the neck with a variety of colors.

The most common colors are;

  • Red
  • Blue Merle
  • Merle
  • Black
  • White
  • Golden
  • Brown

Unfortunately, these mixes shed throughout the years with two blow out seasons in spring and Fall. This also means that the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is not hypoallergenic and therefore not suitable for allergic sufferers.

Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix Personality traits and Temperament

The Australian Retriever should be affectionate, eager to please, loyal, and energetic in general.

These dogs thrive best when they are with their human companions and this is both mentally and physically.

Leaving them alone for long periods can be problematic because they could easily suffer from separation anxiety and even become destructive.

The Aussie Golden Retriever is most comfortable with people that he is fond of but can still mingle with strangers easily.

With that said you should know that this dog has moderate watchdog capabilities. He will bark to alert you when something is not right or when he spots an intruder.

This is a dog that loves food and loves his toys too as much as he loves you. He can be protective of the times that he deems valuable and you should train him to avoid any incidences.

However, the overall behavior of any dog is affected by how you raise. If you correctly socialize and train him he will be the most amazing friend you could ever ask for.

Traits Rating
Friendliness
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exercise needs
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Trainability
🐕🐕🐕🐕
Ease of care
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sociability
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Family compatibility

The Golden Retriever Aussie mix is a great and playful family pet and companion.

He easily makes friends and will form strong bonds with his friends. This dog also loves children too.

The patience that this pooch has with children is outstanding but like any other dog incidences while playing could easily occur and you should always make sure that you supervise the play between them.

If you have other pets in the house the Australian Retriever will have no problems with them. You just have to make sure that you socialize them early on.

australian-retriever

Frequently asked questions

Does the Australian Retriever shed? 

Yes. This dog sheds moderately throughout the year with two seasons where he blowouts his coat and this is at the onset of Fall and Spring. You should invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get rid of fur and a brush for getting rid of loose hair from the coat.

Can the Australian Retriever be left alone?

The Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix should not be left alone for long periods. This is because he is prone to suffering from separation and in some cases, he could become destructive as he tries to entertain himself. You should also remember that this is a high energy canine.

Australian Retriever puppies

On average, the Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd mix have a litter size of between 4 to 7 puppies.

Any of the breeds can be used as a dam or a sire because they are both of almost the same size. Also, none of them is prone to birth complications.

These puppies can reach full maturity when they are between 12 to 18 months of age.

The cost one of these puppies could go as high as $1200 with $600 being the average price for one Australian Retriever puppy. However, the location and the breeder will determine the price of the pup.

You can also check your local shelter and rescue to see if you will be lucky enough to get one of these dogs. After all, adoption is always the best option.

Also, make sure that you get your puppy from a reputable and responsible breeder.

You can check out our guide on how to get a good and reputable breeder by clicking on the link.

Australian Shepherd Golden retriever mix puppy

Grooming an Aussie Golden Retriever mix

The Aussie Golden Retriever sheds throughout the year and grooming will be needed to minimize shedding.

This is especially during the heavy shedding seasons.

You will need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get fur off your furniture and house in general.

A good brush is also needed to brush these dogs at least 3 times a week to remove loose hair from the coat and to keep it shiny. Brushing also helps to distribute natural oils and you should make sure that you reach the undercoat properly.

A professional groomer can help you give this pooch a good trim once in a while and keep it at a size that you can manage.

Bathing this canine friend once a month will be enough to keep him clean unless he ends up playing in the mud.

Don’t forget to clean their ears and teeth regularly and trim their nails when they start getting long.

Australian Shepherd Golden retriever mix exercise requirements

Being an active dog means that the Australian Retriever will need to be exercised at least 60 minutes a day.

He is not one to cuddle all day because he also loves to burn out some of his energy.

Taking this furry friend for two walks a day, runs, and even going hiking with him will help you meet his exercise needs.

These dogs also have a retrieval heritage and are great at games such as fetching frisbees and balls.

Play some puzzles and other mind games to keep him mentally stimulated too.

Unfortunately, they may not do so well in an apartment set up and prefer more a large space with a yard where they can play.

Golden Retriever Austalian Shepherd mix

Dietary requirements of the Aussie Retriever

When you are choosing the diet for any hybrid dog there are a few things that you have to keep in mind and they are;

  • Age
  • Size
  • Metabolism
  • Activity level

Consider all the above factors when you are choosing what food to give your Australian Retriever. You should also keep in mind that some of them may also be choosy eaters.

Avoid foods that have fillers and choose a diet that is high on proteins for building and repairing their muscles.

Seek the advice of your local vet to know what the best diet for your Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix is.

2 or 3 cups of high-quality kibble should be enough for you to feed this hybrid dog. You should space the time between one meal and the other well to avoid issues with bloat.

Daily calories Cups of Kibble Per Day:
1500 3

Training an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix

This dog needs a consistent and firm leader and that is why training is very important.

But the good thing is that this pooch is eager to please and intelligent which makes him highly trainable. Being highly trainable does not, however, make the work any easier because they can also be a bit stubborn.

Although these canines pick up tricks and commands easily you will still need to be consistent and patient with training.

Positive reinforcement and reward-based training work best on this dog. This is because he learns through the consequence of his behaviors and is likely to repeat something if there is a positive outcome.

And although they are friendly doggos they still need to be socialized at an early age.

You can do this by introducing to different environments, people, and as many animals as possible. This will prevent him from chasing or barking at a moving vehicle.

australian-shepherd-golden-retriever-mix

Some of the health concerns of the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever

Hip and elbow dysplasia occur in these dogs a lot. This where the joints fail to develop in the correct way which can cause lameness to the dog.

Eye cataracts can also affect Australian Retrievers.

Canine cancers are also very prevalent in these dogs considering that Golden Retrievers have the highest cancer rates. This explains why this hybrid may be vulnerable to suffering from this condition.

Other common health problems are;

  • Bloat
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

You should make sure that you get your pup from a reputable breeder and that he is screened for these conditions to reduce their risks.

The Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix has an average lifespan of between 12 to 15 years depending on their health.

Breed summary

We have seen that the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix is a great companion and family dog that results from the crossing of two popular dogs.

They are energetic, highly-driven, and loyal doggies.

An active owner should have no problem taking care of this hybrid dog by meeting their physical and mental stimulation needs.

This may be the perfect pet for you just make sure that your lifestyle is fit for him.

Was this article helpful to you? Tell us in the comment section below. 

We as Mydogsinfo would also like to hear what your thoughts on this hybrid are.

There you go WOOF!

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