Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

The parent breeds have a lot in common, so the appearance, temperament, and other traits of golden Aussies, also called Australian retrievers, are relatively easy to predict.

However, there may be slight variations between puppies in barking levels, prey drive, size, coat color, and health.

Provided you can give your pet enough physical activity and mental stimulation, an Aussie and golden retriever mix will make a wonderful family dog.

Appearance

Australian retrievers range from 19 to 23 inches in height and weigh 25 to 60 pounds on average, so they are medium-sized dogs with an athletic build.

Female dogs tend to be smaller than males. Some golden Aussies are stockier than average, taking the build from goldens.

Like goldens and Australian shepherds, Australian retrievers have a double coat. For this reason, they adapt to any climate. The fur of Australian retrievers is medium-length, either straight or moderately wavy.

Usually, Australian retrievers have a ruff around the neck. These dogs come in several colors, including three-tone, red, and golden. The markings of each dog are unique, and some have a solid color.

When it comes to the head shape, Australian retrievers can inherit the traits of either of the parents. Generally, you can expect the puppy to have drop ears, a broad head, a longer snout, and round eyes, either crown, hazel, or blue.

An Australian retriever’s appearance can range, like with all mixed dogs.

Some Australian retrievers are nearly indistinguishable from one of the parent breeds visually and may only inherit the temperament and minor appearance traits of the other.

Temperament

There’s no way to predict the temperament of a golden retriever and Australian shepherd mix because a puppy can take after either of the parents.

The best way to ensure a puppy will make you a good companion is to interact with it and meet both parents. However, by learning the temperament traits of golden retrievers and Australian shepherds, you can get an idea of what to expect.

Both golden retrievers and Australian shepherds are playful, energetic, outgoing dogs, so these temperament traits are guaranteed in an Australian retriever.

However, goldens are more obedient and eager to please, whereas Aussies are more willful and independent.

Aussies have a high prey drive because they were initially herding dogs and are still commonly used for this purpose. In contrast, golden retrievers were bred to retrieve waterfowl and have a moderate prey drive.

Both breeds make excellent family dogs and get along with other animals, so the puppy is likely to make a great addition to a family. They are rarely aggressive and genuinely love cuddles.

However, Aussies may chase smaller pets because of their high prey drive, so a mix of an Australian shepherd and golden retriever is likely to have the same issue.

Because golden Aussies are energetic dogs, they need equally exuberant companions. These dogs can be overwhelming for calm or old pets.

Although both parent breeds are child-friendly, they are better suited for older kids and may be too active for babies.

Because golden Aussies are affectionate and outgoing, they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers and Australian shepherds are intelligent dogs. According to canine researcher Stanley Coren, goldens rank fourth in intelligence and obedience among 138 dog breeds, and Aussies rank 42nd, which is still well above average.

Dog intelligence depends on obedience, communication skills, problem-solving, and memory. Both breeds excel in every parameter, although Aussies may be stubborn because they are freedom-loving.

Consequently, golden retriever and Australian shepherd mix will be equally intelligent and obedient. An Australian retriever puppy should cause no problem, even for inexperienced owners.

However, keep in mind that such an intelligent dog can outsmart you more than once. Owners of Australian retrievers must be strict enough to show their dogs who’s the master of the house.

An Australian retriever will make a perfect service dog because of its high trainability and outgoing, friendly temperament.

Health

Australian retrievers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, and eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy because both parent breeds are susceptible to these diseases.

Additionally, Australian retrievers may have collie eye anomaly (CEA) and drug sensitivities like Australian shepherds and cancers like goldens (cancer is the most common cause of death in golden retrievers).

Fortunately, mixed dogs are at a lower risk of developing medical conditions than purebred dogs. Compared to other dogs of such size, golden Aussies have a long lifespan and short medical condition list.

Still, when choosing a puppy, ensure that both parents have their health clearances to rule out genetic diseases.

Many health conditions can be avoided with proper care. Sufficient exercise and a correct diet are the most critical factors in a healthy lifestyle.

Australian retrievers aren’t prone to obesity, but they can develop behavior or joint problems from inactivity.

Grooming

Australian retrievers are moderate to heavy shedders, the same as the parent breeds. For this reason, owners should establish a grooming routine to prevent tangling, matting, and the development of skin conditions.

Daily brushing with a slicker brush is essential for golden Aussies. During heavy shedding phases in spring and autumn, Australian retrievers must be brushed with a de-shedding tool to remove dead fur clumps stuck in the coat.

How often to bathe an Australian retriever depends on a particular dog’s lifestyle, but the general recommendation is once in four to six weeks. Dogs that frequently walk in wild terrains need more frequent baths.

Note that too frequent bathing can damage an Australian retriever’s skin. These dogs don’t need haircuts. Shaving can damage their coat and intervene in their thermoregulation. However, they will benefit from minimal feather trimming.

Exercise Needs

Both golden retrievers and Australian shepherds are highly energetic, agile dogs that need at least an hour of exercise daily, and some even more. A golden retriever and Australian shepherd mix will be equally energetic.

The exercise duration depends on its type and a particular dog’s age and health state. Moderate exercise such as walking should be long, but swimming or running is more energy-consuming, so the exercise session can be shorter.

Puppies need less exercise – as a rule of thumb, you should provide five minutes of exercise for every month a puppy has been alive. So, a five-month-old golden Aussie needs 25 minutes of physical activity, and a nine-month-old 45 minutes.

Too much exercise can lead to canine hip dysplasia because both parent breeds are prone to the condition. Senior dogs may need less exercise, but its duration depends on a particular dog’s physical capacity.

One may think such exuberant dogs are unsuitable for apartment living, but this isn’t true. Golden Aussies don’t care about the space as about people. However, they must get enough exercise and be trained not to bark for no reason.

Life Expectancy

Golden Aussies, aka Australian retrievers, typically live for 12-15 years, same as Australian shepherds.

Although golden retrievers have a shorter life expectancy of 10-12 years, mixed breed dogs typically are healthier and live longer.

Behavior Problems

Each Australian retriever puppy is different, but one thing is for sure – they are energetic dogs that need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. If the owner cannot meet their dog’s needs, it will engage in destructive behavior.

Golden Aussies may chew on things, dig in the garden, or run around the room, crashing into furniture out of boredom. Some dogs may have separation anxiety.

How much does a golden retriever and Australian shepherd mix bark, you may wonder? It depends. Goldens are silent dogs that only bark when necessary, whereas Aussies are notorious barkers like all herding dogs.

As a result, a golden Aussie may or may not have an excessive barking problem.

Many Australian retrievers pull on the leash and jump on people because of their curiosity, high energy level, and friendliness – these habits can be eliminated with early training.

Rarity

Both golden retrievers and Australian shepherds are among the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. While the golden retriever and Australian shepherd mix isn’t equally widespread, it’s among the most popular mixed breed dogs.

Australian retrievers have not been around for very long, so you may have to invest some time into finding your perfect puppy. However, this designer crossbreed is gaining popularity, so you can expect more kennels to appear in the future.

The surging demand for golden Aussies isn’t surprising given the intelligence, friendliness, obedience, and beautiful appearance of these dogs.

Furthermore, crossing a golden with an Aussie is relatively simple, unlike crossing a golden with a chihuahua.

Price

The price of a golden retriever and Australian shepherd mix ranges from $300 to $1,200, depending on the breeder, location, and a particular puppy’s traits.

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