Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix

The more different parent breeds, the more of a lottery are puppy traits. Golden retrievers and Dachshunds have some traits in common, but the distinctions undoubtedly outweigh the similarities.

For this reason, no Golden Dox is the same. Each puppy has its unique appearance and temperament, so interacting with the puppy before buying it is vital.

Because breeding a golden retriever with a small Dachshund isn’t simple, you might have to invest time searching for a puppy.

Appearance

The golden retriever Dachshund mix, or Golden Dox, looks like a golden retriever with a long body and short legs. It shares the recognizable traits of both parent breeds.

Golden retriever Dachshund mix ranges from 10 to 20 inches in height and weighs 30 to 60 pounds, so they are in-between Dachshunds and goldens. The body is muscular and athletic.

Golden Dox always have drop ears, an elongated nose, and round, dark eyes with an intelligent expression. However, there may be variations in Golden Dox’s appearance depending on which parent they take after.

Dachshund golden retriever mix color can be solid golden, red, brown, black, or yellow. Some Golden Dox have markings if they come from a patterned Dachshund.

Spotted and merle Golden Dox are the rarest ones because this color results from a recessive gene that golden retrievers lack. Golden and red colors are the most widespread among golden retriever Dachshund mix.

The Golden Dox coat can be straight or wavy, short or long, depending on the coat of the Dachshund parent.

The golden variation resembles a golden retriever, whereas others may be confused with a purebred Dachshund, especially if the puppy inherits a short height.

Temperament

The Golden Dox temperament traits can vary drastically because golden retrievers and Dachshunds are very different breeds. A Golden Dox is guaranteed to be playful and outgoing because both parent breeds are.

However, goldens and Dachshunds differ in their trainability and attitude towards strangers and other dogs.

Goldens are very affectionate and friendly dogs that won’t hurt a fly. They have a low prey drive and are very gentle with kids.

Dachshunds, too, are affectionate with owners, but they tend to be aloof with strangers.

They are in no way timid – on the opposite, Dachshunds are very vocal and courageous. Without proper training, Dachshunds can be mischievous and stubborn.

The good thing about Dachshunds is their independence. They are rarely overly attached to the owner like goldens, but that doesn’t mean Dachshunds don’t love their humans.

These adorable little dogs can also be easily irritable and snappy, so they aren’t recommended for young children. A Golden Dox can take the best or the worst of both parents – it’s a complete toss-up.

Overall, Golden Dox is an excellent family dog, but puppies should be socialized from an early age. The best way to determine what will a puppy’s temperament be like is to interact with it and its parents.

Intelligence & Trainability

Canine researcher Stanley Coren ranks golden retrievers the fourth most intelligent dog breed among 138 study participants. This impressive result is well deserved because goldens excel at every working dog intelligence parameter.

They memorize commands from a few repetitions, obey them with a 95% rate, have excellent problem-solving skills, and effectively communicate with humans. Goldens are ideal service and therapy dogs.

Dachshunds rank 92nd in the same study, but this doesn’t mean they are dumb. Such a low rank is due to their stubbornness which hinders their training. Dachshunds aren’t good for first-time owners because they need discipline and experience.

Golden Dox is an averagely intelligent dog. It has no trouble understanding commands and memorizing them, but Dachshund’s stubbornness may sometimes intervene in training.

Owners must start the training at a young age and show the dog that they will not tolerate disobedience. With proper discipline, a Golden Dox can become a well-behaved, intelligent companion.

Health

Poor health is among the biggest arguments against purebred dogs. Unfortunately, crossbreeds aren’t entirely free from health conditions threatening their parent breeds.

In fact, crossbreeding can sometimes double the risk of inherited medical conditions, so Golden Dox health is like a lottery.

Golden Dox are prone to IVDD – intervertebral disc disease that is the primary problem with all Dachshunds. The disease can affect dogs to a different extent – some only feel mild discomfort, while others become paralyzed.

Some Golden Dox can suffer from epilepsy common among golden retrievers. Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is characterized by excessive cortisol production, resulting in constant thirst, hunger, and panting.

All dogs with drop ears are prone to ear infections, and Golden Dox isn’t an exception. Owners must establish an ear cleaning routine to prevent the problem.

Because both parent breeds are prone to obesity, so is Golden Dox. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are crucial for this crossbreed.

Many health conditions can be ruled out with genetic testing, so request health clearances for the sire and dam from the breeder when buying a puppy.

Grooming

Golden Dox grooming depends on the coat length. Short-haired Golden Dox doesn’t need frequent grooming – these dogs will suffice with weekly brushing and occasional bathing. They don’t need haircuts, even in summer.

Long-haired Golden Dox need daily brushing to eliminate tangles, prevent matting, and spot parasites that may be hiding in the long fur.

The general recommendation is to bathe the dog once a month, but some Golden Dox may need more or less frequent baths.

A significant improvement in Golden Dox compared to golden retrievers is shedding intensity. Regardless of the coat length, Golden Dox are moderate shedders.

Most importantly, owners should regularly clean their dog’s ears to prevent infections and keep an eye on their dental health.

Exercise Needs

Golden retrievers and Dachshunds are hunting breeds packed with energy, so they need plenty of physical activity. A golden retriever Dachshund cross, too, is an energy bundle that needs at least an hour of walking daily.

The exercise duration depends on its type. Running is more energy-consuming, so the training session can be shorter.

Note that Golden Dox aren’t fans of long walks because of their short legs. It’s best to split the exercise into several sessions.

Some Dachshunds will appreciate swimming, despite their short legs. Goldens are natural-born swimmers, so the love for water is rooted in Golden Dox genes.

Puppies need less exercise because too much running can put a strain on their joints and lead to medical condition development. Senior Golden Dox, too, are less active because of health problems.

Life Expectancy

Golden Dox’s life expectancy is 10-14 years, which is average for dogs of this size. It isn’t the healthiest of all crossbreeds because both parent breeds are prone to many medical conditions that Golden Dox puppies can inherit.

However, remember that a healthy lifestyle can significantly prolong a dog’s lifespan. Provide your pet with sufficient exercise and a rich diet to ensure it’s happy and healthy.

Behavior Problems

Golden Dox behavior problems depend on the dog’s temperament, and its temperament can vary depending on which parent it takes after. For this reason, you may benefit from knowing the common behavior problems of parent breeds.

Golden retrievers are highly attached to their owners and can suffer from separation anxiety, characterized by chewing, digging, pacing, moving furniture, trying to escape, howling, and potty accidents.

Many goldens pull on the leash because of their curious, exuberant nature and jump on people out of excitement. Golden Dox, too, can develop these habits, so early training is crucial.

Goldens aren’t big barkers, but Dachshunds are. They are notorious for excessive howling, barking, and whining. Fortunately, owners can teach their dogs not to bark unless necessary.

Golden Dox may be impatient with kids and unfriendly to other animals. Some are straight-up snappy and aggressive. When choosing a puppy, ensure it is properly socialized to avoid this problem.

Rarity

The golden retriever Dachshund mix isn’t among the most popular crossbreed dogs. Mixes of Dachshund and Chihuahua or golden retriever and poodle are significantly more sought-after.

Because the demand for this adorable cross isn’t high and breeding is far from simple, finding a Golden Dox breeder can be tricky.

Price

The golden retriever Dachshund cross price ranges from $500 to $1,000, but some puppies may cost more. Because Dachshunds and goldens cannot breed naturally, the process isn’t as straightforward, which affects the puppy price.

The price depends on a particular puppy’s traits, lineage, breeder’s reputation, and location. If a puppy’s parents are champions, it will cost more because it is more likely to inherit the traits that made its ancestors excel.

Of course, a perfect alignment with the breed standard of a Golden Dox’s parent doesn’t matter because crossbreeds cannot participate in shows.

However, if a puppy’s parents were obedience or field champs, it is likely to be easy to train and well-behaved.

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