A Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix may seem odd because goldens and Dobermans are two distinctly different breeds.
Goldens are angelic, friendly balls of fluffy golden fur and Doberman Pinschers are the ultimate guard dogs with an intimidating look.
However, the Doberman Pinscher golden retriever cross has turned out surprisingly well. So-called Goldermans or Golden Pinschers usually inherit the best traits of both parents.
Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix can make a perfect guard dog, hunting companion, loving pet, or help a disadvantaged owner perform daily tasks. This mix can also serve as a therapy dog, which is hard to imagine with purebred Dobermans.
However, there are some pitfalls to keep in mind when considering getting a Golderman, such as high energy levels and potential behavior problems.
Appearance
The Doberman Pinscher golden retriever cross is a large dog ranging from 24 to 27 inches in height and weighing 65 to 95 pounds. The Golderman appearance traits can vary depending on which parent’s genes were dominant.
The puppies typically have short drop ears, broad skulls, and long snouts. They always have round, dark eyes and black noses.
The Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix color range is vast – they can be iconic golden or black and rust or less common fawn, white, black, blue, or red.
The markings are usually on the chest, feet, and face like in purebred Doberman Pinschers.
The coat can be short or long, usually straight. Overall, a Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix may resemble a short-haired golden retriever with a Doberman Pinscher color or a black Labrador retriever.
Temperament
Crossbreeding is a chance to reinforce the best temperament traits of parent breeds while eliminating the worst. The Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix does just that, although there may be variation among puppies.
Some Doberman Pinscher golden retriever cross temperament traits are guaranteed, such as intelligence, loyalty, confidence, obedience, and high energy levels. Both golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers have these traits.
However, the parent breeds also have important distinctions reflected in puppies. Goldens are outgoing, playful, goofy dogs that are quick to make friends. They are curious and love exploring new terrains.
A golden retriever will never intentionally hurt a child – goldens are patient, gentle giants.
They also get along with other animals because they have a low prey drive. Because goldens are credulous and rarely bark, they make poor guard dogs.
In contrast, Doberman Pinschers are natural-born guard dogs. They are aloof with strangers and highly protective of their owners. Because of their high prey drive, Doberman Pinschers may chase smaller pets.
However, a Doberman Pinscher can make a wonderful companion for a child with proper socialization.
The Doberman Pinscher golden retriever cross is likely to be affectionate with owners and protective, but how it will react to strangers depends.
Intelligence & Trainability
Golden retriever Doberman Pinscher mix is among the most intelligent dogs. Golden retrievers rank fourth and Doberman Pinschers fifth among 138 breeds in Stanley Coren’s working dog intelligence study.
Golden retrievers are eager to please the owner and have fantastic communication skills. They can understand human emotions and will never disobey the command. These dogs have excellent work ethics because of their hunting heritage.
Doberman Pinschers, too, are smart dogs, but they excel in different parameters. The ability to gauge threats in any situation and act independently is what makes these dogs stand out among other breeds.
As a result, a Doberman Pinscher golden retriever cross is a dog with a wonderful memory, high obedience rate, and excellent communication skills.
These dogs are easy to train, even for inexperienced owners. A Golderman is a perfect service, hunting, and guard dog.
Health
There’s not much data on Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix health because the cross isn’t as widespread. However, we know which medical conditions the parent breeds are susceptible to and can conclude their mix can inherit some.
Golden retrievers are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, skin issues, ear infections, and cancer. The latter is the most common cause of death in goldens.
Doberman Pinschers are prone to allergies, hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, chronic active hepatitis, wobbler syndrome, cancer, Von Willebrand Disease, and gastric dilatation.
As you can see, some conditions are common in both parent breeds, so their puppies are at high risk. These conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and cancer.
The good news is that you can rule out inherited conditions with genetic screening. Ask the breeder to provide you with health clearances for the puppy’s parents.
Skin conditions and ear infections can be prevented with proper grooming. Ear cleaning is especially important for dogs that love swimming and have drop ears.
Grooming
Golden retrievers are notorious shedders, whereas Doberman Pinschers shed moderately. The Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix grooming depends on a particular dog’s coat length and type.
Goldermans that inherit the long double coat of golden retrievers need daily brushing to prevent tangling and matting. Brushing also helps spot fleas and ticks that may be hiding in the fur after a walk.
During seasonal shedding periods in spring and fall, Goldermans must be brushed with a de-shedding tool. Long-haired Goldermans should never be shaved but will benefit from feather trimming to keep their coat neat.
The short-haired Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix is lower maintenance in terms of grooming. Short-haired Goldermans only need to be brushed once a week and have a single coat, so they don’t have seasonal shedding periods.
However, they need regular baths regardless. How often to bathe a Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix depends on the dog’s lifestyle, coat length, and season.
Additionally, Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix needs dental care, claw trimming, and ear cleaning to prevent infections.
Exercise Needs
Golden retriever and Doberman Pinschers are real energy bundles. Goldens need at least an hour of walking daily, and Doberman Pinschers need over two hours of physical activity.
Consequently, a Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix isn’t a dog that can spend its life snuggling on the couch. Yes, Goldermans enjoy snuggles, but only after a long and tiring walk.
Doberman Pinscher golden retriever cross exercise duration can vary depending on its type. These dogs will appreciate swimming, running, playing fetch, hiking, and other mentally stimulating and energy-consuming activities.
Puppies need less exercise than adult dogs – as a rule of thumb, expect to walk for five minutes for each month of a puppy’s lifetime. Old dogs may have joint, heart, or other problems preventing them from walking sufficiently.
Without exercise, a Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix will get bored and engage in destructive behavior. Some dogs may become mischievous and disobey the owner’s commands.
Life Expectancy
Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix life expectancy is 12-15 years, which is an improvement compared to the parent breeds. Goldens live for 10-12 years on average, and Doberman Pinschers 10-13 years.
Crossbreed dogs tend to live longer than purebred ones because they are at a lower risk of genetic diseases. However, a dog’s lifespan largely depends on its lifestyle, so don’t neglect exercise and provide your pet with a healthy diet.
Behavior Problems
Both golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers were bred to work alongside people. As a result, they form strong bonds with their owners and are prone to separation anxiety.
Goldermans, too, can have separation anxiety characterized by excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, attempts to escape, and potty accidents. Separation anxiety can worsen if a dog doesn’t get enough exercise.
Many Goldermans pull on the leash because they are curious and energetic. Some may jump on people out of excitement.
Excessive barking is a widespread problem in Doberman Pinscher that can pass on to their puppies. Aggression towards strangers is uncommon in Goldermans because of golden retriever genes, but proper socialization is crucial.
Goldermans are never stubborn and are overall well-behaved, intelligent dogs that won’t cause the owner problems as long as they get enough exercise and attention.
Rarity
According to the American Kennel Club, golden retrievers are the third most popular dog breed in the U.S., and Doberman Pinschers are 16th.
Because parent breeds are so widespread, the Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix can’t be called particularly rare.
Crossing a golden retriever and Doberman Pinscher is straightforward because they can mate naturally. However, Goldermans aren’t in high demand, so not that many people breed them.
Most choose either a golden retriever or a Doberman Pinscher, so you might need to spend some time searching for your perfect puppy.
Many people find breeding Goldermans senseless money-wise because they can sell purebred goldens and Dobermans for high prices and find customers easier.
Price
Because Doberman Pinscher and golden retrievers are popular dogs that can breed without human help, Goldermans are relatively cheap. The average Doberman Pinscher golden retriever mix price is about $600.
A puppy’s price depends on its temperament, appearance, lineage, breeder’s reputation, and location.
A Golderman puppy with champion lineage will cost more than a puppy from parents without titles. Health clearances can also add to the price, but they are always worth it.