Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix: Breed Information

Last Updated on January 31, 2023 by Becky Roberts

Quick Summary: The Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd cross is called The Australian Retriever and Golden Aussie. A majority of this breed is an equal mix of both parents. They can carry a red coat if their Golden Retriever parent has a redder shade to their fur. The Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix would prefer to live in a large home. They need exercise, daily grooming, love, and lots of affection. The Australian Retriever is a relatively healthy breed that will enjoy a lifespan of 11 to 14 years.

Ever seen the stunning good looks of an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever combination? The Australian Retriever is rapidly becoming a popular designer dog. This mix is also known as the Golden Aussie. It is quite popular compared to other Golden Retriever or Aussie mixes.

But you should know that this mix is full of energy and devotion to his family. He makes an awesome family pet, but only for the right family. Find out if you belong to that family.

We will be covering everything you need about Australian Retrievers in this guide. He is energetic and a great dog! He gets along with children and other family pets. This guide will help you determine how much grooming is required, how to locate a breeder, and what to expect when purchasing a puppy.

Parent Breeds: History and Background

Before we go into the details about the Australian Retriever, we should look at his parents. This would allow you to see how he might behave as a pet or what your life would look like if he became a member of your family.

Australian Shepherd: An Overview

The Australian Shepherd isn’t actually Australian. He is technically American. Born from a mixture of European herding dogs, his Australian owners set sail for the east coast of America bearing him. American cowboys were so impressed with their herding skills that they developed the Australian Shepherd breed. He has been an integral part of cowboy culture since that time.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), in 2020, he was the 17^th most popular dog breed in America. He is smart, energetic, and work-oriented. This dog is energetic and can be difficult to manage for a novice dog owner. He is a friendly and affectionate dog for anyone who can give him a job or some exercise. Designer dog owners are increasingly embracing Aussies. The Aussiepoo and the Australian Shepherd Husky mix are two of the more popular Aussie mixes.

Golden Retriever: An Overview

The Golden Retriever is a popular breed in nearly every country around the globe. He is often referred to as the family dog and is friendly. They are very energetic but much less intense than the Australian Shepherd.

The Golden Retriever was born in Great Britain by Lord Tweedmouth, who wanted a perfect gun dog. He will retrieve any object you give him, whether it’s a stick or a hunt. He will crave your company. He loves spending time with his loved ones, whether playing or just chilling. Goldens make the ideal parent breed for any mix due to their sweet nature. Other popular Golden Retriever mixes include the Goberian and the Beago.

The Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever Mix: The Australian Retriever

Now that we have a bit more information about his parents let’s look at the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd cross. The Australian Retriever, a mixed breed, is likely his first-generation pup. He could have a mix of the parents, or he could be more like one breed than the other.

You must make sure you love all his potential genetic options, regardless of the outcome. There are some behavioral traits you can expect from an Australian Retriever. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from your Australian Retriever.

Appearance and Size

The Australian Retriever is a medium-sized dog weighing between 50 and 65 pounds and measuring 19 and 23 inches from paw to shoulder. He will be taller than the Golden Retriever but smaller and more agile than the Aussie Shep. The males tend to be smaller than the females.

He could inherit the dark brown and black colored eyes of the Retriever or the bright blue eyes of his Aussie parent. His nose, lips, and other features are likely to be black, although they may also be light brown.

The majority of Australian Retrievers are an equally mixed mix of both parents. His unique characteristics, such as his merle coat, bright or different colored eyes, and bright hair, make him more popular. You can expect them to become more sought-after and more costly.

Coat and Colors

The coat of the Australian Retriever is a thick, dense double-coated one designed to keep him warm during colder weather. The coat will likely be slightly wavy around the ears, neck, stomach, and tail. His coat will shed moderately throughout the year, and he will blow it during the shedding season. You might consider a different breed if you don’t like dog hair.

He can inherit the coat from either parent. Your Australian Retriever can take any combination of the following colors: black, gold, brindle, and brown. This mix can also carry a red coat if their Golden Retriever parent has a redder shade to their fur. Talk to your breeder if coat color is important in your decision-making process. They might match you with another pup based on your personality.

Temperament and Personality Traits

First, the Australian Retriever is very active and should be with a busy family. He won’t be as energetic as his Aussie parents. He will still need to be mentally and physically stimulated to stay happy and healthy. He will often inherit an ‘off button’ from his Golden genes and will happily lie down with you in front of the TV at night. You can expect a busy daily life with the Aussie Retriever.

The Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix is very dedicated. Nothing will compare to his owner’s love, not even the best of treats. This breed is known for its unconditional love and affection and is very loyal. However, this can also lead to separation anxiety. He should be placed with someone who can give him lots of love and company.

His Golden parent’s genes make him super friendly with family and friends. He will also be gentle and friendly due to his Aussie parents’ more suspicious genes. He will likely be aloof around strangers at first, but then he will warm up to them once his master assures him that everything is fine in the world.

The Australian Retriever is likely to make an excellent cowboy companion. He might also bring his herding instincts into the home. This should be discouraged. He should be entertained and not resort to such behaviors if he is well-treated.

Exercise and Living Requirements

Aussie Retrievers need a lot of exercise. But how much? It all depends on the parent that he is with. But you should expect to schedule a minimum of 60 to 90 minutes daily. Without fail, rain or shine. Or else he will soon become unhappy and unhealthy and have behavioral problems. If you can’t guarantee this for your dog, you should not breed him.

Because he is an intelligent dog, you should mix up his weekly activities to keep him engaged. He is a great partner in jogging, an agility course participant, a ball retriever, and he can play flyball. He will do anything you want.

The Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix would prefer to live in a large home. He is used to ranch life and the cowboy lifestyle. Therefore, he would enjoy living in a home with access and plenty of space to run, play and sleep to his heart’s content. He is not suitable for apartment living.

He is a great match for families with children, as he is gentle and loving. He is a good companion for other dogs and doesn’t seem to be too concerned about cats or other animals, so he would suit a multi-pet household. If he is allowed, he may get into the habit of caring for smaller animals and children. It can be annoying and even dangerous if you don’t teach him how to stop this behavior. It is important to keep this in mind and to learn how to deal with it if it becomes a problem.

Obedience Training and Socialization

The Australian Retriever must be socialized well from the beginning. This will increase his confidence and teach him polite doggie etiquette. This will help reduce his shyness towards strangers and keep him from being too protective of smaller dogs.

Crate training can be great if the dog suffers from separation anxiety. Dogs are more comfortable in their own environment than their owners might think. Be sure to get a dog crate that’s the right size for him.

Positive rewards training will be the best way to train him. He can become very irritable if he is shouted at. He is intelligent, driven by food, and will learn tricks quickly. He will learn almost immediately if you are consistent in your training.

Grooming Requirements

The Australian Retriever needs daily grooming, which you will need to factor into your daily schedule for the next 11 to 14 years. His long, feathery coat will get matted and sore without it. A slicker brush is necessary for daily grooming, and a de-shedding brush is for weekly grooming.

A gentle shampoo for Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mixes is the best choice. His skin can be quite sensitive, and a natural sensitive skin shampoo will keep his beautiful coat soft and shiny. Your pup should be washed once per 8 weeks. You risk damaging your dog’s natural oils and skin if you do more than that.

Other grooming rituals, such as eye, teeth, and ear cleaning, should be done weekly. You may have to clean his ears twice weekly if he has large dropdown ears. This is especially important if you are working on a dusty ranch.

Nutritional Guide

The Australian Retriever will eat between 2 1/2 to 3 cups of kibble each day. It all depends on his size, his energy level, and the parent he is with. A high-quality, balanced diet will be a good choice for him. To keep his hardworking muscles strong and healthy, he should eat a high-protein diet.

The Australian Shepherd’s faster metabolism should make it less likely that he will gain weight than his Retriever parent. Always be sure to keep an eye on his weight, and if he starts to pile on the pounds, switch him to a weight management kibble.

Health Issues

The Australian Retriever is a relatively healthy breed that will enjoy a lifespan of 11 to 14 years. He can inherit health problems from either parent because he is a mixed breed.

Both his parents are susceptible to hip elbow dysplasia, so be aware of this in your Australian Shepherd.

Eye concerns: These are other concerns that were raised by his parents. Eye conditions that you should be aware of are cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and collie eyes.

Cancer: Unfortunately, his parents are more likely to get cancer than the rest of the canine population. The highest rate of cancer in Goldens is among the breeds.

The Australian Retrievers as Family Pets

• The Australian Retriever is an intensely energetic dog.
• Expect 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise.
• The Australian Retriever is a highly intelligent mix.
• Australian Retrievers need interactive games to keep their brains busy.
• Golden Aussies are kind and affectionate.
• Larger yards are better for Australian Retrievers.
• At first, he is an aloof dog but will quickly warm up to everyone.
• Daily grooming is needed to prevent matted and dirty coats.
• The Australian Retriever loves children and is suited to families.
• Multi-pet households do well with Australian Retrievers.

Reputable Breeders and Puppy Costs

The average cost of an Australian Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder will cost around $700 and up. It will depend on your area’s demand, the breeder’s reputation, and the lineage. The price of a puppy with merle or bright-blue eyes, multicolored eyes, or merle hair will go up because it is more desirable.

Because he is a rarer hybrid, you may need to travel to locate a reliable breeder. Start your search online. Always look for breeders that have a dedicated website that provides information about their breeding practices. Another way is to check out online reviews from customers

Never work with a puppy mill or a breeder who refuses to allow you to meet the parents and puppies. Or those who are unable to show you their health clearances. You should not feel bad if you have a feeling. It is not worth the hassle and expense of inheriting an unwell pooch.

Adopting From Rescue Centers and Shelters

If you’re interested in rescuing an Australian Retriever, go to your local rescue center and talk to the staff. Although they might not have an Australian Retriever available at the rescue center, they could be in touch with other rescue centers that do.

If this is not proving to be successful, head over to the Australian Shepherd rescue website or the Golden Retriever Club of America rescue committee. They are happy to help anyone who wants to rescue their dedicated breed.

Conclusion

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about Australian Retrievers and whether they are the right dog for your family. You should also know if you are the right person for him.

It is important to be open about the kind of life that you are willing to give your dog. It is all about exercise, daily grooming, love, and lots of affection for the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd cross. He is adorable and will give you all the love and loyalty that you can think of.