Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is a cross-breed of Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever dog breeds. Also called, Australian Retriever it is one of the famous designer breeds of the USA. It is believed to have originated during the holiday season in 2007. According to the speculations, an Australian breeder crossed her black Australian Shepherd with her Golden Retriever and out popped the Australian Retriever pup. Since then, the breeders started to create this mixed breed as demand raised. Australian Retrievers are highly energetic and active dogs that carry all the best and good traits. Interestingly, an Australian Retriever is known to have measured 113.1 decibels, the loudest recorded bark.
The parent breed Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland and are the most popular breeds in the USA. They are beautiful, sweet, social, and affectionate, making them wonderful companions. Australian Shepherds are believed to have originated from the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. Australian Shepherd dogs were initially used to herd sheep and cattle in tough terrains. They are loyal and highly intelligent dogs. These dogs got their name because of their connection with the shepherds who migrated from Australia to the United States. Australian Retrievers are quick-witted, fun-filled pooches that promise to bring new energy and happiness into your soul and home.
Table of Contents
Australian Retriever Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
A good watch dog
High shedding
Easy to train
Not apartment friendly
Intelligent
Separation anxiety
Australian Retriever Basic Information
Name: Australian Retriever
Height: 19-23 inches
Weight:25 to 60 pounds
Size: Large
Coat: Double-coated, medium length, wavy and coarse
Other Names: Golden Aussie, Australian Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd Retriever, and Golden Australian Shepherd.
Breed Recognition: American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Golden Retriever Vs. Australian Shepherd: A Comparison
Features
Golden Retriever
Australian Shepherd
Image
Origin
Scotland
United States
Height
20-24 inches
18-23 inches
Weight
25-34 pounds
40-65 pounds
Size
Medium to Large
Medium
Group
Sporting
Herding
Children Compatibility
High
High
Family Compatibility
High
High
Pets Compatibility
High
High
Barking Level
Medium to High
Medium to High
Shedding Level
High
Medium to High
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Medium to High
Medium to High
Overall Health
Low
Medium to High
Energy
High
High
Exercise Needs
High
High
Trainability
Easy
High
Activities
Agility, Obedience, Canine games
Companion, Sports, Obedience, Agility
Complication in breeding
No
No
Litter Size
4 – 12 Puppies
6-7 Puppies
Lifespan
10-12 years
12-15 years
Other Names
Flat-coated Retriever, GoldenYellow or Golden Retriever
Spanish Shepherd, Pastor dogs, Bob-Tails, Blue Heelers, New Mexican Shepherds, California Shepherds
Australian Retriever Personality
Australian Retrievers are large dogs that grow around 19-23 inches. They weigh about 26-60 kgs. The female dogs are sometimes smaller than the male dogs. The coat is double-coated, water-proof, and usually wavy and coarse. The coat colors and patterns include black, brown, white, golden, merle, brindle, and spotted. They are athletic and perfect for hunting and guiding. The eyes are warm and in the shades of blue or brown. The head is broad, and the ears hang droopily from either side of the head. The nose is round and black and has a cherry on the top of the face. Their long, fluffy tails add to their cute look. However, the looks of the puppy depend on the gene game. Australian Retriever’s stunning features are eye catching for the beholder.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
High
Dog-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium to high
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low
Good for new owners
High
Sensitivity level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
High
Heat tolerance
High
Australian Retriever Temperament
Australian Retrievers are loving fluffy pooches that prefer to be with their humans all day and night. They are friendly with strangers and people around. They are great with kids and get along well with other animals and pets. They are sometimes territorial and protective of their favorite person and their homes. Aussie Retrievers have watchdog qualities and bark to alert their owners from potential threats.
Australian Retrievers get herding quality if they take after the Australian Shepherd parent. Hence cats and other small animals should be kept safe. They love to play and live life fully. They cannot tolerate loneliness and suffer separation anxiety.
This forms a solid reason not to keep these dogs outside for long. They tend to have destructive behaviors when bored or restless. They need frequent attention and interaction with lots of playtimes. Australian Retrievers are large breed dogs, but they never outgrow their puppy-hood joy.
Australian Retriever Training
Australian Retrievers are easy to train and are quick learners. Like any other dog breed, they require early socialization and proper training. They are obedient, and with positive reinforcement, Aussie Retrievers become the perfect pooch to live with. They love being around people and treats, and cuddles do wonders while training. They also look forward to the training sessions, which help in training regarding behavioral corrections. They love playtimes and tricks, and this mental stimulation keeps these dogs happy. You can also leash train and potty train these dogs.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey to drive
Medium
Mouthiness tendencies
Low
Barking and Howling tendencies
Low
Wanderlust tendencies
High
Australian Retriever Exercise Needs
Australian Retrievers are energetic dogs and require lots of daily exercise. They are always eager to learn new things and look for new adventures. They love to play with toys, walk and run. They are also good at agility, obedience, and canine games. These Aussie Retrievers like walking, running, and hiking. A daily exercise of 60+ minutes and 2-3 walks per day is ideal and keeps them happy and healthy. Other suggestions for exercises are: Playing Frisbee
Catch the ball
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
Medium
Playfulness
High
Australian Retriever Grooming
Australian Retrievers dogs are easy to groom, and the coat needs to be brushed 2-3 times per week. They can also be bathed once a week. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots and tangles. Ears should be cleaned and regularly checked as they are prone to ear problems. Brush their teeth daily to prevent plaque and other dental problems. Also, clean their eyes and trim their nails as a part of regular grooming needs.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom
Medium to high
Drooling tendencies
Low
Amount of shedding
Medium to high
Australian Retriever Health
Australian Retrievers are healthy dogs and may not develop any health concerns. But it always helps to know when to take your pup to the vet.
General health
High
Weight gain tendencies
Medium to high
Size
High
Bloat: Sometimes, dogs suffer from bloat. It is a condition where the stomach is filled with air and twists. The gas in the gut leads to bloat. This can be life-threatening and need immediate vet care.
Cataract: As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow gradually. Cataracts may develop at any age and often don’t damage vision, although in some cases cause vision loss. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist certifies the breeding dogs after testing them free of hereditary eye disease before breeding. Usually, cataracts can be removed surgically with good results.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is outwardly a painful disease that occurs when the bones of the back legs do not fit properly in the joints. While some dogs will exhibit symptoms, the majority of canines will not. Hip dysplasia is primarily genetic, although other causes such as accidents, excessive weight gain, and inappropriate training can also cause it. Even though this disease is fatal, therapies range from medicine to hip replacement surgery. To avoid this problem, avoid breeding dogs with hip dysplasia parentage and get annual examinations done.
Cancer: Australian Retrievers have a higher life expectancy than the other breed, so they are prone to cancer as they grow older. Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. It is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier.
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It eliminates the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Australian Retriever Diet and Nutrition
Australian Retrievers are hybrid dogs and need a large quantity of high-quality food. They should eat 4-6 cups of food every day. Each puppy is distinctive, and the correct amount and quality of food depend on their age, weight, activity level, health, and more. The meals can also be split into two 2 cups daily. Aussie Retriever pups can be given dry food, wet food, or a combination of both. Never hesitate to consult a vet to meet your pup’s dietary requirements to keep them happy and healthy.
Australian Retriever Living Condition
Australian Retrievers love to be around their humans. They are adaptable and can live in apartments or homes with bigger yards. They love outdoor activities like walking, running, playing, and hiking. They are fond of getting the attention of their owners and suffer separation anxiety when left alone. They are fond of playing with kids and other pets. Aussies Retrievers can tolerate heat and cold temperatures equally.
Adding an Australian Retriever to Your Family
Things to remember before adding an Australian Retriever to your family
Get an Australian Retriever from a reputable breeder to prevent unavoidable circumstances like health disorders and provide you with vaccination certificates. It is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure his health and happiness. Always remember the following red flags to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Puppies are available round the year.
You can select from a variety of litter that is always available.
One will be promised any puppy they want.
Payment can be made online without looking at the puppy.
The breeder does not invite you to visit the puppy and its parents but promises door delivery.
Rescue Groups
Aussie And Me Animal Rescue
As Good as Gold
Cost of an Australian Retriever Puppy
The Australian Retriever puppy cost ranges from $300 to $900.
