Last Updated on 11/06/2020 by Veronica Jones
The Golden Retriever has long been one of the most popular breeds in the USA, and with good reason. This adorable canine blends a friendly, sweet-natured temperament with movie-star good looks, making it very easy to love a Golden.
But the Golden Retriever also features in a wide range of popular crossbreeds. When breeders go looking for a gentle, family-friendly dog to cross with another, the Golden is one of the first breeds chosen.
The result is a stack of different hybrid breeds that all have the Golden Retriever in their family tree. From the easily recognizable Goldendoodle to a host of other cute varieties, here are 10 of the best Golden Retriever mixes.
#1. Goldendoodle (or Groodle)
Of the many different types of Golden Retriever mixes available, none are as well known as the Goldendoodle. And while this adorable designer breed’s name might sound like a joke, this is one seriously good family companion.
As the name suggests, the Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Happily, these two parent breeds are a match made in heaven, creating a breed that has so much to offer to the right owner.
Developed in the USA in the 1990s, the Goldendoodle can come with a curly, wavy, or straight coat. And behind those lively eyes you’ll find a playful and energetic dog that’s as friendly as they come.
Easy-going and affectionate, the Goldendoodle simple loves his people and spending time with them whenever possible. He’s a great playmate for kids, and the fact that he’s intelligent and eager to please makes training easy. And while the Goldendoodle is no lap dog, he’s always ready to snuggle up next to you on the couch for a night in front of the TV.
#2. Golden Dox
What do you get when you cross a Golden Retriever and a Dachshund? You get a Golden Dox, of course.
This beautiful hybrid aims to bring together the best characteristics of two of the dog world’s most popular breeds. On the one hand, your pup could inherit the Golden Retriever’s gentle, You Can Solve your epson printer everything Problem with adjustment program Software loving temperament and all-round friendliness. On the other, she could also come with a healthy dose of the Dachshund’s spirited, stubborn personality.
The result is a loyal companion that can make a wonderful family pet. Active and inquisitive, the Golden Dox has a keen sense of adventure and a nose for mischief. She can get on well with people of all ages and will really thrive when made to feel like part of the family.
Training can be a little challenging if your pup has inherited an independent streak, but patience and a rewards-based approach will soon teach your Golden Dox the right way to behave. And with her love of cuddles, games, and bonding time with her humans, this gorgeous pooch could be the perfect addition to your family.
#3. Golden Cocker Retriever
The American Cocker Spaniel and the Golden Retriever are two of the world’s most popular dog breeds, so it’s no great surprise that the offspring of these famous pooches has also won the hearts of many dog lovers around the country.
Cute, cuddly, and very affectionate, the Golden Cocker Retriever simply loves human companionship. This is a breed that gets along well with pretty much everyone it meets, and your dog will be at his happiest whenever he gets to spend lots of quality time with you.
Interestingly, this crossbreed is sometimes called the “forever puppy”, because some Golden Cocker Retrievers retain the adorable appearance of a Golden Retriever puppy right throughout their lives. This isn’t the case for all of these dogs, however, and appearances can vary substantially from one Golden Cocker Retriever to the next.
Regardless of what your dog grows up to look like, he’ll still be adorably cute. He’ll also still boast all the personality traits that make the Golden Cocker Retriever such a wonderful family pet.
#4. Golden Chi
A Golden Retriever crossed with a Chihuahua? At first glance, that’s a mix that doesn’t seem like it would work particularly well — but it does.
With gorgeous good looks and a charming nature, the Golden Chi is very easy to love. With the Golden Retrievers friendly disposition and the Chihuahua’s “big dog in a small package” attitude, it’s quite an interesting combination.
But the result is a dog that’s much more compact than your average Golden Retriever, and that’s loyal and affectionate towards its humans. There are still elements of the Chihuahua’s spirited personality in there, but they’re usually softened somewhat by the Golden’s happy-go-lucky approach to life.
If you’re looking for an adorable and people-loving Golden Retriever mix that offers something a little different, the Golden Chi may well be your perfect pet. However, this is quite a rare crossbreed, so you might need to wait a little while before you can get your hands on a beautiful Golden Chi puppy to call your own.
#5. Golden Collie (or Gollie)
Next on our list of the best Golden Retriever mixes is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Border Collie. The Golden Collie, as it’s affectionately known, combines the intelligence and energy of the Border Collie with the Golden Retriever’s legendary friendliness.
While it’s difficult to accurately predict the temperament of any crossbreed, Gollies tend to be loving, loyal, and devoted dogs. They’re intelligent and usually full of energy, and will love being given a job to do.
Regular exercise is essential for this active breed, while regular training sessions or even participating in dog sports can also provide some much-needed mental stimulation. And if you’re willing to welcome your dog into the home and treat them like they’re a crucial part of the family, you’ll be well on the way to raising a happy and healthy pooch.
So if you’re searching for a crossbreed that loves living an active lifestyle and getting plenty of attention, the Golden Retriever Border Collie mix should be high on your shopping list.
#6. Goldador (or Golden Lab)
Another of the most popular Golden Retriever mixes, the Goldador is a hybrid breed created from the Labrador and the Golden Retriever.
Both the Lab and the Golden Retriever regularly feature at the pointy end of lists of the most popular dog breeds in the USA, and it’s not hard to see why. Both of these parent breeds are friendly and loving, both are known for their steady temperament, and both are absolutely beautiful.
Also known as a Golden Lab, the Goldador makes an excellent family pet. Easy-going and affectionate, this is a dog with a whole lot of love to share with her humans. She gets on well with kids and other dogs, and her number-one goal in life is to please you.
The Goldador is intelligent, easy to train, and simply loves spending as much time with you as possible. If ever there was an award for the world’s friendliest dog, the Goldador would be one of the favorites for the title.
#7. Golden Irish
A cross between the Irish Setter and the Golden Retriever, the Golden Irish is one of those breeds that can win you over straight away with its gorgeous looks. Boasting a sweet expression and a beautiful silky coat, this is one pooch that’s bound to turn heads.
But there’s also plenty of substance to go with the style. Known for his loyal and affectionate nature, the Golden Irish is a real people-pleaser. He loves meeting new people and wants nothing more than to spend as much time with his human family as possible.
Training your Golden Irish may be a little more difficult that training some of the other dogs on this list, as your pooch may have a slight independent streak. But with a patient approach and short, fun training sessions, you’ll soon start to see the results you want.
And if you’re going to welcome a Golden Irish into your family, it’s best if you enjoy an active lifestyle. These dogs need plenty of regular exercise to stay happy and healthy, and will relish the chance to share every adventure with you.
#8. Basset Retriever (or Golden Hound)
With those droopy ears and sad eyes, there’s something undeniably adorable about the Basset Hound. And when you cross one of these cuties with a lovable Golden Retriever, you get one super-cute Golden Retriever mix.
Affectionate and good-natured, the Basset Retriever is another crossbreed with a well-earned reputation as a great family dog. With their easy-going approach to life and an inherent desire to please, these dogs will happily adapt to family life in a wide range of homes.
Basset Retrievers are social animals, so they need to be included in family activities as often as possible. They also need lots of regular exercise for their health and wellbeing, and will relish mental challenges that encourage them to put their minds to work.
Some Basset Retrievers can inherit a touch of stubbornness from the Basset Hound, but this only serves to add to their unique charm. So if you’re looking for a family dog with a whole lot of adorable features, this beautiful hybrid breed may be the perfect choice.
#9. Goberian (or Golden Husky)
If you’re searching for a cute crossbreed, you’ll struggle to find anything quite like the Goberian. This Golden Retriever Siberian Husky mix is simply adorable no matter what traits it inherits from its parents. From the Retriever’s gorgeous coat to the Husky’s clear blue eyes and a variety of coat colors, this is one pup that always attracts plenty of admiring glances.
He’s a devoted pet as well, typically boasting a friendly and outgoing nature. When you welcome a Goberian into your life, you get a dog that needs plenty of attention and TLC to be completely content.
You also get an energetic pet that needs lots of physical activity. Whether you want to go jogging with your dogs or compete in a variety of dog sports, the Goberian will be your perfect match.
Some can have an independent streak, so training will require a little patience. But if you’re willing to provide the guidance and care your dog needs, the Goberian could well be a wise choice as your next furry family member.
#10. Golden Shepherd
Last but not least in our collection of the top 10 Golden Retriever crosses is the Golden Shepherd. A cross between the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd, this is another popular hybrid breed with plenty of adoring fans around the world.
We all know what the Golden Retriever brings to the table, and when you add a German Shepherd into the mix you get a dog that’s smart, loyal, and very athletic.
But if you like the look of the Golden Shepherd, you need to be aware that this dog has much more to offer than just her beautiful appearance. She’s also devoted to her family and as clever as she is energetic, so she needs a family committed to giving her lots of physical activity and mental stimulation.
Proper socialization, training, and regular exercise are all essential if you want to raise a happy and well-behaved dog. But if you can meet all of the Golden Shepherd’s needs, you’ll be rewarded with a loving lifelong companion.
Which is the best Golden Retriever mix for me?
The key to finding the perfect pet is to do your research. No matter which of these crossbreeds you’re considering, delve into the ownership requirements of each of its parent breeds. Think about:
- How big your Golden Retriever mix could get
- How much exercise it will need
- How much grooming it will need
- What health issues it may be susceptible to
- Whether it’ll get on well with children and other pets
- Whether it will be easy or difficult to train
