Australian Retriever: All About Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

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Updated on: 10/03/2022

The clever Australian Retriever is an excellent addition to any family, as it combines the intelligence of the Golden Retriever and the balanced nature of the Australian shepherd. This dog gets along well with children and other pets, but it can be protective of its parent-owner, so it is recommended to watch while the Australian Retriever is in the circle of very young children or other pets.

They quickly adapt to their new family and become a magnet for all your attention due to their charisma and friendliness. But, at the same time, an Australian retriever can start barking without any hesitation if it deems it is necessary.

Photo by Stephanie Cook on Unsplash

Characteristics

Weight	25 to 60 pounds
Height	19 to 23 inches
Colors and Patterns	Black, brown, white, and gold. They can also be merle, speckled, and spotted in different colors.
Lifespan	12 to 15 years
Suitable for	Herding, farm dog, family dog

History of the Australian Retriever

Australian retrievers result from a cross between a thoroughbred golden retriever, which originated in America in the mid-1800s, and an Australian shepherd, which comes from about the same period in America.

Despite both breeds originating more than 150 years ago, the Australian Retriever itself originated about 10 years ago. Australian retrievers are designer dogs, meaning that this dog is the product of crossing two different purebred creatures, the goal of which was to reverse some of the most common health problems or even create smaller, milder and sometimes hypoallergenic variations on the popular breed.

The Australian Retriever breed is believed to have originated in 2007. Breeders continued to produce designer dogs of mixed breeds in response to the increased demand for them.

The golden Retriever was bred by breeders in Scotland. This breed quickly became popular because of their intelligence and impressive ability to perform tasks based on dexterity and obedience.

The Australian shepherd was first recorded in the United States. This breed has earned fame as a working dog. Today, dogs of this breed are often used as guide dogs.

Interesting facts about the breed

Other names – Australian Golden Retriever, Aussie golden retriever, Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever, Aussie Retriever, Golden Aussie;
Area of origin – the USA.
These dogs are called “shaggy antidepressants“; they feel the state of a person and help to relieve stress.
Your dog will have a waterproof double coat, flowing and wavy.

Personality

The Australian Retriever is a cross between an Australian shepherd and a golden retriever. If you want to understand the nature of this breed, then watch the progenitors of this breed. Not all dogs of this breed are purebred. Breeders very often cross this breed with others. The appearance and character of the dog depends on the genes of the parents.

One of the parents is a golden retriever. These dogs are ideal for families with children, sporty young people, and even active old people. This is a good-natured, calm dog, very intelligent and loyal. The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog that loves people, is ready to serve the owner and perform any errands. These dogs are affectionate with all family members and other pets. They are loving, sociable and fun.

Golden retrievers are one of the few dogs that can work in hospitals, hospices, help people recover from psychological trauma, and have a beneficial effect on children with developmental disabilities. In addition, these dogs become excellent guides for the blind and disabled, are very loyal and eager to help its owner. Even without special training, the Retriever will rush to the aid of a person in trouble and is suitable for working with the police. The Australian Golden Retriever can quickly learn skills.^[1]

australian shepherd golden retriever mix

The Golden retriever is a dog of medium height, a harmonious and muscular build and with a luxurious, wavy, thick, smooth and moderate length coat. The first breed standard was adopted in 1913 and belong to large breeds. Its coat has water-repellent properties. The coat of this parent may be straight or slightly wavy. The Australian golden Retriever is also likely to have a long coat.

The second parent is an Australian shepherd. These dogs are beautiful, intelligent and hardy. Dogs of this breed are sociable, loyal and friendly. Aussies belong to herding breeds, and its excellent working qualities have made this dog the most popular among farmers. These dogs can make their own decisions and are very responsible. Aussies can, without distraction, watch the herd all day and in modern conditions.

Now, the Australian shepherd is popular with dog breeders around the world. It quickly becomes a member of the family and a loyal friend, and its high intelligence and learning ability allows you to use it as a service dog. Australian shepherds are the best rescue dogs, guide dogs, and nannies. Thanks to their friendly, cheerful nature, as well as their patience and desire to serve people, they help children with special needs, people with depression and anxiety.

The Aussie is a dog that easily gets along with everyone. It is obedient and gets along with any pets. It is attached to its owner and can feel his/her mood. The size of the Australian shepherd allows you to keep it in an apartment or a private house. This is the perfect pet for families with children or outdoor enthusiasts. ^[2]

Temperament

Both parents of the Australian golden Retriever are very similar in character. They are knowledgeable and easy to train. In addition, these breeds can make their own decisions. A puppy from such ancestors will not be aggressive, will never rush at a person and will not enter into a fight, but bravely protect the owner from danger.

Behavior

The socialization of the pet is a significant part of its training. It is very necessary because of this breed’s pastoral and hunting nature. If you want it to know how to play well with other animals, then start socializing it with other animals from an early age.

Adaptability
Adapts to apartment living	1 out 5
Tolerates being alone	2 out 5
Tolerates cold weather	4 out 5
Tolerates hot weather	4 out 5
All-Around Friendliness
Affectionate with family	4 out 5
Kid-friendly	4 out 5
Dog friendly	3 out 5
Cat friendly	3 out 5
Friendly toward strangers	3 out 5
Health and Grooming
Amount Of shedding	3 out 5
Drooling potential	2 out 5
Easy to groom	3 out 5
General health	4 out 5
Trainability
Easy to train	4 out 5
Intelligence	4 out 5
Tendency to bark or howl	2 out 5
Activity
Energy level	5 out 5
Intensity	3 out 5
Exercise needs	5 out 5

Puppies

Australian Retriever puppies are the champions of obedience. If you want a dog that understands you at a glance, get yourself this beautiful little dog. He is a great companion and a loyal friend for your children. These dogs are not prone to dominance, they tend to please the owner in everything.

The first year of the Australian Retriever puppy’s life is a very responsible age, a period during which the foundations of the dog’s health and behavior are laid. The entire future life of your pet depends on how correct the care, feeding, and upbringing of the puppy will be. Australian Retriever puppies grow up very quickly. For a short period of their childhood, you should have time to instill in him all the necessary behavioral skills.

READ MORE: Best Puppy Food

Activity

The Australian Retriever is a very active pet. In an apartment, it can only be maintained with physical activity, such as long walks. If the dog does not have an outlet for its energy, it can cause damage and get bored and depressed.

It is best to keep this dog in a private house. When kept in an apartment, it is necessary to walk it at least 2-3 hours a day. It is also necessary to allow the pet to move, play and perform various tasks at home. The air in the room should be fresh, and in the summer, it is desirable to have an air conditioner, since these dogs do not tolerate heat because of its thick coat.

This breed is easy to train. The Australian Retriever is a very intelligent dog that quickly understands and executes various commands. But an important factor in its upbringing is accuracy and consistency for the dog to realize who is the main person in its education so that it listens and responds.

This breed is capable of doing jobs that require decision-making, intellect and attention, such as grazing. Therefore, you need to train the dog’s brain. If they don’t get mental stimulation, they will start finding things to do on their own, such as digging and chewing. Rewards and verbal praise will ensure a long, successful relationship between the caregiver and the pet.

READ MORE: Outdoor Activities for Dogs

Health and Care: Australian Retriever

The Australian Retriever is a very energetic and active dog, and it will need about an hour of exercise every day. Ideally, this will be divided into two separate stages.

When you leave home, your Australian Retriever will thrive in safe conditions without a leash, especially if it can run long distances or swim. The ideal living condition for this dog is in a large, fenced area.

You will also need to regularly brush the teeth of your Australian Retriever—your vet can suggest suitable brands of toothpaste and methods suitable for your dog. Finally, don’t forget to check your dog’s ears for signs of infection or dirt buildup.

Along with performing exercises and training, you should check the paw pads of your Australian Retriever for any damage that may have occurred during a game, race or training session. In addition, you need to keep its claws trimmed; it is better to consult a veterinarian to determine the best way to do it correctly and cleanly.

The Australian Retriever is mostly a healthy dog but can inherit problems from its purebred parents, which potential owners should be aware of. This can include joint problems (hip and elbow dysplasia), eye problems (including cataracts), and certain forms of cancer.^[3]

Diet and Nutrition

The ideal diet of an Australian retriever should be designed for a large dog with high energy. Australian retrievers should follow a healthy diet, as overeating can cause weight gain and related health problems, especially if acceptable exercise is not performed.

As with all dogs, the nutritional needs of the Australian Retriever will change from puppy age to adulthood and will continue to change into old age. You should ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding your Australian Retriever’s diet, as there is much difference between individual dogs—including weight, energy, and health.

Since your dog may be prone to joint problems later in life, it is important to maintain his weight. Its diet needs to avoid fillers, such as carbohydrates, which can cause him to overeat in order to feel full. Try to feed your dog high-protein foods two or three times a day.

Cost

Golden Aussies are usually around $700 and up as puppies. The average cost of an Australian Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder will cost around $700 and up. This will be dependent on demand in your local area, the breeder’s reputation, and the lineage of the dogs.

Adoption

Finding Australian retrievers in a shelter can be difficult because they are a mixed breed. However, you can try to save the pet. If you adopt an adult puppy, you will be able to understand the dog’s personality. A pet from the shelter will most likely already be spayed, which will save you money. Here are some rescues you can try:

Aussie And Me Animal Rescue.
As Good as Gold.

Conclusions

The Australian Retriever is a dog that constantly seeks human attention, care, affection, and kindness. This breed is ideal for living in a young family in a house with a yard. It is also perfect for a large family, including the elderly, who will be with the dog for the entire day. If you are an active family that often goes for walks, runs or spends time outdoors, you can safely get yourself a pet of this breed.

Suitable for novice dog breeders.
Incredibly friendly.
Intelligent.
Energetic.
Tolerant to various weather conditions.

Not suitable for living in an apartment.
Do not tolerate loneliness.
Requires attention and time daily.

FAQs

What food does an Australian retriever prefer?

If you prefer to feed your dogs with natural products, you need to follow the instructions given by the breeder. If you decide to feed your dog with dry food, you should buy a premium brand. In the dog’s body, complex chemical and biological processes constantly occur, and the nutrition obtained from its food is spent on maintaining normal physiological functions.

How to calm a hyper Australian retriever?

For any dog, active walks, games with overcoming obstacles and the ability to realize instincts manifested inactivity (digging holes, swimming, long runs, etc.) are important, but physical activity will not solve 100% of the problem. A hyperactive dog tends to get easily irritated, but it won’t do this if it lives in a house where the environment is relaxing. Thus, it is advisable to turn on relaxing music and not make noise.

Do Australian retrievers shed?

The Australian Retriever is a hybrid dog breed and consists of a mix between a golden retriever and an Australian shepherd. Their markings tend to be a combination of white, black, or brown, with individual dogs having different markings. The Australian Retriever sheds moderately; active molting occurs in the spring. All this allows this breed to feel comfortable.

What to expect from the Aussie retriever’s temperament?

This is a smart, calm and energetic dog that loves to be the center of attention. By the way, Aussie retrievers are so sociable that they cannot be alone for a long time, so they cannot be left in an empty domicile. The Aussie retriever is characterized by an affectionate nature and obedience.

Article Sources:

“Golden Retriever | Breed of Dog.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2021, britannica.com/animal/golden-retriever.
“What’s Wrong with White Aussies?” Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, 1 Mar. 2013, ashgi.org/home-page/genetics-info/coat-color/whats-wrong-with-white-aussies.
Birchler, James A., et al. “Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Hybrid Vigor.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1559732/.