The Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever Mix, also known as Golden Mountain Dog, is the crossbreed between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever. Combining the best traits of their parents, this breed is known for their extremely friendly and docile nature.
Golden Mountain Dog breeds are known to be the best companions for children, dogs, and cats. They are always eager to please their owners with their goofy antics and never-ending affection.
Learn more about the appearance, health, grooming, and exercise requirements of the Golden Mountain Dog with this complete guide.
What Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever Mix Look Like?
Golden Mountain Dogs have their own unique cocktail mix of beauty and charisma that makes them very well suited for anyone’s home. They have a round head with a defined, straight muzzle, floppy ears, almond-shaped eyes, and intelligent gaze that both of their parent breeds are known for. These dogs have a rock-solid body that is covered with a dense and fluffy coat. The coat can come in black, brown, and white colors.
Since we cannot tell for sure which parent the dog takes after the most, it is important to be a bit open-minded when it comes to the appearance of mixed breeds like the Golden Mountain Dog. Regardless, these dogs will always have cuddly and cute faces that will melt everyone’s heart.
How Big Can the Golden Mountain Dog Get?
Considering the size of their parents, Golden Mountain Dogs are giant creatures who can get as big as 23 to 27 inches tall from paw to shoulder. They can weigh around 70 to 110 pounds. Again, if your Golden Mountain Dog takes more after their Bernese parent then, they will be stockier and heavier, and if they take more after their Golden Retriever parent, they can be slightly smaller.
6 Interesting Facts About the Golden Mountain Dog
- Golden Mountain Dogs are suited for colder climates; therefore, they might not be suitable for people who live in hotter climates.
- They are high-maintenance dogs who need frequent grooming.
- Despite their big size, Golden Mountain dogs are too lovable and friendly to be guard/watchdogs.
- Given their exceptionally amicable and docile nature, these dogs make great family pets, especially for families with small children.
- Golden Mountain Dogs are a bit aloof around strangers.
- They are intelligent dogs who can pick up commands and instructions rather quickly
Golden Mountain Dog Grooming
Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever are heavy shedders who shed throughout the year. Therefore, it shouldn’t come off as a surprise when your Golden Mountain Dog leaves their fur all over the furniture during their shedding seasons.
Brushing them every now and then to remove dead hair and bathing them as needed are the main grooming requirements for your Golden Mountain dog. Also, make sure to brush their teeth, and trim their nails on a regular basis. Don’t forget to check their ears too, as they are droopy and therefore more prone to gathering moisture and becoming infected.
Price Of a Golden Mountain Dog
The Golden Mountain Dog price may vary depending on the pups’ parents, breeder recommendations, and availability. Generally speaking, expect to spend $800 to $1200 on a Golden Mountain puppy.
The initial cost for a pet is only a part of what you’ll need to take into account when raising them. Therefore, you also need to set aside some money for expenses that include potential vet visits, daycare costs, supplies like food and water bowls and beds, crates, and toys.
Do Golden Mountain Dogs Bark a Lot?
Golden Mountain Dogs are known for their ability to bark at intruders and other animals to warn them away from the property. This is the trait that they inherited from their Bernese Mountain parents. Although they can be vocal around strangers, they are particularly sweet and calm with their most loved humans.
Exercise Requirements of The Golden Mountain Dog
This breed requires daily 45 -60 minutes of exercise in order to prevent them from becoming overweight and unhealthy. You can take your dog on long walks around the neighborhood or jogging in the evening. They’ll also love trips to the dog park, where they’ll be able to play and release their excess energy.
You may even have some fun with your Golden Mountain Dog at home if you have a large backyard. If you don’t want to leave the house due to a long day at work, fetch is an excellent game to get this energetic dog moving. Given their high intelligence, the Golden Mountain Dog also needs to be mentally stimulated. Teaching your dog tricks can not only keep their mind entertained but will also improve their attentiveness towards you.
Since these dogs thrive in open spaces where they can run around and play, they might not be suitable for apartment living. If you live in an apartment though, make sure that you meet all the exercise and training requirements of your dog so that they can live a healthy and fulfilled life.
Golden Mountain Dog Training Needs
Training your dog is not an easy task and it requires patience, love, and time. But with the right approach, you can train your dog easily and effectively. Golden Mountain dogs are easy to train, thanks to their high intelligence level. They are always eager to please their owners. They’re also great learners and love to act as your assistant.
The most important thing to remember when training your Golden Mountain dog is to keep it positive. Be sure you’re using any type of reward for every task done by your pet and always praise them for doing well.
If your dog is trained with positive reinforcement, they will behave better and also be much friendlier towards you. This includes using treats, playing games, and using words like “good boy” or “good girl.” Positive reinforcement training is also a great way for dog owners who want to teach their pets new behaviors such as not jumping on people or staying off furniture.
You might have heard that dogs should be trained with negative reinforcement – meaning that if your dog does something wrong you should punish them for it by giving them something unpleasant like taking away their favorite toy or making them sit in an uncomfortable position for a few minutes – but these can only make your dog distant and destructive in the future. Negative reinforcements might seem appealing, but they actually lead to more problems in the long run.
Socialization is also equally important for your Golden Mountain Dog as they are wary of strangers. Make sure that you socialize your puppy early on so that they can interact with new visitors properly. Dogs who are not socialized will often show signs of aggression, such as growling, biting, and chasing.
You might also be interested in Bernese Mountain Dog Husky Mix
Golden Mountain Dog Health Issues
The Golden Mountain Dog is a relatively healthy breed with a life expectancy of 10-12 years. Like with any hybrid dog, there aren’t specific health standards when it comes to their health, although they can inherit some diseases from their parents.
Some of the health conditions that a Golden Mountain Dog can suffer from are:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a condition where the head of the femur (thigh bone) is too large for the hip socket while elbow dysplasia is a condition where the elbow joint is too deep or the elbow is not properly aligned with the shoulder joint. This condition can lead to a number of issues including arthritis, lameness, and pain.
Histiocytosis
Histiocytosis is a disease of the blood cells and immune system, which is commonly found in Bernese Mountain Dogs. It is characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes, which are cells that are present in the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and other organs. Histiocytosis has a wide range of signs and symptoms, including weight loss, anemia, fever, lethargy, and lack of appetite.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
The Von Willebrand disease is an inherited disorder, which means it is passed on from parents to their offspring. It is a disorder that affects the blood clotting system of the dog and is caused by a deficiency in the Von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps with blood clotting.
Be sure to have the breeder provide you with both parents’ health certificates to ensure that your pup’s parents do not suffer from any of the diseases mentioned above. While we can never be 100% sure that these diseases won’t affect your Golden Mountain Dog, it will at least increase their chance of being as healthy as possible.
Conclusion
The Golden Mountain dogs are adorable creatures who are always excited to love and please their owners. Known for their thick, luxurious coat and extremely affectionate nature, The Golden Mountain Dog is a great pet choice for families who will give them undivided love and attention. They can be a perfect companion for your child, a great jogging partner, and a loyal friend for life!
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To explore more about the two parent breeds, here are some Bernese-related articles and Golden Retriever-related articles that you might be interested in.
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