The Golden Retriever Sheltie Mix is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Golden Retriever and the Sheltie. This will be a friendly dog that might want to herd you all around the house. They should be good with the family and other pets - if properly socialized! Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Golden Retriever Sheltie Mix. Note that this hybrid can consist of the brindle or other iterations.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Golden Retriever Sheltie Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Golden Retriever Sheltie Mix puppies for sale.
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All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Golden Retriever History:
The Golden Retriever was originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. When they were initially bred and created the existing retriever dogs weren’t cutting it for the wealthy Scottish elite who liked to hunt waterfowl. The existing retriever breeds were inadequate for retrieving downed game from both water and land. Retrieving from both land and water was necessary because the hunting grounds of the time were pocketed with marshy ponds and rivers. Consequently, the best water spaniels were crossed with the existing retrievers, resulting in the establishment of the breed today known as the Golden Retriever.
Sheltie History:
Unlike many miniature breeds that resemble their larger counterparts, this breed was not developed simply by selectively breeding the Rough Collie for smaller and smaller size. The original sheepdog of Shetland was a Spitz-type dog, probably similar to the modern Icelandic Sheepdog. This dog was crossed with mainland working collies brought to the islands,[6] and then after being brought to England, it was further extensively crossed with the Rough Collie, and other breeds including some or all of the extinct Greenland Yakki, the King Charles Spaniel (not the Cavalier), the Pomeranian,[2] and possibly the Border Collie. Source: WikipediaGolden Retriever
Height: 21 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 - 75 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 12 years
Sheltie
Height: 13 - 16 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 14 - 27 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 13 years
Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. The Golden Retriever is one of the sweetest dogs you will ever encounter and the Sheltie is too. This might be one of the most fun loving and friendly dogs that you will ever encounter. However, it might be highly energetic! The Sheltie was bred to work and run all day. This should make a very friendly, family oriented dog. If it takes after the Sheltie, they might be an alpha with a strong personality and needs a strong owner with experience who can set themselves as pack leader. Even though they are small they can be feisty little guys. Just because they are small doesn’t mean they don’t want to be in charge. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Dalmatian mixed with the Sheltie might be prone to Hip Dysplasia, hypothyroidism,
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
What are the grooming requirements?
This will be a moderately shedding dog. It really depends on which parent dog it takes after as to how long it’s hair is, etc. The Sheltie is a more moderate shedder with longer hair and so is the Retriever, which sheds like crazy. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the exercise requirements?
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level as both dogs are working breeds. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog.
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. A tired dog is a good dog.
What are the training requirements?
This is an intelligent dog that should be easy to train. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.