Combining the loyalty of a Golden Retriever with the gentle strength of a Bernese Mountain Dog, the Golden Mountain Dog is a designer breed quickly capturing hearts. Golden Mountain mixes take the good-natured disposition of their Bernese and Golden Retriever parents. But before you search for Bernese Golden Mountain Dog Puppies for sale
The Golden Mountain Dog is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog. This mixed dog can be the perfect family dog with proper training, thanks to its abounding friendliness. Predicting their size and temperament is challenging because they can take up any parent attributes, but adequate research can give you a good idea.
Bernese Golden Mountain Dogs have agreeable personalities and aren’t suitable in hotter climates due to their Bernese Mountain Dog heritage. We discuss other factors, like grooming, exercise, and temperament, to help determine if this hybrid is right for you.
History and Origins of the Golden Mountain Dog
There’s little historical data on how the Golden Mountain Dog came to be. Mixed breeds came up a few decades ago when the dog-lover community desired 2-in-1 mixes of their favorite dogs, similar to the Cowboy Corgi that is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi mix. . You can get a better idea of the origins of this bulky fur baby by looking at the parent breeds’ history.
One of the most popular breeds, the Golden Retriever hailed from the highlands of Scotland to be hunting dogs with a sweet temperament. One of the most notable Goldie lovers is president Gerald Ford, and the breed has become more popular since then.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the four mountain dog breeds from Bern in Switzerland and the Swiss alps. They were primarily used as farm dogs, but due to their impressive strength, Bernese Mountain Dogs could also be used as draft dogs.
The Golden Mountain Dog doesn’t have AKC recognition because it’s not purebred. However, the hybrid has recognition from ACHC, DBR, and DRA clubs.
What are the Physical Features of the Golden Mountain Dog?
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- Height: 24 to 28 inches
- Weight: 75 to 115 pounds
- Lifespan: 7 to 12 years
- Colors: Darker shades of black, brown, brindle, or lighter shades of white
- Nose & eyes Almond-shaped, brown eyes with a black nose
Most Golden Retriever Bernese Mountain Dog mixes inherit their Bernese parent’s bulky genes. These fluffy, sparkly-eyed dogs have powerful physiques and thick, silky, medium-length coats. As mixed breeds, it’s hard to give the exact color and size predictions, but most stand at 24 to 28 inches, with females being slightly smaller.
These dogs often have tricolored coats. The most common colors are black, brown, and brindle, with white on the face, chest, and feet. Golden Mountain Dogs can have droopy lips like the Bernese dogs, floppy ears, and a medium-sized muzzle.
The fluffy, dense, double-coat sheds significantly, making the dog unsuitable to people allergic to pet dander. This gentle canine is perfect for owners who prefer dogs with a considerable size.
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General Care of a Golden Mountain Dog
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- Hypoallergenic: The hybrid sheds daily and is, therefore, not hypoallergenic.
- Shedding: The thick, double-coat sheds daily and more heavily during spring and fall.
- Exercise: Moderate energy, so they require daily exercise for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Housing: A home with a yard would be best, but they can adapt to apartments with enough exercise.
- Temperament: Affectionate, loyal, and merry dogs that can be both calm and playful depending on the day.
- Trainability: Intelligent dogs that are eager to please, making them easily trainable.
Energy
Golden Mountain Dogs are huge energy fluff balls that are happy to accompany you for hikes and runs. Daily walks for at least 30 minutes or one hour, preferably, keep them at their happiest physically and mentally. Even though Bernese Mountain Dogs don’t have a high energy level, the Golden Retriever adds some energy to the mix.
Exercise
These dogs have moderate exercise requirements. Like the Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Mountain Dogs aren’t great at endurance, so it’s best to break down the exercise into smaller sessions like two 30-minute walks.
It’s a plus if you have a yard because your dog can play around and get exercise. Being intelligent dogs, ensure you give them mental stimulation using food puzzles, Kongs, and sniffing exercises. Knowing how to keep your dog active indoors can really help with this breed.
Housing
These dogs are best for homes with a yard because of their sizes and energy requirements. They can also do well in apartments, provided you give them ample mental and physical exercise. The Mountain Dog Golden Retriever mixes don’t do well in warm climates so consider getting one if you live in colder areas.
Food & diet requirements
Golden Mountain Dogs should have low-calorie food for large dogs with medium energy. The breed can be prone to excessive weight gain, so you must stay moderate with treats and watch how much they eat. Eating too much can cause severe issues for this fast-growing breed that already has to deal with too much strain on their joints.
As large dogs, this Golden Retriever mix can be susceptible to bloat. Here, gas builds up in the stomach, pushing it against the diaphragm, and making it hard for your dog to breathe. To avoid this, break down your dog’s daily food into two meals for adults and 3 to 4 meals for puppies under six months.
The Golden Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog may be prone to taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy, a severe heart disease. This means they may need extra taurine and the amino acid methionine in their diet. Beware of grain-free dog food linked to this disease.
Grooming
The Golden Mountain Dog isn’t the most high-maintenance of pets, but they aren’t low-maintenance either. They have a medium-length double coat that needs thorough brushing with a pin brush at least 2 to 3 times per week to reduce house shedding and distribute coat oils for a silky coat.
Regular teeth brushing at least three times a week prevents dental issues like periodontitis due to tartar buildup. Check your dog’s ears regularly and clean them with an ear-cleaning solution to prevent infections.
The dog’s fluffy paws need regular trimming between the paws and the nails clipped with a dog nail cutter. It’s best to wash your dog monthly or when they get extremely dirty to maintain waterproof coats.
Golden Mountain Dog Health
As mixed breeds, Golden Mountain Dogs sometimes possess “hybrid vigor,” so they are more resilient than their parent breeds. On the flip side, these dogs can suffer from medical issues affecting both parent breeds, especially if bred by an irresponsible breeder who doesn’t perform genetic tests on the parents.
- Severe health problems
- Heart issues such as subvalvular aortic stenosis or dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Cancers such as haemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and histiocytoma
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Hip dysplasia
Mild to Moderate health conditions
- Dental disease
- Allergies
- Ear infections
Occasional health issues
- Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
- Obesity – The breed is prone to weight gain if exercise and diet aren’t carefully watched
Golden Mountain Dog lifespan
A Golden Mountain Dog can live for 7 to 12 years with proper nutrition and medical care. Their hybrid vigor increases their lifespan compared to the Bernese parent breed, which lives for seven years.
Trainability & Temperament of a Golden Mountain Dog
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The Golden Mountain Dog typically makes for a loyal, mellow family dog and an affable companion. Golden Mountain Dogs can sometimes be aloof like the Bernese or love everyone like the Golden Retriever.
These dogs dislike being left alone because they’re naturally social and often get attached to that one lucky human. Excessive time alone can cause these pups to develop separation anxiety, leading to increased vocalization.
Golden Mountain Dogs take well to dog training because of their high intelligence and eagerness to please. Rewarding obedience with treats is the best way to train your Golden Mountain dog but watch out for those calories as they can gain weight easily.
Sociability with Children & Other Pets
Golden Mountain Dogs are gentle with kids as long as they’re socialized and trained from an early age. They are also sociable with other pets with proper training. The key is to train your dog to react calmly to other people and animals from their puppyhood and that good behavior will stick with them.
A Suitable Home for the Golden Mountain Dog
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Colder climates
Like Berners, Golden Mountain dogs don’t do well in hot climates. An ideal home for Golden Mountain Dogs is in a cold area because the thick coats make the dogs heat intolerant.
One with a yard
Even though Golden Mountain Dogs can adapt to small spaces, these dogs thrive best in a home with a fenced yard. The yard allows the dog to play and release bottled-up energy.
Household without allergic people
If you’re allergic, consider getting a hypoallergenic breed like the Maltese, Poodle, or Bichon Frise. Golden Mountain dogs shed daily, making them unsuitable for allergic people.
How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Golden Mountain Dog Puppy?
Golden Mountain Dog price can range anywhere from $1500 to $3000, depending on the breeder. The prices of a Golden Mountain Dog vary sharply because they’re a mixed breed, so different breeders can ask for more or less than the estimate.
Be careful of backyard breeders advertising cheap dogs when you search “Golden Mountain Dog near me.” Search for reputable Golden Moutain Dog breeders who do health testing. You can speak to Golden Mountain Farm in Colorado or keep an eye on Facebook for rescues that need a new home.
Final Thoughts
Golden Mountain dogs are large to giant dogs that are a mix between Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. This mixed breed does better in colder climates because of their Bernese ancestry. It’s essential to watch this dog’s calories because they are prone to gaining excessive weight.
Meet Your Experts
Author
Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.