If you’re considering adopting a new dog, a Golden Retriever or Golden Retriever mix make excellent pets. Golden Retrievers are affectionate, loyal, and playful, and Golden mixes usually retain the same desirable traits. Keep reading, and you’ll learn more about the Golden Retriever and some of the best Golden Retriever mixes.

The 10 Popular Golden Retriever Mixes

1. Goldador (Labrador Retriever x Golden Retriever Mix)

One of the only breeds that consistently ranks higher than the Golden Retriever in popularity is the Labrador Retriever. The Goldador, a mix of both breeds, is the best of both worlds. Regarding personality, the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever have a lot in common, so you can likely expect more of the same from Goldador mixes.

Like both of the parent breeds, the Goldador is very friendly, loyal, and athletic and usually does well with children. Remember that, like the Golden Retriever, the Goldador is a fairly large dog. If you have small children, you should monitor your dog when they’re interacting with your kids. Although they are usually gentle, they can get excited and accidentally knock over little ones.

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2. Gollie (Golden Retriever x Collie Mix)

The Gollie is a crossbreed between the Golden Retriever and the Collie. Like Golden Retrievers, Collies are amiable, intelligent dogs that usually do well with kids. Thanks to the Lassie films, Collies are well known for their loyalty. With parents like the Collie and the Golden Retriever, your Gollie will likely be a loving and loyal pet. They may also inherit the Collie’s watchfulness, though you probably shouldn’t rely on your Gollie as a watchdog—the Golden Retriever has never met a stranger.

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3. Goldendoodle (Poodle x Golden Retriever Mix)

Goldendoodles tend to be low-shedding dogs, making them an appealing alternative to the Golden Retriever. But that’s not all these Poodle and Golden Retriever mixes have to offer. Although they look like fluffy teddy bears, they are very athletic and playful dogs who love to go out for walks, runs, swims, and hikes. Goldendoodles are highly intelligent dogs that are fairly easy to train with plenty of positive reinforcement.

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4. Golden Cocker Retriever (Golden Retriever & Cocker Spaniel Mix)

The Golden Cocker is a mix between the Golden Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel. In addition to the standard “golden” color, the Golden Cocker Retriever’s coat color can be black, red, or fawn due to their Cocker Spaniel parentage. Like many Golden Retriever mixes, the Golden Cocker Retriever is not a dog you should bring home if you can’t dedicate time to making sure they get adequate exercise.

Golden Cockers are docile but active. They have a high energy level and need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. The Golden Cocker Retriever is a moderate shedder that needs to be brushed daily.

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5. Basset Retriever (Basset Hound x Golden Retriever)

The Basset Retriever is the product of two breeds that may seem like an unlikely pair: the Golden Retriever and the Basset Hound. While the Golden Retriever is an energetic, eager-to-please pup, the Basset Hound can be stubborn and sometimes lazy. Overall, the Basset Retriever is a calm, loyal, and sometimes protective dog.

They are not aggressive pets and tend to be good with kids. Depending on which of his parents your Basset Retriever inherits their coat from, their grooming needs can vary quite a bit. If the coat is longer, like the Golden Retriever, you should plan to brush them at least three times per week. If the coat is shorter, like the Basset Retriever, you only need to brush about two times per week.

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6. Goldmation (Dalmatian x Golden Retriever)

As you might guess from their name, the Goldmation is a cross between the Dalmatian and the Golden Retriever. If your Goldmation inherits their temperament from their Dalmatian parent, they will be a good watchdog for your family. They can be quick to bark, so you must be patient with your pet; you probably won’t be able to stop the barking altogether, but with adequate training, you can control it. Like other Golden Retriever crosses, the Goldmation sheds heavily, so you may want to consider a different mix if you want a low-shedding dog.

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7. Golden Boxer (Golden Retriever x Boxer)

The Golden Boxer is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Boxer. They are good family dogs who will get along well with children and pets as long as they are socialized early on. Boxers are often used as guard dogs, so your Golden Boxer may be wary around strangers but not aggressive.

Boxers are very active dogs. Depending on the traits they inherit from their Boxer parents, your golden boxer may need high-intensity exercise every day. If you cannot take your Golden Boxer on daily walks or play with them outside, they may be unsuitable for apartment living.

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8. Golden Cavalier (Golden Retriever x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mix)

 The Golden Cavalier is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Physically, they look like smaller versions of the Golden Retriever. If you want a Golden Retriever but don’t want a large dog, the Golden Cavalier could be a good option. Unlike other dogs on this list, the Golden Cavalier is not a highly active dog; however, you will still need to provide plenty of opportunities for physical and mental stimulation.

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9. Golden Dox (Golden Retriever x Dachshund Mix)

The Golden Dox is a medium-sized dog that is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund. They usually do well with kids and other dogs, but you may want to reconsider this mix if you have small animals because of the Dachshund’s terrier instincts.

The Golden Dox is a sweet and friendly dog, but they have a stubborn streak that can make training a challenge at times. They may be small compared to the Golden Retriever, but you need to ensure they are getting adequate exercise; a bored Golden Dox may be prone to destructive behaviors such as chewing.

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10. Golden Chi (Chihuahua x Golden Retriever Mix)

The Golden Chi, a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua, is perhaps the strangest mix on this list. After all, the sheer size difference between the Chihuahua and the Golden Retriever can make breeding the two rather tricky. If you happen to find a Golden Chi, you should know that they are great dogs that combine the Golden Retriever’s happy-go-lucky personality with the Chihuahua’s feistiness.

Depending on the personality traits your dog inherits, they may not be very good with kids and other pets; Chihuahuas can be aggressive, especially if they are not well socialized. At up to 30 pounds, the Golden Chi is the smallest on this list, making them suitable for apartment living.

What Makes the Golden Retriever So Popular?

Even if you know little about dogs, you have probably heard of the Golden Retriever. According to the American Kennel Club, it is the third most popular registered dog breed in the United States.

So, why is the Golden Retriever such a popular breed? For starters, they are intelligent, affectionate, get along with kids, and easy to train. They are also very athletic dogs, which means you can take them out for a run or to enter them in dog competitions. Due to their intelligence and stable temperament, Golden Retrievers are commonly used as emotional support animals and rescue dogs.

Although Golden Retrievers are remarkable canines, there are a few reasons why you may not want to get a purebred. One reason is the cost. Although buying a Golden Retriever puppy can vary, you can expect to pay at least $500 to $3,500, depending on their pedigree. You aren’t very likely to find a purebred Golden Retriever in a shelter, but you may find a Golden Retriever mix. The cost of adopting a crossbreed from a shelter is much less than buying a purebred puppy.

Another reason you may decide against buying a purebred Golden Retriever is that you don’t want to deal with a dog that sheds a lot. In addition to shedding, Golden Retrievers need to be groomed regularly. If you like the Golden Retriever but want to find a dog that sheds less, you may want to consider a low-shedding crossbreed, such as the Goldendoodle.

Conclusion

Any Golden Retriever mix will have at least some of the Golden Retriever’s friendly personality, making them great dogs for crossbreeding. If you’re looking for a dog with the personality of a Golden Retriever but smaller, less active, or lower-shedding, you should consider a Golden Retriever mix. While you may be able to find a breeder with the mix you want, don’t forget to check your local shelter if you are still looking for a pet; there are many dogs out there just waiting for a place to call home.

You may also want to read:

• 150+ Golden Retriever Names: Unique and Popular Ideas
• Male Golden Retriever vs Female Golden Retriever: What’s the Difference?

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Featured Image Credit: Tawat Kambum, Shutterstock