The Golden Retriever Husky Mix, also known as Goberian, is a combination of two beautiful and beloved breeds. This friendly, fluffy, and intelligent mixed breed merges some of its parent breeds’ best characteristics.
In this article, we’re looking at all of these characteristics and more. Before you get pulled in by the Goberian’s energy and beauty, make sure you know everything there is to know about this crossbreed.
History of the Golden Retriever Husky Mix
Similar to most crossbreeds, the Goberian’s history is a bit of a blur, despite having parent breeds that have been around for a long time.
Golden Retriever Breed History
The Golden Retriever, as its name suggests, is a Scottish retriever dog breed with a distinct yellow-gold coat. Its creation as a breed is commonly attributed to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks during the 19th century and Nouse, a wavy, gold-colored dog that Marjoribanks acquired from a cobbler.
Nouse was bred to a Tweed Water Spaniel—now an extinct breed—and they produced the very first litter of Golden Retrievers. However, it wasn’t until 1932 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Golden Retriever as a breed.
Siberian Husky Breed History
The Siberian Husky’s history stretches further back than the Golden Retriever. The Husky was considered a tribesman’s dog in northern Siberia, where the breed started. Aside from being a companion dog, it was considered a working dog—a sled dog, specifically.
Its thick fur allowed it to work and thrive in the harsh temperatures of Siberia. It looks similar to the large Alaskan Malamute to whom it shares a close genetic resemblance.
The AKC recognized the Siberian Husky breed in 1930.
Golden Retriever Husky Mix History
As for the Goberian, its exact date of origin is unknown. It’s possible that some of the more recent crossbreeds’ roots are at shelters where Huskies and Golden Retrievers may have mingled.
Another possibility of this crossbreed’s emergence is during the designer dog trend that began in the 1990s.
Physical Characteristics of the Golden Retriever Husky Mix
Let’s take a look at the physical characteristics of the Goberian.
Size
Both parent breeds are medium-sized, so you should expect a similar size for their crossbreed. The Goberian’s height is between 20 to 24 inches, while its weight is between 50 to 90 pounds or around 23 to 41 kilos.
There’s a possible difference between the size of male and female Goberians, but these differences are mostly minimal. Female Goberians can be around two inches shorter and 4.5 kilos lighter.
Coat
Coat color possibilities include:
- Yellow-Gold
- Cream
- Black
- Grey
- White
- Brown
The Goberian will usually have a soft double coat with a combination of its parent breeds’ signature colors: yellow-gold, black, white, and grey. Most will also have a medium to slightly long coat length.
The Golden Retriever sheds year-round—the shedding is especially heavy during spring and fall. Similarly, Siberian Huskies shed constantly too.
Fortunately, the Goberian doesn’t shed as much as its parent breeds! Despite having a double coat, this crossbreed is a low shedder. It will only need weekly brushing to keep loose hairs and tangles away.
Nose, Eyes, and Ears
According to Wag!, the only possible nose coloration of the Goberian is black. As for its eyes, it’s a completely different case.
It’s common to see Siberian Huskies with heterochromia—or eyes with two different colors. A Goberian can inherit this trait, but can also inherit the other parent breed’s eyes: solid brown for both eyes.
Alternatively, if the Siberian Husky parent breed doesn’t have heterochromia, the Goberian offspring can also have solid blue eyes.
Its ears are often like the Golden Retriever’s floppy, hung-down ears. They can inherit the Husky’s robust, perked-up ears too, but the floppy Golden Retriever ears are more common.
Behavior and Temperament of the Golden Retriever Husky Mix
Now that we know the Goberian’s physical characteristics, let’s take a look at this crossbreed’s traits and temperament. In general, the Goberian is smart, playful, and social.
Friendly
The Goberian is friendly and absolutely adores being around people. They respond well to praise and will do everything for some extra attention.
It inherited the Golden Retriever’s outgoing trait along with the Siberian Husky’s openness—even to strangers! Additionally, both parent breeds aren’t inherently aggressive and often don’t have the tendency to be.
Start socialization early to avoid any problems related to interactions with other dogs and humans. A Goberian is a naturally friendly breed, so allow them to explore and meet new faces and friends.
Goofy
Just like its Golden Retriever parent breed, a Goberian has a cheerful puppy behavior that persists until its early adulthood. Golden Retrievers actually take three years to fully mature, which is why they take a while to shake off that puppy behavior.
The Goberian inherits this trait, and because it’s so playful and cheerful, this crossbreed can be downright goofy sometimes!
Affectionate
Aside from going outside and playing, one of the Goberian’s favorite activities is also cuddling! It’s an affectionate crossbreed that isn’t afraid to show off its love through cuddles.
It easily forms close bonds with its family and is fiercely loyal—a trait it gets from both parent breeds.
Protective and Confident
Because of its immense loyalty, the Goberian is also protective. It won’t back down from intruders.
One thing you have to remember is that protectiveness is different from aggressiveness, and any sign of aggressive behavior should be corrected immediately.
Take note that a Goberian can inherit the Husky’s stubbornness too. If you don’t establish yourself as the pack leader, they will. Start obedience training early and make sure you let them recognize that you’re the alpha.
Health and Care for the Golden Retriever Husky Mix
In this section, we’ll go over everything you need to know when it comes to the health and care of a Golden Retriever Husky mix.
Common Health Issues
Because the Goberian is a crossbreed, you should watch out for any genetic diseases found in both parent breeds. Most of the time, crossbreeding actually tries to work on and eliminate these disease predispositions.
However, there’s still a chance that the genes that predispose your pup to these conditions are passed on to them. Below are some of the conditions you should look out for.
Hip Dysplasia
Both parent breeds, especially Golden Retrievers, are prone to hip dysplasia, which means you should watch out for this in your Goberian too. This condition is hereditary and common in large-breed dogs.
It’s a form of arthritis and can manifest through different clinical signs. If you notice any of these signs, especially in growing puppies, seek the help of a veterinarian:
- Lameness
- Limping even if there isn’t visible injury
- Joint cracking and popping sounds
- Mobility issues
Not all dogs who have hip dysplasia will show these symptoms, but be observant and try to spot if your Goberian is in pain. This is usually a painful condition and should be attended to as soon as possible.
Eye Problems
Aside from hip dysplasia, a Goberian can also inherit a myriad of eye problems. An example of which are hereditary cataracts or juvenile cataracts.
This causes opacities in the lens of the Goberian, even during its early years. You’d expect cataracts on older dogs, but hereditary cataracts affect puppies too.
Pigmentary uveitis is another eye problem that’s believed to be genetic. This is problematic because it usually appears in later years and can progress to glaucoma even if the early stages aren’t serious.
The Golden Retriever Club of America also noted that breeders should do screening examinations for diseases involving the following structures before breeding:
- Hips
- Elbows
- Eyes
- Heart
Aside from these genetic conditions, the Goberian is naturally healthy. When given the proper love and care, they can live just as long as their parent breeds—longer even, in some cases.
Dietary Requirements
The Golden Retriever Husky mix is an active breed that loves moving around and playing. Aside from that, it’s a relatively big breed.
This means its dietary requirement should include at least 1,500 calories per day to sustain an active lifestyle. Those calories are equivalent to around 3 cups of dry food.
A growing Goberian puppy will need the proper nutrients to properly foster the growth of its muscles and bones, so make sure you get the right dog food formulation. Some owners also opt for a species-specific type of dog food.
Grooming
Grooming is part of your Goberian’s health and well-being.
Fortunately, even if both parent breeds are shedders, the Goberian is a low-shedder. Aside from weekly brushes and bathing, it’ll need minimal grooming.
Make sure you cut its nails as needed and brush its teeth at least thrice a week to maintain good dental hygiene. Also, because its ears are usually floppy, moisture can build up inside, which is a common root of infection. Make sure you check and clean its ears regularly too.
Exercise Requirement
A Goberian has a high activity level, which means its exercise requirement can be pretty intense too. It requires at least 60 minutes of exercise and physical activity per day.
You really have to provide adequate space for them to run around and expend all the energy that they have. This is why this crossbreed isn’t for those who live in apartments and small spaces.
Remember, a bored Husky is a destructive Husky. This holds true for its crossbreed. Keep them occupied, well-exercised, and well-entertained to avoid any chaos.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a Golden Retriever Husky Mix is between 10 to 15 years. It’s slightly higher than the Golden Retriever’s 10 to 12 years, but is similar to the Siberian Husky’s 12 to 15 years.
Price of a Golden Retriever Husky Mix
A Golden Retriever Husky Mix can cost you anywhere between $250 to $1,500. However, this can vary and may even go up depending on a lot of factors, including the breeder.
Some breeders will raise these prices if the demand is high in your area. In addition, veterinarian fees can also depend on your location.
If vet bills are higher, expect the prices of healthy pups to be higher too because their vaccinations and health tests will cost the breeder more.
If you’re looking for a Goberian with show dog qualities, you may have to pay more too. Also, in some areas, people prefer a specific look for Goberians: the distinct Golden Retriever fur and the blue eyes of a Siberian Husky. Goberian puppies that fit these criteria may cost more.
Where to Get a Golden Retriever Husky Mix
Ideally, a dog shelter or a rescue organization should be the first place you go to when looking for a Goberian. Occasionally, a Golden Retriever Husky Mix may find its way into these places.
A more common place to find this crossbreed is through breeders. Remember to only buy from reputable and responsible breeders.
Responsible breeders will genuinely care about the health of your Goberian puppies as well as the pup’s parents. They will often test the health of both parents before breeding. This minimizes the chances of the sire and dam passing on certain diseases to your future puppy.
There are tons of websites, such as Greenfield Puppies in Pennsylvania, that list available Goberian pups from breeders. Just make sure you do your research and visit the breeder before purchasing puppies from any website.
Final Thoughts
The Goberian is a beautiful crossbreed that combines the best of both its parent breeds. Its soft, dense coat and pretty eyes will surely make a lot of hearts melt.
It’s a loving and friendly breed, but it’s also active and energetic. It’ll require lots of activity and exercise per day. Take these traits into consideration when deciding if you want to get one.
Lastly, when you do choose to get one, visit shelters first and see if they have one looking for its forever home. If you’re purchasing from a breeder, do your research and make sure that the breeder is reputable and responsible.