The Golden Mountain Dog is a mixed breed of two adorable dog breeds, the Golden Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It’s one of the most affectionate, lovable and loyal large canines out there.
The first parent, Golden retriever, is known to be a big lovable fluff-ball with an easy-going temperament that accepts and shows affection to everyone it meets. The second parent, Bernese Mountain Dog is a unique breed in itself with fierce loyalty towards its owner. This makes their crossed puppies (Golden Mountain dogs) quite unique.
If you recently adopted a Golden Mountain Dog, it is essential for you to know every small detail about the breed. These details will not only help you to know your pet, but will also help you to train and take care of your pet. This article covers a complete pet guide for Golden Mountain Dog puppies. Dive in!
Golden Mountain Dog: At a Glance
The Golden Mountain Dog is a giant canine with a lovable and loyal personality. It is an uncommon dog even more unique than the Bernese Mountain Dog. This dog is a combination of the positive traits of two different dogs which share similar temperament.
Golden Mountain Dogs are known to be friendly, gentle, intelligent, loyal and willing to please. This makes them an excellent choice for a family dog as they easily get along with children as well as other family pets. One of the most interesting traits of these dogs is their physical attributes. They can retain any look from either of their parents.
Most of the time the Golden Mountain Dogs come with a larger structure just like the Golden Retrievers. This makes a perfect pick if you love large canine breeds.
Fun Fact: The Golden Mountain Dogs are bred for the cold weather, which means that they prefer living in places with colder climates and might show difficulty adapting to a hotter climate.
Origin of the Golden Mountain Dog
The origin of the Golden Mountain Dog is not quite clear. This is because this is a new breed and there are little to no historical records about the evolution of this breed. However, you can get a lot of information about the origin and history of their parent breeds Golden Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Bernese Mountain Dog was first introduced to the United States of America after the first World War. During that time, this breed was bred on farms in the Alps. This dog breed originated from the cross-breeding of Roman Mastiff dogs with the Swiss Alps farm dogs.
In the 1800s the dog was known as the Berna dog and was mainly used to haul carts, as guard dogs and sometimes as companions. Soon after, during the 1900s the name was changed to the Bernese Mountain Dog as they became quite popular in Europe. After World War 1 they became more popular and started being called the ‘gentle giants’.
The Golden Retriever on the other hand was first originated in Scotland during the mid-1800s. It all started with a nobleman called Lord Tweedmouth who wanted a more affectionate and attentive dog. He focused on using the yellow puppies he had and bred them into the retrievers we see today.
Soon enough the breed was adopted and it was recognised in America in 1911. In 1920, the retriever’s name was changed to the ‘Golden Retriever’ and was known to be a loyal companion dog.
Basic Information On the Golden Mountain Dog
Checkout the table below to know about the basic specifications of the Golden Mountain Dog:
| Dog Breed Group | Mixed Breed Dogs |
| Weight | 75 – 120 pounds |
| Life Span | 9 – 15years |
| Height | 24 -28 inches |
| Comparable Breeds | Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog |
| Colors | Black, brindle, white, brown. |
| Suitable for | Singles, families with children, families with pets, first-time pet owners |
Golden Mountain Dog – Temperament
The Golden Mountain Dog is known to be one of the most intelligent canines. Apart from this, they have a gentle and friendly temperament making them one of the most desirable breeds.
Though this breed com;;es in large sizes, they are very affectionate dogs that require a lot of attention. They are easy to train, very loyal to their owners and exceptionally smart.
These dogs also make good watchdogs. When trained well, they can alert owners in cases of emergency. However, they are not the best choice for a guard dog. This is because of their friendly attitude. They easily make friends with strangers and might not be able to detect a dangerous individual.
Another drawback is that these canines crave constant attention. They cannot be left alone as they become very anxious and depressed when on their own for long periods of time. Apart from this, they are confident, patient and calm breeds, which makes them one of the perfect options among family dogs.
Things to Know as a Golden Mountain Dog Owner
As an owner of Golden Mountain dog, there are certain things that are essential for you to know.
Dogs are a long-term commitment. Before you make the choice of purchasing or adopting one, it is essential to make sure that they suit your needs and lifestyle. Most importantly, you have to be sure if you will be able to take care of them and give them time or not. Here are some vital things that every pet owner is required to know about:
- Health and Care
- Diet Requirements
- Grooming
- Exercise
- Size and Appearance
- Choosing a Male or Female
- Training.
Let’s take a look at these in detail.
- Health and Care
Generally, mixed-breed canines are proven to be healthier than most pure breeds. This means that the Golden Mountain Dog is relatively very healthy and hardly inflicted with health issues.
However, each dog is different and one cannot predict the long-term health condition of all Golden Mountain Breeds. As a result, we have to consider the health conditions of the parents – Golden Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog, to determine what they are predisposed to.
The most common health conditions that affect both parents of the Golden Mountain Dog include:
- Heart issue
- Several forms of cancer
- Epilepsy
- Joint dysplasia
- Certain eye conditions
- Hypothyroidism and
- Von Willebrand’s disease.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are major health conditions that affect the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever. This causes severe arthritis due to an abnormal formation in the joint.
In addition, the cancer rate of the parent breed is also very high. This makes the golden mountain dog more susceptible to cancer. Just like other large dog breeds, they are also prone to bloating (gastric dilatation-volvulus). This occurs when food or gas is trapped in the canine’s stomach and causes discomfort.
Once you bring your dog home, make sure to undergo the necessary tests like Von Willebrand’s disease test. You should also make constant visits to the vet. Constant check up and visits to the vet will help you detect health ailments early and treat them well.
All these precautions might not stop your dog from getting these diseases. However, these will definitely give your dog a longer and healthier life.
- Diet Requirements
To keep your dog healthy and fit, it is essential to feed him with nutritious food. Considering the size of the Golden Mountain Dog, you will need to get high-quality dog food that is specially formulated for larger breeds.
Keep in mind that your dog’s diet will change as it grows from a pup to adulthood. As a pup, make sure to get the proper puppy diet and as it grows older gradually switch to an adult diet. It is recommended that you feed your dog about 3-5 cups of dry food daily (This depends on the size of your dog).
If you choose to feed your canned dog food, don’t forget to reduce the amount of dry food. This is to avoid overeating and excess weight. If you are confused about which type of food you should give to your dog, the best solution is to ask a veterinarian.
- Grooming
A common feature of the Golden Mountain Dog is its long and fluffy double coat exterior. A lengthy and dense hair coat means that they will require regular grooming sessions as they will shed lots of hair daily. Proper grooming of your dog involves constant brushing of the coat to remove shed fur.
When grooming make sure to use the proper tools like the:
- Curry comb
- Brush and
- Shedding comb
These tools allow you to comb through your dog efficiently while taking out the loose coat. Note that during the shedding season, the canine sheds more hair. This means you have to constantly brush through their furs at least two times daily to keep the coat healthy and shiny.
In addition to this, when grooming, avoid excess showers. This can affect the dog’s skin, causing skin irritation and allergies. If you need to wash the dog, use a mild dog shampoo and only do it when it’s really needed. Part of the grooming process also includes weekly nail trims, ear cleaning as well as regular teeth care.
- Exercising
Just like the parent breed, the Golden Mountain Dogs are very active canines. They require plenty of playtime and walks to maintain their active nature. They crave intense and rigorous exercises. These activities help to keep them alert, healthy and maintain their weight.
There are several exercise activities you can do with your Golden mountain dog, from indoor activities to outdoor ones. For indoor activities, you can get a variety of dog toys as they help to keep the canine engaged. For the outdoors, apart from being a jogging buddy, a daily walk, a game of fetch in the park and training are good.
Also, note that when taking the exercises outdoors, cooler weather would be preferable over hotter weather.
- Size and Appearance
The size and appearance of the Golden Mountain Dog depends on which parent it takes after. The two parents are bigger than an average-sized dog. This means that whatever parent your canine takes after, it will be about medium or large sized when compared to other dogs.
The average height of the Golden mountain dog falls between 24-28 inches and its weight is 75 – 120 pounds. However, this will vary depending on the dominant parent.
Apart from the size, the physical features or look of the dog also differ. If you are looking for a specific look, ensure to visit a variety of breeders to get your desired look.
Note that its look can also change as the pup grows older. Thus, it is necessary to be open-minded about their appearance, as no matter how they change, they come out beautifully.
- Choosing a Male or Female
There are some differences when it comes to the male and female Golden Mountain Dog. Your choice will be determined by your preference and lifestyle. The Male Golden Mountain dogs are larger than the females. As a result, they require more feed and maintenance.
They also require extra costs for treatment and care as they are more prone to weight-related issues. On the other hand, the cost of spaying a female Golden Mountain Dog is more than is required for neutering the male. Therefore before making a choice, estimate the cost of maintenance and compare it with your current lifestyle. You need to ensure that you can conveniently take care of either dog.
- Training
The Golden Mountain Dogs are highly intelligent, eager to please and obedient, this makes them very easy to train. When training your canine it is suggested to start as early as possible and make each session engaging. This is because golden mountain dogs easily grab onto commands and there will not be much need for repetitions.
The most effective method of training this breed is the Positive Reinforcement method. Here you use rewards and praises to encourage good behaviour from your pet.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Mountain Dog is a star among other breeds. Their friendly and gentle nature makes them one of the most desired canine breeds. Though they might require more attention and maintenance, they have proven to be worth it. Their strong sense of loyalty, devotion and affection makes them lovable.
Happy petting!
