With so many breeds and mixed breeds of dogs to choose from, how can you know what is right for your family?
Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky mixes, also called Goberians, first appeared around 20 years ago, and have become increasingly popular due to their adorable and unique appearance, and good temperament.
This mixed breed holds the prestige of being a combination of two of the most popular and well-loved dog breeds.
Golden Retrievers were bred to retrieve shot waterfowl but are best known for their family-friendly, good-natured temperament and their keen intelligence.
Siberian Huskies are usually recognized for their incredible sled-pulling skills but are also known as sweet, playful, athletic dogs.
Although crossing these two wonderful breeds to create a Goberian can be a great thing, it doesn’t come without risks.
Crossing any two breeds of dog can be dangerous since the characteristics like appearance, temperament, and health of the resulting offspring can vary greatly.
This makes it incredibly important to thoroughly research a mixed breed before getting one, so you are as prepared as possible.
Unfortunately, because they are a fairly new mixed breed, finding information about these designer dogs from a breed association or dedicated breed website can be difficult.
Online articles such as this one, and information directly from a Goberian owner are two of the best sources at this time.
Understanding some of the most important aspects to owning a Goberian will allow you and your family to decide if this is the dog for you.
The rest of this article will address the temperament, shedding, and costs of a Goberian, plus their general exercise needs, health, size, and life expectancy.
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Weight | 40-80 pounds (18-36 kg) |
| Height | 20-24 inches (50-61 cm) |
| Activity Level | High |
Is the Golden Retriever Husky Mix Friendly?
The short answer for this is yes. Both Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies are exceptionally friendly breeds, so it makes sense that a Goberian would be as well.
Good experiences with children are vital for any dog, but especially those intended to be family pets.
Their good nature helps them with this, as they are usually able to go with the flow of a household.
Additionally, adequate exercise will not only ensure they are healthy, but also prevent any aggressive or otherwise negative behaviors which may interfere with their great temperament.
It is also important to remember that “friendliness” is a trait that all dogs can learn regardless of the breed.
Animals that are poorly socialized can become timid or aggressive when faced with new people, objects, or environments making them less ‘friendly.’
Dogs and other animals do best when they are regularly introduced to new scenarios beginning at a young age and continuing throughout their life.
This will give them multiple experiences and the skills necessary to adapt to different people, places, or surroundings.
In turn, their comfort in such scenarios, in addition to their attention-seeking nature will make them more friendly.
How Much Exercise Do Goberians Need?
The proper amount of exercise is a tricky thing for any breed, and the exercise needs of a mixed breed dog can be even more difficult to gauge.
Other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and diet can increase or decrease the amount of exercise your Goberian needs each day.
Golden Retrievers typically need about an hour of exercise each day, but those from a working field line will usually have more energy and may need up to two hours of exercise daily.
Siberian Huskies, who typically have a seemingly endless supply of energy, usually require a minimum of two hours of exercise each day.
This mixed breed is a combination of two extremely athletic breeds.
Both Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies were originally bred to be working dogs.
This gives them plenty of drive, and vast amounts of energy which will require regular exercise to keep your pet happy, healthy, and well-behaved.
Don’t forget mental exercise which will tire out your pooch, and keep him or her stimulated.
Do Goberians Shed?
Both Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies are double-coated breeds and are known for being serious shedders.
The top layer is made up of guard hairs which are long and smooth, and protect the skin from dirt and moisture.
The bottom layer is called the undercoat, which is dense and downy and protects the dog’s skin from extreme temperatures and injury.
The excessive shedding on dogs like Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies happens because their undercoat grows and falls out in a very short amount of time.
The good news is that despite their shedding heritage, Goberians are usually considered low or medium shedders as they don’t shed as heavily as other double-coated dogs.
Keep in mind that regular brushing and grooming will still be necessary to keep them looking and feeling good.
Goberian Health
Many people think mixed breed dogs are usually healthier than purebreds, I’ve actually analyzed a study in regards to this, article linked at the bottom of the post.
As long as your dog gets plenty of exercise, eat a nutritious diet, and their day-to-day care is properly maintained, they can be fairly healthy.
However, genetics are essential when it comes to hereditary diseases.
Although both Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies are fairly healthy breeds, there are certain conditions or ailments that they, and therefore, Goberians may be prone to.
Golden Retrievers commonly suffer from:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Luxating patella (dislocating kneecaps)
- Von Willebrand Disease (blood-clotting disorder)
- Skin issues
- Cancer
Skin issues can happen due to their double coat because insects, food, dirt, bacteria, and fungi can all become easily trapped on their skin.
Lastly, cancer is one of the worst health conditions to plague them, and ultimately about 60% of all Goldens will die from cancer.
The main health concern in Siberian Huskies is typically their eye health.
They are prone to eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy, corneal dystrophy, and cataracts.
All three are dangerous since they can potentially cause blindness, but especially progressive retinal atrophy, which is a genetic condition.
Huskies can also suffer from hip dysplasia, though it is less common than in other breeds.
This section is not meant to scare you, but to inform you of any potential issues.
Your Goberian is not guaranteed to have any of these issues, or any others that weren’t listed.
It is important to understand, though, that these are health conditions a Golden Retriever Husky mix may be more likely to experience, simply due to their genetics.
Additionally, proper care and regular veterinary visits will give your Goberian a good, healthy life and allow any conditions that come about to be treated accordingly.
Goberian Size
The American Kennel Club considers Golden Retrievers to be medium-sized dogs.
Males stand about 23-24 inches tall and weigh 65-75 pounds. The females tend to be a bit smaller, standing 21.5-22.5 inches tall, and weigh 55-65 pounds.
Siberian Huskies, are a similar size, also recognized by AKC as a medium-sized breed with males standing 21-23.5 inches tall, and weighing 45-60 pounds.
Females, meanwhile, stand 20-22 inches tall and weigh 35-50 pounds.
The height and weight of Golden Retriever mixes can vary widely, and there are no methods of predicting their exact size or appearance.
Goberians can stand 20-24 inches tall and weigh 40-80 pounds, all dependent on the dog’s family line.
Looking at the parents, and even grandparents of a Goberian will provide you the best indicators for his or her size.
Goberian Lifespan
A dog’s lifespan can be very difficult to estimate, especially in mixed breeds.
Other factors like genetics, regular exercise, and health conditions also play a large part in the life of individuals.
Golden Retrievers are typically expected to live between 10-12 years, and Siberian Huskies will usually live 12-14 years.
Thanks to the variety of genetics, Goberians can average 10-15 years of life. A healthy diet, frequent exercise, and good overall health will help your dog live a long and full life.
How Much Do Golden Retriever Husky Mixes Cost?
Determining the cost of these designer dogs can be harder than you might think.
Since they are only recognized by a few designer dog or hybrid breed associations, there is not yet a true, and regulated standard for Goberians.
Instead, most of them come from unchecked backyard breeding, which can be dangerous due to human error as well as the lack of information about the parents.
As with most designer dogs, people focus on the way a dog looks, and can become set on having one regardless of price.
This allows breeders to raise their prices as high as people are willing to pay.
Designer dog puppies liked Goberians can cost as much as $2,000 if they have an attractive or appealing appearance, or as low as a few hundred dollars if they don’t.
If you find a breeder near you, ensure they are reputable and well-intentioned before getting a puppy for them.
You may ask your veterinarian for their opinion on the quality of the puppy, and of the parents, if they are available.
Remember that many Goberians and similar mixed breed dogs will end up in a pound or rescue, so you don’t necessarily have to go directly to a breeder.
Conclusion
Golden Retriever Husky mixes have the potential to be a great dog for your family.
As with all mixed breeds, you never really know what you are getting, so it is important for you to be prepared for any possibilities.
Goberians are super-friendly, intelligent mixed breed that loves being with people.
They are typically high-energy dogs, who need plenty of mental and physical exercise each day.
Despite their thick, double coat, they aren’t super shedders like Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies.
They are usually fairly healthy dogs, but can be prone to the same conditions as Goldens and Huskies.
They are medium-sized dogs that can weigh anywhere from 40-80 pounds, and live 10-15 years.
Golden Retriever Husky mixes can be expensive since they are designer dogs typically coming from backyard breeding.
But, they can also be found through rescues or shelters, so adopting one may be a better option for you.
Either way, you should be sure that your Goberian is healthy, and the place you get them from is clean, respected, and well-intentioned.
Do you have a Goberian? Share with us your experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I’m opposed to deliberate cross-breeding of any glorified designer dog breed. The resulting dog is a genetic gamble in terms of health and temperament and offers no advantage to a health-tested, properly selected purebred puppy.
Check out my article discussing the most relevant scientific study on this topic.
Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.
Drew Mendelson
Wednesday 20th of October 2021
My Goberian, named Sadie, is very friendly, energetic and great with other dogs. She is the smartest dog I've rver owned. Very playful, needs lots of exercisre . Big, weighs 85 lbs. 5 1/2 years old.