Is a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix

A Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Australian Shepherd. Most grow into large dogs of 50–70 lb and live 11–14 years.

Golden Retriever, a purebred dog — Golden RetrieverPhoto: Janneke Vreugdenhil, derivative work by Anka Friedrich, Public domain, source

Australian Shepherd, a purebred dog — Australian ShepherdPhoto: Christoph Aeschlimann, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight50–70 lbcan be 40–75 lb

Height20–24 inat the shoulder

Lifespan11–14 years

SizeLarge

How big does a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix get?

Golden Retriever55–75 lb

The mix50–70 lb

Australian Shepherd40–65 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 20–24 inches at the shoulder, against 21.5–24 in for the Golden Retriever and 18–23 in for the Australian Shepherd.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

Moderate

Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.

Energy

Very high

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Very high

The Golden Retriever rates very high and the Australian Shepherd very high; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Low

A weekly brush and the odd bath keep the coat in shape.

Temperament

The Golden Retriever is usually described as friendly, intelligent, devoted. The Australian Shepherd as smart, work-oriented, exuberant. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

Golden Retriever vs Australian Shepherd vs the mix

Trait	Golden Retriever	Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix	Australian Shepherd
Weight	55–75 lb	50–70 lb	40–65 lb
Height	21.5–24 in	20–24 in	18–23 in
Lifespan	10–12 yr	11–14 yr	12–15 yr
Shedding	moderate	moderate	moderate
Energy	very high	very high	high
Group	Sporting	mixed	Herding

Questions about the Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix

How big does a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix get?: Most grow to 50–70 pounds and 20–24 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 40–75 pounds.
How long does a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 11–14 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the Australian Shepherd (12–15 years).
Does a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix shed?: Shedding is moderate. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other Golden Retriever mixes

Other Australian Shepherd mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.