How long does a Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 8–11 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the German Shepherd (7–10 years).

Is a Golden Retriever German 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 German Shepherd Mix

A Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd. Most grow into large dogs of 50–80 lb and live 8–11 years.

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

German Shepherd, a purebred dog — German ShepherdPhoto: Erick Drumss Hernández, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

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

Weight50–80 lbcan be 50–90 lb

Height22–25 inat the shoulder

Lifespan8–11 years

SizeLarge

How big does a Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix get?

Golden Retriever55–75 lb

The mix50–80 lb

German Shepherd50–90 lb

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

Height runs 22–25 inches at the shoulder, against 21.5–24 in for the Golden Retriever and 22–26 in for the German Shepherd.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

High

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

Energy

Moderate to 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 German 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 German Shepherd as confident, courageous, smart. 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 German Shepherd vs the mix

Trait	Golden Retriever	Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix	German Shepherd
Weight	55–75 lb	50–80 lb	50–90 lb
Height	21.5–24 in	22–25 in	22–26 in
Lifespan	10–12 yr	8–11 yr	7–10 yr
Shedding	moderate	high	high
Energy	very high	moderate to very high	moderate
Group	Sporting	mixed	Herding

Questions about the Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix

How big does a Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix get?: Most grow to 50–80 pounds and 22–25 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 50–90 pounds.
How long does a Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 8–11 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the German Shepherd (7–10 years).
Does a Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix shed?: Shedding is high. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a Golden Retriever German 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 German Shepherd mixes

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