Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix: 25 Things Every Owner Should Know

Some of the most desired traits in a dog are listed as intelligence, friendliness, suitability, and loyalty. The pup of a Dachshund and a Golden Retriever will not disappoint you. The Golden Dox has the potential to be an ideal dog as both its parents are very family-orientated. This crossbreed will play for hours and make sure it is heard by all. It will sleep next to you when you sleep and keep up with you when you move. It is an energetic mix with a moderate risk of health issues.

This designer hybrid can offer you everything you want from your companion. Its parents are by nature loving and fairly gentle (the Dachshund blood may boil every now and then). Another lesser-known mix of the two breeds is the Golden Retriever-Miniature Dachshund, although these are quite rare.

 

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Appearance

This is a popular breed due to its size. The Dachshund Golden Retriever mix typically has a long body with short legs. It is known to be a muscular dog with high-set fold-over ears. It usually has brown eyes and may inherit a long snout like its Dachshund parent.

Weight & Height
There are two sizes of Dachshunds, standard and miniature. If your dog is the rare mix between a miniature Dachshund and a Golden Retriever, it is called a Miniature Golden Dox and is usually around 14 inches (36 cm) tall and weighs around 25 pounds (11 kg).

For the more common mixes with the standard Dachshund, both males and females range from 20 to 60 pounds (9 kg to 27 kg) and average 40 pounds (18 kg). The males are generally 10 to 24 inches (25 cm to 61 cm) tall, and the females a bit shorter.

Coat Color
The coat color of this mix can range from tan to black, and other common colors include red, yellow, brown, and light or dark gold. From the Dachshund parent, the mix could inherit a wide variety of patterns, including merle, brindle, piebald, and even sable.

 

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Coat Length & Thickness
The average Golden Dox’s coat is of medium length and straight, but its coat can have traits from either parent. Its Golden Retriever parent boasts straight or wavy medium to long hair, while its Dachshund parent can have a coat that is short and smooth, short and wiry or long.

 

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Temperament

Golden Doxes are usually highly intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Owners of this mix report friendliness, loyalty, playfulness, and a smidgeon of stubbornness. Be aware, though, that if your mix inherits its Golden Retriever parent’s vocal cords, you may be living with the loudest dog in the world.

Does Not Like Being Alone & Is Sensitive
This mix needs plenty of attention. It will join you in the bed, relax on your feet or lap, and generally appreciate any kind of attention. It is sensitive to a harsh tone from its owner, and leaving it alone could result in howling, barking, chewing, and soiling the carpet.

It May Have the Loudest Bark in the World
This mix’s Golden Retriever parent holds the world record for the loudest bark, at 113.1 decibels according to the Guinness World Records. That is 10 decibels louder than a jackhammer. Combine that with the Dachshund parent’s reputation for incessant barking, and you may end up with a very vocal dog.

May Chew and Dig if Bored
As an intelligent dog, this mix needs mental stimulation. If the Golden Dox gets bored, it can become destructive by chewing or digging. This mix typically responds well to puzzle games, which will keep it mentally and physically fit, so plan on keeping your dog occupied through plenty of playtime.

Stubborn Personality & Not Trustworthy Off Its Leash
Both parent breeds are intelligent and respond well to training, the Golden Retriever in particular. The Golden Dox may inherit a variety of personality traits, but stubbornness is a possibility, especially off its leash. Despite the unpredictable personality, firm training and supervised socialization should result in a well-behaved dog.

Preferred Climate Is from 60℉ to 80℉
The Golden Dox will usually prefer weather around 60°F to 80°F and will not do well in either hot or cold extreme weather. The Golden Retriever parent genes will influence your dog’s weather adaptability, as different varieties of the Golden Retriever breed prefer different weather conditions.

 

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Companion or Suitability Factor

The Golden Retriever Dachshund is a mixed breed of two of the most intelligent and loving dogs around. Friendly and playful, this mix could be the perfect partner in crime. It is impossible to predict the nature of a mixed dog but count on cuddles from your Golden Dox.

Kid-Friendly but Be Careful with Its Fragile Back
The typical Golden Dox is a friendly playmate, but often inherits the Dachshund’s fragile back. 25% of Dachshunds suffer from disc damage during their lives, which can result in paralysis. Children, especially those under the age of 5, should be supervised when playing with your dog to avoid its injury.

Is Very Apartment Friendly
This breed can be extremely energetic but well-suited for apartments if you train it and give it sufficient exercise to burn its energy. If your mix takes after its Dachshund parent, consider leaving it with a treat toy while you are gone to keep it from barking.

 

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Unsuitable as a Watchdog
Many people want a guard dog for safety reasons, and you can be assured that your Golden Dox will not be afraid to bark at strangers. However, as a guard dog, this mix is unlikely to be the fierce protector you were hoping for, purely because of its friendliness.

Great for Senior Citizens
Golden Doxes can be very active, especially when they are young. Senior citizens who can meet the exercise needs of this mix will likely enjoy this happy and cuddly companion. As this mix ages, it tends to become calmer and even better suited for an older person.

Tends to Get Along with Other Dogs
Retrievers are known to be very easy-going around other dogs, but it may be the independent-minded Dachshund in your Golden Dox that gets a little grumpy. To keep the peace in your home, make sure to introduce your animals safely and slowly.

Intelligence & Training

The Golden Dox comes from parents with different intellects and trainability aptitudes. Odds are that your mix will be hard to potty train and stubborn, obeying you when it wants to. If your dog inherits the intellect and trainability of the Golden Retriever instead of the Dachshund, you are fortunate.

Above-Average Intelligence
The Golden Dox will most likely have an above-average intellect. The Golden Retriever is listed as the fourth most intelligent dog breed, responding to first commands 95% of the time. The Dachshund is further down the list and has a first command response rate of roughly 50%.

 

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Training Will Likely Be Difficult
This mix will likely be a challenge for beginner trainers, as its Dachshund parent it notoriously headstrong and untrustworthy when off its leash. Consider starting training and socialization at 8-weeks, and don’t hesitate to call in experienced help before you have a little tyrant on your hands.

Physical Needs

The Golden Dox loves activity, especially outside, but you will need to be careful with its climbing and jumping, and even avoid high-speed running to prevent a back injury. If your dog takes after its Golden Retriever parent, it will have an instinctive love of water and enjoy swimming.

Eats Approximately 3 Small Cups of Dog Food Daily
An average Golden Dox needs approximately three small cups of high-protein high-nutrient and low-fat food, broken up throughout the day. You will want to watch for weight gain due to its tendency to become obese and use dog food that includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support your dog’s back health.

Needs 20-30 Minute Walks Twice Per Day
The energetic nature of this mix requires an hour or more of exercise daily, excluding playtime. It will likely do best if you walk it outdoors twice a day for 20-30 minutes and give it active playtime. Depending on your mix’s particular personality, it may need even more exercise.

 

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Average Lifespan of 10 to 14 Years
This mix has an average lifespan of around 10 to 14 years. Its unique elongated body makes it susceptible to spinal injuries. You will need to take precautions in how you pick up your dog, and how to train it, so it doesn’t hurt its back.

Shedding & Bathing
Golden Doxes can have short, medium, or long coats, depending on which parent’s coat they inherit, and must be brushed daily. On average, you can expect moderate shedding throughout the year. Regular bathing is required to keep your dog’s coat healthy. Bathing shampoos will depend on your particular dog’s hair.

Grooming
The ears of this breed will likely be quite long and floppy and therefore, must be checked and cleaned on a regular basis. Other grooming essentials include teeth and hair brushing. Be sure to keep the nails short. Irregular nail length can cause your dog to slip and injure itself.

 

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Background & Pricing for a Puppy

The Golden Dox is an extreme mix given the varying sizes, body shapes, intellects, and personalities of its parents. This makes for one highly unpredictable pup, but with a strengthened gene pool if it has been bred with healthy parents.

Background
Designer dogs started being bred around the 1980s when people began blending popular breeds. While the Golden Dox is labeled as a “new” type of breed, it has famous parents. Other names for it include the Golden Weiner Dog, Golden Weenie Dog, Golden Retriever Weiner, and the Golden Retriever Dachshund.

The Golden Retriever can be traced back to the Scottish Highlands, where the first Lord Tweedmouth (Dudley Majoribanks) bred his “Yellow Retriever” with an extinct breed known as the Tweed Water Spaniel. He wanted the perfect gundog. Hence the inquisitive “chaser” nature of the Golden Retriever.

The Dachshund breed – translated to “Badger Dog” – was developed in Germany over 500 years ago and was intended to burrow into dens and expel the badger. The small, plucky dog was designed to be strong and able to dig. Dachshunds were born to be hunters.

Price for a Puppy
Before paying the fees of a breeder, you might consider adopting from a shelter. A rescue dog will cost less, be fully screened, and should come with an analysis of its behavior. This mix is difficult to find, and therefore, puppies will be rare. Expect to pay around US$500-US$1000.

 

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Health Issues

Your Golden Dox will likely be prone to minor issues like fleas, ear mites, and eye and ear infections. As a crossbreed, it can inherit big health problems from both parents, but there is also the chance that those have been bred out of the bloodline.

Below are some major health issues that your mix will likely face. In addition to the testing mentioned below, you might consider requesting your dog’s ophthalmology test before you purchase it. If your dog has two different eye colors, it is more likely to have vision or hearing problems.

Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
Due to its elongated body, the Golden Dox is particularly susceptible to IVDD, which is hereditary and usually diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 7. IVDD affects the spinal cord and is often treated surgically. Symptoms include mild pain, paralysis, whining, irregular gait, and hiding.

Keeping your dog healthy, strong, and injury-free are the best preventative measures against IVDD. Avoid exercises or play that may hurt its back or cause undue stress on its spine. Supplements as a puppy will also help to keep your Golden Dox out of the hospital operating room.

 

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Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is caused by an irregularity of the hip socket and can lead to pain and lameness. This abnormality can begin developing from early puppyhood, and some of the major signs are decreased activity, difficulty moving, having a strange gait, and bunny hopping on its hind legs.

It is impossible to fully prevent hip dysplasia, but with a healthy diet, ideal body weight, exercise, and supplements, your dog’s risk will be considerably lower. Before buying your dog, consider requesting hip-scores for each hip. If you are concerned, a radiograph of the pelvis will determine your dog’s state.

Epilepsy
Dogs with epilepsy usually have their first seizures between 1 and 5 years old. The most common form, Idiopathic Epilepsy, is inherited, but there are also structural and metabolic causes. Some seizures are not convulsions but may instead manifest as your dog attacking an imaginary target or chasing its tail.

Seizures in dogs can be caused by eating poison, anemia, head injuries, low/high blood sugar, encephalitis, electrolyte problems, and various diseases. Prevention includes keeping your Golden Dox safe and healthy. If it has a seizure more than once in 24 hours, then you should take it to the vet immediately.

Conclusion

The Dachshund and Golden Retriever breeds are two of the world’s most popular breeds. When you mix them, the result can be the perfect blend of love, loyalty, playfulness, and brainpower. Its size makes it suitable for most families. Be aware, though, that as with all mixes, the genes of its direct parents will determine who your dog becomes.

About the Author
Brandon Miller has a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a seasoned writer who has written over one hundred articles, which have been read by over 500,000 people. If you have any comments or concerns about this blog post, then please contact the Green Garage team here.