The Golden Mountain Dog is a mixed breed between a Golden Retriever and a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Because of their ancestry, these dogs are extremely social, friendly, and affectionate companions to their owners. Further, coming from two working breeds, they’re easy to train and like to stay engaged in physical activities.
In this article, you’ll have a comprehensive overview of the Golden Mountain Dog, including its physical characteristics, dietary requirements, and more.
Breed History and Origin
There’s not much-recorded data about the origins of the Golden Mountain Dog. However, what we know about this breed is it first showed up in the USA during the early 2000s.
To know more about the breed, let’s take a closer look at the history and origin of the parent breeds:
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever we know today resulted from the efforts of Dudley Marjoribanks, a baron in Scotland in the 1800s. He was later known as Lord Tweedmouth.
He took the only yellow puppy in a litter of Wavy-coated retrievers, which the baron named Nous. Then, his cousin gave him Belle, a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel. Unfortunately, the Tweed Water Spaniel no longer exists as a breed today.
The litter from both dogs was a mix of a red-setter, a Tweed Water Spaniel, and several flat and Wavy-coated retrievers. To continue the line, Lord Tweedmouth kept the yellow and black puppies.
From there, the Golden Retriever was bred as a sporting dog, and their main task was to recover game birds. In 1911, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed as “Retriever-Yellow or Golden” and officially registered with the club in 1925.
Today, golden retrievers are known to be trustworthy, friendly, and intelligent. They also show characteristics of being devoted, kind, and confident companions.
What’s fascinating is that every Golden Retriever can be traced back to the first Golden Retrievers at the Guisachan House in Scotland.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog, also called Sennenhunde, was brought to Switzerland 2000 years ago. From there, the breed was developed to help with farm work, such as pulling carts and herding cattle.
Aside from being working dogs, they’re loyal companions who watched herds and guarded their owner’s properties.
With their thick coats, they can tolerate cold weather conditions, such as rain or snow. However, their coats aren’t suited for high temperatures.
The breed, only found in Berne, Switzerland, nearly faced extinction. Fortunately, with the efforts of dog enthusiasts, led by geologist Dr. Albert Heim, the Bernese Mountain Dog breed was preserved.
In 1936, it was brought to America and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club a year later. At present, these dogs still serve as great companions and working dogs.
Physical Characteristics
The Golden Mountain Dog is a large dog breed. They have athletic builds, accompanied by broad chests and strong legs. The average height of a male dog is around 24–28 inches, and it can weigh 75–120 pounds.
Their coat colors can vary from black, to shades of brown, and white. Their coat patterns are more reminiscent of that of the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Like both parent breeds, their coats can be dense and wavy, with feathering along their legs and tails. They also have gentle and friendly facial features.
As a mixed breed, their size standards may vary. Moreover, female dogs are typically smaller than male dogs.
Temperament and Personality
Golden Mountain dogs are known as friendly, affectionate, and intelligent dogs. These qualities make them perfect candidates as family pets. Aside from this, they’re also social pets who can get along well with their human companions, children, and other animals.
Although innately social animals, early training and socialization are still essential so they can develop good interaction skills.
Training a Golden Mountain Dog
Both parent breeds of the Golden Mountain Dog have naturally obedient personalities.
However, as with all dogs, it’s crucial to provide early basic training to the Golden Mountain Dog. Owners are recommended to start training them as early as two months, including potty training as well.
No worries, they’re easily trainable dogs since they’re natural pleasers, which means they have a strong desire to please their owners or handlers.
Additionally, with proper training methods and positive reinforcement, these companions will be eager to learn and perform basic tasks and tricks.
Diet and Nutrition
Golden Mountain Dogs are prone to weight gain issues. Without a proper diet and enough exercise, they can become overweight and may develop other health problems.
Puppies need to be fed dog food that’s high in both calories and proteins, as this can support their growth and development. Meanwhile, adults should be provided with high-quality dog food rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other nutrients.
In addition to a balanced diet, they also need access to clean and fresh water at all times.
To err on the side of caution, do not give your Golden Mountain Dog any table scrap. The reason why is that human food consumption can cause digestive issues in dogs.
The amount of food and frequency of feeding will depend on the dog’s size, age, and activity level. It’s best to consult a veterinarian so they can assess the appropriate feeding amount and schedule.
Grooming and Maintenance
The Golden Mountain dog has a dense, long, and straight coat. They shed a lot, so it’s recommended that they be brushed daily using a slicker brush or an undercoat rake.
Doing this removes loose fur and dirt from their coats. Brushing them regularly is also effective in reducing tangles and mats. To maintain their healthy skin and coat, you’ll need to bathe your dog every week or up to six weeks, depending on their daily tasks and activities.
Use a gentle, high-quality dog shampoo formulated for dogs with medium-length coats.
Afterward, you can use a dog conditioner to help soften their coat and reduce tangles. A proper high-velocity dryer is also essential for the upkeep of their double coats.
Exercise and Activities
Due to their size, Golden Mountain Dogs require constant physical activities to maintain their health and well-being.
Since they’re energetic dogs, it’s recommended to give adult dogs walks twice a day, and also allow them playtime for up to an hour daily. For puppies, it’s best to give them stimulation exercises in short bursts, multiple times a day.
If you’re planning on owning a Golden Mountain Dog, make sure they have plenty of outdoor space to roam and explore. However, if you’re living in an area with limited space, ensure that you give them lots of activities and mental stimulation.
Conclusion
The Golden Mountain Dog is a relatively new breed that resulted in the cross between a Golden Retriever and a Bernese Mountain Dog.
The breed is popularly known for its friendly, energetic, and gentle temperament. They’re also known for being loyal companions and do well around kids and other animals.
Plus, they’re intelligent animals that can be trained for proper socialization and doing basic tasks. If you’re planning to own one, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with their grooming needs, dietary recommendations, and exercise requirements.
