Dreaming of getting a Golden Retriever Dachshund mix? This combination of two of the most popular dog breeds in the world looks absolutely adorable. A fluffy Golden Retriever in a Dachshund-sized body may be ideal for many dog lovers with limited space. But are there some drawbacks to this designer breed? Find out more about the Golden Doxie in this article.
What is a Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix?
A Golden Retriever Dachshund mix, also known as a Golden Doxie, is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a Dachshund. Because of the many differences between the two parent breeds, it can be quite hard to predict many traits of this cross-breed dog.
Due to the big size difference between the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund, cross-breeding them is only possible if the female is the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund is the sire. Having a female Dachshund carry the puppies of a Golden Retriever is extremely dangerous for the mother and pups.
Other Names for the Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix
Golden Doxie
Golden Dachshund mix
Golden Dox Dog
Golden Weenie
Golden Doxes
Dachshund Retriever
Golden Weiner Dog
Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix
Breed Overview
Pedigree: Mixed breed
Parent Breeds: Golden Retriever, Dachshund
Breed Group: Sporting/ Hound group
Breed size: Small to Medium
Height: 10 to 23 inches
Weight: 30 to 60 lbs
Energy level: Average
Lifespan: 10-14 years
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The Appearance of the Golden Doxie
With two different breeds that look very far from each other as their parents, Golden Dox puppies are bound to be full of surprises. Each of the puppies could grow up to have the temperament of the other and inherit a combination of various physical traits.
One can never tell exactly what Golden Dox puppies would look like, but many of them resemble little Golden Retrievers.
Size
Golden Retrievers are large breed dogs that have an average height of 23 to 24 inches for males, and 21.5 to 22.5 inches for females. Purebred male Goldens weigh an average of 65 to 75 pounds, while a female Golden Retriever can weigh between 55 to 65 pounds.
Dachshunds, on the other hand, come in two size varieties: standard and miniature. The long and low Doxies stand about 8 to 9 inches tall for standards, while the miniature female and male Dachshund are only about 5 to 6 inches tall. These small breed dogs have an average weight of 16 to 32 pounds (standards) and 11 pounds and under (mini dachshunds).
Taking all size ranges between these two breeds into consideration, Golden Dox breed or Golden Weiner dogs can be anywhere in between. However, it is unlikely for them to be tall enough to be called large-sized dogs. They are more likely to be significantly shorter than their Golden Retriever parent.
The Golden Dachshund size range is commonly around the higher end of small breed dogs to medium-sized dog.
Famous for its long golden locks, the Golden Retriever has a wavy or straight double coat that is water-repellant. Bred as gundogs, their lustrous golden coat protects them from the elements and cold waters when they retrieve waterfowl and birds.
Golden Retriever puppies have soft fluffy coats as soon as they are born. Their fine puppy fur keeps them warm due to its insulating properties. At around 3 to 4 months old, puppies will start growing their adult fur. This adult fur becomes the outer coat, while the puppy fur forms the undercoat.
Dachshunds come in three coat varieties: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. Smooth Dachshunds have short, smooth, and glossy coats. The American Kennel Club’s (AKC) official breed standard describes the wirehaired Doxies coats as “uniform tight, short, thick, rough, hard outer coat but with finer, somewhat softer, shorter hairs (undercoat) everywhere distributed between the coarser hairs.”
Wirehaired weiner dogs also have their trademark beard and eyebrows that are longer than the rest of their coat.
Longhaired ones have long, slightly wavy, and shiny coats that are a bit similar to that of the Golden Retriever.
Depending on the type of coat of the Dachshund parent, as well as whether the Golden Dox puppy will take after the Golden Retriever’s side of its genetic make-up, it is hard to say what length and texture the coat will turn out to be.
Coat Color/ Markings
The AKC recognizes 3 color variations for Golden Retrievers. They are dark golden, golden, and light golden.
Dachshunds not only come in two size varieties and three coat types. They also have a lot more coat color variations and markings compared to the Golden Retriever.
Golden Dachshund mixes that are golden in color are more common than others. However, other coat colors and markings are still possible depending on the parents' genetic make-up.
The following are the coat colors and markings recognized by the AKC for purebred Dachshunds:
Color Description (Dachshund)
Black & Cream
Blue & Cream
Blue & Tan
Chocolate & Cream
Chocolate & Tan
Cream
Fawn (Isabella) & Cream
Fawn (Isabella) & Tan
Red
Wheaten
Wild Boar
Black
Chocolate
Fawn
Markings
Brindle
Sable
Piebald
Dapple
Double Dapple
Brindle Piebald
Head
The shape of the heads of the parent breeds of the Golden Retriever Dachshund mix has some slight differences as well. The Dachshund's head tapers to the tip of the nose when viewed from above. In contrast, the Golden Retriever’s head is described by AKC’s breed standard as “slightly deeper and wider at stop than at tip” when viewed from above.
The Dachshund’s muzzle is narrow compared to that of the Golden Retriever’s. The Golden Dox or Golden Weiner dog’s muzzle commonly resembles the Dachshund’s more than the Golden Retrievers. However, those whose muzzles look more like their Golden Retriever parent have also been seen.
Eyes
The Golden’s eyes are described as friendly and intelligent. Dark brown or brown in color, their eyes are medium large with dark, close-fitting rims. The Dachshund’s almond-shaped eyes are friendly and energetic. Their medium-sized eyes are very dark and have dark rims.
Ears
The Golden Retriever Dachshund mix or Golden Weiner dog is bound to have floppy ears as both parents have them. However, the Golden’s ears are slightly shorter than the Doxie’s which are of moderate length.
Like many hybrid dog breeds, the history of the Golden Retriever Dachshund mix is not clear. In contrast, its highly popular parent breeds’ histories are well documented.
To understand the Golden Dox temperament and physical characteristics better, let’s take a look at the histories of the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund.
History of the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a breed of gundogs that originated from Scotland. Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (also known as Baron Tweedmouth) is credited with the creation of the breed. The Golden Retriever is a result of cross-breeding the Flat-coated Retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel and some other British dog breeds.
Majoribanks wanted to create a dog breed that would suit the wet, rainy climate and rugged terrain of the Highland region of Scotland where his estate was. In 1868, he bred a yellow Flat-coated Retriever named Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle.
This started a meticulously documented breeding line, as some of the offspring were mated with other dog breeds to create one breed that has all the qualities Majoribanks was looking for in a gundog. It is said that all Golden Retrievers descend from the mating of Nous’ great-great grandson Nous II and Queenie, another descendent of the line who is half-labrador.
While the cross-breeding with various breeds produced dogs with color variations such as black, gold, and cream, only the golden ones were bred with each other to make the foundation stock of the Golden Retriever.
The name Dachshund is a German word that translates to “badger hound”. Now also known as sausage dogs, these long and low pups were originally bred to flush out badgers from their subterranean dens. The breed’s history dates back to about 600 years.
Dachshunds were said to have been bred from dwarf mutations of taller types of bloodhounds and the now extinct Bibarhund. Through selective breeding, they were able to create a dog breed that had the short legs that would make them the perfect dogs to hunt burrow-dwellers like badgers and rabbits.
Because the badger is a fearless and ferocious animal, hunters needed a hunting dog that would not back down from a fight. However, they also need to be small enough to fit into holes in the ground and chase away burrow-dwelling animals. Thus the small but mighty Dachshund was created.
The Doxie was bred to have paddle-shaped paws to aid them in digging. Their deep chests allowed for increased lung capacity which they need when hunting underground. These small hunting dogs also have a big dog bark to enable their owners to hear them while underground.
Initially bred to have smooth coats only, wirehaired ones were eventually bred to enable them to work in thorny brier patches. The longhaired dachshunds were used by hunters in colder areas.
Today, the brave Dachshund is known to not like stranger dogs and other animals. They will bark up a storm at the sight of another dog and may chase a bird, cat, or small animals if given the chance.
The Personality
With contrasting appearances also come a lot of differences in personality and temperament. However, each dog has his or her own personality. Many behavioral qualities can also be attributed to social and environmental factors, and not just genetics.
A Golden Retriever Dachshund mix or Golden Dox can inherit the smart and friendly demeanor of the Golden, or the headstrong and courageous spirit of the Dachshund, or maybe a combination of both. There are no guarantees when it comes to the Golden Weiner Dog’s personality.
The Golden Retriever’s Personality
Described as friendly, gentle, and intelligent dogs, the Golden Retriever makes a great family dog. This breed of dog is not just smart, but also eager to please. This quality makes them easy to train, and as such have been used as service dogs and therapy dogs.
They are great with small children as well as other pets. The Golden Retriever maintains a youthful, puppylike personality until well into adulthood. Thus, they very much enjoy playtime with their family members as well as other dogs. Swimming is another activity they absolutely love.
Being Retrievers, some Goldens like presenting their owners with toys and various other objects. They share this trait with some Labradors.
The Dachshund’s Personality
The Dachshund has been described as a courageous, sassy, and curious breed. Despite their reputation of tending to be aggressive towards other pets, Doxies can be very affectionate towards humans, especially their owners.
Their loud barking makes them excellent guard dogs. These former badger dogs will not hesitate to bark at unfamiliar people or dogs. Their small size does not stop them from challenging even larger dogs.
Prone to having separation anxiety, they can display destructive behavior if left alone for extended periods – something that any bored dog is capable of.
If not socialized or trained, Dachshunds can be very protective and may bite strangers. Among small dogs, they are one of the breeds involved in the most biting incidents. Early socialization and dog training/ obedience training can help tremendously in keeping the Dachshund or Golden Dox away from trouble and make her a good family pet.
Some say that mixed breed dogs or hybrid dogs such as the Golden Doxes are healthier than purebred dogs. This is due to the reduced risk of inheriting genetic conditions that commonly affect the breed. However, this may not always be the case.
The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy dog. This muscular, large breed dog likes to be active and craves playtime even as adults. While the Dachshund is also an energetic breed, they are prone to back problems due to their elongated bodies and short legs.
Being small dogs, even a slight weight gain can put extra strain on their long spinal column. High-quality dog food that is not full of fillers or a barf diet can help keep a Golden Dox healthy and live a happy and fulfilling life.
Cross-breeding a large dog like the Golden Retriever with a Dachshund may give the Golden Dox puppies longer legs or a larger, heavier body on shorter legs which could eventually cause joint issues. There is no way of telling for sure which traits from each breed the hybrid dog will inherit.
Here are the lists of health conditions that commonly affect each parent breed.
With its parent breeds both quite energetic, we can expect the Golden Retriever Dachshund puppy to be fairly active up to their young adult years.
In the case of the Golden Dox, exercise is important not just to keep them from having pent-up energy, but also to build strong muscles to support their long backs. Keeping these family pets fit through exercise is also vital in preventing Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which is quite common among Dachshunds.
Due to their shorter legs, exercise can be a challenge which makes them prone to obesity. Golden Weiners should be given twice daily walks of moderate length. Running up and down the stairs or jumping from elevated places like furniture should be avoided.
Being part Golden Retriever, a Golden Dox may enjoy running agility courses at the dog park or participating in dog sports. However, we recommend consulting your vet first to make sure that injuries or too much strain on their legs or backs are avoided.
Grooming
Depending on the type of coat, grooming a Golden Doxie can be anywhere from easy to moderate. Purebred Golden Retrievers shed moderately regularly but go through a heavy shedding season once or twice a year.
During their non-shedding season, Goldens’ long locks should be brushed at least twice a week with a slicker brush. However, during shedding season, daily brushings may be necessary if your Golden Dox inherits the double coat of his Golden Retriever side.
If a Golden Retriever Dachshund mix has a smooth-coated Dachshund side, chances are grooming may be quite easy. Smooth-coated Doxies are low maintenance and require minimal brushings. Long-haired Dachshunds will need more frequent brushing.
If a Golden Dox inherits a wirehaired Doxie’s coat, plucking or hand-stripping may be needed a few times a year. This can be done by a professional dog groomer. The eyebrows and beard need to be combed 1 to 2 times a week.
As with any dog, dental hygiene is very important. Dachshunds are quite prone to dental problems. Regular brushing is highly recommended for Golden Weenies. In between brushings, you can use a no-brush tooth gel made for dogs. Dental water additives are another convenient way to help minimize plaque and tartar build-up.
Because of the short limbs, jogging or running as a form of exercise can be a challenge to Golden Dox mixes. This means that their nails will need to be trimmed more frequently than more active dogs.
It’s quite hard not to fall in love with a Golden Retriever Dachshund mix. The sweet, gentle face of a Golden Retriever combined with the shorter legs and spunky confidence of the Dachshund makes for a dog breed that is charming, funny, and one that catches the attention of just about all dog lovers.
Mixing the good-natured Golden Retriever with the headstrong and sometimes high-strung Dachshund may produce a dog that is calm and happy, yet protective of its family and is a great guard dog. They may take after their Dachshund parent in looks, but have the personality of their Golden parent or a combination of both.
While it sounds like this designer breed is the perfect mix, the health of the pups is something that should be seriously considered. The long bodies and short legs of the Dachshunds make them prone to back problems that can lead to paralysis. In Golden Retriever Dachshund mixes, the short limbs and elongated bodies are often passed down.
In addition, Golden Retrievers are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease. These health problems cause pain and greatly diminish the quality of life of dogs.
Should you decide to get a Golden Weiner, we highly recommend finding a reputable breeder or adopting from rescue centers instead of puppy mills. Responsible breeders have their breeding stock tested for genetic diseases to prevent them from getting passed down to puppies.
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For an impressive duration of four years, Elaine has been embarked on a voyage as a freelance writer within the domain of dog care. The profound fondness she nurtured for animals, ignited by the cherished companionship of her family's treasured pets during her developmental years, has flourished into a genuinely satisfying vocation focused on everything related to dogs.
