The Golden Dox – An Adorable and Rare Hybrid 

Are you looking for a unique, adorable, and lively canine companion? Then look no further than the absolutely loveable Golden Dox!

A mix between the purebred Golden Retriever and the purebred Dachshund, the Golden Dox is a hybrid that could potentially come in two size varieties, three coat types, and too many quirks to count.

However, there are pros and cons to owning and raising a Golden Dox dog, and it’s important for a potential owner to be aware of what makes the Golden Dox tick.

We’re going to help you decide if the Golden Dox is your dream dog! Let’s get started.

Meet The Golden Dox!

A Golden Dox is a mix between the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund.

Other Names: The Golden Weenie Dog, The Golden Weiner Dog, The Golden Dachshund, The Gold Dox, and the Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix

Height: 10 to 23 Inches

Weight: 30 to 60 Pounds

Appearance: Appearance could vary based on genetics and generation of the crossbreed

Health Issues: Cancer, Hip Dysplasia, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Lifespan: 10 to 14 Years

Temperament: Affectionate, Friendly, Stubborn, Playful, Devoted

Best Suited For: Active Owners and Families

Overview:

The Golden Dox is a crossbreed that is becoming more and more popular by the second. A cross between the family favorite Golden Retriever and the famous and spirited Dachshund, there is no dog quite like a Golden Dox dog.

This is a hybrid that is known for its loveable temperament and quirky disposition. Lively and active, Golden Dox dogs do well in homes with yards where they can run and play and with owners who have enough time to commit to training and exercise.

However, Golden Dox dogs can make good dogs for novice dog owners as long as that novice owner is willing and prepared to be patient and consistent.

Intelligent and food-motivated, Golden Dox dogs can be a joy to train. But if you’re impatient, beware – these clever canines can be prone to stubborn behaviors and will do best with owners that take their time to nurture a strong and trusting bond.

Are you the ideal owner for a Golden Dox hybrid? Keep reading to find out!

Where Did The Golden Dox Come From?

Golden Dox dogs are considered crossbreed dogs, which means they are not purebred nor are they mutts.

Before we dive in and learn fun and unique facts about the Golden Dox dog, we should first talk a bit about where this dog comes from.

As we’ve discussed, the Golden Dox is a hybrid dog. Also known as a crossbreed, mixed breed, or designer dog, the Golden Dox is not considered a purebred nor has he been considered a mutt.

This can make some aspects of his characteristics unpredictable, and the best way to understand what you might be getting with a Golden Dox is to take a closer look at his two parent breeds.

Let’s begin with the Golden Retriever.

Meet The Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the world’s most popular purebreds. A family favorite, Golden Retrievers are bred gun dogs perfected in Scotland to retrieve fallen prey for their masters. They are uniquely talented for this task, as their mouths are especially gentle and they are known to retrieve fallen prey without leaving any kind of mark.

Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent. This combined with their adorable appearance and winning temperament has led them to be some of the world’s most sought-after companion dogs, therapy dogs, guide dogs, and service dogs.

Today, Golden Retrievers sit at number three out of 196 on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular purebreds.

Meet the Dachshund

The Dachsund, once affectionately known as the Badger Dog, is a German-bred dog designed for stalking and digging fearsome badgers from their dens. The Dachshund’s elongated body and paddle-like paws made him ideal for this task, and he was one of Germany’s most popular hunting companions for generations.

Eventually, the standard Dachsund was bred down in size and now he is available in a standard and miniature size variety.

Dachshunds also have three coat types, including smooth, long, and wire. Highly intelligent but somewhat stubborn, Dachshund dogs are not for the faint of heart.

They can be prone to territorial behaviors and may have guarding instincts, but when properly trained and socialized, these clever cuties make wonderful family companions for a variety of different home types and owners.

What You Should Know About The Controversies of Crossbreeding

When considering a dog like the Golden Dox, it’s important to consider that both the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund purebred are very different dogs in almost every way. While crossbreeding a dog can often combine the best traits of both into one canine, this is not always the case.

And this is where the crossbreed controversy comes in.

Although crossbreeding dogs has been ongoing for centuries, the practice has really grown in popularity over the past twenty years or so. Over these last two decades, breeders have begun breeding and selling first and second-generation hybrid dogs to the public.

Originally, crossbreeding dogs was a practice reserved for professional breeders and experts who were working to create specific types of dogs for working purposes.

In fact, most purebred dogs we are aware of today are the result of generations of crossbreeding over decades.

The problem is, it takes generations of careful breeding and perfecting before a crossbreed dog can be considered predictable enough to be accepted as a purebred. Predictable traits that make such dogs qualify include temperament, health, and appearance.

When it comes to first, second, and even third-generation crossbreed dogs like the Golden Dox, predicting these aspects can be tricky.

This means that your Golden Dox could be more like one parent breed over the other as opposed to a good mix of the two.

However, there are some benefits of choosing to obtain a newer generation crossbreed.

Like mutts, crossbreed dogs are considered to be somewhat healthier than their purebred counterparts due to the fact that they have a widened gene pool. The theory, known as hybrid vigor, points out that purebred dogs have been heavily overbred for generations, leading to a shrinking of their gene pool that has made them seriously more susceptible to certain genetic health issues.

Because crossbreed dogs have a wider gene pool with two different breeds in their DNA, they may be less likely to develop certain genetic health issues from one parent breed over the other.

Of course, not everyone agrees with this idea and many point out that genetics cannot be predicted either way.

Regardless, when considering the health, temperament, and physical appearance of any dog, it’s important to do as much research as possible before committing.

So, with that in mind, let’s continue on learning about the Golden Dox crossbreed.

Does The Golden Dox Make A Good Family Dog?

Golden Dox dogs can make great family companions when trained and socialized.

When it comes to the Golden Dox, you are certainly winning with temperament. This is a hybrid that is both comical and clever, outgoing and spunky.

The purebred Golden Retriever, for example, is eager to please and easy to train. He enjoys being with his family and gets along well with people of all ages and even other dogs and cats.

The Dachshund may be weary of strangers, especially if he is not properly socialized and trained at an early age, but when raised right, he can do wonderfully with children and other pets.

So, what does this mean for you and your Golden Dox? While it’s difficult to predict 100% what your Golden Dox dog’s temperament will be, we can guess that this will be an outgoing, active, friendly, and affectionate canine.

He could be prone to stubborn behaviors, however, and this could be frustrating for the unprepared owner.

We should also note that some Golden Dox dogs can be territorial, especially if they are not properly trained at an early age.

If you are raising your Golden Dox in a home with children, we suggest working with youngsters on how to appropriately and respectfully interact with the family dog. We also implore you to learn basic canine body language, as this can help strengthen the bond between you and your dog while also helping reduce the chances of a potential bite.

It’s also important to avoid leaving very small children alone with any dog unsupervised. Remember, no matter how well trained or socialized a dog is, any dog is capable of growling and nipping if he is scared, hurt, or in distress.

Tips On Training And Socialization For A Golden Dox

Training and socialization are important for any dog to grow up happy and healthy.

All dogs should be properly trained and socialized at an early age to help ensure they grow up happy, healthy, and well-rounded. Without proper training and socialization, dogs can be prone to suffering from anxiety, which can lead to other behavioral problems down the road.

How To Train A Golden Dox

It’s never too early or too late to begin training your Golden Dox, which means you can begin from the moment you bring your puppy or rescue dog home.

When training any dog, it’s important to establish a strong and trusting bond off the top. Ensuring your dog trusts you will help reduce boredom and will make him more likely to want to engage in training sessions.

This is one of the many reasons we do not recommend implementing punishment or scolding into training sessions.

Instead, stick with positive reinforcement training techniques that utilize treats and praise. Focus on rewarding what your dog does right during training as opposed to punishing your dog for what he does wrong, as this could cause your Golden Dox to shut down and even harm the bond being built between the two of you.

We also suggest keeping training sessions short and game-like. Golden Dox dogs can be prone to getting bored easily, so try using tactics to hold your dog’s attention.

Train Me Training Treats

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One of the best ways to ensure your dog is focused on you during training is to implement the use of high-value training treats, like the above training treats by The Crazy Dog Store. High-value training treats are treats that are about pea-sized, chewy, and very smelly.

The above training treats have all these traits and are also low in calories and made with real ingredients you can feel good about feeding your dog.

Along with using training treats for training purposes, you can also use them to help when it comes to socialization.

How To Socialize A Golden Dox

Socialization is the act of ensuring your dog is exposed to as many new experiences as possible. Unlike training, socializing a dog is best utilized when a dog is still young, although you can work with dogs of any age to condition them to new experiences.

When working on socializing your Golden Dox, it’s important to make sure first impressions are as positive as possible for him. Of course, you are not always in control of how your dog views the world, so it’s best to encourage him gently to explore his environment and never force your Golden Dox into an experience that you can tell is clearly frightening for him.

This can lead to an exasperated fear later on, which in turn can lead to future behavioral issues.

When you are working on socializing your dog, you can help him to see new experiences as positive by ensuring he can associate these new experiences with something he loves. This means you can use training treats or even praise, toys, play, or walks to help broaden your dog’s horizons.

What Are The Exercise Needs Of A Golden Dox?

Golden Dox dogs are active and intelligent. They need plenty of exercise every day.

The Golden Dox is the offspring of two active and working purebreds.

Like all dogs, the Golden Dox is going to require a dedicated amount of exercise each and every day in order to ensure he is healthy and happy.

The best exercise for a Golden Dox will be a good walk that lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. If your Golden Dox inherits his Dachshund parent’s body type, it’s important to be careful which exercise routines you use.

That’s because the Golden Dox dog’s elongated spine and shorter legs could lead to specific injury if he is over exercised or under exercised.

Along with daily walks, the Golden Dox should also have free playtime in a securely fenced yard. If he is well socialized, he may enjoy playing with other dogs at dog parks.

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation, especially when it comes to working breeds. Without the proper mental stimulation, the Golden Dox can become bored and anxious, which can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing, barking, and marking.

To keep your Golden Dox happy and to protect your property from damage, it is a good idea to invest in toys that will help keep your dog busy and active.

KONG toys can help keep your Golden Dox busy, especially when they are filled with his favorite treats, dog-safe peanut butter, or KONG filler. You can also invest in puzzle toys, which are specifically designed to help encourage your dog to think and problem solve.

Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toy

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The Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toy above is a puzzle toy specifically made for clever dogs and utilizes treats to help keep your dog’s focus. The above toy is made with dog-safe material, and we especially like that you can order it at different difficulty levels depending on your dog’s ability.

But puzzle toys aren’t the only way you can help keep your dog engaged and happy physically and mentally. You can also put together dog-safe obstacle courses using furniture in your home or backyard, or even hide treats around the house or yard to keep your dog busy and engaged while you are away.

Is The Golden Dox Difficult To Groom And Care For?

Golden Dox dogs could have varying coat types, and grooming could depend on genetics.

The Golden Retriever has a dense, double coat that sheds heavily year-round. The Dachshund, on the other hand, comes in three coat types including smooth, long, and wire. Depending on your Golden Dox dog’s generation of crossbreed and his genetics, you could end up with varying coat types.

However, for the most part, the Golden Dox is going to be a shedding dog with a medium-length coat. He may not be the ideal dog for those who suffer from allergies, but you can help manage shed hair by investing in the proper grooming tools.

The Golden Dox will need to be brushed at least once or twice a week using a deshedding comb and undercoat rake. He should also have his nails trimmed once every two weeks to keep them from becoming too long, which could lead to them breaking during exercise or play.

Both Golden Retrievers and Dachshund dogs have long ears, and your Golden Dox will have the same. This means he could be more susceptible to ear infections, so it’s important to keep an eye on his ears and clean them often. Make sure they are free of any waxy buildup, moisture, or debris in order to best avoid painful and costly infections.

Like all dogs, the Golden Dox will need to be bathed on occasion. However, unlike some dogs, the Golden Dox has a relatively self-cleaning coat. He only needs to be bathed once every few weeks unless he gets particularly dirty in the meantime.

It’s best not to over bathe your Golden Dox, as this could actually harm his coat by stripping his skin of the natural oils his coat produces that help keep it healthy. When you’re bathing your Golden Dox, it’s also important to use a shampoo that is made specifically for dogs and that is free of any parabens, dyes, alcohols, or other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog.

Last but not least, remember that Dental Disease is one of the most common ailments dogs face. You can avoid this by ensuring your Golden Dox dog eats a quality dog food specified for his age, weight, and activity level and that you brush his teeth at least once a day using a dog-safe toothbrushing kit and toothpaste.

Wellnergy Pets Dental Wipes

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You also have the option of using doggy dental wipes, which can be easier than using a toothbrush and toothpaste on some finicky dogs. The above dental wipes by Wellnergy Pets include 100 pre-soaked wipes that are textured and flavored, which your dog will enjoy.

They wrap easily around your finger, which allows you to get deeper into your dog’s mouth and reach those back teeth. Not only will doing this daily help reduce plaque buildup and tartar, but it will also help freshen your dog’s breath.

Does The Golden Dox Have Any Unique Health Issues?

Golden Dox dogs can suffer from some unique health issues that any owner should be aware of.

Although the Golden Dox does have the benefit of hybrid vigor, it’s still important to keep in mind that he could still be susceptible to any and all of the genetic health issues of his prepared parent breeds.

While there is no way to 100% predict what your dog may or may not be predisposed to, you can get a good idea of what he may face by understanding the health issues of both the Golden Retriever and the Dachshund.

With a lifespan of between 10 and 14 years, the Golden Dox is most susceptible to:

• Cancer
• Hip Dysplasia
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Cataracts
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• And Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

All dogs can be susceptible to health issues, but there are a few tips and tricks from experts you can follow to help combat certain health problems down the road.

Get Your Golden Dox From A Reputable Breeder Or Shelter

First and foremost it’s important to get your Golden Dox from a reputable source. This means you should try to either go through a breeder who understands the importance of responsible breeding practices or through a shelter or rescue you trust.

When looking for the right source from which to obtain your Golden Dox, it’s best to avoid backyard breeders, uncertified breeders, online sellers, or those selling puppies for much more or much less than their typical cost.

Most reputable breeders should be able to provide you with paperwork proving your dog has been screened and cleared of any serious health issues.

If you choose to adopt your dog, remember to ask plenty of questions. Many shelters will be able to provide you with a free initial vet exam for your dog, but health screening may have to be done later on by you.

Consider Having Your Dog Health Screened

Health screening your dog is easier than you may think. In fact, you can often have it done simply by ordering a doggy DNA kit straight to your front door and then sending it off again. These DNA kits can provide you with a wealth of information regarding your dog, and you can learn about his health, genetics, potential genetic diseases he could be predisposed to, and more.

Keep Your Dog On A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is key to ensuring your Golden Dox develops properly from puppyhood to adulthood. For the Golden Dox, we suggest he eat a dog food specified for his age, weight, and activity level, and that this dog food is rich in real meat protein, carbs, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients dogs need to thrive.

Avoid dog foods that contain a number of fillers or byproducts, and stick with dog foods and brands you trust.

Make Annual Vet Appointments

Sadly, Golden Retrievers especially are prone to suffering from a higher rate of cancer than many other breeds. Because your Golden Dox is 50% Golden Retriever, he could also be more prone to developing cancer as he ages.

This is one of the many reasons it’s important to schedule and keep annual vet visits for your Golden Dox. In fact, many veterinarians recommend your Golden Dox be seen bi-annually for wellness exams upon turning seven years old.

Stick To A Good Grooming, Exercise, and Training Routine

Last, be sure to stick with good grooming, exercise, and training regimens. Not only can this help keep your dog happy mentally, but also physically as well. Reducing stress and ensuring your dog is properly exercised can help improve his immune system and keep illnesses at bay.

Proper grooming, exercise, and training routine will also help strengthen the bond built between you and your dog, and you can’t put a price on that.

Is The Golden Dox The Right Dog For You? Let’s Find Out!

Golden Dox dogs make wonderful companions for active families.

The Golden Dox is a unique hybrid with a number of winning qualities, but is this the right dog for you and your family?

Remember, the Golden Dox is an energetic, outgoing, and playful dog. He will require routine exercise each and every day in order to stay happy and healthy, and he will do best in homes with more active owners who are willing to commit time and attention to him.

With that noted, this is a crossbreed that can be a great fit for committed novice dog owners. He does well with children and other pets when properly raised, trained, and socialized and has only moderate grooming upkeep and exercise needs.

Is the Golden Dox your doggy dream match? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading!