The golden retriever papillon mix is one of the rarest-mixed dog breeds you can find. They have a really great character, they are energetic, affectionate, and loyal, and they are one of your best options if you’re looking for a special dog that will definitely steal any conversation.
Golden retrievers really add lots of great traits to the mix and so is the papillon so the result is one beloved pup with adorable looks and personality.
Let’s get more specific about this mix and know about their background, personality, health, training, exercise, and grooming needs.dd
Table:
| Other Names | None |
| Weight | 12 – 45 Pounds |
| Height | 11 – 20 inches |
| Lifespan | 12 – 15 years |
| Colors | Golden, white, brown |
| Health | 8/10 |
| Grooming Needs | 7/10 |
| Exercise Needs | 6/10 |
| Shedding | 7/10 |
| Kid Friendliness | 9/10 |
| Pet-friendliness | 7/10 |
| Protectiveness | 8/10 |
| Good for apartments | Maybe |
| Average puppy cost | $500-$2,000 USD |
Golden Retriever Papillon mix Characteristics
Size: 11 – 20 inches
Weight: 12 – 45 lb
Colors: golden/white/brown
Coat Type: it can be either Single coated or double coated but they will have coarse coats.
The golden retriever papillon mix can have either a single coat or double coat because papillons have a single coat and goldens have double coats so whoever has the dominant gene will pass it on.
Since both the papillon and the golden have a coarse coat the mix will have a coarse coat as well but whether they have a coarse, wiry, single, or double coat, you will have lots of grooming to do so just be prepared.
They may have white and golden, white and brown, or just a golden coat.
Also, their size will be smaller than goldens and bigger than the papillon which makes the golden retriever papillon size ideal.
Parent Breeds
In order to understand the golden retriever papillon mix’s personality, you need to know a little more about their parents to truly get them, so let’s start with the papillon.
The Papillon comes from Spain, they are known as the squirrel dog or the butterfly dog.
They can be found in paintings of the royal families around Europe, so yes they are one of the oldest toy breeds.
They are not as popular as golden retrievers now but they were very popular all throughout western Europe especially among the royalty, they were recognized by the American kennel club in 1935.
Now, for America’s sweethearts, golden retrievers were developed in Scotland, and thanks to sir Dudley Majoribanks we have this amazing breed, he spent most of his time breeding all kinds of dogs.
Golden retrievers have a playful, loyal, affectionate personality, they are great with kids, babies, and adults. Goldens Retrievers get along with other animals very well, and they can make friends with pretty much any living thing. They are almost too friendly.
They were recognized by the kennel club in England in 1911 as a distinct breed but they were classified as yellow or golden retriever then in 1920, they changed their name to the golden retriever.
Temperament
The golden retriever Papillon mix is an intelligent, playful, and loyal breed.
They can be stubborn sometimes due to their dominant trait but if you train them when they are puppies and socialize them, they will be less likely to show this behavior.
They need lots of attention and care just like any other dog breed, they don’t like being left alone for long periods.
They love spending quality time with their family, and they very much love to hear that they are good dogs because they are people pleasers.
They are energetic and love having something to do so make sure to get them plenty of toys to keep them busy and you can check my picks for toys here.
Health and lifespan
Just like all dogs, they may develop health issues if you are getting them from a breeder then make sure that the puppy is in a good health and the breeder should offer a health guarantee on the puppy.
However, goldens are prone to some health issues and the mix may inherit one of them.
Here are some of the health issues.
- Hip dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Chest problems
- Cancer
- Patellar luxation
- Thyroid problems
- Skin issues
- Von Willebrand disease
Papillons are also prone to some health issues and they can pass it on as well, such as
- Urinary stones
- Dental disease
- They can be born deaf
- Hypothyroidism
- Liver stunt
- Hernias
- Collapsing trachea
Nutritional Needs
The diet of a mixed breed is more tricky than a purebred and that’s why you should always consult your local vet about the proper diet for your pup to make sure they are getting all the nutrition they need.
Make sure to provide their diet with fish oil, chondroitin supplements, and glucosamine since they may be prone to hip dysplasia.
Do not overfeed your pup because it can exacerbate health problems, also, feeding them vegetables and providing them with the protein they need is essential.
Avoid feeding any food that contains xylitol or dry food that contains any kind of fillers. You can check here this complete list of foods your dog should never eat.
Grooming Needs & Shedding
They are not as heavy shedders as goldens but not as moderate as papillons so you can expect a decent amount of shedding still.
Brush them regularly two to three times a week and every day during seasonal changes when they are blowing their coat.
You should also bathe them regularly but not too much that you dry out their coat and skin, also, trim their nails if you don’t want your furniture to get destroyed.
Don’t forget they are partially golden retrievers so their hair may be long and need to be trimmed every once in a while. I have a complete guide with really helpful tips on taking care of your dog’s hair, make sure to check it out when you have the time.
Exercise Needs
The golden retriever papillon mix is an energetic breed and if they don’t get enough exercise they will get bored and may try to escape or destroy your whole house so to keep them calm, walk them every day for at least an hour.
You can also do any other activity with them for a minimum of 30 minutes.
You can train them to run with you, take them hiking, swimming, or just play with them fetch, tug-of-war, or frisbee.
There are many things that you can try with your dog to keep their energy level down but make sure not to tire them out.
Training
While Golden Retrievers are really easy to train, the Golden Papillon Mix is not the same. Training a golden retriever papillon mix can be either really easy or a little bit challenging because they can be stubborn and take the alpha position and will only obey you if they think that you have a strong personality and can give a firm command.
Papillons can lose their interest and attention easily so you need to break the training sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their interest and attention.
All dogs need to be socialized when they are young so take your puppy to the bark to get them around lots of people, kids, and other dogs.
They may have a prey drive so make sure to put a leash on them when you are taking them outside because they can run to chase small prey.
As Family Dogs
The golden retriever papillon mix is a great family dog, they are playful and can make anyone fall in love with them with just a single glance due to their overwhelming cuteness.
They love playing with kids, adults, and literally anyone, they can get along with other pets if you introduced them properly.
They are never aggressive but if anyone mistreated them, they will snap and may even bite.
They have a nice temperament but if they are not socialized they may bark at new faces or your neighbors.
If you are thinking about getting another dog then they will make an ideal choice but they will try to boss the other dog around to prove that they are the alpha.
As Guard Dogs
They can make great guard dogs because Papillons are barkers so they will bark if they feel that something is off.
They are incredibly loyal and will guard their family and loved ones with their life without hesitation.
They are less likely to attack someone even if they feel threatened, they will bark and show their teeth but if they are traumatized from something and you didn’t train them then they might bite out of fear.
So make sure to train them when they are young to ensure that your golden retriever papillon mix grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
Where to find them?
You may find them in your local shelter and if you didn’t find that breed you can always save another dog’s life.
You can also get them from a breeder but make sure that you check on the puppy’s background and see if you can meet one of the puppy’s parents to ensure that they have nice temperaments and you are completely comfortable around them.
You can also ask your local vet if they know a trusted breeder or a shelter that may have that breed.
All About the Golden Retriever Breed Mix in a nutshell
The Golden retriever papillon mix is a friendly and affectionate breed, they are energetic and need plenty of exercise and just like any other breed they need to be trained when they are young, they make wonderful family dogs and will make sure that nothing bad happens to their family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the golden retriever Papillon mix A Good Family Dog?
Yes, the golden retriever papillon mix is a good family dog, they are even better than the papillon especially if you have kids because the papillons are really small and can be easily injured unlike the mixed breed, they are also really playful, loyal, and can make great watchdogs.
Is the golden retriever Papillon mix easy to train?
Yes, the golden retriever papillon mix is easy to train, papillons are a smart dog breed, they learn quickly and able to understand the command on the first try and so is the golden retriever, however, the mix may make the training a little difficult because they tend to be a little stubborn.
Is the golden retriever Papillon mix good with kids?
Yes, the golden retriever papillon mix is good with kids because papillons and goldens are great with kids due to their friendly and playful nature, however, papillons can get injured easily around kids because of their delicate size but since the mix is bigger, they will be even better with kids.
How much is the golden retriever Papillon mix?
The golden retriever papillon mix can cost between $500-$2,000 or they can cost even more, however, the cost of a mixed breed really depends on the breeder and the price varies greatly from one breeder to the other so just make sure that the puppy is in a good health.
Is the golden retriever Papillon mix smart?
Yes, the golden retriever papillon mix is smart because golden retrievers are the 4th smartest breed behind the border collies, poodles, and german shepherd, also, papillons are among the 10 smartest dogs breeds and they are exceptionally gifted trackers so yes, their mix will inherit their intelligence.
Helpful Resources
The Papillon Dog Breed Information – AKC
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
