The Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever Mix – The Ultimate Simplified Guide


The golden mountain dog is a mix between the Bernese mountain dog and the Golden retriever, the mix is a gentle, loving, and friendly pup, it has the best of both worlds.

The Bernese mountain dog golden retriever mix can steal your heart as soon as you lay your eyes on them and of course, their cute personality will make you adore them even more, let’s get to know them a little bit more.

Here is a Quick Overview of the Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever Mix:

Other Names The Golden Mountain dog
Weight 75 – 120 Pounds 
Height24 – 28 inches 
Lifespan 9 – 15 years 
Colors White, black, and brown.
Health 9/10
Grooming Needs8/10
Exercise Needs10/10
Shedding 8.5/10
Kid Friendliness 10/10
Pet-friendliness 9/10
Protectiveness 7/10
Good for apartments No 
Average puppy cost $800-$1,200 USD 

The Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever Mix

the bernese mountain dog golden retriever mix

Size: 24 – 28 inches

Weight: 75 – 120 pounds 

Colors: white, black, and brown.

Coat Type: double-coated/coarse.

The golden mountain dogs have long, coarse, and dense coats, their coats are usually white, black, and brown or a combination of two colors.

They usually have brown or hazel eyes, their eyes are slightly oval-shaped, however, their appearance may vary since it depends on their genetics so we can’t really expect what they will look like exactly.

Females golden mountain dogs are usually smaller than males, however, in both cases, they are not small dogs and need space to run around in so the golden mountain dogs are not the best for you if you live in an apartment.

Parent Breeds

The parent breeds are the Bernese mountain dog and Golden retriever, so let’s start with the Bernese mountain dog.

They are from Switzerland and were developed to be watchdogs, to herd cattle, and to pull carts.

They are extremely loyal, friendly, and independent, however, unlike golden retrievers, they are great watchdogs, which means that they tend to bark in order to scare away the “intruders” such as the mailman, cars, and literally anything that looks suspicious to them.

Golden retrievers are one of the friendliest dog breeds ever which makes them great family dogs.

They were developed in Scotland but are descended from Russian sheepdogs, they were used at first for retrieving the preys till lord Tweedmouth decided that he wanted them to be a house pet as well and bred them to be well-tempered at home, and as we all know he succeeded because now we have the golden retriever we all love.

The Bernese mountain dog is tolerant and affectionate, they are gentle and make wonderful family dogs as well, the Bernese mountain dogs love nothing more than being included in family activities.

They are protective of their family and even though they are not aggressive, they need early training and socialization.

To learn more about these two dogs in this Golden Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog.

Temperament 

I can’t even begin to describe how friendly the golden mountain dog is, they are gentle, affectionate, and well-tempered.

They are smart and eager to please which makes them easy to deal with and just like any dog, they just need early socialization so they can act properly around kids, strangers, and other animals.

People call them the gentle giants for a really good reason, they have one of the friendliest personalities and tend to form one of the most unique bonds with their owners.

If you want a fluffy friend to cuddle with after a long and stressful day at work then you should probably get a golden mountain dog to make your day better and be your life-long companion.

The golden mountain dog is extremely loyal and will always protect his family without giving it a second thought.

You shouldn’t leave them alone for a long time, they thrive on being with their family and participating in activities with them. 

The golden mountain dog is not suitable for apartments due to their large size, they will be happier in a house they can run freely in, or in a house with a backyard, however, you can get them in an apartment if you have plenty of space for them.

Health and lifespan 

The golden mountain dog is considered a healthy dog but just like any other dog, they can be prone to some diseases.

Here are the most common diseases that the golden mountain dog may be prone to:

  • Hip dysplasia 
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Elbow dysplasia 
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
  • Hypothyroidism 
  • Cancer 
  • Heart problems 

However, you can’t really predict the health of any hybrid dog, it usually depends on their parent’s health so perhaps you should check the medical history of both parents to know what you may deal with.

If you are getting the puppy from a breeder, make sure to ask the breeder for copies of both parents’ health certificates.

You should also check regularly with their vet to ensure that your pup is in good health and to prevent some health issues.

The lifespan of the golden mountain dog is between 9 to 15 years.

Nutritional Needs 

The nutritional needs of the golden mountain vary with their age, I mean it’s like a golden rule, just like you can’t feed newborn babies pizza and spaghetti, you can’t feed your puppy what you feed an adult dog, and vice versa.

There are a couple of things that are necessary for every diet such as protein, fibers, vitamins, minerals, healthy carbs, and fats.

You should feed your puppy anywhere between ½ cup and ⅝  cups a day and for your adult pup between 3 to 4 cups of food per day, however, it really depends on your dog’s weight so maybe you should consult their vet for the right amount to feed them.

You can also add omega 3 or fish oil to their meals to improve their health, it can make their coat shinier, softer, and healthier.

Make sure to never overfeed your pup because they are prone to obesity and becoming overweight may lead to other health issues, you shouldn’t feed them less than the required amount because it will make them weaker and can also lead to some health issues.

you can know if their meal isn’t enough when your pup seems still hungry and looking for more food, and not having enough energy.

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The golden mountain dog has a double coat, it’s also dense and long so it needs regular grooming, they need to be brushed at least once a day so it can stay healthy and prevent any tangling.

You should always look for fleas, mats, and ticks in their coats because they can lead to some health issues. 

You should trim their nails once a month or whenever you feel that their nails are too long because it can cause them pain and make them feel uncomfortable.

brushing their teeth regularly is also really important, try brushing their teeth every day as well to prevent gum diseases and tartar build-up.

Check their ears every once in a while for infections and try to wipe their ears off to remove any debris and dirt.

Give them a bath once a month or whenever it’s really needed, for example, when they swim in the mud or in smelly water, also, don’t forget to trim their coat every once in a while because it can grow to be too long.

Exercise Needs 

The breed loves exercises and most activities, they need between 45 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.

The golden mountain dogs tend to form unique bonds with their owners during one-on-one activities. 

If you like running, jogging, or just working out, don’t hesitate to include them in any of your activities.

The golden mountain is great for you and you don’t have to worry about tiring them out, but before including them in something intense such as running you will have to train them to run with you first and gradually increase your speed with them, never start with the full speed.

They can also enjoy going hiking with you, swimming, or even exercising with you, and of course, there is no need to say that they will absolutely love playing any game with their family.

You should make a schedule for their activities and make time to play with them, fetch, tug-of-war, and hide and seek at least twice a week.

The golden mountain dog is incredibly social so it wouldn’t hurt if you take them to the park so they can make some friends, playing with other dogs will burn all the excess energy.

Training 

Training a golden mountain dog is not a problem at all, they have the two things that make training any dog instantly easier, and these two things are intelligence and the desire to please their owner.

There is one more thing that can make training any dog a little difficult, being stubborn, and fortunately, the breed is not stubborn, they have a sweet nature and good behavior.

You should use positive reinforcement with them so they can respond faster to the training and commands, never yell at them or punish them during the training.

Positive reinforcement is basically rewarding them with their favorite treat and praising them whenever they are well-behaving.

The golden mountain dog should be socialized early so they can keep their obedient and friendly nature.

The breed does not like to be left alone for long periods, I recommend to crate train them when they are still puppies because this training will give them a safe zone so they can be comfortable when you leave them alone.

As Family Dogs 

The golden mountain dog is suitable for every family if it’s just you and the pup, they are going to love unconditionally, if it’s just you and your partner, still the golden mountain will be perfect for you, and if you have babies or kids, you already know where I am going and yes, they will be perfect for you as well.

If you are worried about getting one because you have little kids, don’t be, they are completely harmless and gentle around kids and babies, they will love them and protect them with their life and your kids will have a loyal friend for life.

They just need to be in a house with a backyard or a large house because they are not small and they love to run around. Also, if you are a first-time dog owner, the golden mountain is a perfect option. 

As Guard Dogs 

Even though the golden mountain has the genes of a golden retriever which is one of the worst guard dogs of all time because they can bond with any intruder, they still make a decent guard dog due to their Bernese mountain dog parent.

The dog is friendly and gentle but when it comes to their family being in danger or any threat, they will protect them with their life.

However, they will never attack someone unless there is a real danger and they may also bark if they sense that there is something off.

If you want them to be better guard dogs, you can train them early and teach them the basic commands of how to protect you.

Where to find them? 

You can check your local shelter for the golden mountain dog and save a life, however, since it’s a mixed breed and can be hard to find, you can look in the Bernese mountain dog and Golden retriever rescues.

If you tried both cases and didn’t find what you are looking for, you can get them from a breeder you trust, it will cost you around $1,000, and make sure to see their health certificate and their parents as well.

All About the Golden Retriever Mix in a nutshell 

The golden mountain is a gentle, friendly, and loyal pup, they are a large breed which means they can’t live in apartments, the pup is a perfect family dog because they get along with everyone, they need a decent amount of exercise to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Golden Retriever Mix A Good Family Dog? 

Yes, the golden mountain dog is a perfect family dog, they can get along with other pets, babies, kids, and adults, they are eager to please and incredibly loyal to their family, they can also form a unique bond with each family member without playing favorites and will shower you with love.

Is the Golden Retriever Mix easy to train? 

Yes, the Bernese mountain dog Golden retriever mix is easy to train, they are quick learners due to their remarkable intelligence, and their desire to please their owners make training them even easier and it’s all because both of the parents are quite easy to train as well.

Is the Golden Retriever Mix good with kids? 

Yes, the Golden mountain dog is great with kids, they are well-rounded dogs with high energy just like kids so your kids will have a playing partner, however, you should always socialize your dog early to make sure that your puppy is well-behaved around kids, babies, other animals, and adults. 

How much is the Golden Retriever Mix? 

The Bernese mountain golden retriever mix will cost around $1,800 to $4,000, however, it really depends on the breeder, I recommend checking your local shelter first before approaching a breeder but if you didn’t find what you are looking for then it’s better to find a trusted breeder. 

Is the Golden Mountain Dog smart? 

Yes, the Golden mountain dog is really smart, both of the parent breeds are intelligent, golden retrievers are the 4th smartest dog breed and the Bernese mountain dog is the 27th so naturally, their mix is going to be pretty intelligent as well, and you should always keep them mentally stimulated.

Helpful Resources 

The Bernese Mountain Dog

Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources

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Matt

Hey there, I'm Matt, the author behind Retrievershub.com. With a deep love for dogs and a dedication to strengthening the bond between owners and their retrievers, I've created a hub of resources for enthusiasts like you. Through engaging articles, training guides, and product reviews, I aim to provide practical advice that makes a real difference in your life as a dog owner. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the world of retrievers, my approachable and informative writing style ensures that you'll find valuable insights. Join me on this incredible journey of discovering what makes retrievers tick, unlocking their potential, and creating an unbreakable bond with your furry companion. Let's embark on an adventure of dog ownership together. Thank you for visiting Retrievershub.com and being part of our vibrant community.

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