Mini Goldens, Golden Retriever, Gerberian Shepskies, Australian Shepherds

Mini Goldens were created with the goal of taking America’s favorite breed and producing it in a smaller package!  This can be done a few different ways and you’ll find different opinions on which is the best. Some like to use mini poodle to bring down the size. Others prefer to use Cocker Spaniels; this is also known as a Golden Cocker or Dakota Sport Retriever. Still others have chosen to cross a Golden with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The goal is to end up with a dog that has the looks of a Golden Retriever but never “grows up”, thus why they’re dubbed the “forever puppies”. The benefits of this breed are: #1 Hybrid Vigor  (which usually means a healthier dog with a longer lifespan)  #2 Less Shedding (depending on the cross)  #3  Less Energetic (although they still need their exercise, the smaller sized Goldens are usually less energetic than their full sized counterparts)  #4 More Compact (making them easier to travel with and means no counter surfing 😉  )

The Golden Retreiver, a Scottish gundog of great beauty, is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. The breed’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes them fabulous family pets, and their intelligence makes them highly capable working dogs.

Golden retrievers excel at field/hunting work, tracking, sniffing out contraband for law enforcement, and as therapy and assistance dogs. They’re also natural athletes and do well in dog sports such as agility and competitive obedience. Obedience training strengthens the bond between dog and owner— a Golden wants nothing more than to please his owner.

Retrievers are outgoing, loyal, and eager to do your bidding which makes them very easy to train.

Goldens were bred to be loyal and even-tempered in the home, making them great with kids and very protective of their humans! They aren’t bothered by the noise and commotion of kids— in fact, they thrive on it! The Golden’s attitude towards other pets is “the more the merrier”. He enjoys the companionship of other dogs and with proper introductions and training, can be trusted with cats, rabbits, and other animals.

Golden Retrievers are built for action and love outdoor romps. If you like to walk or jog, your Golden will be happy to go along. And if you feel like playing fetch or swimming, they will be more than happy to join you; true to their name, Goldens love to retrieve. Long runs and bike rides are also on their “like to do” list.

If you want a loving, loyal, and intelligent companion, consider adding one of these pups into your pack!

Golden Retriever Info

The Gerberian Shepsky did indeed inherit the best characteristics from both parent breeds. They are highly intelligent, alert, extremely loyal, loving, and affectionate. Shepskys  LOVE children and other dogs and can get along well with other animals as well if socialized properly at a young age.

(One of my former pups has a cat for a sister and they get along very well!)

The protective Shepsky has a pack mentality, and he will see it as his duty to protect his “pack”(family), making him an excellent guard dog. In fact, due to they are superior intelligence and alert nature, they have a history of taking on police work, search and rescue missions, and military operations, as well as guard duty.

The Shepsky‘s intelligence, eagerness to learn, and obedience makes training go fairly easy for the most part. Nevertheless, they can have an independent streak so make sure you assert yourself as the dominant leader of the pack. If you demonstrate firm, calm and consistent leadership training this breed should be enjoyable.

I personally fell in love with the beauty and brains of this wonderful breed…and as you can see from the Shepsky Testimonials many others have too!

Australian Shepherds are active, yet easy going dogs, that love to play with kids and usually get along well with other pets.  Great family additions, they are very loving and loyal. They’re sometimes even called “velcro dogs” for their tendency to stay close to their owners. You do need to be aware that Aussies have a lot of energy, so they do best when they have a job or at least have a large fenced in yard to play in. Since they’re natural herding dogs you may see them herding anything from birds to cattle but besides herding they’re also great agility competitors! Aussies are medium sized dogs, average shedders, and have a lifespan of 13-15 years.