Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever Mix: Breed Information

The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever are stunning canines who are both loving and affectionate with their family, and their crossed puppy, who is commonly known as the Golden Mountain Dog, is just as beautiful and as loyal as both of his parents.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a unique breed by itself, fiercely devoted to its family, yet still somewhat reserved unless given the OK by their owner.  The Golden Retriever is also a big love ball, and the primary difference in temperament is the fact they tend to like just about everyone they come in contact with.

He does need around an hour of exercise every day, and he will also need brushing every day as they are pretty fluffy guys, but if you can provide them with these requirements then he will reward you with a lot of love and doggy kisses. To discover whether this guy would suit you and your lifestyle, then stick with us and read this full and comprehensive guide all about this golden boy.

Parent Breeds

The Golden Mountain dog is the puppy of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever, and because he is the product of the intentional mating of two purebred dogs, he is what is known as a designer dog. The Golden Mountain dog is a relatively unknown breed in the designer world, and is one of the more unique bernese mountain dog mixes.  This particular mix is less common, but only because larger designer dogs tend to be less popular than the smaller breeds.

There are pros and cons of designer dogs. However, if the puppy is a healthy pup and purebred lines are not interfered with, then it can only be a positive thing for those families whom it suits. Many families like the idea of a designer dog because they can have two of their favorite breeds rolled into one pup, and also because makes them slightly healthier and hardier than their purebred parents.

There is plenty of further information about hybrid vigor and the controversy surrounding designer dogs online, but the star of this article is the Golden Mountain dog, and in order to understand him we need to learn a little more about each of his parents.

Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain dog is one of four varieties of the Swiss Mountain dog, and he is the only one to have a long and silky fur coat. Their ancestors were initially brought to their native land of Switzerland by Roman Soldiers who used them to drive and protect their cattle herds. They are a treasure of the Swiss Nation because they greatly contributed to the most profitable exports of the country, Chocolate and Cheese, by assisting farmers in the pulling of heavy dairy laden carts thanks to their great strength and power.

The Bernese Mountain dog first made his way to America in 1926, and they were quickly put to work on farms and cattle ranches. In 2019 the America Kennel Club (AKC) recognized him as the 22^nd most popular dog breed in America. He is described as good-natured, calm and strong, and it is from him that the Golden Mountain dog inherits his power and strength.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever’s origins lie in the Scottish Highlands, where he was used as a gun dog to fetch the quarry of his master. He was perfectly engineered as a working dog, but his sweet and calm nature quickly earned him a place in many family homes across the world. He is well known as a therapy dog and a guide dog for the blind, and he is also one of the most intelligent dogs on the planet. There is not a person in the world who has not met a Golden Retriever (probably!) and he is also the face of the Disney film hits, Air Bud.  He comes in many different shades of gold, all the way through an almost white color, and even deeper shades of red.

The Golden Retriever first made his way to America in the early 20^th Century, and in 2019 he has been voted as the 3^rd most popular dog breed in America. He is described as friendly, intelligent and devoted, and it is from him that the Golden Mountain dog inherits his loyalty and devotion.  Some other popular Golden Retriever mixes include the Golden Chow Chow, and the Golden Husky.

Golden Mountain Dog

The Golden Mountain Dog is the puppy of two very different looking dogs, but who have an incredibly similar temperament. He is gentle, loving, good natured and friendly, and it is for all these reasons that he makes an incredible family canine companion.

Of course, as with any mixed breed dog, he could inherit characteristics of either parent and it is not entirely guaranteed what he will be like overall. However, as his parents are quite similar to one another in regard to their temperament you can expect a friendly and affectionate dog in any case. It is their looks that are their most uncertain traits, but as long as you appreciate the look of both of his parents then you will certainly not be disappointed with the outcome.

So, let’s take a closer look at all of his needs to see if he really is the Golden boy of family dogs.

Temperament

The Golden Mountain dog is one of the friendliest and good-natured dogs around, so you can be sure that when you invite him into your home that you have a friend for life! He is liked by all, and that is one of the many reasons why this guy would make an awesome therapy dog, so if this is something that you would be interested in then he definitely ticks this box. Additionally, if you have a family member or a friend that is not too keen on dogs then this is the guy to change anyone’s mind!

If you are looking for a dog that is affectionate and loving and up for a snuggle on the sofa in the evening then this guy will be the first in line! Just be sure to invest in a big enough sofa for he is a big boy, but he will probably just end up on your lap anyway so maybe you won’t have to after all!

He is also one of the most loyal of dogs around thanks to his affinity for his master. This trait has its pros, in that he will always be by your side and will always be super happy to greet you by the door when you come back home. It does, however, have its cons in that he does not like to be left at home for long periods of time and can become quite anxious on his own. For this reason, he needs to be placed with a family who will not leave him alone for long periods of time.

Size & Appearance

This majestic mountain doggo is beautiful, exactly like his parents but with a cocktail twist of splendor. He is a large boy who in height will measure between 23 and 27 inches from paw to shoulder, and he will weigh anywhere between 70 to 110 pounds. Of course, if he is more like his Golden Retriever parent he will be slightly smaller, and if he takes after his Bernese Mountain dog parent then he will be heavier and stockier in size, but either way he will be a medium to large sized dog who will need room.

Again, the Golden Mountain dog’s look will vary greatly, even within the same litter. If you are after a certain look then it is best to visit different litters and select a pup that you like the look of, but just bear in mind that this may change slightly as he grows, so you really have to be open minded when it comes to his appearance, but either way, he will be a beautiful boy.

Both of his parents have large floppy ears, and a straight narrow muzzle that leads up to his brown colored eyes. Overall, they have a friendly and cuddly appearance that will melt even the sternest of person’s heart.

Coat & Colors

The Golden Mountain dog will have medium to long length fur similar to both of his parents, and it will be a double layered coat that will protect him from the cold weather of the Scottish Highlands or Swiss Mountains, and everywhere around or in between. His coat may be straight or wavy, but it will be silky either way.

He will either have a solid golden or black coat, he may have several different colors with the Bernese markings thrown into the mix, so his colors are very uncertain.  Because both parent breeds have longer hair, be prepared to use a de-shedder frequently to keep your house free of pet dander.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Golden Mountain dog will require between 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day and he will need intense exercise to keep him physically and mentally stimulated given that he is such a clever pup. For this reason, he would also appreciate a variety of exercises throughout his week and he would make a great jogging partner across the mountains, a game of fetch in the local lake or carting goods around your ranch. For this reason, he should be placed with an active family that can guarantee that his exercise needs are met, but there is not much that this guy does not like!

The Golden Mountain dog, due to his size, is only suited to larger homes with access to a large backyard. He is definitely not suited to apartment life, so if you are currently living in an apartment then you should either consider a smaller breed or wait until you live somewhere more suited to his needs.

Because he is one of the friendliest canines around, he is suited to families with children. Despite normal advice that larger dogs should only be placed with older children, it appears that because this guy is so gentle and calm, he is suited to families with younger children also. This is great news for young families with a love of larger dogs, but just remember that all children should be supervised when there is a dog around in any case in case of accidental mishaps squashes.

Training

The Golden Mountain dog should be socialized as early as possible in order for him to maintain his sweet nature, as all dogs have the propensity to be a bad apple if they are not trained adequately. This is not only about the process of him meeting other dogs and people, but it is also about getting used to different noises in the home such as the vacuum or the hairdryer, as well as walking calmly along the sidewalk when there is traffic. As long as each experience is a pleasant one then he will be sure to repeat his good behavior again and again.

Reward based training is the best method for the Golden Mountain dog, and his favorite reward is likely to be praise from his master, so be prepared to get your high pitched dog voice on, because he will love it when you ask him who’s a good boy!

As mentioned above, this guy really does not like to be left alone for long periods of time, so it is advised that he is crate trained as a young pup as a way to alleviate the anxiety symptoms that he may exhibit. This training gives them a safe space, so that when you do have to leave him on his own, he will find comfort in his crate.  Make sure you look at crates suited to the size of the Golden Retriever.

Due to his intense grooming needs, he should be accustomed to this daily practice from day one, as it will make this experience an easier and more pleasant one for the both of you.

Health

Overall the Golden Mountain dog is a healthy breed. As with any relatively new hybrid dog, there aren’t any specific health testing recommendations, as such it is best to look at his parent’s health in order to determine what he may be predisposed to.

Both of his parents are prone to Elbow and Hip Dysplasia, which is an abnormal formation of the affected joints, and it will eventually cause crippling arthritis. They are also both recommended to have an Ophthalmologist examination, due to a variety of eye conditions. They should also both undergo a cardiac examination, again for a variety of heart conditions. Both of his parents are also susceptible to Cancer, and both their Cancer rates are much higher than that of the average dog, so this is something to consider.

Separately, it is also recommended that the Bernese Mountain dog should also undergo a test for Von Willebrand’s disease, which is where his blood is missing the key ingredient that prevents his blood from clotting as it should. This means that he could suffer from a severe amount of blood loss should he sustain an injury.

Be sure to ask the breeder for copies of both parents’ health certificates and Veterinarian history so that you can see that his parents do not suffer from any of the above, (this is particularly important for the Cancer!). Whilst this will not guarantee that the pup will not suffer from these diseases or conditions, it will at least increase his chance of being as healthy as possible.

Nutrition

The Golden Mountain dog will consume, on average, between 3 to 4 cups of food a day. Of course, if he is pulling carts for a few hours a day he will need more food compared to a Golden Mountain dog who is quite sedentary. It will also be dependent upon his size.

Grooming

The Golden Mountain dog will need daily brushing thanks to his fluffy exterior, so he can be quite demanding when it comes to his grooming needs. He is a heavy shedder with a double layered coat so you should expect a lot of fuzz floating about your home, but as they say, no outfit is complete without dog hair! During shedding season they will ‘blow their coat’, which means that they will shed severely during shedding months, so you can expect to brush them twice a day to keep his coat manageable. Lint rollers and the hoover will become your new best friends, but it is a small price to pay for this sweet guy!

Because of his big floppy ears he will be more susceptible to ear infections and a buildup of grime, so be sure to check his ears several times a week. All other grooming practices are the same as any other dog.

Thanks to his Bernese Mountain parent, the Golden Mountain might be guilty of daily drooling offences, so if you aren’t a fan of the dog slobber then you should probably consider another dog breed altogether.

As Family Pets

• The Golden Mountain dog is one of the sweetest canine souls that you will ever meet.
• You can expect a friendly smile and a whole lot of canine love.
• The Golden Mountain dog is a sociable guy who shares his love with everybody.
• He will be friendly with strangers, and just about anyone regardless whether he has met them before.
• Because he is so sociable, he does not like to be in his own company.
• He should be with a family who isn’t going to leave him on his own for too long.
• The Golden Mountain dog is very eager to please his master and very intelligent.
• This is a great mixt for a first time dog owner with little dog training experience.
• He is suited to families with young children and multi-pet households because he is so gentle.
• Because of his size, he should be placed in larger homes with access to a backyard.
• He is a heavy shedder, so expect a lot of dog hair in your home.
• Expect to brush him every day to keep his coat manageable.
• He is also a doggy dribbler so expect some drool around the home.
• The Golden Mountain dog needs around 45 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.
• He will need to be placed with an active family.

Finding a Golden Mountain Breeder

There is no doubt that the Golden Mountain dog is a rare designer dog, and as such finding a reputable breeder will take time and there may be some traveling involved too. Whatever breeder you decide to work with be sure to read reviews, visit the breeder and the puppies and their parents in person, and be sure to see all of their recommended health certificates.

Puppy Costs

The price of the average Golden Mountain puppy from a reputable breeder will be around $1,000. It would appear from breeding websites online that the frame of the Golden Retriever with the coloring and coat of the Bernese Mountain dog is the most desired look and therefore the most expensive, so you can expect to pay more than the average price for this look.

As explained above, be sure to see their health certificates and their parents before buying any puppy to know that they are as healthy as they can possibly be.

Rescue & Shelters

Adopting a dog in need of a home is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do, so always consider adoption as an option. Visiting as many rescue centers as possible will increase your chances of finding a Golden Mountain dog, and although he might not be one of the most common breeds in the centers due to his rarity, once you do find him it will be worth it!

Final Thoughts

The Golden Mountain dog is gloriously beautiful both inside and out, and he really is a golden star in the big boy gang. As long as you have room for him, as well as the time to exercise and groom him, then he will be suited to any family home and you will be forever thankful that you took a chance on this rare breed.