The Goberian, also simply known as the Golden Retriever Husky Mix, is the result of crossing a Golden Retriever with a Siberian Husky. The Golden Retriever is renowned for being a loving, sociable and friendly dog that thrives in a family environment. However, if you’re looking for a pup with these traits as well as a playful, fierce edge, then a Goberian might be for you.
These medium to large canines are an athletic breed that still love to spend time with their owners. If you’re interested in learning more about this active dog, read on below to see whether they might be the right dog for you.
History Of The Goberian
When breeders crossed the Golden Retriever with a Siberian Husky, they wanted to take the lovable and friendly traits from the Retriever and pair them with the active and outgoing traits of the Husky. These dogs are very much still a family breed, yet they will thrive in an environment where the activity level is high.
Breed Origin
To understand where the Goberian comes from, we can take a look at the origins of the parent breeds.
The Husky is very much known as a snow dog. They were first bred by the Chukchi people in Siberia who relied on their Huskies to transport supplies. Huskies were brought to Alaska in 1909 for sled racing. The last Siberian Husky was exported from Siberia in 1930 when the borders were closed by the Soviet government, but the breed continued to thrive in North America. They were recognized by the AKC in 1930.
Golden Retrievers originate from Scotland and were used as gun dogs to retrieve game that was shot down both on land and in water. They were bred by crossing a Flat Coated Retriever and a Tweed Water Spaniel.
The origin of the Goberian is not widely documented but it is thought that this designer dog breed started appearing in the early 2000s. It has increased in popularity in recent years.
Characteristics Of The Goberian
Due to the fact that the Goberian is a mixed breed, it can be difficult to predict the characteristics of this breed. However, we can guess based on past litters.
These dogs are normally born in litter sizes of between four to six puppies. Each puppy can vary, even in the same litter. A Goberian puppy will normally cost between $250 and $1500. It can be difficult to find a breeder, so make sure you always buy from a reputable one.
Appearance
The appearance of the Goberian can be very mixed. Some dogs look like their Retriever parent, while some look more like their Husky parent. More often than not, they will take the shape of their Retriever parent and have soft floppy ears and a fluffy tail.
These dogs have a very athletic build and are considered a medium to large dog breed. They can weigh anywhere between 45 lbs to 80 lbs and stand between 22 to 24 inches high.
| Adult Height | Adult Weight | |
| Male | Up to 22-24 inches tall | Between 45-80 lbs |
| Female | Up to 20-22 inches tall | Between 35-70 lbs |
Coat
This Husky Mix has a double coat that is medium in length. Their coat often resembles their Husky parent, although they don’t shed as much as the Husky. Regular grooming can help with shedding, although we will go into more detail about that later on.
Color
The Goberian has a golden coat that is mostly taken from their Golden Retriever parent. However, it can also be different shades of gold or even to dark and white tinted colors, which can resemble the Husky more closely.
Temperament
The Goberian is a friendly, loving and outgoing dog that loves to be around people. This pup took the most desirable traits from both parents and is still affectionate and family orientated like the Golden Retriever, but is also very outgoing and playful like the Husky.
Due to the fact that they are so active, they love to be around people and will thrive in an environment where they can exercise a lot. They make great playmates for children, but also love to spend time cuddling with their owners. Unfortunately, they can be prone to separation anxiety and do not like to be left alone. This is something to keep in mind if you are out for hours at a time.
The Husky is quite a protective breed and often the Goberian can inherit this. They are not aggressive at all, but will feel they have dominance over strangers. Don’t let this put you off though, they do make a good guard dog or watchdog, despite being a loving and friendly breed!
Lifespan
The average life expectancy of the Goberian is between 10 and 15 years.
Known Health Issues
Crossbreeding dogs often helps to eliminate health problems that the parent breeds are predisposed to. However, just like every dog, the Husky Golden Retriever Mix is still prone to some health concerns that it’s parent breeds can be prone to as well. We have laid these out below.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. This can be passed down from both the Golden Retriever and Husky parents.
- Cataracts — you might suspect your dog has cataracts if they are constantly bumping into furniture. Fortunately, cataracts can be cured with surgery.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Golden Retriever Husky Mix, it is time to take a look at what daily life with one of these dogs is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
As an active breed, the Goberian requires quite a lot of food. They need around 1,500 calories per day, which equates to around two to three cups of food, and should be split into two meals a day. Of course, you should always check the back of the dog food packet to confirm how much you should be feeding them of a certain food based on their exact weight.
Ensure you feed your Goberian high quality kibble. Due to their exercise needs, they also require a lot of protein to keep their muscles lean. You can also buy a food that is formulated specially for large breeds. Take a look at the food we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Goberian
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Formula Dry Dog Food
We recommend the SPORT Formula dog food from Purina Pro Plan for the Goberian. As the Goberian is an active dog, they need a lot of protein in their diet. This kibble from Purina contains 26% protein and 16% fat to help your pup maintain lean muscles and an ideal body condition.
With chicken as the number one ingredient, this food is easy to digest and helps to promote nutrient absorption. There are also many antioxidants in the recipe to support your dog’s immune system, as well as high-quality sources of carbohydrates for sustained energy. Even better, this food is manufactured in the US so you can be sure it is safe for your pooch to eat.
Exercise
The Goberian dog is a very active breed with high exercise needs. You will need to make sure you can dedicate at least an hour of your day to walking this pup, although more would be preferable. They love to accompany you on hikes and walks and would benefit from a family who is constantly out exercising.
Ensure you don’t overexercise these pups when they are puppies — at two years old they will be ready for large amounts of exercise. If you overexercise them before this, then it can lead to health issues.
Don’t forget to play games with your Goberian too, even when you aren’t out exercising. They are an intelligent breed that like to be kept busy and entertained.
Family Compatibility
This Golden Retriever Mix is an excellent family dog. An extremely active breed, they will thrive in an active household where they can accompany the whole family while you are out exercising. This breed loves children and makes an excellent playmate, loving to play games and engaging with humans. However, you should be careful when young children play with the Goberian — often these dogs can get frustrated.
Due to their loving and affectionate nature, this hybrid dog fits well into many different types of home. They don’t really like to be left alone and would prefer it if you were around all the time to give them attention! This can be fixed with socialization, but you must make sure you give them toys to play with to keep them mentally stimulated while you are not at home. This will help to alleviate boredom and stop unwanted behaviors.
Goberians are quite big animals with high energy and therefore need space to run around. These dogs are not suited to apartment living and benefit from a large backyard. If they do not have enough space, they may start to exhibit destructive behaviors. It is also worth noting that you and your family must be able to dedicate time to this dog for exercising every day, otherwise they will have a lot of built up energy and become very frustrated!
Training
The Goberian is not a difficult breed to train, but it does take time and patience from you. Because of their Husky parent, the Goberian can be a little cheeky and mischievous in training, so you must persevere. This is why training is so important — the older they get without training, the more mischievous they will get!
All dogs respond well the positive reinforcement training, such as reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats. You should never get angry at your Goberian because they will not understand and it will make them not want to learn.
Socializing
Socialization is important for any dog breed. You must be able to show your pup that there is nothing to be afraid of, so socialization should start at a young age. You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled environment. This way, they will grow up to be a much more well-rounded and friendly dog.
Grooming
Due to their thick coat, you may think that the Goberian sheds a lot. However, they actually do not shed as much as their Husky parent and only require weekly grooming to keep their coat neat and not tangled or matted.
Luckily, Goberians do not require much grooming and will only need a bath once a month, particularly when they are dirty. You can take them to the groomers if this is easier. The groomers will also be able to help you trim their nails, which should be done when necessary.
Don’t forget to clean your Goberian’s teeth every week. This will prevent dental decay and disease. You can always use dental sticks if needed.
Goberian Breed Traits
| Positive Traits | Negative Traits |
| Good Watchdogs, Very Alert | May Require More Training And Early, To Remove Michievious Streak |
| Sociable And Good With Children | Need Lots Of Exercise To Maintain Health And Behaviour |
| Not Aggressive But Will Protect Family | Goberians Tend To Be Big Eaters |
Goberian FAQ’s
How much does a Goberian cost?
A Goberian can cost between $250 and $1500. This is a big range, but it can be difficult to find Goberian breeders. This is why it is so important to make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder should be able to show you health clearances from both parent breeds.
If this is too far out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter to see if there is a Goberian there who is looking for a home. There are many dogs out there who are looking for a forever home!
Is a Goberian an aggressive dog?
A Goberian is not an aggressive dog at all. With a Golden Retriever as one of it’s parents, the Goberian is a friendly, affectionate and family orientated dog. They can inherit an outgoing and mischievous trait from their Husky parent, but this just means they want to play and certainly shouldn’t be seen as aggression.
Sometimes, the Goberian can inherit a protective streak from their Husky parent. They may feel it is their duty to protect their owner. However, they are still friendly enough that they will not make a good guard dog or watchdog, so this is not something to worry about and it can be fixed with socialization.
Are Goberians Good With Children?
A goberian is a great family dog with the right early training, activity and attention. They get on very well with children, and may develop both playful and protective behaviour around young kids. They usually get on with other pets in the house too!
Summary
The Goberian combines the most desirable traits from the Golden Retriever and the Husky. Friendly and affectionate, this dog is also active and playful and will certainly keep you on your toes. With high exercise needs, the Goberian is certainly not for those who don’t want to get out and go for a hike, but can thrive in an energetic family environment where they can join in the action and become your children’s playmate. What do you think, is a Goberian the dog for you?