Designer Dogs Gone Wild: Exploring the Golden Retriever-Dachshund Hybrid
The designer dog world has delivered some ridiculous breed combinations like Rottie Poos and Irish Wolfadoodles. Some people love designer mixes while others decry the entire practice of hybridizing dog breeds as unethical. The designer dogs that receive the most controversy are ones with two vastly different parent breeds, which brings us to the Golden Dachshunds.
A mix of Golden Retriever and Dachshund, the Golden Dachshund—also called a Golden Dox, Golden Doxie, or Golden Wiener—is an up-and-coming designer dog breed that creates polarizing opinions. Undeniably adorable, the Golden Dachshund has tremendous aesthetic appeal, but is raising the question “why not just get a purebred Dachshund or Golden Retriever?”
Let’s explore what there is to know about the relatively new Golden Dachshund, how mixing these very different breeds impacts the health of their offspring, and whether this unique designer dog could be right for you.
@wildideaswithbrian The golden weiner full litter with papa Tank #goldenretriever #dachshund #goldendoxie #puppy #icdwiw ♬ original sound – Wild Ideas with Brian 🦡
Meet 5 Golden Retriever Dachshund Mixes
Chances are you’ve never seen a Dachshund mixed with Golden Retriever, but you might be able to imagine one! Some people say Golden Dachshunds look like Golden Retrievers with short little legs…what do you think?
1. Hoagie
Hoagie is a gorgeous long-haired Golden Dachshund—not to be confused with a golden long-haired Dachshund! Handsome Hoagie likes to spend his days with his canine siblings and playing outside as much as possible.
2. Muffin
Muffin is a three-year-old Golden Dachshund from Singapore who loves to swim and play with her canine friends. Look how beautiful Muffin’s fluffy tail is—that’s all from her Golden Retriever side!
3. Lexie
Lexie is a six-year-old Golden Dachshund whose humans sure know how to take a beautiful picture! A model through and through, Lexie always has the best hair at the dog park.
4. Mollie
Lovely Mollie is a Golden Dachshund who was rescued from Romania to her current home in Belgium. A big fan of the beach, getting muddy on walks, and lounging in the sunshine, Mollie is true to her Retriever roots.
5. Waffle & Butter
Waffle and Butter are a pair of six and five-year-old Golden Dachshunds. If you couldn’t see their little legs, these boys might look like purebred Golden Retrievers!
Golden Dachshund Basic Info
The Dachshund and Golden Retriever mix—or Golden Dachshund—is still a little-known designer mix, unrecognizable by the uninitiated. With the designer dog craze still riding a high, strange or “exotic” mixes like the Golden Dachshund only needs a few minutes of virality to become a major fad.
So, what would it take for someone to own a Golden Dachshund? What kind of family or lifestyle would be best for a mix with two very different parent breeds?
Remember that Golden Dachshunds can inherit traits from both sides of their genetic parentage. Breeders have no choice which traits dogs inherit when they mix genetic traits, so finding Golden Dachshunds that don’t meet the “standard” isn’t uncommon. In general, here’s what you can expect from Golden Dachshund ownership.
Golden Dachshund Temperament
Golden Dachshunds make good family pets and have friendly, curious, and loyal personalities. Golden Doxies form strong bonds with their family members, but can also become velcro dogs who are prone to separation anxiety. When properly socialized, Golden Dachshunds can be mellow and easy-going, but they still need physical exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis.
Most Golden Dachshunds love to chase and have strong prey drives since both Dachshunds and Golden Retrievers are bred to hunt and chase smaller animals. Because of this, Golden Dachshunds might not be right for households with cats, birds, or other small animals.
Intelligent and eager to please, it is relatively easy to train a Golden Dachshund using positive reinforcement, repetition, and consistency. When not given time to burn off energy levels, or approached with the wrong training method, Golden Dachshunds can be stubborn and independent. Not the right mix for a first-time dog owner, Golden Dachshunds can become reactive without the right balance at home.
Golden Dachshund Size
Golden Dachshund size can vary enormously from individual to individual since Dachshunds and Golden Retrievers are very different sizes. On average, full-grown Golden Dachshunds stand 11–24 inches tall and weigh 30–60 pounds.
Golden Dachshund Health
Dachshunds are a chondrodystrophic dog breed classified by their long backs and short legs. Other chondrodystrophic dog breeds include Basset Hounds, Corgis, and Beagles. All chondrodystrophic dog breeds are prone to joint and back problems, and mixed-breed dogs with chondrodystrophic parentage are also known to experience more orthopedic health issues.
Unfortunately, breeding a dog that is larger and has the long back and short legs of a chondrodystrophic breed can create serious health problems. Purebred Dachshunds may experience back problems, but Golden Dachshunds are heavier and can more easily suffer spinal issues. Purebred Golden Retrievers may experience spinal issues as they age, but when mixed with a long-backed breed like the Dachshund, their chances of spinal injury increase.
The Golden Dachshund has more health risks than either the Dachshund or the Golden Retriever. The mix creates a body type that can easily be injured and has a high potential for genetic abnormalities. Some of the health problems to be aware of if you own a Golden Dachshund include:
- Chronic ear infections
- Dental disease
- Eye and vision problems (e.g. juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy)
- Joint issues (e.g. patellar luxation, hip and elbow dysplasia)
- Back problems (e.g. intervertebral disc disease)
- Cardiac complications (e.g. degenerative mitral valve disease, heart failure, subvalvular aortic stenosis)
Where To Find a Golden Dachshund for Sale
Golden Dachshund puppies aren’t readily available, and I don’t suggest going out of your way to find someone breeding Dachshund Golden Retriever puppies. There are no ethical breeders of Golden Dachshunds and those that have been purposefully bred come from backyard breeders and puppy mills.
I suggest searching for Golden Retriever Dachshund mix puppies through online rescue resources if your heart is set on this particular mix. Sites like Petfinder are great ways to find available rescue dogs in your area, and there are always young aged dogs and puppies available. You can also try visiting your local shelter. You might not find Golden Dox puppies, but you might still find your new best friend!
Another option is to search for a mixed-breed Golden Retriever or Dachshund puppy at breed-specific rescues. The Dachshund Club of America’s rescue directory or the rescue directory from the Golden Retriever Club of America.
Dachshund Golden Retriever Mix FAQ
Still looking for an answer to a question about the Golden Dox breed? Here’s what other dog lovers like you are asking about this unique mix.
What is a miniature Golden Dachshund?
A mini Golden Dachshund (or Golden mini Dachshund) is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a miniature Dachshund. Logistically, combining these breeds is complex and would have mixed results, so it’s also possible that dogs advertised as “mini” Golden Dachshunds are actually just regular Golden Dachshunds.
Are Golden Dachshunds hypoallergenic?
No! Dachshunds/Golden Retrievers are not hypoallergenic and shed moderately.
How much does a Golden Dachshund puppy cost?
Breeders may ask for as much as $800–$1,300 for Golden Dachshunds, but it’s important to keep in mind that these are not reputable breeders.
Do Golden Dachshunds bark a lot?
Some Golden Dachshunds are very vocal and like to bark at everything. Most Golden Dachshunds will bark to alert, and vocalization is very common with both parent breeds.
