Would a German Shepherd and Golden Retriever Be Compatible?
by Antoinette
(South Africa)
German Shepherd with Golden Retriever Puppy
We have a gorgeous German Shepherd and we've been thinking about getting a companion for him because he just loves to play.
What are your thoughts about a Golden Retriever as a choice? I think they're gorgeous and may match the temperament of the German Shepherd very well.
Nancy's Note: Hi Antoinette! I think a Golden would make a lovely companion for your German Shepherd, with a few cautions/suggestions.
First of all, if you check with a Golden Retriever rescue (which I highly recommend) they can steer you toward a dog with a temperament that would match your Shepherd's.
The GSD breed, in general, tends to be a bit more aggressive and dominant, while Goldens tend to be happy to defer to other dogs (to keep the peace). That makes for a pretty good combo.
However, there can be a few Goldens who also want to rule the roost. Check with the foster family of the rescue, to see how your prospective dog rates in this category.
Golden Retrievers vary in their playfulness. Make sure you get one who likes to play, or your Shepherd will be very disappointed!
The two breeds are also well matched in size and (in general) energy level. I've had mostly "couch potato" Goldens who could "turn it on" at play time.
So either that kind, or a high-energy Golden, would match your Shepherd well. No worries there. Again, trust the foster family's wisdom, as they've seen their dogs in action, in a home situation.
Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you, OK?