Goberian

Goberian Basics

Imagine a dog with a lovely golden coat and stunning blue eyes. That combination is possible when you breed a Siberian Husky with a Golden Retriever (although the Goberian can feature a variety of coat colors and patterns, it isn’t just limited to that golden sheen). As with any mixed breed dog, the charming Goberian will vary in looks, from sporting thick fur to wheaten locks or from having clear blue eyes to warm chocolate ones. You’ll never quite know what to expect with crossbreeding Huskies and Retrievers (even amongst puppies born to the same litter) and that’s only a part of the Goberian’s unique appeal! This is a special designer dog that is unlike any other. Only a few minutes in this pup’s presence will confirm that.

The Goberian is a popular and quite attractive designer breed, but it’s not just good looks alone that led to this pup being so beloved. Mixing these two specific breeds also resulted in a dog with great temperament as well. There’s beauty above and below the surface with the Goberian. Friendly, lively, and exceptionally affectionate, Goberians have a lot to offer to the right owner. They are energetic and smart, and will do well in dog sports or as companions to outdoorsy and active families. The Siberian Husky and Golden Retriever mix is quite versatile and can adapt to a variety lifestyles, as long as they have been trained and socialized on time. So, will this remarkable designer dog breed fit in with you and your family? There’s only one way to find out and fortunately, you’re in the right place. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll on to check out the information below and determine if a Goberian is the furry friend that you’ve been searching for.

The Goberian is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky.

Origin

When it comes to designer dogs, it’s not always easy determining their origin. Their history seems too short in comparison to other, established breeds, but it’s far from the truth. Mixed breed dogs have been around for as long as purebreds, but it’s only recently that people started intentionally breeding as designer dogs. The goal is to combine purebreds to develop a new dog with improved health that also flaunts the most loved traits of his parents. This trend started in the 1980s, but it’s been escalating in popularity in the last 20 years. The only trouble is that there isn’t must documentation available about how these breeding practices began. For most designer dogs, the only history we can work with is rooted in guesswork

As for the Goberian, this is a relatively new designer dog breed that was developed over the last decade. Currently, no breeder claims that the Siberian Husky and Golden Retriever mix was their own creation, so it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact time and place of their origin. However, just because we don’t know precisely where the Goberian came from doesn’t mean we can’t love them just as much as any dog with a rigidly documented history. If anything, it’s shocking that no one wants to take credit for this amazing breed. I would if I could!

Pedigree

The Goberian is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky. This is a 50-50 percent mix, or a so-called first generation mix dog. Owing to the fact that both of his parents are of different breeds, the Goberian himself will vary in appearance and behavior (this is even true of puppies born to the same litter). Some puppies can resemble the Husky parent more, with blue eyes and the markings or the type of coat typical for the breed. Other pups could inherit more traits from the Golden Retriever, and there are always puppies that have completely unique looks, resulting from an unusual combination of traits from both parents.

These unpredictable looks are common for all first generation mixes, as any type of uniformity can be achieved only through further selective breeding and crossbreeding through several generations. Multigenerational Goberian mixes are rare, though, if there are any. This is still a young breed in development and it’s hard to predict if further crossbreeding with other Huskies or Retrievers could do more damage than good to their genetics. Only time will tell. So for now, it’s best to stick with first generation Goberians, regardless of their unpredictability. Tracking down a second generation mix will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible.

Even though the parentage of the Goberian is purebred, these dogs don’t enjoy the same label. As crossbreeds, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club or any of its international counterparts. This means that Goberian puppies don’t have official pedigree papers. Nevertheless, you should ask for a health guarantee for your new puppy- every reputable breeder will be glad to offer it. If you encounter a breeder who is unwilling to provide this sort of documentation, then chances that this breeder shouldn’t be trusted anyways. Sadly, there are many disreputable breeders out there who do no deserve your patronage, so if you encounter a breeder who is unwilling to provide documentation for the parents of a Goberian puppy, take your business elsewhere.

Food / Diet

To help your dog stay healthy, happy, and fit, you should choose a high quality canine food that includes natural ingredients. Avoiding lower quality foods that contain artificial ingredients, preservatives, and byproducts is always a good idea. In addition, kibble should be formulated to meet your dog’s unique needs. This means it should be suitable for their size and activity level (large breed or active dog foods are a good fit), as well as their age. Puppies, adults, and seniors have different nutritional requirements.

The Goberian is a medium to large sized dog, so he will need anywhere from 2½ to 3 cups of a high quality dry food each day. Divide this amount into at least two meals. If you’re also feeding your dog a high quality canned food, reduce the amount of dry food that you’re providing so you don’t end up giving your pet too much food that could cause excess weight gain.

As always, if you have any concerns about either establishing or altering your dog’s diet, it’s always wise to check in with a veterinarian first. All dogs are different after all, each with their own needs. While the feeding guidelines provided by pet blogs and dog food manufacturers are useful, they are still just guidelines and might not apply to your dog. Only your vet has the expertise necessary to identify the specific dietary needs of your personal pooch. So always depend on them for advice.

Goberians are smart, and they could learn quickly, but some dogs will be easier to train than others.

Training

The Goberian could be difficult to train, or at least moderately easy to train. A consistent approach that is firm but calm and positive will be best, as these dogs do not respond well at all to scolding or harshness. Focus on using positive training techniques that include praise, rewards, and treats when good behavior is achieved. It’s always important to focus on positive training as negative training can too easily transform into abuse. It will never get the results that you seek.

Goberians are smart, and they could learn quickly, but some dogs will be easier to train than others. If your pooch inherited more of the Siberian Husky’s traits, he will be more difficult, but if he inherited more of the Golden Retriever’s personality, he will be more eager to please you and, therefore, easier to train. Unfortunately, you won’t know which training traits prove to be more dominant until you start training your Goberian puppy. So, good luck!

Weight

A medium to large-sized breed, the Goberian weighs between 35 and 80 pounds. Just from this information, you can realize that these are not tiny pooches. A Goberian, due to its weight and size, might require a bit more extra space than some other breeds. As such, it goes without saying that they won’t thrive in a tiny house, a small apartment, or anything similar. These doggos will need room to stretch, exercise, and relax, and keeping them cooped up in cramped conditions might cause trouble in the long run. They will be happiest in a home with a fenced-in yard where they can run and enjoy the weather. So, before you get a Doberian, consider your living situation and home size.  

Temperament / Behavior

Goberians are social, smart, and friendly, so they enjoy being around people. These dogs also tend to be driven yet gentle, thanks to the combination of their parents’ personalities. They can be independent at times, but they will also be affectionate and loyal to the end.

If you are an active person, the Goberian will suit your lifestyle well, as your pet will want to be active alongside you. This breed also gets along with kids and other pets, so your dog will love everyone in the family. Even if your pooch bonds more strongly with one family member, he will still be affectionate and friendly towards everyone in the household.

Also, if you’re hoping to have an alert watchdog in your house, the Goberian will protect you and bark to let you know of suspicious activity. These dogs truly fit all owner needs. Goberians have wonderful personalities, regardless of which parental breed they take after.

Common Health Problems

As with all other hybrid dog breeds, the Goberian might be prone to developing some of the health problems that commonly affect its parent breeds. However, there is no guarantee that an individual dog will inherit any of those problems, and there is no way to predict a dog’s long-term health either. Instead, all you can do is keep an eye out for the symptoms associated with the conditions that are often seen in the Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky. These include Von Willebrand’s disease, osteochondritis dissecans, epilepsy, eye problems, allergies, heart problems, cancer, bloat, and joint dysplasia. It’s important to maintainly regularly scheduled checkups with your vet (especially as your dog ages into their senior years) so that any potential health issues can be identified and treated as quickly as possible.

Life Expectancy

The Goberian has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. That is a remarkable number for any dog, let alone a fairly recent designer breed. The maximum average lifespan of most dog breeds is 15 years, so Goberian easily tops that number. These are hardy and healthy doggos, enduring and energetic, so it’s likely that their lives won’t be ridden with many health problems. However, all this is only true when the dog receives ample attention and care from its owner. So, it is up to you to provide them with all the good care they need – from a balanced and healthy diet, to regular vet checkups, and a normal and healthy lifestyle, if you want them to reach their potential. Taking care of their basic needs greatly contributes to maximum life expectancy. 

Exercise Requirements

Before bringing a Goberian home, you need to understand that these are dogs who crave and need regular activity. They are muscular, lean, and have an athletic build, which results in a heightened need for physical activity. In order to keep your dog happy, and to prevent unwanted behaviors like barking, chewing, and digging, you should let him exercise daily. Fun activities that you can enjoy together include cycling, hiking, walking, and jogging.

No matter what you decide to do, aim to give your dog an hour of exercise every day, along with plenty of playtime. You should also get your pet a few interactive or puzzle dog toys to keep them stimulated. These can vary from chew ropes, intricate puzzles, or rubber squeakers – whatever you choose, your Goberian will surely love it and spend its energy on it. Toys can also help you rest a bit, occupying your doggo’s attention while you relax.

These large dogs prefer colder weather, so take steps to keep your pet cool during the warmer months of the year. They also like running around outside, so it is best if you are living in a house that has an enclosed backyard where your pooch can get some exercise and play. They’ll just love to soak up that warm weather and enjoy the fresh air. 

Goberians are social, smart, and friendly, so they enjoy being around people.

Recognized Clubs

The Goberian is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

The Goberian’s coat is dense and long, and it is a double coat that can be slightly wavy or straight. However, grooming requirements will be pretty low. These dogs don't shed too much, and you can brush your pooch two to three times every week in order to keep the fur smooth, healthy, and clean. You can also bathe your dog when he gets too dirty. Remember that proper hygiene and coat maintenance are important for the wellbeing of any doggo. It is best that you establish a regular routine of brushing on a weekly basis. Light brushing can be done as often as daily, but grooming can be done once a month. If you are unsure of how to approach this task, you can always visit a dog grooming salon, where they’ll have your Goberian tidied up in no time. 

Puppies

When they are tiniest, all dogs look simply adorable. But don’t be blinded by their cuteness, forgetting more important things in the process. As with all other puppies, a Goberian should be handled with care, especially when children are playing with him. These dogs may grow up to be rather strong, but they will still be quite fragile as puppies and need to be handled accordingly. Of course, you should also lay down solid training foundations during this time, to help build their character and ensure they reach their potential. Because some of these dogs can be difficult to train, it really is best to start training and socializing your puppy as soon as possible. This will ensure that you can establish yourself as the pack leader, and your dog will grow up to be calm, confident, and comfortable around a variety of people and other animals as well. Don’t waste those precious and impressionable early months with your Goberian! That’s when the most productive training takes place. All dogs will just soak up all information when they are puppies, so don’t waste a chance to teach them.

Also, do not overlook socialization. Dogs need to be accustomed to human company, and to other dogs, in order to grow up the right way. If not properly socialized, a Goberian, as any other dog, can become aloof, easily scared, aggressive, anxious, and simply not fun. Fixing these issues later in their adult life can be challenging and require excessive training, so be sure to do it early on. 

Photo credit: Nathaniel Eliason/Flickr; rk photography/Flickr; Wendy Johnson/Flickr