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View 8 More +The Golden Dox, also known as the Golden Weiner dog or Golden Dachshund, is a Golden Retriever and Dachshund mix. It’s a smaller-sized dog that rarely gets taller than 20 inches and is usually much shorter. It can weigh between 30 and 50 pounds and has a pleasant personality that gets along well with children.
Breed Overview
Height:
12–20 inches
Weight:
30–50 pounds
Lifespan:
10–14 years
Colors:
Brown, tan, black, gold suitable
Suitable for:
Active families, guard duty, children
Temperament:
Playful, loving, loyal
The appearance of your Golden Dox depends on which parent it takes after. However, it usually has a long muscular build with short legs and floppy ears. Its color can be any combination of the parents, and the fur is very dense but does not shed too heavily.
Golden Dox Characteristics
Golden Dox Puppies
You are unlikely to find a Golden Dox puppy in a shelter because both of the parent breeds are pedigree. This means you will be dealing with a breeder if you want to welcome a Golden Dox into your home, so you should be sure to ask all of the right questions before you begin the adoption process with anyone. Since both parents are popular in America, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a breeder in your area, but you do need to be sure they are following ethical breeding practices to ensure the safety and well-being of your pup. Most of the better breeders will run genetic tests on the parents to make sure they are not passing on genes that can lead to a health problem later on, and while these tests can raise the price of your dog, they tend to be worth it in the long run.
Golden Dox puppies are adorable, cuddly, and full of energy. They are friendly, they love people, and they love to play. They are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Golden Dox 🧠
The temperament of your Golden Dox can vary depending on which parent it takes after more, but they are usually quite friendly and get along well with children. This breed typically has plenty of energy to spare and is welcoming to strangers but is also alert and will let you know if someone unexpected is in the yard, so they make fantastic guard dogs. It likes to be the center of attention and will require plenty of positive reinforcement. Early socialization will help it enjoy being around other pets, but they usually make friends quickly with most other dogs.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Yes, the Golden Dox makes a great family pet. Its high activity level makes it well suited to large families because each person can help the dog gets the exercise it needs to stay healthy and happy. It also enjoys being the center of attention, so a several-member family means there’s a better chance someone has a few minutes to give it some. Its smaller size means it’s less likely to knock over toddlers, and it’s an alert dog that will always let you know when someone is in the yard.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes, the Golden Dox gets along well with other pets and isn’t too difficult when out for walks around town. It likes to make friends and will usually play games a few minutes after meeting a new dog. However, a cat’s size and similarity in appearance can trigger the badger hunting instincts of its Daschund parents, and it’s best to socialize them early to prevent any trouble. In most cases, the two will get along fine, but your Golden Dox may chase cats and other small animals in the yard.
Things to Know When Owning a Golden Dox
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Your Golden Dox will require plenty of protein to help build strong muscle and provide the energy your dog needs to remain active. Check the ingredients list on any brands you consider to make sure chicken, beef, turkey, or other meat is the first ingredient. We also recommend purchasing brands with omega-3 fortification and probiotics. These ingredients will help strengthen the coat, which can help reduce shedding and balance the digestive system, reducing the risk of constipation and diarrhea while strengthening the immune system.
Avoid foods that contain chemical preservatives and artificial food colorings to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction or other health risks. We also recommend avoiding corn, soy, and wheat because these ingredients are mostly empty calories that companies use to bring down the cost. They can leave your dog feeling hungry and begging for food faster than higher-quality food, which can lead to weight gain.
Exercise 🐕
Your Golden Dox is an extremely active dog. We recommend setting aside at least an hour each day for playing with your dog to make sure they get the exercise they need. Additional family members can share the workload, so it’s not such a huge task. The Golden Dox enjoys long hikes, jogging, frisbee, fetch, and running around the yard. If you have a dog park nearby, that can be a great place to tire out your dog since they often have specialized courses designed for active dogs.
If your Golden Weiner dog doesn’t get the activity it needs, it can gain weight and might also begin to misbehave by tearing up the furniture or digging holes. Some owners also report that the dog can become barky when it gets bored.
Training 🦮
Training your Golden Dox can be challenging because this breed can often be stubborn and hard to keep focused. Starting early in life with regular training sessions at the same time each day can help get your dog into a routine. Once it’s on a schedule, it will be easier to keep focused. We recommend short sessions of 5 – 10 minutes and only going over one command at a time. Have plenty of treats on hand, and if your dog follows your command, give it a treat and plenty of praise but don’t get upset if your dog doesn’t comply. It can take several weeks before your Golden Dox learns a command, so patience and consistency are critical.
Grooming ✂️
Despite having a thick coat, your Golden Dox is a relatively light shedder year-round. Daily brushing is required to keep the coat free of tangles and knots. Brushing also helps produce a shinier coat and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. Your dog might also require trimming, and if the mats and knots develop faster than you can remove them, you might need to hire a professional groomer a few times per year. The floppy ears will also require frequent cleaning and drying to prevent ear infections, and manually brushing the teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste can help slow the progression of dental disease.
Health and Conditions ❤️
- Obesity
- Invertible Disc Disease
- Epilepsy
Serious Conditions
- Invertible Disc Disease: Invertible disc disease is a condition that affects the backbone of your dog. It can cause pain in the neck and back and make it difficult for your pet to move. It may also lose the ability to walk, and its legs might become numb. Your vet will run numerous tests to diagnose the disease, and they may treat it using medication or surgery. Unfortunately, this disease can occur at any time though it often accompanies old age.
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in dogs, and it can affect your Golden Dox. It can cause your dog to have seizures, and it may seem confused or dazed afterward. Your vet will usually run x-rays and other tests to diagnose the illness and will likely prescribe anti-seizure medication that your pet will need to take for life.
Minor Conditions
- Obesity One of the biggest medical problems facing all dogs is obesity. Some experts suggest that more than 40% of dogs over the age of four are overweight. This disease is completely preventable by making sure you follow feeding instructions closely and set aside enough time each day to make sure your pet gets the exercise it needs to burn off excess calories. Making sure that your pet maintains the proper weight is the best way to extend your pet’s life.
Male vs Female
Both the male and female Golden Dox are the same size and weight and have similar temperaments. Which parent they take after more will have a much larger effect on the final dog than its sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Golden Dox
1. The Daschund parent is a German badger hunter over 300 years old.
Originally named the “Dachs Kriecher” (“badger crawler”) or “Dachs Krieger” (“badger warrior”), the earliest references to the Dachshund came from early 18th century books about hunting.
2. People began calling the Daschund a “Badger Dog” to avoid its German association after World War II.
They were also called “liberty hounds”, mostly in North America.
3. The Golden Retriever parent breed is often employed as a guide dog to assist the visually impaired.
The first service dog training schools were established in Germany during World War I, to promote the mobility of returning veterans who were blinded in combat.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Dox (or Golden Weiner dog) makes a fantastic family pet and is well suited to larger families with plenty of children to keep it busy. If you don’t have children, you will need to set aside plenty of time each day to make sure your pet burns off excess energy, so it doesn’t misbehave, become barky, or gain weight. It’s very calm and makes new friends quickly but can also be stubborn and is better suited to experienced owners. The Golden Dox has a long lifespan and should remain healthy without too many visits to the vet.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this review and found it helpful and informative. If we have convinced you to get one of these dogs for your home, please share this guide to the Golden Dox on Facebook and Twitter.
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Featured Image Credit: Joy Brown, Shutterstock
2 Responses
Do you know of any Golden Dox breeders anywhere in the US? Thank you for taking the time!
Hello Alan,
thank you for your question. Unfortunately, we are not in contact with any dog breeders, so we are not able to help you out in this matter. Our recommendation would be to visit your local shelters or alternatively search online for Golden Dox breeders in your area.
Hope this helps.