The Goldendale is a mixed breed that’s produced from the loyal Golden Retriever and the spunky Airedale Terrier. These unique dogs can take on the looks of either parent, whether it’s the long, luscious flaxen coat or the wiry hair of the Airedale, but they share plenty of highly sought traits like loyalty, intelligence, and a desire to please.

Learn more about the Goldendale and see if it’s the right breed for your family.

Breed Overview

The Goldendale is a unique combination of two hunting breeds: the gundog Golden Retriever and the all-purpose Airedale Terrier. Though both dogs are around the same size, they have dramatically different looks. Goldendales can have the sweet look and long, luxurious coat of the Golden or the dense, wiry coat and regal bearing of the Airedale. These dogs share desirable traits like boldness, determination, intelligence, and a desire to please.

Goldendale Characteristics

Goldendale Puppies

Goldendales are a popular mixed breed that’s popular for sportsmen and family pet owners alike. Plenty of private breeders produce Goldendale litters, though it’s important to vet the breeder carefully to ensure you have a healthy puppy from healthy parents. You may find Goldendale puppies or adults in shelters and rescues as well.

Designer breeders like the Goldendale are often produced in puppy mills. Though it may be tempting, getting a puppy from a puppy mill not only encourages this unsavory practice but could leave you with a dog prone to health and behavioral problems. Choosing a puppy from an ethical breeder is better for you and your dog.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Goldendale

The Golden Retriever is renowned for their friendly temperament and loving nature. But not as many people are familiar with the Airedale’s temperament. Well, their friendliness may not be at the same level as a Golden Retriever, but they are, indeed, a friendly dog breed. Due to the friendly nature of both breeds, a Goldendale will most likely be a friendly companion.

Both dog breeds are also protective but would not be the first choice as a guard dog. Although, if your Goldendale is a “bit more Terrier”, they might be a bit more protective.

As for the intelligence of a Goldendale, they are going to be an intelligent breed. The Golden Retriever is ranked as one of the smartest dog breeds. While Airedales do not make that list, they are still considered a smart breed.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds for families, as they tend to be accepting and protective of young children. Airedales are also good for families with children and display a lot of patience. These dogs are large and robust, however, so it’s important to supervise playtime to avoid any accidental injury. Children should also be taught to interact appropriately with the dog.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Goldendales are often sociable and get along well with other pets. The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds, however, which could mean a high prey drive and a desire to chase small animals—including cats. Proper socialization at an early age is the best way to discourage this behavior.

Things to Know When Owning a Goldendale

Food & Diet Requirements

Goldendales are high-energy dogs that require high-quality commercial dog food to support their activities. Both Golden Retrievers and Airedales can become obese with overfeeding and too little activity, so it’s important to monitor calorie consumption and weight. Allowing your dog to become obese can make them susceptible to health conditions like heart disease and arthritis.

Exercise

Both the Golden Retriever and the Airedale require a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. It’s likely that a Goldendale will share this high energy. Daily playtime and brisk walks a few times a day can be helpful in directing your dog’s energy into safe outlets. Without proper exercise, your dog may become destructive or develop behavioral problems.

Training

Golden Retrievers and Airedales are known for their intelligence and trainability, but both can be rambunctious and stubborn at times. Obedience training is a must for a Goldendale. These dogs bond strongly with owners and desire to please, which can make training go smoothly. Goldendales are prone to boredom without proper physical and mental stimulation, so your dog may benefit from more advanced training that challenges their mind and discourages destructive behavior.

Grooming ✂️

Your Goldendale’s grooming requirements will depend on which parent they take after. Airedales have short, wiry coats that require only weekly brushing, whereas the Golden has a long double coat that sheds regularly. If your dog has the latter, they will need a thorough brushing with a slicker brush to remove dead hair. During the seasonal shedding periods, you may need to brush your dog daily.

If your dog is outdoors often, you may need to bathe them more often to stay clean. Otherwise, they need only occasional baths. In addition, your Goldendale will need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.

Health and Conditions

Both the Golden and the Airedale are generally healthy dogs when they’re bred by responsible breeders who screen the parents for health conditions like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and heart disease. Goldendales can be prone to the conditions that affect their parent breeds.

Male vs Female

Choosing between a male or female dog depends more on the individual’s personality than the sex. Both male and female Goldendales can be obedient and agreeable, especially if they’re neutered or spayed. This not only protects against reproductive cancers and diseases like mammary cancer or prostate cancer, but it prevents some hormone-related behavioral issues like roaming and certain types of aggression. It’s best to evaluate the personality of the individual dog to make your decision.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Goldendale

1. Airedales Are the “King of the Terriers”

The Airedale Terrier stands about 23 inches at the shoulder, making them the largest dogs in the terrier group. They earned the moniker “King of the Terriers” for their size, regal bearing, and athleticism. Though they were traditionally used to hunt rats, the Airedale’s size and strength makes them a versatile hunting dog for large game and other canine sports.

2. Golden Retrievers Are a Popular Family Dog

There are many qualities that make the Golden Retriever an ideal choice for families, including their gentle nature and high trainability. They also have “soft” mouths, due to their breeding as a game dog that retrieves waterfowl. They also retain a lot of their puppy charm and good spirit, making them a great choice for therapy work.

3. Goldens and Airedales Excel at Many Jobs

Both the Golden Retriever and the Airedale have been used in a variety of canine roles. The Golden Retriever has been used for hunting, search and rescue, service work, and canine sports, while the Airedale has served in the British military as a sentry, courier, and rescue dog. In fact, one Airedale earned the Victoria Cross, the highest honor in the UK, for delivering a crucial message in wartime.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an all-purpose hunting or sporting dog, a family pet, or a canine companion, the Goldendale is a highly adaptable dog that’s suited to many environments. Though this high-energy and intelligent breed requires a lot of exercises and mental enrichment, Goldendales develop strong attachments to their owners and want to be a part of the family.

• Related Read: Do Airedale Terriers Shed? Vet-Approved Facts & Care Tips

Featured Image Credit: (L) Emil Priver, Unsplash | (R) KajaHiis, Shutterstock