Mixed breeds are taking over the dog-loving world, and one mixed breed that you’ll want to take note of is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix. While they might not be the most popular mixed breed out there, they come with a ton of perks that make them well worth checking out!

Breed Overview

Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Golden Retriever are outstanding family dogs with an outdoor history, and they love pleasing their owners. They’re similar in quite a few ways, ensuring you’re getting a great dog no matter which parent breed they take after.

They need plenty of space to run around, but if you have the space for them, they’re outstanding dogs for families, single people, and just about everyone else!

Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever Breed Puppies

While the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever is a great dog breed with tons of perks and an adorable appearance, it’s not always the easiest to track down a reputable breeder. That’s because often breeders with purebred Rhodesian Ridgebacks and purebred Golden Retrievers can make more money by breeding them with other purebreds of the same breed.

If you’re hellbent on a Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix, you’ll need to go through a bit more work to track down a breeder, and you might even need to set up a breeding of the two breeds to get the pup you want.

Whenever you find a breeder, ensure you do your due diligence on the breeder regardless of how challenging it is to track one down. You still need a health guarantee to inspect the breeding facilities and to get references to ensure you’re using a reputable service.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever Mix 🧠

While the temperament and intelligence level of a Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix will vary a bit depending on which parent breed they take more after, they do have several similarities. For starters, both breeds are extremely intelligent, ensuring that no matter which breed they take after you’re getting a smart pup.

You’re also getting a dog that loves people, and as long as you socialize them and treat them properly, you shouldn’t have any issues introducing them to more people throughout the years. They’re great pups with a very distinct personality, but if you want a large and loving dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix is a great choice.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

While the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Golden Retriever are two extremely distinct breeds with lots of variations, one area where they’re identical is how they get along great with kids. Both breeds are outstanding family dogs, whether you have older kids or want to have kids a few years from now.

They also get along great with both owners, and while they might bond a little more with one owner than another, they’ll get along great with everyone in the home. With a little bit of training and consistency, they should listen to everyone!

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Usually, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix will get along great with any other pets you have in your home. However, this isn’t something you’ll want to take for granted, and if they take a little more after their Rhodesian Ridgeback parent, you might need to socialize them a bit more.

No matter which parent breed they take after, you should socialize them early and often and never take it for granted that they’ll get along with other pets. While the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix usually gets along great with other pets, every dog has their own personality!

Things to Know When Owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever:

While a Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix isn’t the most complicated dog breed to own, there are still a few things you should be aware of before bringing one home. From how much you can expect them to eat to how much exercise they need, we’ll break it all down for you below.

Food & Diet Requirements

While the exact amount of food your Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix needs will vary depending on their size and the food you go with. Usually, they need between 3.5 and 4.5 cups of high-quality kibble. If you’re unsure about the type of food to feed them, reach out to your vet.

Exercise

Whether your pup takes after their Rhodesian Ridgeback or Golden Retriever parent, they need time outside to burn through some energy. They need between 1 and 2 hours of physical activity daily, and having a fenced-in yard for them to run around in makes this requirement much easier to meet.

But even if you have a fenced-in yard, you need to take your dog out for at least two walks every day, and each walk should last at least 20 minutes, but they can go on for much longer if you’d like!

Training

Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Golden Retriever are highly intelligent dog breeds that love to please their owners. Because of this, you shouldn’t have many issues training them as long as you stay consistent with training. Aim for at least one training session each day, but the training sessions should only last between 15 and 20 minutes.

Grooming ✂️

Another area where the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Golden Retriever are similar is with how much they shed. Both breeds shed quite a bit, but with shorter coats, they don’t require a ton of brushing. We recommend brushing them out several times a week to help with shedding.

Not only that, but you need to brush their teeth each day to keep up with their oral hygiene, and you need to clip their nails as needed.

Health and Conditions

While the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix is generally a pretty healthy breed, there are a few common health conditions you’ll need to keep an eye out for. You can help reduce the likelihood that your pup will develop any of these conditions by using a reputable breeder, but you’ll still need to keep a close eye on your pup!

Male vs. Female

Generally, there isn’t much difference between a female and male Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix. However, while they’re incredibly similar, there are generally two notable differences between males and females.

For starters, males tend to be larger than females. This is true for most dog breeds, and it’s the case for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix.

Another difference between males and females is their personalities. While every pooch will have their own personality, it’s more common for males to follow you around and need a bit more attention compared to females. They’ll both want as much attention as you have to give them, but males are more likely to run over and demand it from you!

3 Little-Known Facts About the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever

1. Rhodesian Ridgebacks Once Hunted Lions

While it’s no surprise to learn that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a strong hunting lineage, it is surprising to learn that their prey was once lions! While we don’t recommend turning your Rhodesian Ridgeback loose on a lion today, it does go to show how fearless and how powerful these dogs can be.

2. They’re Outdoor Dogs

Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Golden Retriever have strong outdoor lineages, so if you want a dog that’s going to get you outside quite a bit, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix is an outstanding choice. They’ll want to live inside with you as companion dogs, but the more time you give them outside, the happier they’ll be!

3. They’re Loyal, Loving, Devoted, and Protective Pooches!

It’s not easy to find a dog that’s more loving, caring, loyal, and protective than a Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix. They get along great with everyone, but they’re also not going to let anyone get away with messing with their humans!

Conclusion

If you want a large loyal and loving dog breed, you won’t find a better choice than a Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix. They’re not an easy breed to track down and get, but it’s well worth the effort when you bring one home.

They’re great family dogs that will happily take all the attention you can give them, and they’ll give you every opportunity to get out a bit more. They’re active outdoor dogs that fit in great with just about any family dynamic!

Related Reads:

• Rhodesian Great Dane Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
• Rhodesian Poodle Mixed Dog Breed: Pictures, Care, Traits, & More!

Featured Image Credit: (L) Ilona Frey, Unsplash | (R) Emil Priver, Unsplash