Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Goberian (Siberian Husky & Golden Retriever Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

goberian

Height: 20–24 inches
Weight: 45–90 pounds
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Colors: Black, white, grey, brown, cream, tan, usually mixed
Suitable for: Active families that live in cooler climates and want a potential guard dog
Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, protective, alert, loyal, people-oriented

Incredibly active and adorably affectionate, the Goberian is a unique dog. This crossbreed is a mix between the Siberian Husky and the Golden Retriever. They’re large dogs, ranging from 45 pounds on the low side to 90 pounds on the high side.

This breed comes in any combination of colors that you might find with either parent. The coat often has mixed colors and generally is made up of long and dense hair, but they’re not heavy shedders. Due to the longer fur, these dogs don’t do well in the heat. They’re well-suited for cold climates, though, as the Husky in their blood might suggest.

Alert and protective, Goberians make fantastic guard dogs. They’re great for families, but they’re also active and need a significant amount of exercise, or they can become destructive.Divider 1

Goberian Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Generally speaking, mixed-breed dogs such as the Goberian are cheaper than purebreds. However, the Goberian is a very popular breed, and they tend to sell for more than other crossbreeds.

If you’re going to purchase a Goberian from a breeder, make sure to look for one with a great reputation. If you can, try to meet the parents of your puppy so you can get an idea of what might be in store for you when your dog grows up.

Check the conditions where your breeder keeps the dogs. If they seem healthy, happy, and well cared for, you may be in luck. But if the dogs are kept in dirty conditions and seem skittish or aggressive, you may want to look somewhere else.

The parent breeds of Goberian
The parent breeds of Goberian: Left – Golden Retriever (Shayna Douglas, Unsplash) | Right – Siberian Husky (andrescarlofotografia, Pixabay)

Divider 3

Temperament & Intelligence of the Goberian 🧠

Goberians are people-oriented dogs that bond very closely with their family. They need a lot of attention but give a lot of love. They also have a ton of energy that they need to release.

You need to have plenty of space for these dogs and plenty of time to devote to exercising them. If you forgo these necessities, you’ll likely end up with an unruly and destructive dog.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Since they are very loving dogs, Goberians are excellent as family pets. They are usually very good with children, but they’re a large breed, so you’ll want to make sure your children know how to properly play with a dog.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽

Although they have a strong prey drive, the Goberian can be excellent with other pets if socialized early. They’re intelligent and can understand things well, so they get that other pets are also part of the family and are not food!

Goberian
Image Credit: Roman Arbuzov, Shutterstock

Divider 4

Things to Know When Owning a Goberian

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴 

Goberians are sizable pups, growing as large as 90 pounds and 2 feet tall. Therefore, they have hefty food requirements. You can expect a Goberian to eat around 3 cups of dry dog food each day.

Keep in mind that Goberians are prone to overeating. You’ll want to keep track of how much you’re feeding them to ensure that they don’t overeat and gain weight.

Exercise 🐕 

This is where the Goberian becomes difficult for many to take care of. The exercise needs of this dog are incredible, so unless you’re an active individual or family, you may have a hard time providing sufficient activity for your Goberian.

This breed will need structured exercise and playtime every day, 1 hour at minimum. Aside from this, they need plenty of space to play around and let off steam. Apartments do not provide enough space for this breed. They’ll need to be in a house with a sizable yard where they can spend most of their time.

Training 🦮

Goberians are intelligent dogs that are quite capable of being trained. However, some of them can be stubborn and temperamental. If your pup tends to take after the Golden Retriever side more, they’ll likely be eager to please and will learn commands quickly with just a bit of positive reinforcement.

Conversely, if your Goberian takes after the Husky side more, you may encounter more resistance to training. If you start training early enough, you can usually train the stubbornness out of them, though.

Goberian parents
Credit: Ann Narmaniya, Shutterstock

Grooming ✂️

Despite their thick, long coats, Goberians aren’t heavy shedders and don’t require much grooming. You’ll want to brush them two or three times a week to remove the dead hair and keep them clean. Baths can be administered as needed.

Health and Conditions ❤️ 

The Goberian is generally considered to be a healthy and hearty breed. There aren’t many health conditions that are known to affect them. But health concerns that are prevalent in the parent breeds may occur in some Goberians.

One serious condition is hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia will experience discomfort, pain, and reduced movement abilities. The condition affects large dogs most commonly and worsens with age. This condition is essentially a malformation of the hip that causes it to be loose and out of place. The femur then rubs on the pelvis, causing pain and debilitation.

Obesity is a common problem for humans, but more and more, it’s affecting our pets too. Goberians are known to overeat if given the chance. Overfeeding naturally leads to being overweight. When this process is continued for too long, obesity can be the result. To avoid this, be sure to monitor your dog’s food intake. It’s 100% up to you how much your dog eats, so determine a proper feeding schedule and stick to it.

Minor Conditions
  • Obesity
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia

Male vs. Female

As with many breeds of dogs, male Goberians are usually a bit larger and heavier than their female counterparts. The males also tend to display more dominant behaviors, while the females are often more affectionate and friendly.

Divider 5

3 Little-Known Facts About the Goberian

1. Many Goberians End Up in Shelters

This large breed is highly energetic. They have high physical demands, and if you can’t meet these, Goberians can end up as destructive and uncontrollable animals.

Many people underestimate the needs of Goberians. Due to their adorable looks and friendly temperament, this breed has become wildly popular. But once a family realizes they can’t keep up with the considerable needs of their new pet, the poor dog often ends up in a shelter.

2. They Can Have Blue Eyes With Tan Coats

One of the most endearing physical characteristics of the Husky is their incredibly bright blue eyes. Only about 40% of Huskies have blue eyes, but it has become a defining characteristic of the breed. Likewise, the golden coat of a Golden Retriever is instantly recognizable and highly desired by pet owners.

Goberians can actually be born with both highly desirable traits, exhibiting a lush golden coat with bright blue eyes. If you’re looking for a unique and beautiful dog, a blue-eyed golden-coated Goberian certainly fits the bill.

3. Goberians Make Excellent Running and Hiking Partners

One of the biggest challenges that many people encounter when they get a Goberian for a pet is their nearly insatiable need for exercise. Siberian Huskies were bred as sled dogs, and Golden Retrievers were bred as gun dogs, meant to retrieve the prey that a hunter has killed. Since Goberians are bred from two working dogs, they need a way to release all that energy that would normally go into their job.

This means you’ll need to provide your Goberian with more than 1 hour of physical activity each day. One of the best ways to do this is by taking them hiking or running with you! These dogs love to go on long walks, runs, and hikes, and they do exceptionally well at it.

Be aware, though, that Goberians are not good with heat. They have long coats that are much better suited for cool climates. If you’re in a warm area, you’ll need to find alternative ways to provide your Goberian with their much-needed exercise. It can be detrimental to their health to have them exercise in the heat.

Divider 3

Final Thoughts

With a high need for exercise and physical activity, the Goberian is a dog breed that’s best for active individuals and families. They need space to play and a person to love, but that person needs ample time to devote to their dog’s needs.

Loving and protective, these are great family dogs and they get along well with children. They’re highly intelligent and can respond well to training, particularly if they take after the Golden Retriever side more than the Husky.

If you’re looking for a four-legged partner to accompany you on adventures in cool climates, the Goberian is a top choice. But if you don’t have enough time to provide this breed with the attention and activity that they require, you’d be better off with a less needy breed.

See also:


Featured image credit: nokturn, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database