You may be hard-pressed to find a better looking “designer” dog than the Goberian; a pooch so-called because he’s the hybrid between a Golden Retriever and a Siberian Husky. While the dog’s physical attributes are undeniably stunning, he shouldn’t be judged on looks alone. Is he the right dog for you?
Sit Back and Say “D’aaaaaw”
Let’s get it out of the way – goberians are adorable. This is a trait that follows them throughout their lives, but it’s particularly true during the puppy stage, when they’re little puffs of fluff running around, exploring the world, and frolicking about.
A Look at Goberians and their Genetics
The Goberian is relatively new to the scene, even as far as designer dogs go. While the creation of the hybrid doesn’t have a concrete timeline, partially because it’s not officially recognized by major dog registries, it is believed they’ve only hit the scene in the last decade. The dog is also fairly uncommon compared to other hybrids.
What is known about the Goberian is that it typically showcases some of the parental breeds most distinguishing features. For instance, while the dog can occasionally have brown eyes, more often than not he will possess the piercing blue eyes that make huskies so visually stunning. He’ll also tend to have a husky’s tail and legs.
A Goberian will usually follow the body shape, floppy ears, and narrow muzzle typically consistent with a Golden Retriever. While the dog’s coat can be golden – which combined with the blue eyes is almost like winning a genetic lottery – it can also be white, brown, cream, black, and gray.
Since Goldies and Huskies are large dogs, it’s no surprise to find Goberians grow up to be big pooches themselves. You can expect the hybrid to stand 20 to 24 inches tall. The dog’s weight range is broad, as he can range from 35 to 80 pounds.
How Does a Goberian Behave?
In order to fully comprehend the behavioral metrics of a Goberian, it’s important to take a dive into how the hybrid’s parental breeds operate. While the Goldie and the husky share a few similar traits, even some of these similarities create a little bit of variance in the resultant designer dog.
For instance, both the Golden Retriever and the husky are considered working breeds; the former being skilled in various hunting pursuits with the latter being famous for its capacity to pull sleds over great distances. The Goberian does exhibit the working tendencies each parental breed possesses, but tends to have the husky’s enhanced sense of drive.
The Goberian also gets his high sense of intelligence from both parental breeds, both of which are prized for their brainpower. This allows the Goberian to be an immensely trainable breed. However, this is not without its pitfalls, as his smarts and husky background gives him an independent streak – one that may lead him to think he’s smarter than you.
The Goldie's gentle friendliness and near-legendary sense of loyalty shine through rather brightly through a Goberian. This kind, unassuming nature makes the hybrid an excellent choice for families with children. And while he may end up forming a closer bond with one particular family member, he’ll still have plenty of love to go around.
Even though the Goberian is a friendly pooch that tends to like people, don’t think this dog is a pushover. The designer dog’s fierce sense of loyalty means he has no qualms about barking if what he perceives to be an intruder present. This sensibility makes the hybrid a solid reputation for being a watchdog.
What is Living with a Goberian Like?
Since the Goberian stems from two famously active breeds, it should come as no surprise to find out this pooch is a high-octane breed that needs an outlet to purge his excessive energy from his system. This is an active dog that particularly thrives if the owner is game with making the pooch part of an active lifestyle.
Ideally, you’ll want to give the Goberian 60 minutes' worth of exercise and play time. In order to thrive, he'll need some substantial space like a backyard to romp around, lest he starts to feel cooped up and take out frustrations on your couch. Because of his desire to play in large spaces, he's not a good fit for apartment living.
Training a Goberian is a double-edged sword. On one hand, this is a dog that is very eager to please and can quickly pick up on the fact that following your commands will make you happy. This is a trait that the hybrid tends to pick up from the Golden Retriever side of his lineage.
On the other hand, this is a pooch that can carry a husky’s pack dog mentality; one in which he becomes strong-willed and stubborn. If these instincts are allowed to set in through inconsistent training practices, getting him to do your bidding will be extremely difficult. The reason for this is that he’ll assume he’s the alpha dog.
Because of this dichotomy, the Goberian isn’t necessarily a great option for first-time dog owners. For those that have previous dog ownership experience, it’s important that you remain gentle yet firm in every aspect of your training – he will learn to respect you quickly if you do. Of course, praise, treats and rewards won’t hurt this process, either.
Once you’ve hammered down training basics, you can train your Goberian to do some pretty remarkable feats of derring-do. His athletic and intellectual pedigree makes him a natural participant for all kinds of dog sports, like agility, flyball, and Frisbee catching.
How Much Maintenance Should I Expect to Devote to a Goberian?
The jury is still out on how much a Goberian sheds. Some camps insist that the hybrid will take after his husky roots and shed like crazy. Others believe the dog sheds minimally in comparison to other dogs, particularly canines of this size and coat length.
The truth probably stands somewhere in the middle. You will see a little shedding, but you won’t have a house covered in hair. With that being said, this dog can still be a little too high-maintenance for some potential owners.
The Goberian has a double coat that demands brushing two to three times per week to prevent mats from forming and to keep its natural sheen. If he tends to play and frolic near dirt when he’s outside, you may have to give him a bath a little more frequently that you’d like.
In addition to his fur grooming needs, you need to make sure you are tending to the rest of his grooming needs. This includes brushing his teeth, cleaning his ears and around his eyes, and trimming his nails. If your Goberian spends a lot of time running outside on hard surfaces like concrete, you may not have to worry about this latter aspect as often.
Are There Common Health Issues with a Goberian?
Because Goberians do not have a long lineage like purebred breeds, they tend to skew on the healthy side of things. However, it should be noted that they may be susceptible to developing conditions that are typically associated with Golden Retrievers and huskies.
For instance, they could be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which tends to be a common concern amongst large, athletic breeds. Some of the other issues that a Goberian may be at a greater risk of developing based on pedigree include bloat, eye problems, allergies, and epilepsy.
Typically, you can expect your Goberian to live 10 to 15 years. This broad age range eclipses the average range of both parental breeds. The average lifespan of a Goldie is 10 to 12 years while the average lifespan of a husky is 12 to 14 years.
The Price of Blue Eyes and a Gold Coat
The price point of bringing a Goberian home is very broad, as puppy prices range from $250 to $1,500. If you’re looking for the prized golden coat and blue eyes combo, you probably should expect the price tag to be closer to the range’s high end. You may be able to get a discounted price if you skip the puppy phase altogether and pick up an adult pooch.
You should also be mindful of the other costs that will be associated with this breed before you decide you can bring him home. This would include costs like vet visits, registration, food, bedding, and toys. Because the dog is still relatively uncommon, you may have to work with a reputable breeder in a different state, which could incur shipping costs.
He’ll Be Your Big, Happy Buddy!
A Goberian is more than just a pretty face – he’s a lot of work, and if you’re not up for the challenge, he may not be your best dog option. Yet if you have the energy, patience, and living space needed to properly welcome this dog into your life, you’ll have a loyal companion that will want to do nothing more than to make you happy.