Golden Dox Dog Breed

The Golden Dox, part of either the Sporting or Hound group, is a crossbreed that likely originated during the designer dog craze in the U.S. during the late twentieth century. These dogs are great family companions, as they're good with children and other pets; Doxes are also versatile in regards to living environments, and can adapt to most living situations (house, apartment, or yard) and to most climates.

PROS:

• Affectionate
• Very intelligent
• Excellent watchdog ability
• Socializes well with children and other pets
• Fairly easy to train
• Good for first-time owners
• Versatile living requirements
• Extremely fun-loving and playful
• Good focus and work ethic

CONS:

• High exercise requirements
• Can be stubborn and willful
• Can become obese
• Depending on coat type, may need frequent grooming/maintenance
• Suffers from various health issues

The Golden Dox, as a hybrid of a Golden Retriever and a Dachshund, is a good-natured, active crossbreed. While most are people-pleasers, a few Doxes can inherit the stubbornness of their Dachshund parents. This breed can exist in a variety of coat lengths, textures, and color combinations. These dogs are also extremely versatile and intelligent, and often compete with success in obedience and agility trials.

Doxes are normally very interested in the goings-on of their human families, and will follow their masters everywhere, if allowed. They are known for being loyal and proud, so they will usually be extremely protective of their human "pack."These dogs also have a love affair with food; they will eat everything you give them (and often beg for more), so Dox owners will need to make sure their dogs do not overeat and become obese.

The good news is, Doxes are pretty energetic, and will typically be willing to engage in physical activity that will burn excess calories. While not overly strong, this breed is normally an active one, and makes a great jogging companion.

Since the Golden Retriever and Dachshund parent breeds are somewhat different in size and appearance, many breeders offer F1b crossbreeds that emphasize the characteristics of one of the two breeds. I.e.-- a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Dachshund produce an F1 Golden Dox. The breeder will then mate the F1 Golden Dox with a purebred Dachshund to produce an F1b Golden Dox; the F1b Dox will display more of the genetic traits of the Dachshund--smaller size, longer bodies, etc.

Golden Doxes can have a variety of coat lengths and textures. Purebred Golden Retrievers typically have medium to long, straight or wavy double coats; Dachshunds, meanwhile, have three main coat types: short and smooth, short and wiry, or long-haired. The Golden Dox hybrid, therefore, can have any of these, though a medium-length coat is most common.

Size, too, can vary a good bit among dogs of this crossbreed. The more common crossbreed is the Golden Retriever-Standard Dachshund mix, though the Miniature Dachshund-Golden Retriever mix does exist. These Mini Dachshund-Golden crossbreeds are fairly rare, and can be as small as 14 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight.

Golden Doxes, while being fairly healthy overall, can suffer from quite a few health issues. They can be prone to structural problems like

• Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
• joint dysplasia
• allergies
• fleas and ear mites
• eye and ear infections.

A few of these crossbred dogs can suffer from long-term, often fatal health issues like