Golden Terrier (Scottish Terrier & Golden Retriever Mix)

Breed Overview

The fun-loving Golden Terrier (also called the Scolden Terrier) is a combination of two very different dog breed personalities, including the loyal and loving Golden Retriever and the independent, slightly stubborn Scottish Terrier. If socialized from the get-go, this dynamic designer dog can be an outstanding pet for almost every family.

If you’re considering making this cute, cuddly hybrid breed part of your household, here is everything you need to know about the Scolden Terrier, including their temperament, trainability, intelligence, and dietary needs.

Golden Terrier Puppies

Golden Terrier Characteristics

The Golden Terrier is a type of designer dog breed. Different from a mutt, a designer dog is purposefully crossbred between two purebred dogs. In the case of the Scolden Terrier, this designer dog is the result of breeding a Golden Retriever with a Scottish Terrier.

The demand for designer dog breeds is on the rise. This is because you can get the best of two different breeds in one dog. However, the increased popularity of designer dogs comes at a cost. Many bad breeders are taking advantage of peoples’ desires to own a designer dog, and selling puppies at extremely affordable prices. Due to the poor living and breeding conditions of these facilities, puppies from bad breeders are often plagued with numerous health and emotional problems.

While on your search for a Golden Terrier puppy, it’s critical to not be swayed by appealing low price tags. Bad dog breeders, including puppy mills and backyard breeders, are simply out to make a quick buck at a puppy’s expense. Some red flags that you should keep an eye out for that could indicate if a breeder is bad can include:

• The parents are unavailable
• The breeder has the puppies available for sale before they are 8 weeks old
• The seller has multiple litters of puppies available for sale
• You cannot meet the puppies or the parents
• You cannot visit the facility
• The seller does not have you fill out a contract when you purchase a puppy
• There are no vet records available for the puppies or the parents
• The seller does not have any referrals from past clients

There are many repercussions of purchasing a Scolden Terrier puppy from a bad breeder. While the low price tag may be initially appealing, you will most likely be getting a dog that is severely psychologically damaged.

Some known emotional issues with dogs that have come from bad breeders include:

• They have trouble being housebroken and leash-trained
• They have issues interacting with humans and other dogs
• They may get overly attached to a certain person in the household and suffer from separation anxiety
• Crate training can be nearly impossible

To ensure that you and your family are receiving a happy, healthy Scolden Terrier puppy, you must purchase it from a reputable breeder. To find a high-quality breeder in your area, you can ask for referrals from a local vet or dog trainer, ask a trusted friend or family member where they got their puppy, or visit dog shows in your town.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Golden Terrier

1. Their parent breed is super popular.

That’s correct! The Scolden Terrier’s parent breed, the Golden Retriever, consistently ranks among the top three most popular dog breeds in the United States.

2. Goldens have webbed feet.

Golden Retrievers are natural swimmers and have webbed paws to help them paddle in lakes, rivers, and streams.

3. Royalty loved Scottish Terriers.

Your Golden Terrier’s parent breed, the Scottish Terrier, was loved by kings and queens. In fact, King James VI of Scotland loved the breed so much that he helped to make them popular throughout Europe.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scolden Terrier 🧠

In order to fully understand your Golden Terrier’s personality, it’s important to take a look at the temperament and intelligence of the two parent dog breeds, the Golden Retriever and the Scottish Terrier.

The Golden Retriever is an easy-going, affectionate, and super smart breed. Playful yet gentle, the Golden gets along perfectly with other pets, young children, and strangers. Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Golden Retriever is a natural athlete that loves to learn. From fetching your morning paper to completing difficult agility courses, the Golden Retriever thrives when they have a job to do or a new trick to learn. Eager to please, this breed does best with positive reinforcement training methods.

The Scottish Terrier is quite different from the Golden Retriever in terms of their personality. Highly independent and sometimes stubborn, the Scottish Terrier can also be quite sensitive. Some Scotties can be extremely moody and may snap at young children. They are very intelligent and need early socialization with other pets and people from a young age.

Your Scolden Terrier may inherit all or a combination of these personality traits.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Golden Terriers can be great family pets if they are socialized from a young age with your children. While the Golden Retriever traits will make a Scolden Terrier a total love-bug with kids, the Scottish Terrier aspects may make them standoffish and moody.

Always keep a close eye on your tots while they are playing with any dog to ensure everyone is safe and sound.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Golden Terrier will get along with just about any other pet in your household if acclimated from an early age. From the first day you bring your new puppy home, ensure that you’re introducing them to different dogs nearly every day. You can take them for a long walk around the neighborhood or to your local dog park to meet new animals.

Things to Know When Owning a Golden Terrier

Now that we’ve covered the intelligence and personality of the Scolden Terrier, let’s explore everything your new puppy will need in order to thrive under your care.

Food & Diet Requirements

You should be feeding your Scolden Terrier high-quality, grain-free dog food that caters to their weight, activity level, and age. Feed your pooch 2.5 cups of kibble per day that is divided into two different meals.

Exercise 🐕

Due to the Golden Retriever genes, your Scolden Terrier is an active and athletic dog that needs a high level of daily exercise. Aim to give them at least 90 minutes of physical activity every day. This can include brisk walks, a game of fetch in the yard, or plenty of playtime indoors.

In addition to exercise, your Scolden Terrier will need mental stimulation as well to keep them out of trouble. Aim to teach them plenty of new tricks, enroll them in a doggy daycare, or get them a puppy puzzle to keep their mind occupied.

Training 🦮

The Golden Terrier is an extremely smart breed of designer dog and loves to learn. However, they can sometimes be stubborn. Consistent, firm, positive reinforcement training, such as clicker training, works best for this breed.

Grooming ✂️

The Scolden Terrier has a long, double coat, which is really dense. If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t shed a lot, this breed is not for you. Your Golden Terrier will need to be thoroughly brushed two to three times each week with a de-shedder brush and a pin brush to remove loose hair. Clean their ears and trim their nails as needed. You should also be brushing their teeth daily.

Health Conditions ❤️

As with any breed of dog, the Scolden Terrier is prone to certain health conditions, including dysplasia and Von Willebrand’s Disease. In order to ensure your pup lives a long and healthy life, routine wellness visits to your vet should be routinely scheduled.

Male vs. Female

Male Golden Terriers can be larger than females by up to several inches and pounds. However, the two genders are very similar in intelligence and disposition.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the hunt for a dynamic, smart, and friendly designer dog breed to add to your family, the Scolden Terrier could be perfect for you. Intelligent and easy-going with a bit of a stubborn streak, this breed needs to be socialized with people and other pets from day one.

Always purchase a puppy from a high-quality breeder that can provide you with vet records and past client references. You will certainly love the devotion your Golden Terrier will provide you for years to come!

Read Also:

• Scoland Terrier (Westie & Scottie Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament, & Traits

• Golden Mountain Dog Mixed Breed Info, Pictures, Facts, & Traits

Featured Image Credit: Kevinsphotos, Pixabay