Golden Irish Breed Details
Below are the details and specs for the Golden Irish dog breed.
Golden Irish Dog Breed
Golden Irish Setter
Irish Retriever
The Golden Irish is a hybrid dog which is bred by crossing a Irish Setter with a Golden Retriever. As a hybrid dog the Golden Irish will inherit the physical and behavioral traits of both its parent dog breeds, however, not all Golden Irish dogs will inherit the same characteristics (even if from the same litter).
It is recommended to familiarize yourself with both the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter if you are planning on adopting a Golden Irish as the breed can have more characteristics of one parent breed than the other.
Golden Irish are known for being very loyal and affectionate dogs with exceptional agility. They are very friendly and should make a wonderful companion or family dog.
Golden Irish Breed Description
The Golden Irish is considered a medium sized dog breed. The breed weighs normally 55-70 pounds and stands 22 - 26 inches from ground to shoulder. However, the weight and the height of hybrid dogs can vary depending on the size of the parent dogs.
Members of this breed are very affable, affectionate dogs. This makes them excellent dogs for families with children, but poor guard dogs. They love human interaction and will likely greet strangers with enthusiasm. As long as they are properly socialized, Golden Irish should not have issues with other pets.
You can expect the Golden Irish to be a low to medium maintenance dog breed. Their luxurious coat will need to be brushed regularly in order to maintain its sheen, but they are a low-shedding dog due to their lack of undercoat. These dogs are active and need daily exercise, but their energy requirements can usually be met with a 30 minute to one hour walk.
Golden Irish Breed History
The Golden Irish is a fairly new dog breed and because of this the breed does not have a very detailed history. It is likely that this type of dog was first intentionally bred in the 1980s when the popularity of hybrid dogs increased.
Golden Irish Appearance
As a crossbreed, the Golden Irish will inherit physical traits from both parent breeds. Not all will inherit the same traits, and therefore some may exhibit more Golden Retriever characteristics, while others may have more Irish Setter characteristics.
You can expect your Golden Irish to have a long and silky coat, floppy ears, and deep almond-shaped eyes. The head of the Golden Irish is round and wide between the ears.
Golden Irish Colors
The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Golden Irish.
Red
Golden Irish Temperament
As with all hybrids, the temperament of the Golden Irish is dependent on the behavioral traits inherited from its parents. Some puppies will inherit traits from the Irish Setter, others the Golden Retriever, and some will have a mix of behaviors inherited from both parent breeds.
These dogs are intelligent and even tempered. Additionally, they are very loyal and affectionate, and love to be around humans. Golden Irish are generally good around other pets, but socialization is still required. Due to their exceptional friendliness and their lack of self-confident behavior, they do not make for good guard dogs. Golden Irish make up for this with their playful energy and loving attitude, making them great companions and family dogs.
Golden Irish Maintenance
You can expect the these dogs to be a low to medium maintenance breed. They will need daily exercise and their coats require frequent care to stay in pristine shape, however, they are a low-shedding dog due to their lack of undercoat.
Grooming Requirements
Golden Irish dogs will need to be brushed daily with a solid hair brush to prevent mats and tangles and preserve their silky coat. A bi-monthly shampoo bath is also recommended, and the ears should be checked occasionally for signs of infection.
Exercise Requirements
This breed is an energetic breed and should be exercised daily to prevent their excess energy from being used to fuel unwanted habits such as chewing, digging, and barking. A 30 minute to one hour walk each day along with a play session or two will allow the Golden Irish to burn off extra energy.
Living Requirements
This breed adapts to a wide variety of environments. While they should be comfortable in an apartment as long as their daily exercise requirements are met, they will most likely feel best with at least a yard to play in due to their hunting ancestry.
Golden Irish Health
The Golden Irish life expectancy is 10 to 15 years. As a hybrid dog breed, the they will have more genetic diversity than its purebred parents, which helps with the breed's health and hardiness. However, your pet can suffer from health issues common in both the Irish Setter and the Golden Retriever, most notably hip dysplasia.
Golden Irish Health Concerns
Below are potential health concerns associated with Golden Irish.
Bloat
Hip dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism
Osteochondritis Dissecans
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Updated:August 30, 2016