Goberian

The Goberian is a hybrid dog breed, which is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Siberian Husky. This is a large dog with a thick double coat, which requires plentiful exercise on a daily basis. They payback is a friendly, energetic dog that is eager to please and is devoted to their owner and family.

The working heritage of the Goberian means this breed is not suitable for apartment living or for people who dislike exercise. They are best suited to an owner wanting an active dog to accompany them on hikes or jogging, and will also be is a fur friend to complete their family.

About & History

As a mix of two established dog breeds, the story of the Goberian belongs to the parent dogs.

The Golden Retriever

The hugely popular Golden Retriever was developed in the mid-19th century by a Scottish nobleman, Lord Tweedmouth. His aim was to produce a hunting dog useful on both land and water. The earliest dogs were a result of crossing a Wavy Coated Retriever (a close relative of the Flat Coat Retriever) and a now extinct breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel.

The breed was further refined by the addition of Bloodhound and Irish Setter blood. The Golden Retriever received official recognition in 1903, when they were registered by the UK Kennel Club.

The Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky has a long history stretching back over 3,000 years. They were first bred by Chukchi Indians to live in the harsh conditions of the Soviet Artic. This bred with an extremely thick double coat was perfectly adapted to endure extreme cold and their physical stamina made them invaluable as sledging and hunting dogs.

Appearance

The looks of a Goberian puppy may lean toward either parent or be a true mix of both. For the latter, the Goberian is a large-sized dog, with legs in good proportion to their body. They are sturdy but without being heavy, with strong bones, a deep chest, and neat waistline. Their skull is well-proportioned with a medium-to-long snout, wide set eyes, and drop ears.

The Goberian is endowed with a thick medium-lengthen coat, which boasts a thick undercoat. Their coat colour is typically golden, grey and white, brown and white, or cream and golden. Some pups may inherit the distinctive pale blue eyes of the Husky.

Character & Temperament

The Goberian is a good-natured fellow that is eager to please but may have an independent streak and a strong urge to wander. The breed is summed up with positive words, such as intelligent, loyal, friendly, and affectionate; but the wise owner is aware from time to time they may escape and run off as a throwback to the Siberian Husky parent.

A well-socialised Goberian is gentle with those they trust. But they can have a tendency to guard, and may be less reliable with strangers. They make for a good family dog, provided they are treated with respect.

Trainability

The intelligence of the Goberian makes them a rewarding dog to train. As with any canine, training methods that work best as those incentivise the dog with rewards, such as treats or toys. Harsh corrective methods will only exacerbate any underlying anxiety and could make the dog aggressive. Ideally, the Goberian is well socialised as a pup, which helps them overcome any tendency to anxiety or suspicion of strangers.

Health

Hybrid breeds, such as the Goberian, have not been around long enough to build up a reliable picture of their health issues. However, the parent breeds are known to be prone to certain problems, so it is reasonable to assume there is an increased risk of these appearing in their offspring.

Von Willebrands Disease

Von Willebrands dogs have a weakened ability to clot blood. This is due to an absence of one of the clotting factors that form a vital part of the clotting cascade. Minor injuries can lead to prolonged bleeding which may become life-threatening. Whilst there is no cure for Von Willebrands, if the problem is identified, extra clotting agents can be given by injection ahead of high risk procedures, such as surgery.

Allergies

In the dog, allergy symptoms commonly include itching or excessive licking. The dog may be so obsessive that they damage their skin, causing sores, ulcers, and infection. Symptoms may appear in young dogs, and unfortunately, only get worse with age. However, there are now many excellent medications designed to control the symptoms and give the dog relief from the itch.

Joint Disease

In the Goberian, joint disease may take the form of damage to growing joints (where the soft cartilage joint-lining becomes chipped) or poorly shaped joints (such as hip or elbow dysplasia). The outward signs of the resulting inflammation and pain are lameness. Mild cases may respond to rest and pain relief, but the worst affected may be in permanent discomfort and require joint replacement surgery to gain a reasonable quality of life.

Bloat

The Goberian’s deep chest can allow their stomach to flip over on itself, causing a condition known as bloat. With the entrance and exit of the stomach sealed off, gas builds up inside. This dangerous distension causes serious complications, including shock and organ failure. The owner can reduce the risk of bloat developing by feeding a good quality diet and making sure their dog rests for at least one hour after eating.

Exercise and Activity Levels

The Siberian Husky is a dog that needs plenty of exercise, and this is reflected in their Goberian offspring. This is not a breed for the inactive person, and instead needs an owner committed to one to two hours of active exercise per day but preferably more. If the dog does not get this mental and physical exercise, they will redirect their energy into anti-social habits, such as barking, chewing or digging.

Grooming

The Goberian is a heavy shedder. To reduce the drifts of dog fur regular brushing with a deshedding tool helps, and the more frequently this is done the better. The Goberian only requires occasional bathing as their thick double coat is largely self-cleaning. However, it is important to brush their teeth every day, to reduce plaque formation and the tartar build-up, which leads to dental disease.