A new mutt is taking over Instagram.
The internet is abuzz with a dog owner’s introduction of a litter of puppies described as “Golden Shepherds”—a cross between a German shepherd mother and a golden retriever father. An Instagram reel showcasing the charming pups has quickly gained traction, sparking both adoration and debate among dog owners.
“Mom was a German Shepherd. Dad was a golden retriever. These are a perfect combination of loyal, alert, protective and sweet,” the creator wrote in the video. “Meet our ‘Golden Shepherd’: loyal like a German Shepherd, loving like a golden retriever. You get the fluff, the smarts and the snuggles in one perfect package.”
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The video’s comments section quickly filled with an outpouring of affection and shared experiences. Many users praised the apparent benefits of this mix.
“That’s gotta be the best mix ever,” one person wrote. “Loving and derpy like goldens but smart and trainable like shepherds!”
Another proud owner shared their positive experience: “We have a ‘Golden Shepherd’! She is the most amazing dog. Rosie and her litter mates were accidents … She is the absolute best dog in the world.”
The sentiment for German shepherd mixes in general was strong, with another comment saying that they are “the best.”
“Had a German Shepherd husky mix and later a German Shepherd collie mix growing up,” the viewer wrote. “They were both such lovely sweet and caring dogs.”
The Breeding Debate
While largely lighthearted, the discussion also veered into some debate surrounding designer breeds versus mutts.
Some users were critical of the “breed” designation for a mixed-breed dog, with one commenter saying: “Breed? This is a MUTT. Stop purposefully breeding dogs and calling them their own breeds. Adopt don’t shop, anyone breeding dogs like this should be ashamed of themselves.”
“Glad they are rescues,” another wrote. “But humans being disgusting and greedy as they are, I can see someone intentionally seeking out a designer mutt.”
The comments reflect a broader conversation within the pet community about responsible breeding practices and the importance of animal adoption.
“[Public Service Announcement]: Please never purchase one of these from a breeder,” another commenter posted. “Even an ‘accidental litter.’ Only buy cross breeds from shelters or people passing them on. Never buy mutts.”
And, of course, the practical side of owning such a fluffy mix wasn’t overlooked. A funny comment pointed to a likely consequence of combining two notoriously shedding breeds: “The breed was engineered by vacuum cleaner companies,” the viewer wrote.
Newsweek reached out to @lifewithgoldenshepherds for comment via Instagram.