German Shepherd X Husky: Facts, Temperament And Lifespan

Dog combinations occur in various forms, and one of the most widely recognized is the German Shepherd Husky Mix.

Since purebreds were purposefully mixed to create it, it is known as a designer breed or hybrid. A purebred designer canine with German Shepherd and Siberian Husky parents is known as a Shepsky.

These medium-sized, active, and devoted puppies had some of their parents’ most significant traits. The Gerberian Shepsky is another name for the Shepsky.

These mixed-breed canines are nonetheless accessible at shelters and rescues, notwithstanding their unfortunate position as a designer species.

History: German Shepherd Cross Husky

History German Shepherd Cross Golden Retriever
Image source: dogtime.com

The hybrid of a husky and a German shepherd is comparatively new. But the biographies of its parents are intriguing and quite extensive.

The Shepsky dog breed may have developed organically over time, but in the 1990s, most likely in North America, designer producers began purposefully breeding German Shepherd and Siberian Huskies.

Producers intended to combine the two parental breeds to develop a super-hybrid, functioning dog. In the beginning, a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky were crossed to create a superior working dog because both parents make great working canines.

As the market for these puppies increased, they persisted in raising Shepskies. They eventually assumed law enforcement and military responsibilities due to their overwhelming physical power and quick thinking.

Height20 to 26 inches
Weight35 to 90 pounds
Lifespan10 to 13 years
Breed typeHybrid
Coat Colourswhite, cream, grey, red, blue, light brown, and golden brown
Best suited forActive Families

About The Breed

About The Breed
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The Gerberian Shepsky is an Alpha dog by instinct, composed of two devoted, clever, and diligent dogs.

These lovely puppies are loving and affectionate. They have a tradition of taking on security tasks besides military deployments because of their exceptional intellect and vigilant attitude.

The ability of the German Shepherd x Husky combination as a friend and service dog is enormous. However, large dogs with long coats require great care and attention.

They may be disastrous if left unchecked for an extended time, and families may occasionally clash because of how cautious they are.

1. Physical Attributes

The Siberian Husky and German Shepherd combine strikingly in the German Shepherd Husky hybrid.

A Gerberian Shepsky may, in principle, fit into a combination of the two groups in terms of weight and height.

This moderate to a big dog may range in size from 35 to 90 pounds and stand 20 to 26 inches in height.

2. Personality And Temperament

Personality And Temperament
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Shepskies are pack animals. Shepsky owners frequently describe these pups as being energetic and lively. They are active and of average size.

Thus, they require a leader of the pack to aid them in staying directed. They may occasionally try to seize leadership and push the boundaries of your place in the herd. Shepskys struggle with being left alone for extended periods.

They get restless and irritated without the company they seek and the opportunity to use their brains.

These canines are good security dogs since they pay close attention. These characteristics originate from both parents; however, because of the dog’s heightened sensitivity to noise, it has also been reported that it barks excessively.

Such canines will never disappoint you concerning loyalty, an excellent quality many people want in a dog. These canines are incredibly affectionate and cuddly and cannot say no to a decent pat or tummy rub.

3. With Family, Kids And Other Pets

The most important question is how a more extended terrier mix interacts with family and children.

Fortunately, the German Shepherd Husky mix is feisty and strong enough to withstand any silly tricks kids may try on. They are often quite kind to youngsters.

They overprotect kids and other relatives. Be on the lookout for assaults on outsiders when they feel threatened by the people they care about.

Each dog is different, as we are all aware. Therefore, you need to educate them properly to avoid any undesirable situations. This species can get along with other pets if trained early.

4. Appearance

A German Shepherd Husky can exhibit any admixture of its parents’ physical attributes. The head of this menacing beast is moderate to large, and its nose is powerful and relatively pointed.

A German Shepherd Husky has a pair of keen almond-shaped pupils and a pair of pointed triangle ears. This dog typically has two different coloured eyes. They are pretty puffy, so their lovely coat adds to their alluring appeal.

The most typical colour schemes are brown and black; and white and black. There are several more hues that you will notice, such as white, cream, grey, red, blue, light brown, and golden brown. Their coatings often combine two or more hues, almost seldom being a single colour.

5. Activity

Activity
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You need to make the time to walk this dog even if you’re exhausted. Depending on their drive and disposition, your canines may require different stimuli or activities.

These puppies will enjoy running for hours daily to follow instructions if they are more of a Siberian Husky. When they are more German Shepherd-like, however, they seem to appreciate tasks that give them a feeling of fulfilment; they are happiest while performing sophisticated job tasks.

A Husky and German Shepherd mix that is allowed to play remains content. This dog is cognitively stimulated while playing.

They become restless and often exhibit unpleasant behaviours if they don’t receive enough activity. They will get increasingly irritated, using their cunning to do terrible things throughout your home.

6. Diet And Nutrition

A diet full of protein is necessary for this giant, energetic breed. The number of calories needed depends on age, body weight, exercise, and gender.

The recommended practice is to spread out the portions across at least two feeding periods each day to encourage smooth digestion and prevent the risks of bloating and volvulus linked to both varieties. Shepsky is an active carnivore that requires a minimum of 22% protein in their diets to survive.

It’s crucial that they don’t overeat. Joint development issues are also a possible consequence. Unlimited feeding is not encouraged while the puppy is growing.

At least three servings of premium chow daily would be great, along with a few treats of appealing wet food from time to time. Make sure your dog gets access to a freshwater source as well.

Also Read: 5 Best Dog Food in Australia [Updated 2022]

7. Training

A German Shepherd and Husky Mix is a type that is reasonably clever, ready to learn, and devoted to its owners.

They are also not too challenging to train. If these canines aren’t adequately taught, they may develop tendencies that drive their owners insane.

It will help if you prevent your dog from performing many things, such as barking excessively, knocking things around, and gnawing on footwear.

Due to their high sensitivity to verbal instructions, German Shepherd and Husky Mixes are significantly simpler to train.

Begin your pup’s training classes early to avoid the development of irritating behaviours and to ensure a comfortable life for you and your dog.

8. Health Concerns

Health Concerns
Image source: anythinggermanshepherd.com

This hybrid can have various health problems over its 10- to 13-year existence.

The Shepsky breed is prone to several ailments that the Siberian Husky and German Shepherd also experience. The following are a few of the most prevalent health issues that Shepskys experience:

  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Painful arthritis is typically caused by issues with how the hip and elbow joints develop.
  • Patellar Luxation: This breed is also prone to patellar dislocation.
  • Epilepsy: A neurological condition that results in uncontrollable seizures and unconsciousness.
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Symptoms include night blindness, pupil dilation, and difficulty seeing in solid light.
  • Juvenile cataracts: In this condition, the dog’s eyes feature an opaque lens, frequently resulting in loss of vision.
  • Cancer: In this hybrid, cancer is common.
  • Anal Furunculosis: A painful canine anus infection.
  • Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy: This condition is when the neurons that regulate the dog’s rear legs have a debilitating illness.
  • Gastric Dilatation Volvulus: Also known as stomach bloating, which causes the stomach to wrap around itself.
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: This disease causes insufficient production of digestive enzymes.

9. Care

  • Like any canine, you must keep up with your Shepsky’s routine vet visits to immediately catch any health issues.
  • Every day, examine their ears for dirt and vermin and cleanse them as advised by your veterinarian.
  • Before they become lengthy, clip your puppy’s nails. This should be done either once or twice per month.
  • The preservation of your Shepsky’s dental health should be your top priority while providing for their needs. Wide varieties are susceptible to dental problems, and you should treat their teeth daily.
  • Shower this dog as needed. Rather than using a powerful wash, choose one that will preserve the essential oils in their fur. Avoid bathing your dog too frequently, since doing so might remove these oils.
  • Multiple days a week, comb your German Shepherd-Husky cross. Additionally, take your dog for professional grooming every two months. Try to begin grooming your puppies young so they are familiar with the procedure.

Final Words

Selecting a German Shepherd x Husky mix dog entails several duties. But it may be enjoyable to raise them, assuming you do it correctly from the beginning. It might not be the type for a novice owner.

They’re undoubtedly among the prettiest, brightest, and most loyal canine friends.

Still, it is vital to remember that these canines will need continuous training sessions because they like learning new skills, routinely practising new moves, and demanding a lot of activity.

This could be the perfect choice for you if you’re an accomplished dog owner who has previously owned a dog, as well as someone who is energetic and loves sports.

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