The Shepsky is a mixture between the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky dog. These pups are medium in size, lively, and loyal, inheriting some of the best traits from both of their parents.
German Shepherd Husky Mixes are devoted and caring working dogs. They have a history of doing security jobs, police work, search and rescue missions, and military operations because of their outstanding intellect and alert disposition.
While it is hard to foresee how the features of two parents will blend in a mixed-breed dog, history suggests you will end up with a superb dog that will make an excellent addition to a lively family. Read on to learn more about this crossbreed and discover whether it’s the ideal dog for you.
German Shepherd Husky Mix: History
The German Shepherd Husky hybrid is a designer dog breed that is still in its infancy. There’s not a lot of information regarding where it came from or when it started. Many dog experts believe the first of this breed was bred on purpose in the late 1980s.
Because both parents are great working dogs, a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky were originally crossbred to produce a first-rate working dog. They were soon utilized to aid in search-and-rescue missions and assumed military and police positions due to their tremendous strength and fast wits.
To have a better knowledge of the German Shepherd Husky mix, it would be beneficial to learn about the parent breeds’ origins.
Horand von Grafrath, a German Shepherd, is claimed to be the ancestor of all German Shepherds. Originally developed to herd sheep, breeders soon realized their full potential and began employing them as police and military dogs. The American Kennel Club originally recognized them as part of the herding category in 1908.
Compared to the German Shepherd, the Siberian Husky has a longer history. For thousands of years, they have been employed to pull sleds in North-East Siberia. They were taken to Alaska in the early 1900s for a sled race, which they won, and thus their reputation started. The American Kennel Club recognized them as working dogs in 1930.
Appearance
Because both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are medium-sized canines with a wolf-like look, their mixes should have comparable characteristics.
German Shepherds are canines that range in size from medium to big. Males stand between 24 and 26 inches tall at the withers, while females stand between 22 and 24 inches tall.
Both sexes, however, have unusually long necks, making them appear larger than other dogs of the same height.
Siberian Huskies are a tad smaller, with an average height of 19 to 24 inches and a weight of 35 to 60 pounds. Females are on the smaller side of the scale, while males are on the bigger side.
As a result, you can anticipate Shepskies to be smaller than German Shepherds, with males being 22 to 25 inches tall and females standing 20 to 24 inches tall. Males typically weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, while females average between 40 and 70 pounds.
Shepsky puppies have pointed ears and long noses inherited from both parents, giving them a wolf-like look. Their eyes will be either brown or blue, and some may have the unusual dual eye color that huskies are known for. They usually have a double coat, with a dense, soft undercoat and a tougher guard hair covering on top.
Brown, black, cream, white, and even tones of red and blue are all possible colors for Shepsky’s coat. They are usually always a blend of at least two different hues and are practically never one single color.
When two distinct thoroughbred dogs are crossbred, the pups will almost always acquire qualities from their parents. Of course, this will differ from litter to litter. It’s not unusual for them to inherit the majority of their characteristics from one of their parents. So, if your German Shepherd Husky mix puppies seem more like their German Shepherd parent than their Siberian Husky parent, or vice versa, don’t be dismayed.
Temperament
Both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are active dogs. As a result, Shepkies are well-known for their energy. When they don’t have enough physical and mental stimulation, they can get bored and destructive.
German Shepherd Husky Mixes acquire their friendliness, silliness, and gentleness from their Husky half, while their Shepherd side gives them loyalty and courage. Shepherds are wary of strangers, although Huskies are not. The combination creates a perfect equilibrium. Your Shepky will protect you and your family from everything once he or she has reached adulthood.
When choosing a large breed mix, many people are concerned about how their new dog will interact with young kids. Fortunately, the German Shepherd Husky mix is often good with children since they are kind yet sturdy enough to bear the humiliations that children frequently inflict on them.
Of course, you should never allow your dog to play with your children unless you are confident that you are familiar with them (and you should never allow young children to play with dogs unsupervised). Ideally, you’ll get your Shepherd-Husky mix dog when they’re still a puppy, so they can grow up with your kids.
Many Siberian Huskies like going on adventures, sometimes for hours or even days at a time. This need to explore, commonly referred to as “Wanderlust”, can transform some Huskies into expert escape artists who have little trouble breaking out from their cages. Some German Shepherds are also adept at eluding capture.
So, if you’re thinking of adding a Shepsky to your household, make sure you invest in a sturdy, escape-proof container. It’s also a good idea to double- and triple-check your yard’s fence for any holes or flaws.
Being alone over lengthy periods of time is not something Shepskys excel at. They get bored and dissatisfied without the company they require, as well as exercise and the opportunity to put their brains to use. A Shepsky who is under-exercised and ignored by their family is more prone to let off steam in unpleasant ways, such as howling and destroying property.
Training and Exercise
Do German Shepherd Husky mix dogs require a lot of activity and training? Yes. Because their parents are working dogs, they have boundless energy and can engage in active activities without tiring. To maintain and develop their strength and endurance, they require regular exercise. At the absolute least, you’ll need to spend a lot of time with your dog outside every day.
Even if you’re exhausted, you must make time to exercise your dog. Your dogs’ drive and temperament will determine how much stimulation or exercise they require. If they are more Siberian Husky than German Shepherd, they may prefer to run for hours every day rather than learn instructions. If they’re more German Shepherd, though, they’ll be happier conducting advanced labor tasks; they like things that give them a feeling of purpose.
A German Shepherd and Husky Mix is reasonably easy to train. But there are numerous things you must prevent your dog from doing, from howling excessively to knocking things over to chewing on shoes.
Shepskies can also be restrained among strangers and, as a result of their protective instinct for their owner, can be aggressive at times. But don’t worry; with some early socializing, you can figure this out.
Begin obedience and socialization training at a young age to avoid irritating behaviors and to ensure that you and your dog have a good life together.
Grooming
The Shepsky sheds somewhat, so if you plan on taking this dog home, make sure no one in the household suffers from allergies. If someone in your family suffers from allergies, hypoallergenic dogs may be a good option.
Because these dogs have a double coat, they will need to be brushed 2-3 times a week to keep it in good condition and remove any excess fur that may be shed, especially as the seasons change.
German shepherds acquire a thick wax build-up in their ears, which your German Shepherd Husky Mix may inherit. It is important to clean their ears on a regular basis; you may get this done by a professional or learn how to do it yourself.
You must also brush their teeth, and trim their nails regularly.
Heath
Crossbreeds are thought to be healthier than pedigrees. Because there is less risk of inbreeding and more gene variety, this is the case. However, this does not rule out the possibility of crossbreeds inheriting health concerns from their parent breeds.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are frequent in big active breeds, like the Shepsky, and typically causes joint and arthritic issues in elderly dogs. They may also experience bloating. If you want to avoid this, don’t exercise your dog shortly after they eat. Shepsky is prone to epilepsy. Cataracts and other eye diseases have been reported in this hybrid breed as well.
Shepskies have a rather long lifespan, with an average of 10 to 14 years. Of course, you must give them the right amount of exercise, food, and affection to keep them healthy. Also, remember to take them to the veterinarian on a regular basis.
Cost
The German Shepherd Husky Mix is a reasonably inexpensive dog. For $400 to $500, you can acquire one from a reputable breeder. This is far less expensive than Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds, which may cost up to $1000. Also, the cost can add up through health screenings, veterinarian care, immunizations, and flea and worming treatments.
Be wary of any dog that appears to be too good to be true. It requires money to breed a healthy litter of puppies from healthy parents.
Conclusion
A German Shepherd Husky mix might be a great choice if you’re searching for a lively and active dog that will fit in well with a noisy and adventurous household. Shepskies are wonderful family dogs that are loyal and easy to train, but they require a lot of love and attention to stay healthy and happy.
It is important to remember that not every breed of dog is suitable for every family and situation. This is why it’s important to research the breed you’re interested in before bringing one into your home.
To know more, check out other articles on the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky.
If you have a Shepsky or know of someone with this active and loyal pup, please share your story in the comments below.