German Shepherd Husky mix is an intelligent, loyal, and intelligent crossbreed. This dog is a blend of the energetic German Shepherd and vocal Siberian Husky creating a large-sized dog that weighs 45-80 pounds. The Husky Shepherd Mix has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.
This mix is a true alpha and a great companion.
The Shepsky hybrid is often referred to as;
- Gerberian Shepsky
- Siberian Shepherd
- Husky Shepherd
- German Husky
If you are reading this article by now it means that you either own one of these dogs or are interested in one.
The good news is that you have come to the right place. We are going to look at all that you should know about this mixed dog and even the top care tips.
Related posts:
Continue reading to get a deeper insight into the Gerberian Shepsky.
About the German Shepherd Husky mix
Crossbreeds can sometimes go unnoticed but they have been in existence for some time now. It is only recently that people have started to take notice of the different crossbreeds and what they have to offer.
Gerberian Husky is quite a new breed or rather hybrid that comes in many qualities and can have a variety of characteristics.
He is, however, not recognized by the AKC.
Pros and cons of the Gerberian Shepsky
Pros:
✓ Loyal.
✔ Great for active families.
✓ Loving.
✔ Intelligent and highly trainable.
Cons
✗ Tends to be stubborn.
✘ Requires a lot of exercises.
✗ Potential health problems.
✘ Has high grooming requirements.
The general appearance of the German Shepherd and Husky mix
German Shepherd Husky Mix summary table | |
---|---|
Height | Males: 22 to 25 inches, Females: 20 to 22 inches |
Weight | Males: 55 to 80 pounds, Females: 45 to 60 pounds |
Lifespan | 10 – 13 years |
Breed Type | Mixes and more |
Purpose | The family dog or Guard Dog |
Suitable For | Active families |
Grooming requirements | moderate to high |
Color Variations | Tan, brown and black, or grey and white |
Health concerns | Elbow and hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, PRA, CDR, FDV, vWD, anal furunculosis, panosteitis, impaired thyroid function, bloating, cancer, and epilepsy |
Temperament | Loyal, intelligent, friendly, active, powerful, affectionate, dignified, make good guard dogs and family dogs |
Other Names | Gerberian Shepsky, Siberian Shepherd, Husky Shepherd, or even the German Husky. |
Height and weight
The German Shepherd Husky mix is a medium to a large-sized dog with an average height of 22 to 25inches for males and 20 to 22 inches for females. They have an average weight of 55 to 80 pounds for males or 45 to 60 pounds for females.
You should, however, keep in mind that the size of the dog can vary depending on the parent breeds, especially for the 1st generation mixes.
The health and diet can also affect the overall size of the dog.
Physical appearance
The Husky Shepherd is known for his wolf-like appearance and almond-shaped eyes that can either be dark brown or blue.
Some of these mixes can also have heterochromia which is a condition where one eye is colored differently from the other.
They also have a long muzzle with a black nose and straight erect ears.
The Skull can resemble either that of a Husky or a German Shepherd.
How long does the German Shepherd Husky mix live
The average lifespan of this Shepsky mixed dog of between 10 and 13 years but some can live for up to 15 years depending on how healthy they are.
Shedding, Coat appearance, and Color
This adorable canine comes in a double coat with the undercoat being thick and soft.
These double coats help to protect the pooches from extreme weather such as very hold or cold conditions.
The coat can either be short or long, medium, or dense depending on the environment where the parents were raised.
Gerberian Shepsky usually has a fluffy and thick coat just like that of a Siberian Husky.
The color of the coat comes in different shades ranging from the darker German Shepherd’s colors that are brown and tan with black or even the lighter Husky colors that are the likes of white and grey.
Color variations:
Gray | Black | Red |
Cream | Brown | Tan |
White | Golden | Light Brown |
Does the German Shepherd Husky mix shed?
The German Shepherd Husky mix sheds moderately. He will, however, sheds a lot during the blow out seasons. You should, therefore, invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner to get rid of the Shepsky’s shed hair.
Gerberian Shepsky History
Nobody knows for sure when the German shepherd Husky mix came to be but it assumed that it is in the middle of the 20th Century.
But many experts believe that the German Shepherd Husky mix was intentionally bred in the late 1980s.
The German Shepherd and Husky were bred to produce a first-rate working dog as they are both known to be great working dogs.
German Shepherd Husky mix dog was later used in search and rescue operations and was used by the police and the military. This was because of their intelligence and sheer strength.
There are no records on the history of the Gerberian Shepsky but you can understand this hybrid better.
Other similar mixes
- Golden Shepherds is a hybrid that combines the qualities of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
- Chow Shepherd is a mix between the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd.
- German Shepherd Rottweiler mix
- Mixing up the Husky and Akita produces the Huskita.
- Ausky is a beautiful result of mixing the Husky with the Australian Shepherd.
- Bullsky is a mixture of Husky and Bull-mastiff.
German Shepherd Husky mix temperament and personality traits
The German Shepherd Husky mix is a dog that not only has great looks but also a great personality. He portrays a healthy, bold, staunch, and muscular dog.
You should, however, not be scared of this dog as he is a great dog that is calm and gentle making him a great pet and a working companion.
The Gerberian Shepsky mix gets along well with other people as long as they don’t feel threatened by them.
He will never stop you from giving him a good belly rub or any other form of petting.
They do well as family pets and are good with children and other pets. The Gerberian Shepsky is capable of melting the coldest of hearts with his love and playfulness.
However, you should be prepared for every eventuality as the temperament can vary depending on whose personality they take after.
As a guard dog
This Husky Shepherd is a solid dog that is always ready to put his life on the line for the sake of his family so, you can depend on him as a guard dog. He will always put you before himself.
The protective nature is got from both of his parents and he is also known to be an excessive barker due to his attentiveness to sound from the surrounding.
You should consider if the barking is a deal-breaker for you before you adopt one of these hybrids.
Intelligence level
German Shepherd and Husky mix dogs are known to be very intelligent dogs.
This high intelligence means that they are willing to learn new tasks and tricks making them easy to train.
Such high intelligence levels mean that you always have to be an attentive owner.
Gerberian Shepsky’s puppies
Not every breeder is out there to make sure that you get the best, some are just there just to make money and it is always advisable to get a puppy from a good and reputable breeder.
For this reason, you should always make sure that you verify your breeder.
How much does a Husky German Shepherd mix cost?
A Husky mixed with a German Shepherd will cost you anywhere from $400 to $ 1000. The cost will depend on the breeder you get the puppy from, the location, and the parent lines that he has been bred from. A puppy from two pure breeds will ultimately cost more
Adoption is another great option and for this, you can check out your local rescue or shelter facility.
Feeding a German Shepherd Husky mix
Gerberian Shepsky is a large and active dog that requires a lot of energy and should, therefore, be fed in a protein-rich diet to meet their nutritional requirements.
The amount of food that you give the dog will depend on;
- size
- age
- activity level
A puppy Husky Shepherd will require more calories than an adult Shepsky due to their rapid growth rate and development of their system.
Puppies should be fed in intervals 4 times every day. When the dog is mature reduce the number of meals to 1 or 2 meals in a day.
Less active and older dogs will require around 1300 calories a day.
More active or working German Huskies will require about 1700 calories per day.
German Husky mix Daily Food Consumption | |
---|---|
Calories | 1200 to 1800 |
Cups of Kibble | 3 to 4 |
Failure to meet their nutrition demands will result in adverse effects in their growth and you must prepare or get a well-balanced meal for the dog.
Some of them are known to be picky eaters with som preferring canned meals to dry kibble as they are way easier to chew and get digested.
Nutritional care tips
Proteins and fats are the 2 most important nutrients in a Shepherd Husky mix diet.
Fats are broken down into fatty acids that provide energy for this dog and keep the coat, skin, and paws supple while proteins are the basic building blocks and are important for the repair of tissue after exercise or injury, growth and development, and also provide him with energy.
The proteins should be mainly meat-based and should come from high-quality sources such as lamb and turkey and should make up for at least 20% of the diet.
High-quality fats can be got from vegetable or fish oil sources. Fats should make up for about 8% of the diet.
Carbs will also help provide this dog with energy. However, food should not contain too many grain or fibers.
Vitamins and minerals are also essential in Shepsky’s diet.
Avoid foods that have artificial fillers and also avoid food supplements with too much zinc in them. This is because this mix is known to suffer from a condition known as zinc responsive dermatosis.
But most importantly, your Husky mix should have a continuous supply of clean water to keep him hydrated.
How to Groom a Husky Shepherd
The beautiful coat of this German Shepherd mix requires regular maintenance to keep it looking adorable.
This fluffy coat sheds will require you to brush it to remove dead hair and to keep it healthy. You also don’t want excess hair and dander on your carpet and clothes.
Brushing the coat will also help to distribute coat oils and keep the skin moisturized.
There is also a blowout period that occurs when the hotter months are approaching. Getting rid of the excess and dead hair helps regulate the temperature of the dog during the summer.
Grooming is also required to keep the coat free of mats and tangles.
Brushing the coat two or three times a week is what I would recommend. You can take the dog to a professional groomer every 2 months.
How to Bath a Shepherd Husky mix
Bath your pooch only when it is necessary. Bathing the dog too often can strip the coat of essential oils.
Also, use a dog shampoo that is not too strong to maintain these oils and keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Do regular ear checks as the wax tends to build up in the ears especially the Gerberian Shepsky’s ears.
Clean the ears carefully using cotton buds and other dog-friendly cleaning solutions. This keeps the ear canals and free of odor.
If you are not used to cleaning the dog’s ears you can get a groomer to do it for you.
Dental hygiene is also an important part of cleaning your dog.
Brush your dog’s teeth for about 2 to 3 times every week to reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
During make an effort to see that the dog’s nails are trimmed. This can be a painful experience for the dog if it is not done properly.
You can ask a professional groomer to trim the nails for you if you are not comfortable doing it by yourself.
German Shepherd Husky mix training
Although this dog is indeed quite intelligent, it can be very deceiving as to how easy he is to train.
Huskies are known to be stubborn and the Gerberian Husky has his genes, he can quite stubborn especially in the starting stages of training.
If the dog is not properly trained he can result in some behavioral issues that you may not be happy about.
Training can also be a way of building a better bond between you and your dog.
Socialization is an important part of the training your German Shepherd and Husky mix. Socialize the dog with other pets and people.
When puppies are socialized at a young age they grow up to be outgoing and friendly.
Exercise requirements
Husky Shepherds love to exercise and approximately 90 minutes of exercise in a day will be enough.
Having a spacious house and a backyard can be the best option for this dog as it can help him stay busy while playing.
After an exercise gives the dog some time to rest and cuddle.
Exercise not only helps the Husky Shepherd to stay physically fit but it also helps in mental stimulation.
There are challenges that you can dog between you and your dog to further stimulate his mind. Hide and sniff is a perfect example of such a game.
Number of walks | 2(30 minutes each) |
Exercise needs | 60 to 90 minutes |
Husky Shepherd health concerns
Hybrids are known to be healthier than pure breed dogs.
However, they can still inherit some health problems from their parent breeds. The German Shepherd Husky mix is no exception.
Below are of the major health concerns with this hybrid:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Juvenile cataracts
- Corneal dystrophy
- Anal furunculosis, panosteitis
- Impaired thyroid function
- Bloating
Breed summary
This is a striking, bold, and wolf-like breed that is a true Alpha.
He is Intelligent and protective yet extremely loveable and gooey on the inside.
They make for the perfect family dog, the perfect running companion, and the perfect explorer.
If you have time, patience, and love and are looking for a large active dog, then this breed will be perfect for you. Provide him with adequate exercise, 2 hours will be enough for him.
You should remember that this dog requires the perfect diet.
There you go WOOF!!!!
You may also like: