The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd is a large and striking blend of a German Shepherd and a Great Pyrenees. This is a powerful and majestic mixed dog that despite having an intimidating appearance and weighing up to 120 pounds, makes a great companion.
This dog is also known as;
- Shepnees
- Sheppy
- Germanees
It is easy to mistake this dog for a lion due to his sheer size, powerful body, and thick coat but he is a gentle lion. Being a mix between very powerful dogs, it is no surprise that the offsprings ended up being this powerful.
But is this the right mixed dog for you? Keep on reading to find out more.
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About the Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix
The German Shepherd Great Pyrenees mixed dog is a great watchdog that is known for his work drive and is also great at herding livestock.
Learn more about the German Shepherd dog breed.
The Shepnees is better suited for the countryside lifestyle than the city. So, if you were a city dweller, this adorable pooch may be too much for you.
These doggos are confident, strong-willed, and intelligent which makes them very trainable.
They are not excessive barkers but they will express their feelings time and again. The Shepnees may also bark when he sees a stranger in the homestead and you should, therefore, make sure that he is consistently socialized and trained.
The German Shepherd Pyrenees mix has a beautiful appearance with one of the most beautiful coats. However, he is high maintenance and will need frequent grooming.
5 Shepnees fun facts
- This crossbreed dog goes by other names that include Shep Py and Germanees.
- They are better suited for cold climate regions and can overheat easily in hot climate areas.
- These dogs may look tough and intimidating but they are known for having endearing personalities with a love to play, especially in the snow.
- If this mixed doggie inherits the Great Pyrenees coat, it will be water-resistant.
- These dogs are known for wandering off, going for a walk by themselves, and eventually returning home. But you should make sure your home is properly fenced to prevent this and for ease of mind.
German Shepherd Pyrenees mix pros and cons
Pros
✓ Protective and loving.
✔ He is a great guard and watchdog.
✓ The Gemanees is intelligent and highly trainable.
✔ Makes a great companion and playmate for children.
Cons
✗ Has high exercise needs.
✘ The Shepnees is a high-maintenance dog that needs frequent grooming.
✗ This canine friend is a heavy shedder.
General characteristics and appearance of the Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix
| Shepnees summary table | |
|---|---|
| Height | 22 to 32 inches |
| Weight | 80 to 120 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Breed Type | Mixes and more |
| Purpose | Working and companion dog |
| Suitable For | Active families and experienced dog owners |
| Grooming requirements | Moderate to high |
| Color Variations | Black, White, Tan |
| Health concerns | Hip and elbow dysplasia, Epilepsy, Cataracts |
| Temperament | Loyal, Loving, Protective, Intelligent, Playful, Energetic, and Sweet |
| Other names | Germanees, Shep Py, German Pyrenees |
Height and weight
The German Shepherd Pyrenees mix is a large dog that can weigh between 80 and 120 pounds. This mixed dog can also stand between 22 and 23 inches.
The physical appearance
The Germanees can look more like a German Shepherd or Great Pyrenees depending on the parent he inherits most of his genes from.
He can also be a perfect blend of the two parents creating an extremely adorable dog. The sight of this dog could probably take your breath away.
These pooches are muscular and strong with well-proportioned bodies and wedge-shaped heads.
The ears can be perky or drop like those of GSDs.
They also have dark-brown almond-shaped eyes and possibly black lips, noses, and eye rims.
Shedding and coat appearance
One of the most adorable features of this dog is his long flowing coat with a ruff around the neck that makes him look like a lion.
The coat can be medium to long and in some instances, water-resistant like that of a Great Pyrenees.
Coat texture can also vary from wavy to curly.
However, this canine friend is heavy shedder, especially during spring and autumn. He is also not hypoallergenic and, therefore, not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Colors:
When it comes to the Shepnees color, they often inherit the Pyrenees fawn, white, black, tan colors.
These can be solid colors or can be a combination of colors from the German Shepherd parent.
Temperament and personality traits of the German Shepherd Great Pyrenees mix
| Traits | Rating |
|---|---|
| Friendliness |
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| exercise needs |
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| Trainability |
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| Ease of care |
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| sociability |
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This pooch is dedicated, loyal, gentle, and kind which is a blend of traits from both parents to create a truly majestic mix.
These mixed canines are also smart which makes them very trainable. And when it comes to performing tasks they are highly determined and serious in what they do.
However, the Shepnees is not just about devotion to tasks given as he also has an extremely friendly and playful side.
He can go from a herding dog to a couch potato as he loves nothing more than spending time with friends and family members.
They can also be mischievous when bored opting to explore and wander off in the process. You must give this dog as much attention and keep him stimulated physically and mentally stimulated.
The Germanees is also a very protective dog but aggressive unless he is provoked. You should ensure he is constantly socialized to make him more trusting.
Is the Shepnees a great family dog?
The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is a gentle and loyal family dog.
He is patient and gets along with children and loves to play with them but interactions between the two should be supervised.
This dog also gets along well with other family pets. However, may try to herd them from time to time, especially smaller pets like cats and rabbits.
This is why early and consistent training and socialization is essential.
Germanees History
Not much is known about this dog’s origin or who the first breeder to intentionally cross this dog was.
But what I can tell you for sure is that over the last 20 years or so there has been an increase in the number of designer dogs. We have seen more crossbreeds over the last two decades than before.
This has been mainly attributed to their increased popularity and demand.
The original purpose of the German Pyrenees is also not documented, but anyone that knows these dogs too well would tell you that they were probably bred to be herding and watchdogs.
This would be the most probable explanation for the mixing of these two powerful dogs.
However, we can also look at a brief history of the two parents.
Brief German Shepherd History
The German Shepherd is a popular purebred that was bred to be a protector and to herd livestock.
We have Mr. Max Von Stephanitz to thank for making this dog breed a hit and improving the breed. Mr. Stephanitz believed that the GSD would be a great worker after he saw this dog in a dog show in the late 1800s.
As time went by this dog’s roles slowly changed from herding livestock and he was used more by the military and the police.
This has been mainly due to his intelligence and trainability.
They are also great companions and family dogs.
Other Popular German Shepherd mixes
- Wolf Shepherd is as close as you can get to a wild animal.
- Golden Shepherds is a hybrid that combines the qualities of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
- Shepkita is a mix between Akitas and German shepherds.
- Siberian Shepherd. Also known as the Gerberian Shepsky, the German Shepherd, and Siberian Husky mixes both intelligent and obedient.
The Great Pyrenees brief history
The Great Pyrenees is an ancient dog breed believed to have originated from either Siberia or Central Asia. And just like the German Shepherds, these dogs were bred to be herders.
At around 3000 B.C shepherd migrated with these dogs to the Pyrenees mountains in Southwest Europe.
This is where the breed’s moniker comes from.
These dogs would soon gain popularity with the royalty of both France and Britain. This would not last as they almost lost their popularity was recovered in the US in the 1930s.
Other popular Pyrenees mixes
- The Alaskan Malamute Pyrenees mix.
- Mixing the Great Pyrenees with a Siberian Husky creates an incredibly beautiful dog.
- Bernese Mountain Dog Pyrenees mix.
- The Golden Retriever Pyrenees mix.
Puppies
Litter size:
The Germanees litter size can range from 4 to 8 puppies.
These pups take around 18 to 24 months to reach their full size but some are known to take as much as 2.5 years for full maturity.
How much does a Shepnees cost?
A Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix puppy will cost you anywhere between $500 and $1000 depending on your breeder. The location and pedigree of the parents will also affect the initial cost of the Shepnees puppy.
You must get your puppy from a responsible and reputable breeder and wait until he is about 8 weeks old to take him home
Ensure that both parents are healthy and avoid puppy mills and backyard breeders like a plague.
How can you find a reputable groomer. Visit this guide to learn more on the best way to find a reputable and reputable breeder.
How to groom a German Pyrenees mix
The German Shepherd Pyrenees mix coat may be beautiful but it will require a lot of grooming.
Brushing is one of the most important grooming requirements.
Brush the coat at least 3 times a week to minimize shedding and prevent the formation of tangles. You should invest in a high-quality de-shedding tool to remove dead hair from the dog’s undercoat.
You may also need to visit the groomer twice a year for a doggie haircut depending non how fast his coat grows.
Only bath this dog when it is necessary. Bathing this dog too often will strip the coat of essential oils causing the skin to dry and become irritable.
Also, check and clean the ears regularly as it is notorious for trapping dirt.
The nails should be trimmed and dental care is also very important.
Shepnees Exercise requirements
This is a high energy dog that will need to be mentally and physically stimulated for about 60 minutes a day.
You can achieve this by two daily walks which should be coupled with play sessions.
When walking this dog, ensure that he always leashed as he loves to explore and he may find something more interesting than you and wander off.
However, due to his high exercise needs and enormous body size, this mixed dog is not suitable for apartment living.
Having a well-fenced backyard will be great for this dog due to his instincts to explore.
| Number of walks | 2(30 minutes each) |
| Exercise needs | 60 to 90 minutes |
How to feed a Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix?
The Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is a large dog that will need a lot of food to meet his energy needs.
Make sure that you do not overfeed your Pyrenees mix as he is prone to obesity. Monitor everyone in your home to ensure that no one is sneaking in some snacks and those tasty training treats for this dog.
The Shepnees will do great on a raw diet that has meat-based proteins as the main ingredient.
This diet should also contain chondroitin, fatty acids, and glucosamine for bone development.
High-quality dry food will also be great for this canine friend.
The meals should be divided into 2 or 3 portions to reduce any risks of bloat. If your dog shows any signs of any stomach discomfort visit your vet.
| German Pyrenees Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1600 to 1800 |
| Cups of Kibble | 🍗🍗🍗 |
How to train a Shepnees
This dog is easy to train.
However, he can have an independent side which may make him more challenging to train.
His eagerness to please his owner and intelligence makes teaching this pooch new tricks and commands easier.
You should come up with a training schedule and use positive reinforcement and reward-based training for the best results.
Regularly praise and reward this dog for good behaviors and never use punishment and a training method.
Start training early to get rid of any stubborn streak that this dog may have later on.
Known health issues
The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is a generally healthy dog.
However, he is also susceptible to some health problems such as;
- Hip and elbow dysplasia where the joints fail to fit snugly into the sockets.
- Von Willebrand’s disease is also common in these dogs. This is a health complication that is characterized by the failure of blood to clot.
- Bloat is the build-up of gases in the stomach and can be lethal to this dog.
- Epilepsy
- Eye problems such as Cataracts.
How long does a Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix live?
The Germanees has a lifespan of between 10 and 12 years.
Breed summary
The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is a loyal, gentle, and loveable dog that may easily get a wrong rep for his intimidating appearance.
He is not a dog suitable for every dog lover but will need an experienced and active owner.
This dog will need a lot of exercises to keep him stimulated and prevent him from getting bored.
If you take good care of this Pyrenees mixed dog, he will shower you with love like never seen before.
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There you go, WOOF!
