Do Gerberian Shepsky Get Cold
This is a breed that was bred to work hard in cold weather. Your Husky Shepherd mix has 3 separate coats to keep them warm. As a result, you can be sure that they wont get cold. You should be more worried about how they fare in hot weather. Always remember to take water to give them as they walk in summer.
How To Exercise Your German Shepherd Husky Mix
Original purposes of the German Shepherd vastly differ from that of the Siberian Husky.
The German Shepherd is a true all-purpose workaholic most commonly found in the following sports:
- Tracking
- Schutzhund
- Police/military force
A lot of people get German Shepherds Husky mixes to get that protective instinct that the German Shepherd has.
This is not always the case and even a purebred may struggle with protection without proper direction and training.
That doesnt mean you should start protection training with your mixed breed or even purebred on your own.
Always consult a professional to avoid teaching your dog negative behavior patterns .
Lets take a look at the Husky.
Huskies are incredibly enduring. How could they not, they were bred to run hundreds of miles in very cold climates.
But their original working purpose was quite specific and they may need to have an outlet for this desire to run.
A Husky German Shepherd mix may not be into snuffle mats or toys as much as youd like him to but needs mental stimulation nonetheless.
Training your dog early on will prevent behavioral issues in the future and get your dog used to brain training.
Since both breeds are relatively high energy, you need to walk your Shepsky at least twice a day for a minimum of 30-60 minutes each walk.
Husky German Shepherd Mix Puppies For Sale
When they start looking for Shepherd Husky mix puppy for sale, many people go to the breeder. The breeder, usually, is experienced in breeding for this type of dog. He or she knows all the traits of a good Husky.
You can usually learn about the background of the litter if you go into the breeders office with an explanation of why you want to see a German Husky dog. Its a good idea to have an idea of what your expectations will be when you bring the puppies home.
Many reputable breeders will let you know upfront how many purebred Huskies there are in the litter. This is important because youll want to know the number of Shepsky puppies that will be born.
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Overview: The German Shepherd Husky Mix At A Glance
This hybrid is the ideal balance of two highly intelligent and regal looking pure breeds. Each litter typically produces 6-8 adorably fluffy puppies, each of which may look different. Some will inherit heterochromia or different colored eyes from their Husky parent, while others will receive the longer snout of their German Shepherd parent. Theyre all sure to have those charmingly alert ears common to both breeds!
German Shepherd Husky Mix Training
The German Shepherd Husky mix dog has to be properly socialized and trained as early as possible, even when they are still very young puppies.
This cross breed is, as we already established above, a very smart dog and will hence learn real fast in the hands of a competent trainer who knows what theyre doing.
If youre going to be training your German Shepherd Husky mix dog yourself, then the 4;most important aspects of training you should keep in mind are positive reinforcement, firmness, consistency and engagement.
Stick to these 4 principles and youll be more than fine training this dog.
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Fun Facts About German Shepherd Husky Mix
Compared to the Labradoodle and the Cockapoo, crossbred puppies of Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds still have a low profile.
But what do you even call the progeny of a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky?
Herman Shusky? Germusky?
The current trend for making hybrids and giving them quirky names is a recent one.
And German Shepherd and Husky mix dogs existed long before a name was coined.
But they have now been around long enough for a consensus to be reached. The verdict is:
Gerberian Shepsky.
Its not exactly catchy, but it seems to be the one that has stuck!
How Long Do Siberian Huskies Live
Even though Siberian Huskies are a medium-size breed that typically lives 10-13 years, the Siberian Husky itself has a longer lifespan, typically living between 12-15 years. And its not uncommon to hear of them living to the ripe old age 16.
When comparing them to similar dogs in their size range, Golden Retrievers only live about 10-12 years while the average German Shepherd lives anywhere from 9-13 years. The Siberian Huskies cousin, the Alaskan Malamute, has a shorter lifespan as well between 10-12 years.
Also Check: What To Feed A 1 Month Old German Shepherd Puppy
How Long Do Huskies Live Lets Make It Longer
Dont worry Husky owners! Theres still a lot you can do to maximize your Huskys life expectancy!
From thehappypuppysite.com:
Slim and trim: Look after your Huskys waistline and theyll live longer. Studies show that lean dogs live two to three years longer than their chubbier canine cousins. Avoid over-feeding to max out that Husky lifespan.
Spay the girls: Studies show that female dogs live longer than males, and that spayed females live longer than those left entire. For a longer Husky life expectancy, get a female pup fixed.
Vaccination: Vaccinating against common life-threatening diseases does actually save lives.
Parasite control: Take advice from your vet about appropriate parasite control. For example, heartworm is a life-threatening, but preventable, condition.
Active lifestyle: As a sled dog, the Husky is bred to run all day in harsh conditions. Your dog may love to curl up by the hearth, but this doesnt do away with their basic drive to run. A bored dog may run off and become the victim of a traffic accident. Or else, they may become so destructive theyre impossible to live with. Make sure a Husky gets plenty of mental and physical exercise.
Elbow And Hip Dysplasia
The German Shepherd has a rather high incidence of joint dysplasia, while Siberian Huskies have an extremely low occurrence.
Hip dysplasia occurred at about 2% in Huskies in 2019 compared to just under 20% for the GSD. Your mix likely will show improvement of joint health over purebred German Shepherds.
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Apartments Are Not Appropriate For German Shepherd Huskies
Several factors are problematic when attempting to combine apartment living and a Husky mix.
Your Shepherd Husky mix will not be a giant dog but probably too large for the confined space of most apartments and condos.
More challenging than space, however, is your dogs energy level. Shepskies require a lot of exercise and have an intensity that can make them anxious when confined.
You may be thinking, Well, my apartment is big enough, or I will just take the dog out for walks multiple times a day. Even if you successfully adapt your pet to city dwelling, will your community be welcoming?
Many property owners and insurance underwriters view Siberian Huskies as destructive and aggressive. Also, many people fear Huskies, viewing them as threatening to cats, small dogs, and even children.
Insurance companies who employ breed blacklisting policies have been recently added the Siberian Husky to the list.
German Shepherds are finding themselves on more Dangerous Dogs lists because of poor breeding or negligent socialization but also due to their long standing guard dog status.
Potential restrictions on where you can live with your Shepsky will always be present, and usually dont distinguish between mixed breeds and purebreds.;
If they ban German Shepherds, for example, any dog with more than a certain percentage of that breed will be prohibited, face higher security deposits, among other measures. You could end up facing a double penalty with a GSD Husky mix.
German Shepherd Husky Mix Temperament:
Normally German Shepherd Huskies are calm and cool but when it comes to security they are a loyal and amazing companion.
They resemble Wolf kind of dogs and looks really very aggressive but they are loving and wonderful.
This dog breed has different sub-breeds all over the world and they look like to all kind of breeds like Australian shepherds and Siberian Huskies.
when a German shepherd husky mix came into the age of Old Dog from puppyhood the temperament changes a little bit but still, they are very loyal and friendly to Dog owner.
Also Check: Do German Shepherds Need To Be Groomed
Make Your Husky Happy; Tire Him Out
Siberian Huskies, similarly to German Shepherds, need two hours or more of exercise per day.
Providing a good amount of training and other intellectual activities can be a good substitute to some of the more strenuous types exercise like long hikes in the forest.
As with GSDs, training and socializing your Husky is super important however, try your best to avoid boring them! They will always be grateful if you can keep things fun while making sure they get to run around as much as possible.
German Shepherd Husky Mix Size
Compared to some of the more mismatched doggy parents these days, German Shepherds and Huskies have quite complementary appearances.
They both have erect ears and dignified expressions. They look well built and athletic.
Both breeds have double coat, which looks deep and cuddly.
Overall, Huskies are medium sized dogs. They weigh 35-60lb. More males are at the top end of the range, and more females at the bottom.
From the ground to the shoulders they stand at 20-23 inches tall.
German Shepherds are larger. They weigh 49-88lb, and stand 22-26 inches from floor to shoulder. Again, males are usually larger than females.
When a Husky German Shepherd mix puppy grows up it will be anywhere between the smallest Husky, and the biggest German Shepherd.
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What To Watch Out For
In particular German Shepherds are prone to:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia incorrect formation of the joints, which often develops into painful arthritis.
- Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy a degenerative condition of the nerves which control the hind legs.
- Gastric Dilatation Volvulus bloating in the stomach of deep chested dogs which causes the stomach to twist around itself.
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency; failure to produce enough of the enzymes needed to digest meals.
- Anal furunculosis painful infections of the anus.
- Panosteitis an inflammatory bone disease.
Eye disease, allergies, and epilepsy are other possible issues.
German Shepherds are also prone to posture and back problems that cause them to walk on their hocks.
Its quite a list, but bear in mind that we can now screen for many conditions in parent dogs before they mate.
And a good breeder will be happy to show you records of this.
Now lets look at the effect of mixing in some Husky genes.
Are Huskies Good Family Dogs
Huskies can be fantastic family dogs, especially because they have all that energy that is perfect for tuckering out the little ones. Huskies are mostly graceful around kids, but they can be dorks and spaz out with energy, but even then, theyre good about not running into people.
Most huskies do get random independent episodes usually only lasting a few hours to a day at most where they want to be left alone. They can become territorial over their area when this happens, and will growl or get angry if pressed upon. Usually, this happens with other animals, not people.
Last, you want to make sure you can handle their training needs as their intelligence makes them prone to boredom resulting in them disobeying. As well, dont expect a husky to walk without a leash by your kids side. They love to run, and they love to run after other things that run.
Also Check: How To Exercise German Shepherd
Although German Shepherds Have An Average Lifespan Of Fifteen Years Some Dogs Can Live As Long As Twenty Or Even Thirty Years
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd dog is between seven and ten years. However, the life expectancy of these dogs can be slightly higher or lower based on factors such as the health of the dog, breed, proper care, and the amount of activity it gets. Some dogs live longer than others because of genetic factors, common disorders, and breed characteristics.
How long do German shepherds live with hip dysplasia and/or flatulence? These two common diseases are usually preventable with regular exercise, good nutrition, and regular veterinary visits. German Shepherds suffering from hip dysplasia usually need to stay indoors while they heal and undergo rehabilitation.
How long do German shepherds live with skeletal problems and joint problems? Hip dysplasia is sometimes life-threatening for these dogs, but with proper nutrition and exercise, they can easily recover. Some dogs may suffer from skeletal problems such as distemper, arthritis, and infectious diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and typhoid, which in extreme cases may lead to death due to weakness and exhaustion.
Gerberian Shepsky Exercise Needs
Given that they are produced by high-energy parents, it isnt shocking to learn that Gerberian Shepskies need a lot of exercise.
You should always increase the duration of exercise gradually, but most Shepskies are willing to run for miles at a time. Many owners report that their Shepskies never seem to run out of energy they may accompany you for your morning run, come home and play with the kids for hours and then start chasing squirrels once everyone else is tired.
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Caring For Your Gerberian Shepsky
Since your Gerberian Shepsky is a very active dog breed as well as large in stature, they need to have a diet that is packed full of calories and protein. However, when feeding your dog, you must also take into account their age, size, and actual activity level.
Puppies will require more calories than older dogs to help with their growth. Less active and senior dogs require between 1,300 and 1,600 calories while active and working dogs require 1,700 to 2,400 calories per day for optimal health and performance.
To keep up with the active lifestyle of your furry friend, they should have ample space to run and play and plenty of toys to keep them busy and entertained.
Early socialization is also important, so they continue to grow up friendly and outgoing. Dog parks are great for this kind of social training and will also provide them with the mental stimulation they need.
But if you are in a hurry, just check out the chart below or scroll down to the FAQ section at the end of the article.
| Trait or Characteristic |
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Your Homes Compatibility With A German Shepherd And A Husky
German Shepherds and Huskies are large breeds with high activity levels, so they need space to live and exercise. You also need to fortify your perimeters heavily.
German Shepherds are very athletic and can jump high walls and fences. Huskies are known for their escape-artist tendencies. They climb walls and fences, and they also dig. ;
If you have cats and other small pets, you may want to avoid getting a Husky because of their strong prey-drive. As discussed earlier, your German Shepherd may also join in the chase if they become excited.
German Shepherds and Huskies have thick coats, so they do well in cooler climates. If you live somewhere very hot, these might not be the best breeds to get together.
When dogs are hot, they can become irritable, and they are less likely to run off their energy. This creates a tension-filled environment and may lead to fighting.
Also Check: How To Train A German Shepherd To Protect
Will Your German Shepherd Husky Mix Get Along With Children And Other Dogs
Although your GSD Husky mix could potentially inherit some aggression from the German Shepherd, most well-socialized Shepskies will get along with other dogs.;
Siberian Huskies do not often show aggression against fellow canids. Tiny dogs could pose a problem if your pet perceives them as prey.
Also highly dependent on extensive socialization, your Shepsky should get along with children. The hybrids playful personality makes them great companions for children over the age of eight or nine years old.
As with any larger dog, small children are at risk of injury from the exuberant nature of the Shepsky. Your German Shepherd mix could run over a toddler or may exhibit nipping and herding tendencies.
Keep in mind that mixed breeds are responsible for a large proportion of serious dog bites, and the most common victims are children under nine years old.
German Shepherd Mix With Husky Food Recommendations
In terms of its dietary needs, the strong and athletic Husky German Shepherd Mix requires a high-protein diet. Make sure the food meets the following characteristics:
Give your dog the best care you can and theyll reciprocate with lots of love. The first step is to provide them with balanced nutrition by making sure you opt for best dry dog food, which you can also find in Wellness Core Dog Food, Dog For Dog Food, or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Dont go anywhere close to the worst dry dog food as it doesnt contain much nutritional value.
If you need more suggestions for your canines diet, scan through best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food and see if any suits your pups needs. Prior to making any change in their diet plan, consult with your vet.
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