Living Conditions And The Environment
Because the German Shepherd Husky Mix is a large dog who is also quite active, it is highly recommended that you provide your dog with a large, suitable area where he can run around and get enough exercise.
A house, or particularly a large, fenced backyard, would be an ideal living condition for this dog.
If you dont have time to go for daily walks, a backyard will suffice for fetch, fly-ball, tug-of-war, or even an agility training course.
Because of the double coat of the dog, the climate should be moderately cold. The last thing you want is for a dog of this breed to live in a hot, humid, and desert-like environment! That makes us feel uneasy as humans, and its even worse for a dog with a double coat!
How Do I Know My Future Shepsky Has A Nice Temperament
Well, you simply cant tell whats going to happen in the future. While they can be calm pups, some Shepskies may grow into misbehaving doggos. Why is that? Its because you didnt pay much attention to the training.
But, we can predict whether the pup will be nice or not by getting to know its parents. Its more likely that the pup will behave rather than misbehave if the parents are calm.
Each day with a mix breed dog is different. Youll find out many traits coming from both sides of the family, and thats the beauty of owning a crossbreed dog.
Can The German Shepherd Husky Mix Live In An Apartment
Living with a German Shepherd Husky mix in an apartment depends on several things.
First off, is your apartment huge? Hmm, we thought so.
Second of all, do you promise to take them out a few times a day for hearty exercise and keep them entertained? You do? Then, its settled! Your Shepsky can live in an apartment.
However, they prefer living in big, spacious houses with big yards where they can hang out and exercise a lot.
Bear in mind, whether you live in an apartment or in a house, the Shepsky has a high-pitched bark. This means that the neighbors can be alarmed. The first thing you should do is teach them the quiet command.
Your ears would be thankful!
Every dog with the Huskys barking and howling traits is a noisy pooch. But, dont think that the GSD is a quiet dog. Nope! They bark and howl as much as the Husky. No wonder why their cross puppy is so vocal.
As such, if you live in a small apartment, a smaller crossbreed, such as the French Bullsky, might be a better choice for you.
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Shes The Perfect Exercise Partner
Having descended from two working dogs, it goes without saying that the Gerberian Shepsky is active!
If you are a couch potatothis is not the dog for you.
Like its parents, this dog can go for miles without tiring. They are perfect exercise companions and should be taken out twice a day, preferably for an hour or more each time. These dogs love to run, so you should take her to an area where she can go off leash . You can also teach her to jog or run alongside you. Its important to wait until they are mature before doing any excessive exercise .
As puppies, their growth plates havent set yet, and you can cause her long-term injury. In large breed dogs like this one, their plates usually set at around 12 months, so it is best to wait until 12 15 months before starting more vigorous exercise. You should talk to your veterinarian to get the okay before starting any exercise program.
If not exercised properly, this dog can become frustrated and spend her excess energy chewing on your shoes, digging holes in the garden or, to your neighbors distress, howling. I repeat: this dog is only for active, sporty types!
Given their size and energy levels, I would only recommend this dog to someone with a house and spacious yard.
Prerequisites For Physical Activity:
A minimum of an hour of pastime is a constant daily need for the Husky Lab Mix, which damages into sessions. Also, theyll additionally want a variety of possibilities to move around inside the outdoor without being leashed. If you have mastered the ability of recall, you may additionally allow them to off their leash on walks.
Consequently, you and your black lab shepherd/huskymix canine may revel in a few neighborhood agility education due to the fact youre each exceedingly enthusiastic and intelligent. Swimming is any other exciting hobby in your lovable canine!
Also, its an extraordinary manner for whiteGerman shepherd lab mix to get a few exercising simultaneously as nonetheless being interesting to watch. Just preserve your distance once they shake their coats they can maintain a variety of water!
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White German Shepherd Husky Mix Puppy
Its not difficult to find white German Shepherd Husky Mix puppies. Because of the popularity of both breeds, their puppies can be found all across the country. There are a few key guidelines to follow to increase your chances of bringing home a healthy, happy new companion.
The cost of a German Shepherd is typically lower than that of a Siberian Husky. The cost of their combined progeny, on the other hand, varies.
White German Shepherd Husky Mixes cost between $400 and $1,500. Be wary of any puppy that appears to be too good to be true. It requires money to breed a healthy litter of puppies from healthy parents. It all adds up: health screenings, veterinarian care, immunizations, and flea and worming treatments.
If the purchase of a puppy isnt enough to meet these costs, the puppies and parents welfare will eventually be jeopardized.
Grooming Needs Of The German Shepherd Husky Mix
As a mix of two thickly furred dogs, you need to arm yourself with a good vacuum cleaner and a slicker brush to keep away any of your dogs fur that may land on your furniture or clothes.
Daily brushing will help your dog shed less, and his coat will always be shiny. Additionally, a little emphasis will be required during the two shedding seasons. Use a de-matting rake and a de-shedding comb to minimize the chances of your dog developing mats.
Bathing this dog can be done once every six months, and always use a veterinary-approved shampoo, not yours.
Besides maintain the hygiene of your dogs coat, dont forget its ears, nails, and teeth. Cut the nail short every week.
Brushing the teeth can be done twice weekly with a vet-approved toothbrush and toothpaste. If your dogs dental health is not checked regularly, he risks developing gingivitis and periodontitis.
Also, check the ears weekly. Look for anything out of places like odd smells and discharge. If there is a foul smell or excess discharge, dont home treat your dog rather, contact the veterinarian.
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You Can Expect To Pay $1000 Or More From A Breeder
In most cases, mixed breed dogs are sold for less than purebred dogs if you get them from a breeder. However, we have seen the price for both mixed breed and purebred dogs rise significantly in the past year, so dont expect to purchase a German Shepherd Husky mix for less than $1000 from a breeder.
Breeders will also more than likely charge a premium for Shepskys that have inherited the two-colored eye trait from their Siberian Husky side. However, even though youll usually have the benefit of meeting the parents if purchasing from a breeder, there are far too many mixed breed dogs sitting in animal shelters, just waiting for their forever homes.
Purchasing your Shepsky from a shelter will usually cost you much less than purchasing from a breeder as well.
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They Have A Few Dietary Requirements
When it comes to a Shepskys diet, there are a few different types of diets that they will go through as they grow from puppies into adults. In general, their diet should be aimed at a medium-sized breed that has a high exercise and energy requirement. This special diet is because this hybrid has a pretty high chance of contracting a digestive disease.
While they are still puppies, special attention will need to be given to the amount of food and exercise that your pup gets. If they are more like their German Shepherd parents, then they will need a low-calorie diet to slow their growth. This is because they tend to grow very fast from four to seven months and can develop bone disorders from this rapid growth phase.
Overfeeding is a real issue when it comes to this crossbreed. They need a fair amount of food to keep their stamina and health up with their exercise needs. But, if you feed them too much and they dont get enough exercise to burn off all those calories, they will pack on weight really quickly. An overweight German Shepherd Husky mix can lead to various joint problems, which you want to avoid.
There are instances where a raw diet works well but a good high-quality dry dog food with the needed nutrients will be just as good. A high protein diet is a good option, with meals being spread between two different feeding times a day. Dont forget to take into account any dog treats that you give them during the day when calculating their daily calorie intake.
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They Need To Be Mentally Stimulated
Because of their genetics, their intelligence means that they have a need to be mentally stimulated. You can use games to keep your dog engaged and happy. This can be done through a variety of ways.
An easy way of engaging their sharp minds is by taking them on a simple walk where they can explore their surroundings. They are very observant, so using different routes on a regular basis will keep them interested.
Another great way to engage their minds and prevent boredom while at home is through an interactive dog toy, especially one that will reward them if they are successful in solving it. For some playtime, you can play a game known as hide and sniff.
Just let your Shepsky smell the treat or toy while you are holding it, hide it and then let them find it. Once they do, sit back and let them enjoy their little reward for successfully locating it.
How Trainable Is The Shepsky
Its either you win or lose, theres no in-between. Training a Shepsky may be easy-breezy, but it may also bring you lots of headaches. When the pup takes after the Husky parent, its more likely that they will inherit the stubbornness gene and resist the training.
Theyre usually not that concentrated, and have a short attention span. Keep the training sessions short, fun, and include a treat for a job well done. The only thing that can result from this is success.
Anytime you can, give them tasks to complete. After all, the Shepsky does have GSD blood in his veins. Puzzle games and various tasks will keep their mental stimulation right on track. Unless youre an experienced dog owner, dont mess with the Shepsky. They need a firm hand to get them on the right path.
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Tame The Hunter In Your Shepsky Puppy With A Leash
We mentioned earlier that both the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky have a breed-related prey drive. Additionally, the Husky is known for its tendency to dig and escape.
To tame the hunter instinct in your Gerberian Shepsky puppy, teach your pup to walk on a leash. Letting your Shepsky puppy off-leash in parks is not advised, especially if complete obedience training has not been done.
I advocate you stick with the positive reward-based training and follow these two steps to train your Shepsky puppy to walk on a leash:
Step 1. Start Indoors
Start by letting your Gerberian Shepsky puppy wear a leash or harness inside the house before going outdoors.
Using the leash during play or training time when you give treats will make the pup associate the leash with positive outcomes.
Alternatively, use the leash for short periods during the day and reward the puppy every time he walks around for a while with the leash or comes to you when you call. Accompany the treat with a clicker sound or a verbal reward like yes! or good boy!
If you use a harness, reward your puppys patience while putting it over his body and working the straps. Ensure to get the most comfortable harness for your young puppy because being comfortable will work in favor of your Shepsky training.
I recommend the Walk Your Dog With Love No-PullHarness for these reasons:
You can check out my review here, Walk Your Dog With Love Harness: An Owners Review.
Step 2. Proceed to the Outdoors
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!
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A Mixed Breed Coat: Maintenance Of German Shepherd
You have to brush them every day!
If youre looking for a dog that wont shed blankets of fur then the Gerberian Shepsky is not for you.
These hybrid pups arent really low maintenance. They shed a lot and are prone to that nasty wet dog odor. To keep their coat nice and shiny and to reduce shedding load you need to brush them daily.
As with all dogs, there is more to dog care than simply brushing them.
Dental disease is quite a common issue in dogs. we often forget that just like humans, dogs too need to have their teeth cleaned on a regular basis. So, keep an eye on your dogs teeth and brush when necessary!
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How Much Should This Dog Eat
They require at least 3 cups of dog food a day, divided into two servings. Its best to go for high-quality kibble that has protein-rich content.
They also need at least 25% protein when on a grain diet and 30% protein on a grain-free eating plan.
Your dog will benefit from joint supplements, which will encourage the growth of cartilage and help improve mobility. This can be particularly helpful for a highly active dog like the Shepherd-Husky cross.
Fruits such as apples, blueberries, oranges, coconut, pears, watermelons, and pineapples can be added to your Gerberian Shepskys diet, but these foods should be given in controlled amounts.
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Shes A Natural Protector
These dogs are loyal to their owner, which makes them a great family dog. Like their German Shepherd parent, whose job was to keep watch over the herd, they are natural protectors. This can sometimes develop into overprotectiveness and territorial behavior, however, and may lead to displays of aggression towards strangers.
It is imperative that you keep this under control through socializing your dog: make sure your puppy is used to being around as many people as possible from a very young age.
Husky Shepherd Mixes Live Relatively Long Lives
Generally speaking, the larger a breed is, the shorter its average lifespan. Chihuahuas often live to be 15 years of age or more, but Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds often live only 7 or 8 years.
Shepherds and Huskies have average lifespans of about 9 to 12 and 10 to 15, respectively, and the offspring of the two will likely enjoy lifespans near the high end of this range.
Just be sure to take very good care of your new Gerberian Shepsky including both his physical and emotional well-being and hell likely be alive and kicking for a long time.
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How Should You Feed Your Gerberian Shepsky
Due to bloating concerns, plan to feed your Shepsky two times a day. Three times daily is even better and can help avoid eating too much in one sitting.
A healthy and active GSD Husky mix should eat 1700 to 2400 calories per day.
Using caloric measurements as feeding guidelines is more precise than going by volume, but it works out to approximately four to eight cups per day.
A more sedentary dog may need a caloric intake as low as 1200 kilocalories you will have to use measurements as rough guidelines and go by your Shepskys appearance.
You should be able to look down on your dog and see an obvious waist where your dogs trunk narrows from chest to hips.
The ribs should not be visible, but you should be able to easily feel them under a light padding of fat when you run your fingers across your dogs trunk.
Finally, from the side, your dogs tummy should tuck up, the abdomen should be gradually sloping as it approaches the hind legs.
You can safely monitor your dogs changes in weight every week or two. Puppies, since they are growing rapidly, require more vigilant weight-watching than adults.
You can adjust food amounts by 10% in either direction to account for excess loss or gain.
Teach Your Shepsky Puppy Its Name
Both German Shepherds and Siberian Husky dogs enjoy family time, so your Shepsky puppy is bound to be the same.
Heres a quick and effective way to teach your Shepsky its name:
This Video is an Excellent Demonstration of These Steps
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