Be Careful Where You Get Your Giant Gsd
Be sure to purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder.
Avoid buying your puppy from online ads or retail pet stores, as many of these dogs come from puppy mills.
Whether your GSD is purebred or mixed, a responsible breeder will health test all their dogs for inherited health conditions and share all results with you.
Keep in mind that large breed puppies have different nutritional requirements than smaller dogs to moderate their growth rate and prevent future bone and joint problems.
German Shepherd Mix: 25 Popular Mix Breed Dogs
December 17, 2020 By Pippa Mattinson
German Shepherd mix breeds are often intelligent and easy to train. Some may have strong guarding instincts and German Shepherd mix puppies should be well socialized.
If youre looking to combine the best features of your two favorite breeds, you might want to choose a crossbreed.
Lets take a look at the most popular German Shepherd mix breeds, plus a few rarer crosses that you might not have heard of!
How Much Does A Giant German Shepherd Cost Puppy Prices And Expenses
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Giant German Shepherd puppies price ranges from $800 to $2,500. King Shepherds are quite more expensive than Shiloh Shepherds.
The price range for Shiloh Shepherd puppies is only $800 to $1,000 while the King Shepherd puppies cost from $1,200 to $2,500.
But wait, theres more! After purchasing your puppy, you still need to cash out money for its initial medical needs like neutering, deworming, and blood tests which will cost you a rough estimate of $300.
Dog essentials like bedding, collar, bowl, and toys will cost you around $200. Training, license, annual medical needs, and other miscellaneous expenses will cost you not less than $600.
With all these being said, if you plan to own a Giant German Shepherd, then ready your pockets and wallet.
Also Check: How Much Should A 7 Month Old German Shepherd Eat
Appearance Similarities Of The King Shepherd And German Shepherd
- Strong and muscular bodies with broad chests.
- Heads are large with strong jaws and teeth
- Nose and lips have black pigmentation
- Oval-shaped eyes of dark brown color
- Ears are high on the head and triangular in shape
- Tails hang straight down with a slight curve
Hip angulation is a difference between a King Shepherd and a German Shepherd.
American breed German Shepherds have severe hip angulation, which causes their backs to look sloped.
King Shepherds have a balanced hip angulation which gives them a straight or flat back.
A King Shepherd puppy is easy to recognize because of its plush coat, teddy bear face, and thick ears.
Thinking About A German Shepherd For Your Family
German Shepherds are the 2nd most popular dog in the US year after year for good reason! Their incredible intelligence and loyal nature make them excellent and easy to train companions. Just be sure you are ready to commit to their physical, mental, and sometimes, health-related needs.
Do you have a German Shepherd Dog or are you thinking about adding one to your pack? Wed love to hear your questions and stories below.
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How Much Space Do King Shepherds Need
If youre looking for a dog to fit into city life or a small home, King Shepherds are not the dog breed for you.
They are without a doubt a lot of dog, therefore King Shepherds need space. This is not an apartment or condo-sized pet. King Shepherds tend to fill even modest house space. So having a big backyard or a nearby park is a must.
King Shepherd Health Issues
One of the goals in creating the King Shepherd was to decrease known health issues that plague the German Shepherd Dog.
Through responsible breeding, many health issues can be eliminated or reduced, but that doesnt mean the King Shepherd is immune from common problems among German Shepherds or large dogs in general.
Potential King Shepherd health issues to be aware of are:
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Looking For A Dog Like A German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of world’s most recognized and popular breeds. The breed is known as Alsatian in Great Britain and parts of Europe. They are intelligent working dogs and their devotion, courage, and intelligence are unmatched.
German Shepherds are very strong and energetic. Their front legs and shoulders are muscular and their thighs are thick and sturdy. They are tall, about two feet and two inches, and their body structure is rectangular. German Shepherds are among the best police and military service dogs. They are also excellent herders, search and rescue dogs, and drug detectors. They are loyal and faithful companions.
These qualities make them popular. Some people, however, would like a dog like a German Shepherd but with various other traits, including:
- bigger and more powerful
- less hairy and doesn’t shed
- smaller in size and more suitable for apartment life
- lower maintenance in terms of physical exercise and suitable for an inexperienced owner
- less aggressive and good with strangers, kids, and other pets
- cool and calm, but bigger in size
- can handle freezing temperatures
- can handle warm weather
- longer or shorter life span
For these specific requirements, investigate other breeds that look like German Shepherds. Read on to find out the many breeds to consider and their specific qualities.
Personality And Lifestyle Of German Shepherds
German Shepherds are very smart which makes them easily trainable. They have incredible memories and will quickly adapt, adjust and pick-up on your routines, often acting a step ahead of you. Extra training classes and efforts to keep your German Shepherd mentally stimulated will go a long way in their happiness and a calm disposition around the house.
German Shepherds are active dogs that need 30-60 minutes of exercise every day. They are bred for herding and guarding, but are adaptable to being exercised in a variety of ways to fit your lifestyle. Because of their intelligence, switching up daily exercise and making a point to take them to new or different locations a few times a week is important.
German Shepherds are able to get along with children and other pets easily if they are raised around them. Constant efforts to socialize your German Shepherd, getting them around other dogs and people regularly can help quell their guarding instincts.
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Great Dane Mixed With German Shepherd Food Requirements
A healthy German Shepherd Great Danes will require up to three to five cups of dog food per day, depending on their size and weight. They are not picky with their food and therefore eat almost anything that you provide them.
You can divide their food into two meals of high-quality dry dog food to keep them satiated. Due to their slow metabolism, it is recommended to give them a healthy and regularized diet.
- Sierra Mountain Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food by Taste of the Wild This is one of the best dog foods for large to giant dogs in the market. Their formula is easily digestible. It has probiotics which help improve digestion and prevent bloating. Each cup of this treat contains 338 calories with 24% protein and 15% fat.
- CORE Natural Grain Free Large Breed Dry Dog Food by Wellness This high protein food helps in building muscles. It also works to strengthen the joints and their immune system. Each cup contains 346 calories 34% protein and 12% fat. This also has probiotics to help with your dogs digestion and prevent bloating.
Due to their susceptibility to bloat, you might need to use a couple of tools that can help you ensure your dog stays healthy.
Every mixed pup carries the genes of their respective, vastly different parents. So, try your luck with both the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best large breed dry dog food and see which one they like better! Dont forget to consult with your vet before you change your pups diet!
Are There Breed Of Miniature German Shepherds
- There is no miniature German Shepherd breed. A smaller German Shepherd does exist but it’s actually a mixed-breed, usually by cross-breeding a female German Shepherd with another smaller breed, such as a Corgi, Border Collie, Miniature Poodle, Dachshund, or even Yorkshire Terrier.
So, do German Shepherds need large breed food? German Shepherds need large breed food as it is made with balanced nutrition specifically designed for larger breeds. These foods include a higher amount of protein, lower amounts of calcium, phosphorus, fat, and the correct amount of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
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More Information & Facts About The German Shepherd Dog Breed
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Home » Breed Info » Giant German Shepherd: 14 Important Things To Know
How Much Do Giant German Shepherds Cost What Is Their Price
You will generally pay more for a Giant type GSD because they are rare.
A regular purebred German Shepherd might be anywhere from $500-$1500 through a breeder, whereas a Giant German Shepherd might be anywhere from $1500 up to $3000.
Its important to note that things like titles, pedigree, demand and supply, and the overall quality and experience of the breeder can increase the price.
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Why Breed Big German Shepherds
There are several reasons for breeding larger than normal German Shepherds.
Breeders of GSDs that will be trained for physically demanding tasks like search and rescue or military and police work can cultivate large size, muscular strength, endurance, and athleticism.
Are these big lugs good as family pets?
Many potential owners seek out GSDs for their protective nature.
Breed experts often say that males tend to be more protective of their home territory and females tend to be more protective of their human family.
Owners interested in training their dogs to guard their property and family might also be interested in larger German Shepherds, both male and female.
Besides working ability and protectiveness, many people are simply fans of bigger dogs, and the idea of a giant German Shepherd is very appealing.
How exactly do you get a larger German Shepherd? Lets look at how breeders select for larger than normal size.
Other German Shepherd & Great Dane Mixes
Choosing the dog breed that aligns with your lifestyle is the most important decision you can make. Every year tens of thousands of dogs are abandoned or put up for adoption because the owner was irresponsible and didnt do their research before choosing a dog that isnt a great for their lifestyle.
Not sure the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd aligns with your lifestyle? Consider adopting one of 50+ popular German Shepherd mixes or Great Dane mixes.
Alpha Paw has conducted the most in-depth research into the most popular German Shepherd Mixes in America:
| Breed Recognition | No |
German Shepherd mixed with Great Dane produces a pretty tall hybrid that can reach about 28 to 30 inches in height. They are among the biggest cross breeds and can weigh between 65 and 130 pounds. Most of these dogs have a body like a Great Dane, with robust and long muscular legs. They have bright brown eyes and long erect ears, which are similar traits of both parent breeds.
Their coats would depend on which parent they would take them after. They could have a short coat like the Great Danes or medium length like the German Shepherd. With colors that range from hazel, brown, black, white, or even merle.
Despite their large size, these are very loving and affectionate dogs. They are very friendly and playful with both adults and children. Just remember not to leave them unsupervised around little kids to prevent any untoward incident caused by their massive bodies and excessive energy.
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German Shepherd Maintenance And Grooming
All German shepherds have a thick double coat consisting of a soft, dense undercoat and a coarse, water-resistant topcoat that is medium to long. Their coat is easy to maintain most of the year by brushing them every few days. Twice a year, they go through a major shedding spree called blowing, a month-long process in which they lose their seasonal undercoat. During the blowing season, you will need to brush your dog daily to avoid matting and hair build-up around the house.
Aside from brushing, the maintenance routine for a German shepherd is straightforward. All you need to do is brush their teeth regularly and trim their nails monthly. This breed is fairly clean with only a slight odor, so they only need bathing a few times a year.
Takes A While To Get Acquainted With Strangers German Shepherd Great Danes Take A Lot After Their German Shepherd Parent In This Instance They Are Perfect Watchdogs Always Alert And Cautious Around Strangers Just Like German Shepherds They Would Need A Lot More Time To Warm Up To Someone Who Is Unfamiliar To Them
You would need to socialize and train them as early as possible to familiarize them to family members, friends, neighbors, or even other pets.
2. Requires large space to move around. Due to their enormous size, these dogs will need a lot of room to move around and play. They will not be a good choice for a pet if you live in a tiny apartment. These dogs are more suited or comfortable in homes with larger space or a good-sized yard since they love being outdoors, too.
This way, they could stay active and have the freedom to play whenever they want. They can easily get bored, and when they do, they may tend to act out or develop bad behaviors such as excessive barking or become destructive.
3. They need plenty of exercises. This hybrid is highly energetic, and they would need that from their owners too. It is recommended for them to stay active by getting ample exercises. This is good for managing their weight and temperament. They need regular walks, running or playing with other dogs, and some time outdoors like a weekly visit to a dog park.
A German Shepherd crossed with Great Dane is an active as well as a smart dog and may need a lot of care and attention. It is important for them to have both physical and mental stimulation.
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Saddle Back German Shepherd Dog
This by far the most common of all types of German Shepherd. While they are usually of two colors, it is the distinctiveness of their markings which gives them this name. The saddle part refers to a patch of black fur which lays over their back, resembling the shape of a saddle on a horse. Some people refer to this as a âblanketâ pattern, interpreting the shape as of a blanket were laid over their back.
The other color of Saddle Back German Shepherds are usually either tan or red. In many dog shows and competitions, the more vibrant the color, the better the scoring. Liver color is not welcomed and may be used to deduct points in German Shepherd show dogs. They usually also have a black muzzle which covers their snout and parts of their face. Other areas such as their tail may exhibit black coloration.
King Shepherd Versus German Shepherd
The King Shepherd is a herding breed that falls into the classification of a large German Shepherd.
They are mainly the result of crossbreeding a Shiloh Shepherd and a German Shepherd Dog.
The Shiloh Shepherd is a crossbreed of the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and Canadian White Shepherd.
Being a mixed breed, King Shepherds are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
The King Shepherd is an extra-large Shepherd hybrid and a lot of dog.
Below are 12 things you should keep in mind and consider before getting a King Shepherd.
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Why The Interest In Big German Shepherds
Teacup sized toy dogs may be very trendy, but fans of bigger German Shepherds will be happy to tell you that bigger is better!
While not as big as giant dog breeds like the Great Dane, the German Shepherd Dog is a large dog that is well known for its intelligent, loyal, and protective nature.
The history of dog breeding is full of examples of medium to large sized dogs being scaled down to create distinct, small and toy sized breeds.
The Poodle is a classic instance of this downsizing.
But there are many dog fanciers who are interested in bigger than usual versions of their favorite breeds, such as the German Shepherd.
In this article, well talk about big German Shepherds, including why and how dogs like the GSD might be bred up in size.
Well also look at the health implications of breeding an especially large German Shepherd.
First up, an overview of the German Shepherd breed, including the size range of regular German Shepherds.
What Should You Feed A King Shepherd
The King Shepherd needs quality food designed for large breeds to meet their nutritional and energy needs.
The number one ingredient for large breed dogs is protein to maintain healthy bones and muscles.
Commercial dry food is popular among dog owners, but other choices exist, such as raw, fresh, organic, etc.
Your dogs diet plan and food are a personal choice and may take some trial and error before finding the best fit for your dog.
Learn more about diet, nutrition, and recommended dog food brands by clicking here.
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