They Must Be Trained From An Early Age
One thing that the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky have in common is the fact that theyre intelligent dogs. However, there are some differences in how they must be trained due to the Siberian Huskys need for independence. While the German Shepherd tends to be incredibly focused and eager to please, the Siberian Husky is more on the stubborn side and requires firm, gentle training right from puppyhood.
So, even though pairing two highly intelligent dog breeds together may seem like a fantastic idea, this doesnt necessarily make them an easy dog to train. Of course, the genetics and temperament of the parents can play a big part in how their puppies turn out and pairing a German Shepherd with a Husky that is more agreeable can help improve trainability.
Its also important to consider that each of these breeds original purposes varies greatly from each other. The German Shepherd, being a true workaholic at heart, needs mental stimulation when it comes to training and may need protection training to avoid negative behaviors such as lunging and barking at strangers on walks.
The Siberian Husky was born to run and may not need as much mental stimulation as a German Shepherd, but certainly needs an outlet for their energy.
Australian Shepherds Sheda Lot
There is no denying that an Aussie is fluffy and hairy, and you will love to pet and scratch your pup. However, with all of that hair, you have to know that these dogs shed, and they shed a lot! If you are opposed to brushing your dog at least two to three times a week, or you dont want to see a lot of dog hair on your clothing, carpets and floors, an Aussie is probably a bad choice for you.
Aussies have double coats, which helps to keep them warm. These coats do not often require a lot of trimming, but they require a lot of brushing in order to remove the mats that naturally form. You also have to take care of specific areas of the dog. For instance, Aussies often get long hair around their feet, so you may have to trim around them in order to keep the dog more comfortable and for a neat look.
You will also have to take care of the ears of an Aussie. This usually requires the use of thinning shears to remove the long and thick hair from the ears. By thinning the hair, you will be able to get a blended look instead of one with any abrupt edges. Also, keep in mind that the back of the ears are prone to matting, so make sure to brush this hair regularly.
If you must trim the coat of an Aussie, you might want to consider a professional groomer due to the complexity of the double coat.
Bringing Your Puppy Home
- Coming home: Encourage your new puppy to lie down and sleep to lessen the shock of the car ride.
- The vet: Take him to the vet within 24 hours of bringing him home, even if he has passed a vet’s inspection at a shelter.
- Potty training: When you get your puppy home, take him or her to the right place for dogs to relieve themselves. Praise the puppy highly when he goes in the right place. Keep using that place for toilet training and use verbal commands. Small puppies have small bladders. They will need to go outside to try and toilet every two hours until they are about six months old when they can start holding their bladders for seven hours. German Shepherd puppies usually walk in circles sniffing when they need to go. When a puppy has an accident, he is not trying to be bad. He often just can’t hold it. However, once they learn, it’s learned.
- Getting spayed or neutered: You can help the training process along by getting the puppy spayed or neutered. Mentally, neutered dogs stay more like puppies and are more comfortable letting you make the big decisions. They also avoid a lot of health problems this way.
In time, with lots of patience, daily handling, and attention, your German Shepherd puppy will be a canine ambassador. Your friends, neighbors, and even total strangers will appreciate you for taking the time and responsibility to train your dog well.
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Training A German Shepherd Husky Mix
It is true that this breed is very intelligent and therefore it can be quite misleading how easily it can be trained.
Due to their Husky parent, with their functional and pack-like nature, the Gerber Shepsky can be quite a stubborn breed so initially, training can be a bit rough.
Like any dog, they will respond very well to positive reinforcement training for dogs.
Correct obedience training is highly recommended as they are big and assertive. This breed loves to be busy and therefore the training can be enjoyed even once a positive and mutual relationship is established between you and your loving partner.
Socialization RequirementsRemember that the German Shepherd and Husky breeds are dominant working dogs that love to be active. Therefore, it is essential that your German Shepherd and Husky Mix is well socialized.
Try socializing your dog with other breeds, pets, and people. Introducing new beings will also be a treat for your pet.
Socialization determines adult behavior in dogs. If your puppy is well socialized from a young age, It will grow up to be very friendly and outgoing.
Dog parks, puppy classes, and daily outings will provide your dog with regular socialization that will also provide mental stimulation.
Selecting A Rottweiler Pup
In your desire to be a responsible pet owner, you have contemplated all the questions provided above and decided that indeed, you and a Rottie would be perfect for each other!
Now its time to pick out your new best friend! If youve decided on a pup, surely youll want to pick the right one!
Here well go over a few things that will make picking your pup much easier
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Do German Shepherd Puppies Shed
German Shepherds tend to shed their coats all-year-round. This is the reason why they are sometimes called German Shedders. Their coat responds naturally to daylight so when days start to get shorter and winter is fast approaching, German Shepherds will shed their summer coat and grow a new winter coat.
Adopting A Black German Shepherd
German Shepherds are pretty common throughout the United States. It is usually not too difficult to find a normal German Shepherd breeder somewhere near you. However, not all breeders produce black dogs. Often, youll need to find someone who specializes in black German Shepherds to adopt a puppy.
Because these dogs are much rarer than the usual coloration, you can expect that they wont be regularly available. Most will also be significantly more expensive than a black-and-tan German Shepherd due to their rarity. Many people want a black German Shepherd, which means that you often have to be prepared to pay a bit extra. The supply just cant meet the demand easily.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,000 for a high-quality, completely black puppy. This is significantly more expensive than the $500 to $1,500 you can expect to pay for a usual German Shepherd. However, this is still much cheaper than you might expect for a large dog. As a common breed, they are usually cheaper than most.
For comparison, a French Bulldog costs anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000.
It may be tempting to cut corners and purchase a cheaper puppy. However, this is not recommended, especially when it comes to German Shepherds. These puppies need socialized from the moment they are born. Often, breeders put in this time and effort.
We highly recommend only purchasing puppies form very experienced breeders. Otherwise, you may end up with an unsocialized puppy and a troublesome temperament.
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What You Need To Know Before You Get A German Shepherd
Considering a German Shepherd Dog? While every dog is an individual, it cant hurt to know a few things about the breeds reputation before deciding to make one part of your family. For the German Shepherd in a nutshell, check out our list of highlights below. And for an-depth look at the history and personality of this type of dog, take a look at our German Shepherd Dog breed profile.
Get A Show Line German Shepherd For A Well Balanced Temperament
Show line German Shepherds are among the most expensive GSDs to get. These dogs feature richer colors, have lower activity requirements, and have a more well-balanced and calmer temperament. Their greatest perk is that they can enter dog shows and contests hosted by the show circuit.
Many owners will choose a show line as a pet but have no intention of entering conformation events. My German Shepherd is a show line however, I chose her solely for her temperament and looks. Heres where you can find all the differences between working lines and show lines.
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They Can Live In Apartments
Now, technically most dog breeds can live in an apartment. However, this is highly dependent on how much exercise you can give them. When living in a house with a large back yard, your German Shepherd Husky Mix would be able to exert some of their energy running around in the backyard and walking around the house.
However, when living in an apartment, it is all up to you to make sure that your pup receives a daily outlet for their exercise needs. If you can meet their needs when it comes to walking, playing, and training, then there should be no problem with your Shepsky happily residing in an apartment.
Having said this, Siberian Huskies, in particular, tend to have high pitched barks and engage in howling, which can cause problems with your neighbors. Teaching your Shepsky the quiet command from an early age will be quite beneficial in this case.
What Are The Key Characteristics That Make German Shepherds Special
The American Kennel Club describes German Shepherds dogs as Confident, Courageous, and Smart. And thats all true!
However, there are lots of other things as well. For example:
- As one of the most popular dog breeds of the last one hundred years, German Shepherds have been professionally bred to the point of developing some noteworthy health risks.
- All people are attracted to smart dogs but many forget that a smart dog is also an easily bored dog.
- Loyalty is another positive trait of German Shepherds but it can be a dangerous trait if the dog isnt trained well.
- German Shepherds are a big dog breed and size matters a lot with dogs. Big dogs need lots of space to live in and even more space to run and play.
As you can see, even pros have their cons and choosing a dog is much more complicated than just saying I like that one!
At the end of the day, getting a dog is a ~10-year-long commitment and thats the sort of decision that should be taken with a bit of forethought.
The 15 things weve mentioned below are not necessarily negatives many of them are positives of the breed as well. However, they are also quite subjective so you should be aware of them before getting a GSD puppy.
So, before buying or adopting a German Shepherd, go over the quick list below and make sure the breed is right for you. Getting a dog that doesnt fit your home and lifestyle is a huge mistake for both the dog owner and the dog itself.
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Dont Let Them Get Bored:
Boredom may be destructive. Actually, the German Shepherds are medium to high-energy dogs and they love to do a job. Due to this trait, they are widely used as service dogs, police dogs, and military dogs throughout the world.
So, before getting a German Shepherd, keep in mind that you will need to take him on regular long walks. Along with that, canine enrichment activities, agility games, exercises, and other fun activities.
If you dont have that much time for your puppy, GSD is not for you, instead, consider getting a low-energy breed. Remember, if your dog gets bored, it will become destructive and may develop separation anxiety, excessive barking, and several other behaviors.
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German Shepherds Need Training And Exercise
German Shepherds arent the sort of dog breed that loves lying on the couch all the time. They are large in both size and activity. If they get bored then they are known to become loud and destructive.
Training is a great activity to do with your German Shepherd. It not only helps to ensure they behave correctly but also keeps them entertained and can provide good exercise. Especially if you do training such as agility training.
When thinking about training your German Shepherd to remember that police forces throughout the world use German Shepherds for a wide variety of tasks, which helps to show their flexibility to training.
Wherever possible try to choose training that also exercises them. Similarly to humans exercise not only helps keep them physically well but also mentally well.
If you havent trained a dog previously then it is worth looking into local dog training facilities. Most dog training facility provide classes that you can sign up for, where a qualified trainer will walk a class of dogs and fur parents through training of your dog. A great added benefit of these classes is that you will meet like other local fur parents who have a love for dogs.
Classes also provide a great way for you to socialize your German Shepherd. By introducing them to new dogs and different environments you will be able to train them on how you expect them to behave in that situation and also to help them understand that they dont need to be afraid of other dogs.
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German Shepherds Need A Healthy Diet
This isnt a logical extension of German Shepherds exercising a lot. Nor is this a prescription regarding how you must feed your pup. Although if you want to know more, I have the perfect guide on the best diet for German Shepherds, which includes all their nutritional requirements, and what they can and cant eat.
So, whats the deal?
Some German Shepherds love to eat, whereas others are fussy eaters. This means you have the burden of making sure your dog doesnt become too skinny, get fat, or bloat, which is a life-threatening condition.
Usually, opting for smaller multiple meals spaced throughout the day can help. It also helps to get the right type of dog food for your best friend, so he doesnt overconsume or starve on the number of calories he needs.
According to the National Academies science-based guide on a dogs nutritional needs, an active adult German Shepherd requires between 1,750 and 2,100 calories every day, depending on its weight. Each meal should have enough calories to cover its respective portion of the total intake.
You cannot decrease calories below this, citing less exercise. But you can raise the calories if your doggo engages in more activity.
Key takeaways:
They Love To Be Vocal
While it may not be the case for every single dog in this breed, German Shepherds are known for being very vocal. Moaning, groaning and barking will become a normal part of your life. Some people may misconceive the barking as an aggressive act, but more often than not, its just their way of striking up a conversation. This may not be the best breed for you if youre the type of person that enjoys peace and quiet.
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Give Your German Shepherd A Job At Home
Did you know there are over 150 breeds listed in the American Kennel Club and hundreds more listed in a variety of rare-breed registries around the world
Yet the German Shepherd is consistently ranked in the top 3 for intelligence?
This represents big challenges as a German Shepherd owner.
You must be smarter than your dog!
The German Shepherds activity is seldom aimless, so you must generate a plan and purpose for your dog! Thats why you need to give your dog a job around your house.
No, theyre not going to herd your neighbors kittens or start dropping your kids off at school by themselves. But the jobs can be as easy or difficult as you have the time and energy to train.
This is not a mentally lazy dog, but a breed with extremely high intelligence and a huge breadth of application for that intelligence.
Heres some of my German Shepherds favorite jobs around the house:
- Puzzle Master She completes food puzzles for her reward
- Toy Cleaner Ive taught her to pick up her toys using this game-based dog training program
- Gentle Agility My GSD is older now and we use low poles for her agility training
Check out even more work for your dog to enjoy using my post on 10 Jobs for German Shepherds at Home
Can German Shepherds Be Left Alone
German Shepherds are incredibly loyal and sociable animals who crave the companionship of their owner. For this reason, they can be prone to separation anxiety and do best in households where someone will be around for most of the day. If you do have to leave your German Shepherd alone for a few hours make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied and consider asking someone to check in on them.
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