German Shepherd Husky Mix: Your Complete Guide
German shepherds and Siberian huskies are two popular dog breeds. It comes as no surprise that countless upcoming dog parents want a pup carrying the traits of both these popular breeds.
Often referred to as husky shepherd, Gerberian shepsky, or simply shepsky, German shepherd and Siberian husky mixes are stunning-looking dogs with varying characteristics and temperaments, depending on the qualities they inherit.
While there’s a great variety in this crossbreed, our article will explain everything you need to know about German shepherd husky mixes. Read on to learn if these dogs are a good breed choice for you and your family.
Quick Look at the German Shepherd Husky Mix
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, family life, temperament, and energy levels.
| Weight/Height | 45-70 pounds/20-25 inches |
| Coat Type | Dense undercoat with medium-length fur |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Energetic, loyal, watchful, intelligent |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
What Is the History of German Shepherd Husky Mixes?
The exact origins of these hybrid dogs are unknown, but many breeders probably had the idea to cross a German shepherd and a Siberian husky in the past.
German shepherd husky mixes became widely recognized around the late 1900s. At this time, breeders likely wanted to have a dog with the German shepherd’s intelligence and the stamina of the Siberian husky.
Since these dogs are considered designer breeds and don’t have a breed standard, they aren’t recognized by the AKC. Although German shepherd husky mixes are far behind their parents in popularity, they are the best dogs for those who can’t decide between a German shepherd and a Siberian husky.
What Do German Shepherd Husky Mixes Look Like?
There isn’t a standard appearance of the German shepherd husky mix as these dogs are crossbreeds. The appearance varies, but there are general trends associated with German shepherd husky mixes. They appear bigger than the Siberian husky and smaller than the German shepherd.
German shepherd husky mixes have a double coat that sheds year-round with medium-length fur. This sturdy coat comes in various colors. It can be white, gray, blue, or sable-colored. Many German shepherd husky mixes also have multi-colored black and white, red and white, gray and white, and tan and white coats.
While the facial features vary depending on the parents, German shepherd husky mixes typically have floppy ears during puppyhood that erect over time. They have almond-shaped blue, green, or brown-colored eyes with a sharp muzzle.
Some dogs also have bi-colored eyes (heterochromia), usually featuring brown and blue or green and brown eye colors. These crossbreeds may also have a black mask similar to the German shepherd.
In addition to their stunning appearance, German shepherd husky mixes have incredibly athletic bodies. They have the strength and the endurance of both parents. The physical capabilities of this breed make them the perfect four-legged companion for long walks, hiking, and backpacking.
What Size Is a German Shepherd Husky Mix?
The German shepherd husky mix can be considered a medium-to-large-sized dog breed. These dogs are almost always bigger than the Siberian husky and smaller than the German shepherd. Depending on the size of the parents, German shepherd husky mixes stand between 20 and 25 inches and weigh 45 to 70 pounds.
What Is a German Shepherd Husky Mixes’ Coat Type and Length?
German shepherd husky mixes have a dense, thick undercoat with medium-length fur. The coat of the shepsky enables them to withstand cold climates. They enjoy sleeping outdoors, but they shouldn’t live outside full-time. Spending most of their time indoors with their family is much more appropriate for these dogs.
The German shepherd husky mix doesn’t need haircuts, but you might want to go for a professional groomer to tidy up certain parts of their body. You can also give the coat a light trim in the summer to help them keep their body cooler.
What Is a German Shepherd Husky Mixes’ Temperament?
German shepherds are courageous dogs known for their high intelligence and trainability. They respond extremely well to training – one of the reasons German shepherds are the most popular police dog breed. These dogs are also quite territorial and make excellent protection dogs.
Siberian huskies, on the other hand, are quite the opposite in many ways. They are friendly and sociable dogs that try to befriend everyone. Although they are intelligent, training a Siberian husky can be a challenge with their independent personality.
When combining the two, the outcome is pretty much unexpected. They can be a lot like one parent or a mixture of the two. For this reason, it’s important to observe German shepherd husky mixes carefully during puppy selection to know what kind of dog you’re bringing home.
Below, you’ll find more about the temperament of German shepherd husky mixes. These can help you determine whether shepskies have what you want to see in your future four-legged friend, covering their family life, aggression, and tendency to bark.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Good With Kids?
The German shepherd husky mixes are generally patient dogs that act well-behaved around children. With proper socialization, a German shepherd husky mix will get along well with children and won’t cause any trouble.
However, the size and high energy levels don’t make the German shepherd husky mix appropriate for young children. With one exciting move and a bump into a child, you might be looking at a possible injury. Supervision is essential when kids spend time with any dog of this size.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Good With Other Animals?
German shepherd husky mixes usually get along well with other dogs in the family. If you already have a dog, a German shepherd husky mix puppy will fit right in. With socialization and some supervision, these dogs can also get along with cats.
However, German shepherd husky mixes may become wary of strange animals without proper socialization. This mainly comes from the protective nature of the German shepherd. Providing plenty of socialization opportunities to ensure German shepherd husky mixes are well-behaved towards other dogs is essential.
Note that German shepherd husky mixes aren’t the best dogs around small animals. They have a high prey drive coming from both parents. If you have Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, or other prey animals, keep them in a separate part of the home inaccessible to this mix.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Aggressive?
Although we can consider the Siberian husky to be one of the least aggressive dog breeds, the German shepherd side of this crossbreed may lead them to engage in aggressive behavior. They can be territorial and protect what’s theirs from other dogs – and even humans.
If a shepsky is more like a Siberian husky, you can expect them to display aggression only when under threat. Since these athletic dogs are capable of causing much trouble, it’s essential to socialize them early and get a solid grip on training to prevent behavioral issues.
Do German Shepherd Husky Mixes Bark?
The Siberian husky is one of the most vocal dog breeds. It’s common for a husky to howl endlessly or speak with their humans. German shepherds aren’t too different, either. They bark more often than the average dog to react or alert.
With vocalness coming from both parents, German shepherd husky mixes tend to be barkers. If there’s something that catches their attention, they will bark to react or let you know. These are great for those looking for a watchdog, but it can get annoying. Luckily, they are trainable dogs that can learn to express themselves without using barking.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Affectionate?
German shepherd husky mixes are indeed affectionate but aren’t cuddly dogs. They bond strongly with their family and display affection in other ways. These dogs will wag their tail in your presence, sleep in the same space, look at you gently, and give kisses to show their love.
With their loyal (and sometimes territorial) nature, German shepherd husky mixes may see staying by your side as the best way to display affection. Towards strangers, they may act similarly or approach with caution.
How likely a German shepherd husky mix is to warm up to strangers varies. It wouldn’t be surprising for one German shepherd husky mix to stare at strangers suspiciously and another to welcome them with open arms.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Intelligent?
As both parents are extremely intelligent, expect a curious dog that finds a way to get what they want from German shepherd husky mixes. These dogs are alert, and it doesn’t take them long to understand new commands. They also handle changes well, making them highly adaptable dogs.
However, this level of intelligence means they can easily get bored. Training can provide the German shepherd husky mix with the mental stimulation they need, but they may engage in destructive behavior if it gets repetitive. Like their parents, German shepherd husky mixes thrive when given a job to do.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Energetic?
Shepskies are highly energetic. They aren’t lazy dogs that will happily nap and cuddle the whole day. German shepherd husky mixes need movement in their life to be happy. These dogs can play non-stop, and it’s challenging to tire them sufficiently every day with just walks.
When the exercise needs of a German shepherd husky mix aren’t met, they are bound to engage in unwanted acts to let their excess energy out. Still, daily walks of an hour to an hour and a half where they are allowed to sniff around should be enough for most shepskies.
For high-energy breeds with a high drive to work and please their owners, the best exercise is a mix of physical activity and mental stimulation. Scent work, agility, advanced obedience training, and giving them a sense of purpose with a job are often the best ways to exercise them adequately.
If you can facilitate these to a German shepherd husky mix, they will live a happy, fulfilling life. Remember – a tired dog is a happy dog!
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Easy to Train?
There is no doubt about the intelligence of the German shepherd husky mix, but the trainability of this crossbreed varies significantly. While one might happily listen and execute commands, another may not show interest at all.
Whether it will be easy to train a German shepherd husky mix depends on the type of training and the dog’s drive to please their owner. Nonetheless, you can train even the most stubborn German shepherd husky mix by utilizing positive training techniques and giving the right reward, whether it’s a treat, praise, or a quick game of tug.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Good Watchdogs?
German shepherd husky mixes stay alert and make great watchdogs. They will let you know if a stranger or an animal enters the yard or home. However, not all German shepherd husky mixes have the courage to take on protection work.
If the dog’s temperament is more like a Siberian husky, they may bark and immediately come for greetings or even request play or pets. Dogs that are more like the other parent will be territorial and won’t let uninvited guests remain in their territory.
Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Good Service Dogs?
The German shepherd husky mix is ideal for various service dog work. They can hold the titles of medical response dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and many others. However, whether or not they will graduate and pass their public access test depends on their trainability.
Although the service dog capabilities of the German shepherd husky mix are uncertain, note that they make great ESAs with their affectionate nature.
How to Care for a German Shepherd Husky Mix?
The biggest need of a German shepherd husky mix is daily exercise and mental stimulation. When these are provided, handling them becomes a lot easier as they become well-behaved dogs that are tired and happy.
As with all the other dogs, German shepherd husky mixes require more than just the above from their owners. They need socialization, proper training, scheduled vet visits, a high-quality diet, and regular grooming. With all these, you can consider them high-maintenance dogs that demand a lot of attention.
Do You Need to Groom a German Shepherd Husky Mix?
The German shepherd husky mix has high grooming needs. Their coat requires brushing a few times a week and daily in spring and fall to remove dead hair, as they shed heavily during this period. They also need baths when they get dirty.
In addition to grooming their coats, German shepherd husky mixes need regular ear cleaning and nail trimming. They also need dental care to remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup. You can brush their teeth or use finger wipes.
Do German Shepherd Husky Mixes Shed?
German shepherd husky mixes shed a lot of hair – even more so than the Siberian husky and German shepherd sometimes. To prevent having your home covered in dog hair, use a deshedding brush one to two times a week to keep shedding manageable.
What Health Problems Do German Shepherd Husky Mixes Have?
The German shepherd husky mix is generally a healthy designer dog breed. Nonetheless, they are prone to certain canine diseases that affect both parents. The following is a summary of the diseases every German shepherd husky mix owner should watch out for.
- Hip dysplasia: A common skeletal condition, hip dysplasia affects many similarly-sized dog breeds. It occurs when the hip joint and socket don’t grow equally, leading to loss of function in the joint over time.
- Degenerative myelopathy: A neurological disease that typically affects older dogs, degenerative myelopathy (DM) causes muscle atrophy and leads to inability to walk.
- Pannus: A hereditary eye condition, pannus affects the third eyelid and the cornea, where a grayish-pink film settles, which can cause vision impairment if left untreated.
- Ear infections: The large ears of the German shepherd husky mix make them prone to developing ear infections. Ear cleaning every other week is critical to prevent bacterial infections.
In addition to these health problems, German shepherd husky mixes may develop teeth and gum problems if dental care is overlooked.
How Long Do German Shepherd Husky Mixes Live?
German shepherd husky mixes have an expected lifespan of 10 to 14 years. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise for a German shepherd husky mix to live longer than 14 years with proper care and medical attention.
What Should a German Shepherd Husky Mix Eat?
A German shepherd husky mix should eat a diet appropriate for their size and age. Adult dogs should eat around two to three cups of dog food every day, and one to two cups should be enough for puppies.
You can also put a German shepherd husky mix on a homemade or raw diet. However, these types of diets should be approved by a qualified veterinarian first to ensure the dog gets enough nutrients. Otherwise, health problems may arise quickly.
Is a German Shepherd Husky Mix the Right Dog for Me?
The German shepherd husky mix is a medium-to-large-sized dog breed with high energy, intelligence, and care needs. They are a great companion for people living an active lifestyle with enough time to spare an hour or two on grooming every week.
These dogs thrive when provided with a spacious backyard, where they can roam around and let their energy in bursts. Due to their size, shedding, and tendency to be vocal dogs, shepskies aren’t ideal for apartment living. The bigger your space, the easier it is to take care of a German shepherd husky mix.
The temperament of these dogs varies quite a lot. You will find many different dogs in this hybrid breed. Therefore, it’s important to get the right dog during puppy selection. Make sure not to rush the process and get a German shepherd husky mix puppy that will match your lifestyle.