It seems as though lately there are so many dog breed mixes out there, with crazy names like “Chorkie,” “Yorkiepoo,” “Boxador,” “Doxiehuahua” and so on. Are they breeds? No. They’re crosses. And honestly, most of the time I absolutely loathe those cutesy “blend names.” Probably I’m dating myself, but it wasn’t all that long ago that someone who ended up with a litter of mixed-breed puppies would have just said “Oh, crap” and tried to give away the puppies or sell them for a pittance. Nobody would ever have thought that a cross-bred dog would be valuable.
Today, though, crosses are becoming very popular, and valuable, and nobody laughs at the “blend” names no matter how ridiculous they might sound.
So what would you call a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy? Some would say Herman Shusky, and others would say Germusky. Personally, I think that these are tongue-twisters, and I prefer the simpler “Shepsky.” A Shepsky is, quite simply what ends up being born when a German Shepherd and a Husky get together and mate. A Shepsky is a big dog that, ideally, combines the best traits of the parent breeds.
Dog Products On Amazon
Last update on 2022-12-09 at 09:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Popualarity
First off, let’s accept that the Shepsky is not all that common right now, as opposed to, say, other crosses like Labradoodles and Cockapoos. That said, if you love the idea of this particular mix, you probably won’t have much trouble finding a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy. The German Shepherd is a very common dog, and so is the Husky, so accidental breedings are very likely to occur, and some owners may even plan breedings.
Origin
The German Shepherd has been recognized as a breed since 1899, when Max von Stephanitz identified what he considered to be the ultimate sheep herding dog. He began a breeding program, and in 1908 the AKC recognized the German Shepherd as a breed.
Siberian Huskies have been around for considerably longer, having been developed in Northeast Siberia as sled dogs. Huskies came to North America in the early 1900s, and since then have become one of the most popular AKC recognized breeds.
Crossbreeds have always existed, as people discovered valuable traits in one breed, and then in another, and experimented with crossing in order to produce the best of both breeds. Most of the time, though, crosses didn’t get noticed. That’s changed recently, as breeders become more interested in crossing and giving funny names to the offspring – hence the Shepsky.
What Happens When You Cross?
When you mate dogs of two different breeds, the puppies can end up looking like one breed or the other. Usually, though, they end up being a blend of the two. So, a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy typically ends up being a little bit Shepherd, and a little bit Husky.
Much of the time, you don’t know what you’re going to get when you cross, but the Shepsky seems to be the exception – most of the time, a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will take on the best of both breeds. And it would be hard to argue that either the German Shepherd o or the Husky is undesirable on any level.
Shepskies usually have perked ears (which they get from the Shepherd) and a dignified appearance (which they get from both breeds), and a double coat. They are medium-size dogs, weighing anywhere from 35 to 60 pounds and standing anywhere from 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder. Usually, males will be a bit larger than females, but if you have an unusually large female of either breed, the puppies will usually take on her size.
Related Content:
What the Heck Is a Shollie? It’s a German Shepherd Collie Mix!
Breed of the Week: The German Shepherd
A Look at the German Shepherd Lab Mix
Color
Much of the time, the German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will inherit the Shepherd’s dark coat and the Husky’s stunning blue eyes, which makes for a very handsome dog. Some breeders prefer white Shepskies, and the best way of ensuring that is to breed white to white whenever possible – this isn’t always possible with the Shepherd, so sometimes it’s luck of the draw.
Personality
Coat isn’t the only thing that a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy inherits from the parents – temperament is also inherited. Most of the time, a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will be playful, courageous, confident and smart. However, these puppies can also be stubborn and may be difficult to train.
Huskies are extremely intelligent, but definitely have a mind of their own and can often be extremely stubborn. German Shepherds are quick learners, extremely intelligent, and usually friendly, but might be reserved with strangers. That doesn’t mean that if they meet someone new, they’re going to be hostile – it just means that they’ll take a “wait and see” approach. Huskies, on the other hand, usually love just about anyone they meet. So, you can see that you’re dealing with a mix of temperament here, and there’s no guarantee which side of the Shepherd/Husky personality your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy is going to pick up.
What you’re learning here is that the appearance of a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy is pretty predictable – but temperament can be a whole different thing.
Coat
Huskies and Shepherds were both bred for working outdoors, so they both have thick, double coats. This is something that will inevitably be passed on to your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy – he will have a very heavy coat that needs a lot of grooming, and he’ll shed like crazy. In fact, you might find that in any given week, you’ll sweep up enough hair to practically build another Shepsky. You’re going to need at the very least a shedding brush that gets out all that old hair, and maybe even a pet hair vacuum cleaner to get all that deposited hair off your furniture. In fact, you’re probably going to be absolutely obsessive about vacuuming.
Health
You may have heard that crosses are usually healthier in general than their purebred parents of either breed, and that’s generally true. Much of the time, conditions in one breed or another are bred out when the breeds are crossed.
However, that doesn’t mean that a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy won’t pick up conditions from either parent. German Shepherds, for instance, are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, and so are Huskies, so there’s a chance of your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy developing either condition. German Shepherds and Huskies are both deep-chested breeds, and prone to gastric dilation (a condition in which the stomach twists), and so again, a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy could develop this condition. Either breed is also prone to back and posture problems, so again, a mix could be vulnerable to the same conditions.
Generally speaking, though, both German Shepherds and Huskies are very healthy dogs, so the chances are that your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will never suffer from any of these disorders. These are just things to keep in mind if you’re considering this particular cross – they’re by no means etched in stone.
Training and Exercise
German Shepherds and Huskies both need a lot of exercise, so your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy is also going to need a lot of vigorous activity. Your dog is going to be happiest if you take him out and play with him several times a day, and also take him for walks a couple of times daily.
Neither breed is happy being cooped up, and if forced to be confined will almost always develop behaviors like digging and chewing, and perhaps even barking. You should plan for at least an hour of vigorous exercise for your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy, and more when he reaches adulthood. The last thing you want is for your dog to be bored, because if he is, he will almost certainly be destructive in your home, and possibly even a menace to your neighbors.
Socialization
Socialization is also absolutely vital with a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy. You have a puppy that is going to grow up to be a big, strong dog, and if he’s not properly socialized, he could be a menace to people and other dogs. So start early on exposing him to other animals, and to people. Take him places where people and other dogs congregate. Consider enrolling him in puppy kindergarten or taking him to doggy daycare. Do everything you can to ensure that he knows how to behave properly around other dogs, and humans.
A well-socialized Shepsky is a credit to his community. One that is not well-socialized, though, can be a menace, and the last thing you want is to be known as the person in your neighborhood who has “that awful dog.”
A Good Fit
So, if a German Shepherd Husky puppy mix is properly socialized, you still need to be sure that he’s a good fit with your family. Don’t think for one minute that this type of mix is “low maintenance” – it’s not a mix for the faint of heart, and probably not right for owners who have had no previous experience with dogs. German Shepherds and Huskies are both very strong-willed breeds, and a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy is most likely going to pick up the characteristics of both parent breeds.
However, German Shepherd Husky mixes are friendly and loyal, so if you don’t mind being challenged a bit, you will find that this mix is perfect for a family with strong human parents, and older kids who know how to deal with a strong-willed dog.
Finding a German Shepherd Husky Mix Puppy
You shouldn’t have much trouble finding a Shepsky. Both German Shepherds and Huskies are very popular, and there should be no shortage of breedings, both deliberate and accidental, in your area.
Be careful, though, of scams. It costs money to produce any puppy of quality, and if you see an ad offering a Shepsky at a ridiculously low price, could be that there are really is no German Shepherd Husky mix puppy – ask for photos, and then run those photos through Google’s image search. If the image comes up more than once, bail. You’ve encountered a scammer who is using images of puppies that don’t even exist.
Also beware of breeders that don’t want you to see the litter or the mom. Again, the German Shepherd Husky puppy might not exist, or if it does, it might be the product of a puppy mill. And as I’ve pointed out in 5 Reasons Why Puppy Mills Must Be Stopped, taking a puppy mill dog is only going to lead to heartbreak.
Dog Products On Amazon
Last update on 2022-12-09 at 09:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Right for You?
It’s easy for German Shepherd Husky mix puppies to win you over. They’re a blend of two of the most desirable breeds going. A Shepsky can be a loving, intelligent companion, but don’t neglect training. If you’re ready to commit to a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy, good on you! You’re choosing a mix of two exceptional breeds, and I think you’ll be in for many years of happiness. Just keep in mind that a Shepsky might not be right for a novice owner, or for anyone who spends a lot of time out of the house.
If you’ve thought hard and long, and decided that a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy is right for you, then all I can say right now is that I wish you much happiness. You’ve chosen a breed mix that is the best of both parent breeds, and will bring you much joy in the years to come. Congratulations, you’re getting a Shepsky!
Related Content:
What the Heck Is a Shollie? It’s a German Shepherd Collie Mix!