Are German Shepherd Husky Mixes Good Family Dogs?

When it comes to finding the perfect family pet, it can be difficult to decide which breed is the best fit. However, one breed that is becoming increasingly popular is the German Shepherd Husky Mix. These dogs are a combination of the intelligence and loyalty of a German Shepherd and the strength and agility of a Husky. 

German Shepherd Husky mixes can make wonderful family pets if well-trained and properly socialized. They are loyal, loving, and effective making them excellent family companions. Their high intelligence also means they can learn quickly and adapt to different situations. Additionally, their great temperament makes them ideal for families with children. 

In this post, we’ve put together every detail you need to know to help you decide whether or not a German Shepherd Husky is the perfect dog for your family.

What is a German Shepherd Husky mix? 

A German Shepherd Husky mix, also commonly known as Gerberian Shepsky or Shepsky,  is a mixed breed of a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky. The dog is a medium to large breed with a wolf-like appearance. 

The mixed breed is recognized by the  American Canine Hybrid Club and the Dog Registry of America.

The Shepsky at a glance

Breed type	Mixed
Size	Male- 22-25 inches tall, 50-88 pounds heavyFemale- 20-24 inches tall, 40-70 pounds heavy
Coat color	Red, blue, brown, cream, gray
Eye color	Blue, brown and mixed
Temperament	IntelligentAlertLoyalObedientHigh energyProtective
Shedding	Medium to high
Exercise needs	One to two hours daily
Grooming needs	Medium
Life expectancy	10-14 years
Most ideal for	People with an active lifestyle

Are German Shepherd Husky mixes good family dogs? 

Shepskies may look intimidating, but they are far from it. They are appealing and have a wold-like appearance and reasonably dominant size. They make good family dogs for several reasons. 

Shepskies are intelligent

First off, they are highly intelligent, making them super easy to train. Since they are always eager to learn and impress, training also takes a short time. 

Shepskies are loyal and affectionate

They are affectionate, loyal dogs who always want to hang around their owners. With their playful and friendly nature, Shepskies make great companion dogs for kids and adults.

Shepskies are great with children and other animals

Shepskies are also good dogs for families because they are great around children and other pets. You shouldn’t have to worry as long as they are socialized from an early age. However, never leave dogs and young kids alone unsupervised. 

Shepskies are very protective

In addition, they are also very protective of their owners and will get very aggressive to the point of harming anyone who tries to attack. Thanks to their courage and loyalty, you can count on them to guard and watch your family home.

Shepskies are great for maintaining an active lifestyle

Lastly, they are very high-energy dogs and are, therefore, great dogs for keeping a family active. If you have playful kids, they will enjoy having a Shepsky around to keep them busy.

Who is a German Shepherd Husky mix most ideal for?

Shepskies are very high-energy, playful dogs. As such physical exercise is a basic need for them. They love to jump, walk, run and generally stay mentally and physically active. 

Shepskies require at least 1-2 hours of physical exercise daily to drain their pent-up energy. When understimulated, they can become very mischievous and ill-behaved. That is why this mixed breed is only recommended for people who are similarly active or have an active lifestyle. 

Shepksies may not be suitable for people who live in tiny apartments with no dog parks or a yard where they can go to. They are also unsuitable for busy people who cannot afford to set time aside for their dogs.

How long can Shepskies live?

The dog experts at A-Z Animals estimate that Gerberian Shepskies have a life expectancy of up to 10 to 13 years. It is, however, not uncommon for a Shepksy to live longer than 13 years or even die before they reach ten years. The length and quality of life will depend on the dog’s genes, diet, lifestyle, and overall health. Physical activity also hugely determines how long a Shepsky will live. 

Shepskies that don’t get to see their 10th year often suffer from conditions like bloat, Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, Hip Dysplasia, and others that affect their quality of life.

How to care for a German Shepherd Husky mix?

Like every other dog, German Shepherd Husky mixes require proper care. Here are some things you need to know before bringing your new dog home.

Training

Husky mixes are very intelligent. A trait they get from their German Shepherd genes. They are also obedient and eager to learn, thanks to their Husky genes. All these traits combined, and you have a super easy-to-train dog. You can also get some great training tips here.

Grooming

Shepskies have a dense double coat that tends to shed a lot. This means you will need to brush them at least twice weekly for healthy skin. In addition, you will need to space out their baths. This is because frequent baths strip out their natural oils, causing dry, itchy skin. In between the baths, you can use a pet deodorizing spray or a damp cloth to spot-clean them. 

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You will also need to be on top of things in maintaining their oral health. Be sure also to check their ears regularly and trim their nails once or twice a month. You can seek the help of a dog groomer or watch this tutorial to learn how to groom your Shepsky.

Feeding

This extremely active dog will need a high protein diet ( 22% protein) and a daily caloric intake of between 1700-2400 calories. Seniors and less active dogs will need about 1300-1600 calories daily. The amount of food a Shepsky will need to consume daily will, however, depend on the sex of the dog, weight, activity level, and age.

For optimal growth, Shepky’s diet must contain all the essential ingredients – proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and certain minerals.

According to Dogtime, Shepskies do well on a low-calorie diet as it helps in supporting optimal growth to prevent bone disorders that are caused by rapid growth.

Exercise needs

As we’ve mentioned earlier, Shepskies are playful and high-energy dogs. They love to walk, jump, roam and run around. You will need to set aside an hour every morning and evening to take them out for a walk or run in an open space.

Also, they love to indulge in various interactive activities like puzzles and obstacle games to keep themselves busy. The trick here is to keep switching up their routines and activities so that they don’t get bored. Shepskies are not great fans of repetitive activities.

Common health conditions

Shepkies may suffer from certain health conditions linked to their genes. Conditions like:

• Hip and elbow Dysplasia
• Bloat and other digestive issues
• Epilepsy
• Juvenile cataracts

These conditions are pretty common among Husky mixes, so when purchasing a puppy, you want to ensure that you get a detailed screening report of the parents. This will help to rule out or, at the very least, be aware of any existing conditions so that you know how to manage them. Also, when some of these conditions are caught early, they can be successfully treated.

How big will a German Shepherd Husky mix get?

A Gerberian Husky is a medium to large breed that typically weighs between 35 and 90 pounds and grows between 20- 26 inches tall. However, being a mixed breed, it’s difficult to predict exactly how big it can be. In some cases, the Shepksy can be smaller than expected. 

A general guide, though, is that the Shepsky should grow as big as a German Shepherd (between 50 and 90 pounds and 20-26 inches tall) or as small as the Husky parent (between 35 and 60 pounds and 20-24 inches tall). 

Size and weight of the Shepsky according to gender

Gender	Height	Weight
Female	20-24 inches	40-70 pounds
Male	22-25 inches	50-88 pounds

Can a German Shepherd Husky mix live in an apartment?

Certainly, yes, a Gerberian Husky can live in an apartment. However, a few concerns will need to be met for a Shepksy to thrive in an apartment. 

A very important point to remember before anything else is that a Shepsky does not do well with solitary confinement. The second most important point is that it’s an extremely energetic dog.

Having these in mind, you will have to fulfill the below to successfully live with a Shepksy in an apartment:

1. Get the dog socialized as early as possible.
2. Get the dog house-trained and obedience-trained.
3. You must not leave the dog unattended for longer than 6-8 hours at a time.
4. Confirm if your lease allows you to live with a husky mix in an apartment.
5. Ensure the dog gets 1-2 hours of physical exercise and at least 30 minutes of mental exercise every day.
6. Keep your dog occupied throughout the day with toys and interactive games; otherwise, they will engage in destructive behavior.

How long can a German Shepherd Husky mix be left alone?

Yes, a German Shepherd Husky mix can be left alone. However, this must be for at most 8 hours at a time. Otherwise, they will get lonely and bored and start engaging in destructive behavior. They will also bark and howl for hours on end, causing you problems with your neighbors.

Shepskies cannot handle loneliness because they were designed to interact closely with humans. Their parents have been working with humans since time immemorial as guard dogs and herding dogs, so it goes without saying their offspring will also thrive with humans.

How does a German Shepherd Husky mix relate with other pets?

German Shepherd Husky mixes relate well with other animals as long as they are socialized when young. Socialization should start at a very young age to learn how to interact and play with others without getting aggressive or overly dominant. If not properly socialized, GSHs can get you into a slew of problems. Here’s a great video tutorial to learn how to socialize your dog properly.

Conclusion 

German Shepherd Husky mixes are great dogs for families. They are loyal, affectionate, loving, and devoted to their owners. They are also easy to train, great with kids, and inexpensive to maintain. As long as you feed them high-quality foods, ensure they meet their daily exercise needs, and be attentive to their diet and overall health, you should have a great family dog.

FAQs:

Are Shepskies good with children?

Shepskies are great around children. In fact, they are very protective of their owner’s children. Be sure not to leave kids and dogs unsupervised though. Things can turn nasty pretty first in case of mishandling or miscommunication between pets and dogs.

Are Shepskies good with other dogs?

Shepskies are very playful and like to interact with other dogs. As long as they are not provoked, they will not get hostile or aggressive. If you live around other dogs or plan to bring home other dogs, you want to get your Shepsky trained and socialized at a very early age.

Are Shepskies good with cats?

For Shepskies to get along with cats, they have to be socialized early enough. They can easily confuse cats being prey if not socialized around cats.