Can a Shepsky Live in an Apartment? (Read this first)

German Shepherd Huskies mixes (Shepskies) are very high-energy dogs and need regular playtime and walks or runs to keep them happy and healthy. While it is not impossible for a Shepsky to live in an apartment, it may not be the most ideal living situation for them because it could easily lead to boredom and bad behavior. They are also very vocal and can get you in trouble with your neighbors when they start barking and howling.

German Shepherd and Husky mixes (Shepskies) can only live in an apartment happily if their basic needs must be met – such as daily walks or runs, and plenty of playtimes to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

Read on to learn the important things you need to consider before bringing home a German Shepherd Husky and tips to live happily with your dog in an apartment.

Can a German Shepherd Husky mix live in an apartment? 

The short answer is yes. A German Shepherd Husky mix can live in an apartment.

The long answer is, however, that an owner must put in the extra effort to keep your Shepsky from trouble. This can be achieved by providing a good amount of physical and mental exercises on a daily basis and getting them well-trained. Here are a few things you want to be mindful of, before bringing a Shepsky to your apartment:

Shepskies are always on the move

The main consideration however is that Shepskies are very active dogs that are full of energy and constraining them in an apartment means that they are not able to meet their daily physical activities. Unless you can commit to keeping them on mental and physical exercise daily to drain their high energy, getting a Shepksy may not be a great idea.

Shepskies can get bored easily

This breed thrives in human interaction and being left alone in an apartment for hours on end may lead to boredom. When bored and lonely, Shepskies will try to find activities to keep themselves busy. Unfortunately, these activities will be destructive. You can be sure of coming home to torn clothes, scratched sofas, holes in the walls, and all manner of damages and messes.

Shepskies like to “sing” (or howl, in dog’s language, to be exact)

Shepskies are also very vocal dogs. They can bark and howl for hours if they do not get the attention they want. Unless you live in a soundproof apartment, you may get in trouble with your neighbors.

If you work many hours away from home at a time or do not live a physically active lifestyle, getting a Shepsky while in an apartment may not be such a great idea unless you hire a dog walker.

That thing is, Shepskies are medium to large breed dogs that can grow as big as 25 inches and weigh as much as 88 lbs. Ideally, you want to have a space that can allow the dog to move around and even have a corner designated just for them.

What do owners say about German Shepherd Husky mix living in apartments? 

While most dog owners find that it is not exactly a good idea to keep a Gerberian Shepsky in an apartment, they also agree that it is possible as long as you can keep up with their extremely high energy levels. Here are some of the comments from other dog owners.

“We have a 16month old husky/gsd in a downtown condo. As long as he gets his 2 hours of outside time as well as small playtime and mental stimulation sprinkled in throughout the day he does absolutely amazing in our condo! Once you are over the “carrying him downstairs to pee at night” phase it really does not make a difference to me if you are in a house or a condo. As long as you put in the work with training, exercise and stimulation.” PerceptionUpbeat [Source]

“My GSD/Husky is a pretty good apartment dog. He’s really chill (if we make sure he gets exercise), but I work from home and am rarely away from him. I’m not sure what he’d get up to if left alone and in his crate for a few hours. He gets kinda talkative, but my neighbors don’t mind because he’s the best behaved dog in the building. All that being said, I really want to get a house with a yard for him.” PerceptionUpbeat [Source]

“Yes, if you take the dog out for walks and exercise and of course, play with them in the house. Actually this is the best thing you could do, play a lot, go for walks, cuddle and netflix and chill together.” Karin Yoshitake [Source]

“Dogs, like humans, are very adaptable to their surroundings. However you will need to adapt your schedule to be able to include long walks and playtimes 2–3 times per day to help your dog use its abundant energy. Otherwise his energy might become destructive, and that will help neither of you.” John Hansen [Source]

“You can if you have the time to devote to the dog’s need for exercise and outdoor activities.It is not fair to the dog to be stranded indoors while you travel freely.” Jay Lawrence [Source]

What was the German Shepherd Husky mix bred for?

Breeding between the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky started in the early 1990s. The aim was to produce a designer dog from the two breeds with very strong personalities.

Designer dog breeds are bred to simply optimize the strong qualities of two or even more dog breeds. Simply put, they were bred to create a better version of their purebred parents.

How much space does a German Shepherd mix need when living in apartments? 

Shepkies need a lot of space due to their relatively bigger size but most importantly because of their high need for physical activity. They need enough space to at least walk around, jump, play, and even turn without knocking things over. 

But space isn’t the biggest consideration when contemplating getting a Shepsky to live in an apartment but whether or not they can get their required physical and mental stimulation. 

It’s also important to consider whether your apartment lease allows you to live with a large dog breed. Most apartment complexes wouldn’t allow tenants to keep a Shepsky because they are considered “aggressive.” 

You must also be mindful of your neighbors. Shepskies are very vocal. They make lots of thumping noises which can be frustrating to neighbors if you live upstairs. Perhaps moving to the ground floor would be ideal.  

Tips for living with your German Shepherd mix in an Apartment

The first tip to living with a Shepsky in an apartment is to create a routine. This will help your dog know when and what activity to expect. Other tips include 

House training

You will have to house-train your dog so that they are comfortable living in an enclosed space. It is easier to house-train a puppy, but it’s never too late to train an older dog. House training comes with a lot of benefits both for you and your dog. 

Here’s a resource page to get you started on house training. 

Mental stimulation

Mental stimulation is a basic need for Shepskies and must be done daily without fail. This can be done along with physical exercise. We suggest getting a good dog puzzle and other interactive toys to stimulate their minds. If you want to keep an “eye” on your dog and toss a treat to him/her here and there, a Furbo can be a gadget you may want to look at:

Socialization

If you are lucky enough to be in a dog-friendly apartment, there’s a high chance that your neighbors have dogs. If that’s the case, you’ll have to get your dog socialized early enough. This helps them get used to being around other dogs and people without feeling threatened. According to American Veterinary Medical Association, socialization should start anywhere between 3 and 14 weeks.

Socialization training can be done in many ways. It can be as simple as a dog play date or taking them to the dog park every weekend to play with other dogs. Doggy dog care is also a great way to socialize your Shepsky.

Physical activity

Shepskies are a ball of energy. Because of this, they require at least 2 hours of daily physical activity to spend their energy and stretch their legs; otherwise, they will get destructive. That may be days of occasions where going out is not an option. We get that. The good news is, you can still have lots of fun with your dog with indoor games and agility for small spaces.

Check out these two hand-picked online training courses that you may find useful:

Noise 

Shepskies are very vocal dogs. They can whine, bark, howl, and growl for hours on end when they want attention. You want to put this into consideration, especially if you live in a neighborhood with no dogs. You don’t want your neighbors complaining every day. That will be a direct ticket to you getting evicted.How to make your apartment friendly for your German Shepherd mix?

If you have kids, the first thing you want to do before bringing home your Shepsky is to teach your kids how to behave around the dog, how to treat him, and how to be gentle. Don’t assume that your kids will automatically get along with the dog. 

Other ways to make your apartment dog-friendly include:

• Blocking off any areas of your house that you do not want your dog accessing, like the kitchen, bathroom, or rooftops
• Designating the areas that are safe and okay for your dog to play and stretch out in
• Adding a doggy door
• Keeping all snacks, human food, and dog food sealed and out of reach
• Storing away dog toys and other items when not in use
• Keeping valuables on high shelves
• Hiding the trash can

Do Shepskies get bored easily?

Yes, they do. German Shepherd Huskies love and enjoy human companionship. When left alone for hours on end, they get bored and start engaging in destructive behaviors like chewing and scratching at things.

Shepskies also get bored doing the same activities repeatedly. It’s a good idea to keep them engaged by introducing new activities and tricks.

Some of the other ways to keep your Shepsky busy and active include:

Mental stimulation activities	Physical activities
Obedience training  Puzzle toys Treat dispensing toys	Hiking or trailing Evening and morning walks Playdate at the dog parks Play tug of war

Conclusion

Most people believe medium-large dog breeds and apartments are a complete “no”. But that’s not 100% true. You can live with your Shepsky happily in an apartment as long as you keep up with their physical activities and ensure they are always mentally stimulated and adequately house-trained.

FAQs

Are Shepskies good apartment dogs?

It depends on the individual dog’s energy level and exercise needs, but generally, they may not be the best fit for apartment living.

Can German Shepherds live in small apartments?

German Shepherds are generally not recommended for small apartments due to their size, energy level, and exercise needs.

What is the perfect dog for an apartment?

Small to medium-sized breeds with low to moderate energy levels may be a good fit for apartments, which include:

• French Bulldogs
• Pugs
• Boston Terriers

What dog breeds do most apartments not allow?

Breeds that are commonly restricted by apartments include:

• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• Doberman Pinschers
• Some types of Mastiffs
• Any dog with a history of aggressive behavior