The Gerberian Shepsky

The mix between a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky can result in an amazing combination. It results in a large, powerful looking dog that many people think looks like a wolf!Your first paragraph ...

Its weight ranges from 45 pounds to 90 pounds and its height is from 20 to 26 inches. This beautiful specimen is a medium to large dog that requires daily grooming and care and also a lot of love!

The Gerberian Shepsky is usually loyal, intelligent, hard-working and very active.

If you want to know a little more about this wonderful breed, keep reading! We will inform you about their care, exercise requirements, their origin and much more!

Does the Gerberian Shepsky have a history?

In order for us to talk about this mix, we should first have a little familiarity with each parent: the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky.

The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed, having originated just 120 years ago in Germany. They were originally breed to herd and watch sheep, therefore they are part of the herding group.

However, thanks to their strength, intelligence, training ability and obedience German Shepherds around the world are often the preferred breed for many other types of work, such as watchdogs or police dogs, rescue animals, or guide dogs.

Whereas, the Siberian Husky is a sled dog first bred 3000 years ago in eastern Siberia by the Chukchi tribe. They needed an intelligent, strong, and loyal animal to help them with their nomadic life as sledgers.

Despite their origins, most Siberian Huskies today are beloved family pets.

Now that we know the parents of each breed a little better we can talk about their crossing but the truth is that there is no clear documentation of when and why this crossbreed became prominent. The origin of the combination of German Shepherd with the Siberian Husky is a mystery.

What we do know is that their two purebred parents have been around for many years and both are known as smart and fearless working dogs.

Physical characteristics

A mix of both parents is most likely when we pair two different pedigrees, although puppies can inherit the physical traits of either parent in different ratios.

It is completely normal for same litter puppies to look different with some taking on more of a German Shepherd look while others look more like a Siberian Husky.

Gerberian Shepsky size

If you take a quick glance at the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky you will notice that they have quite similar appearances (outside of color).

The ears of both breeds are erect by nature and the expressions on their canine faces are extremely dignified. They look anatomically proportioned and athletic.

The deep and tender fur of both races is a double coat.

Siberian Huskies are generally medium in size and its average weight range is between 35 and 60 pounds. It is very common to see males that have a weight that is a little closer to the upper end of the range and that the females weigh towards the bottom of the range.

If we measure these dogs from the ground to the shoulders, their average height is between 20 and 23 inches tall.

Unlike the Siberian Huskies, the German Shepherds are slightly larger, as their weight range is between 49 - 88 pounds and they are 22-26 inches from floor to shoulder.

When a Gerberian Shepsky puppy grows up, it should be between the smallest Husky and the largest German Shepherd. Most likely in the middle of the two.

What color could my Gerberian Shepsky Be?

The body shape of both parents may be similar but their coat colors are completely different.

Siberian Huskies are usually white and grey but they do occasionally have different coats. You can also find white with black puppies, also very dark brown, or very light brown, completely white and even red!

While the German Shepherd comes in colors such as tan with black or dark brown with black. There are also all-black and all-white German Shepherds. Many people think the all white German Shepherd is an albino dog, but its pads and nose are completely black, which means it is simply a coat color.

Now, the mixed puppies of these two strikingly beautiful breeds often inherit their German Shepherd dark coat and the bright blue eyes of their Husky parent.

Although it is quite normal that they have dark eyes, since not all Siberian Huskies have light eyes. There are so many color combinations possible when mixing these two breeds and it would impossible to breakdown every combination. In general you’ll get darker fur if the German Shepherd has the standard black and tan coat coloring.

Character/Personality

Let's start with Siberian Huskies. They are dignified and stoic however they can sometimes be a little intimidating for people who do not know that they are actually a loving and playful breed.

The German Shepherd is a dog that has a protective nature: it is in their genes to have a bold and attentive temperament. Now imagine the attributes of these two wonderful breeds in one dog.

We can expect a puppy to have a mix of both parents traits. They will likely be alert and protective but also energetic and loving. In general they should be good with children and enjoy time spent playing outdoors.

Both breeds are smart and bold so you can expect your puppy to learn quickly and voluntarily, making them very easy to train.

If we train our Gerberian Shepsky with love and patience, and exercise it with dedication then bad habits like barking or chewing will most likely be avoided.

Being an intelligent breed, it is extremely important that this dog gets the mental and physical stimulations it needs.

Difficulty In Owning

As stated earlier, it is recommended that the cross between the Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd has an attentive owner. It may not be the best option for a first time dog owner or if you are not familiar with the amount of care that a dog needs.

Remember that having a pet is forever. The amount of time needed might be difficult for some to meet if they have a young family or a busy work schedule.

Feeding

It is important that our Shepsky has an adequate diet full of nutrients, calories and protein and this amount varies according to the age and size of them.

A puppy needs high quality food to ensure it develops correctly. As your puppy grows, its caloric requirements usually track that of its mothers breeds however this is not always the case.

With dry food you will want a high quality brand with at least 22% protein since both parents (the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky) are working dogs. With larger breed dogs it is recommended they be fed twice per day to reduce the chances of medical issues caused by gorging on one meal.

If you want to make sure that your little friend is getting all the correct nutrients, we suggest that you go to a trusted vet to guide you and recommend the most appropriate brand of kibble.

Training and exercise

For this highly active breed of dog that loves to run and exercise, approximately one to two hours of daily exercise are recommended. If you have a large backyard then your task will be much easier.

Room to move is not all a Shepskie needs. These working dogs love to race, jump, play games chew toys and burn off that excess energy.

It is a large dog that loves to stay active, but above all, it is a part of the family and wants to feel loved and pampered.

Because they are so smart, they are generally not difficult to train. Teaching them something isn’t the hard part, getting them to do it consistently is. Siberian Huskies can have a stubborn nature which can be passed through to Shepskys but with consistent training and care you will get there eventually.

We must also remember that our Shepsky, having parents who are dominant working dogs, will also have this characteristic. From their German Shepherd side they can be wary of strangers so it is important to socialize them from an early age with other pets and with other people. This early socialization will have a big impact on how your dog acts with other people and dogs later in life so don’t get complacent.

Taking your little Shepsky puppy to dog parks, or taking them on walks and letting people get close to them (which will be completely normal because they are so adorable!) will help your little friend grow up as a friendly and outgoing dog.

Gerberian Shepsky’s Grooming

In order for our Gerberian Shepsky's gorgeous double coat to stay pristine, you must have a rigorous maintenance routine.

To remove hairs and unwanted dandruff, you must brush the coat with a brush that reaches the bottom layer of hair. It is recommended to do it three or more times a week to keep it under control and healthy!

It is completely normal for dogs to have a large shed several times per year. Your Shepsky will have a full shed leading into the hottest months as it tries to get rid of unnecessary fur for the summer.

During this time of year, you must have a lot of patience, since your Shepsky will loose a lot of hair. In these situations the brush is your best friend: If you increase brushing to twice a day then you can collect the hair and dispose of it rather than having it spread all through the house.

We should bathe our Shepsky only when necessary. It is not recommended to bathe them all the time since we can alter the natural oils of our dog. These oils are essential to keep the coat healthy and shiny. When we do bathe them be sure to use a dog friendly shampoo.

Health

Unfortunately, like most large breed dogs, this cross between these two beautiful breeds is not without health problems. As a general rule a cross will result in a healthier dog than a pedigree. Your Shepsky will likely be healthier than a purebred GSD or Siberian Husky however it is worth noting common health problems that exist in both breeds to keep your eye out for them.

Most dogs can live long and happy lives if they are properly trained, fed and cared for, but there may also be some problems along the way, obviously inherited from some health problems from their purebred parents.

Some of these problems are elbow or hip dysplasia, which is a canine genetic disease that is associated with the German Shepherd due to excessive and irresponsible breeding. This canine disease is characterized by the joints (either elbow or hip) not forming properly. It is a malformation that can lead to pain and, ultimately, loss of elbow and hip function.

They can also have digestive problems (bloating and diarrhea) and cataracts. The last disease is quite frequent in the Husky, which means that it can be transmitted to our little Shepsky. Cataracts affect a dogs vision over time and can be hard to notice. If your Shepsky acts confused or disoriented it may be a sign of cataracts.

Final Thoughts

The Gerberian Shepsky is a large, active and intelligent dog that has been increasing in popularity all across America and the world. If you’re an experienced dog owner with an active lifestyle then this mix may be the perfect dog for you.