What is a Gerberian Shepsky: The German Shepherd Husky Mix Guide

gerberian shepsky puppy

The Gerberian Shepsky is a popular mixed dog breed. The name is quite a mouthful, but it's easier to say Gerberian Shepsky than German Shepherd Siberian Husky Mix. Sometimes, these dogs also go by the names German Shepherd Husky mix, German-Husky, Husky-Shepherd, Siberian Shepherd, or Shepsky. No matter the name, these dogs have slowly become a favorite among families. The German Shepherd Husky mix has become a designer dog breed. The cross-breed was likely an accident from the two other large dog breeds, the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky.

The American canine hybrid club recognizes the German Shepherd Husky mix as a cross-breed. These dogs are popular because of their personalities and their working attitudes. The two working-dog breeds have lovable and loyal qualities that make this cross-breed a famous family dog.

These beautiful pups can have the coats of either their Husky parents or their German Shepherd parents. They can be extra lovable or can be excellent guard dogs. No matter what, they are loyal and great for families. The Husky and German Shepherd usually have litters of about six dogs. The German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will often have the pointy ears of both of their parent's breeds. The below information will help you understand if the Husky and German Shepherd mix is the right breed for you.

History: Origins of the Gerberian Shepsky

The German Shepherd Husky mix has become more popular, so we've learned more about the breed and its health issues and characteristics. Many people want these dogs now, but the first litter of these designer dogs was likely an accident. There's no formal record of the very first litter of these dogs, but after that happy accident occurred, they stole the hearts of people everywhere. The German Shepherd Husky mix shares a lot of qualities from its parent breeds. The Siberian Husky was bred as a working dog breed and has learned to love running over thousands of years. The German Shepherd was born in Germany to herd cattle. Both of these dogs have tons of energy and love to work for their owners. 

Because of these qualities, the Gerberian Shepsky is quite similar. They're very energetic dogs. They love attention from their owners, and they love to be busy. While the product of these two dog breeds is sure to have some qualities of each parent, it's unsure which traits they will get. A dog can be friendly, lovable, and active, but the more social a dog is, the less likely they'll be guarding. A Husky German Shepherd mixed with more German Shepherd qualities may love their family, but they might be more standoffish to strangers. These dogs have more of an instinct to protect their family rather than befriend anyone they meet.  

gerberian shepsky behind fence

German Shepherd Origins

The German Shepherd breed began in Germany. In 1899, Germans began breeding these dogs to help them herd other animals on farms. While these breeds started working on farms, they eventually made their way to America and became family dogs. The German Shepherd breed is the second most popular dog in the United States behind the labrador breed. Families everywhere love these dogs because of their loyal, brave, and protective personalities. 

It's no secret that German Shepherds are commonly in K-9 law enforcement cars. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1908. These dogs may have started as herding dogs, but their work earned them a spot in the working-dog breed. A German Shepherd dog wants a task to do. That's why they get trained as police and TSA dogs. These dogs also have a history of being search and rescue animals. The mental power these dogs have matched with their trainability helps them remember certain scents. German Shepherd parents love these dogs for their hard work and their commitment to their owners. Of course, these dogs are sweet, and they have beautiful brown eyes, but above all, they are incredibly loyal to their owners. 

Siberian Husky Origins

The Siberian Husky originated in Siberia over 3,000 years ago. They were working dogs in the community, and they adapted to their cold climate by growing a thick double coat. Around 1908 the Husky made its way to Alaska. They famously became sledding dogs, and they won over communities with their playful and silly personalities. Even though they come from cold climates, these dogs' personalities are anything but cold. 

While working in Alaska, these dogs won sledding races and became famous for traveling through the arctic conditions. One famous Husky, Balto, the sled dog, is known for winning a great race in Alaska and completing a lifesaving medical run in Alaska in 1925. That Husky Balto is renowned for his hard work and commitment to his owners, but he isn't far off from other Huskies as well. He did accomplish something fantastic, but many huskies are devoted to their Husky Parents.

The Husky is known to be friendly, gentle, and silly. They're even close to strangers. Don't let their eagerness to make a new friend allow you to think they aren't intelligent dogs. These dogs had to make life-dependent decisions while sled racing and working in Siberia. The cold was deadly, and their owners relied on them for survival. Because of how intelligent they are, they can quickly get bored. 

Other famous qualities many Huskies have include their love of running and their habit of howling. These dogs may not be as popular as the German Shepherd, but they are still the 12th most popular dog breed globally.

gerberian shepsky in flower field

Gerberian Shepsky Physical Characteristics

Distinct Facial Features

The Gerberian Shepsky can inherit facial features from either of its two parent breeds. One pooch can have dark brown eyes as a GSD would, or they could have blue eyes like their Husky ancestors. These dogs may also have the rare eye condition, heterochromia, that Huskies carry. This rare eye condition means that each of their eyes is a different color. Huskies can pass down genes for blue or green eyes.

Any German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will likely have a strong snout and piercing eyes. Their face matches that of a wolf-like appearance. Their wolf-like similarities are because both the GSD and the Siberian Husky are medium to large-sized dogs. Their sheer size alone makes them seem more wolf-like, but their faces also help pass this look along.

Size and Weight

A German Shepherd may stand anywhere between 22 inches tall to 26 inches tall. This breed of dog can weigh anywhere from 49 to 88 pounds. They're big dogs and considered a large-size breed. On the other hand, a Siberian Husky can stand anywhere from 20 to 23 inches tall and weigh 35 to 60 pounds. The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized breed.

The German Shepherd Husky mix can stand between 20 to 25 inches tall and weigh 45 to 80 pounds. Many of the height and weight variables for any dog breed depend on sex. Mixed breed dogs can inherit more traits from one breed than another. This variation means a Husky and German Shepherd mix could potentially weigh 88 pounds as a German Shepherd would. It's just that the average for the Gerberian Shepsky is lower.

Although they can be pretty large dogs, the dogs are great family dogs. Their size makes them ideal for houses with large backyards. However, German Shepherd Husky mix puppies will thrive anywhere they get their physical and mental needs met and get the time and attention they crave. 

Coat and Grooming 

A Gerberian Shepsky can have a coat color like either of its two parent breeds. German Shepherd Husky mix puppies have thick double coats. Both the GSD and Huskies grow thick double coats because of their native region in the north. Both Siberia and Alaska are notoriously cold places, but they adapted! German Shepherds naturally also have a thick double coat. The German Shepherd Husky mix is bound to have the same double coat. These coat colors can vary considerably. You have the possibility of adopting a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy with white, gray, silver, tan, brown, red, sable, black, blue, cream, golden, or pepper-colored fur. Their fur always has at least two colors.

These dogs have thick double coats and love cold climates, but they can shed quite a lot. They're natural shedders and will lose some fur during the changes in season. There is a misconception that GSDs, Siberian Huskies, and Gerberian Shepherds can't thrive in warmer climates, but it's not true. These dogs have lived in cold temperatures for years; this is true. But they can adapt well to warmer climates and even have the capabilities of shedding one of their layers of fur. 

The coats these dogs have will be thick and medium to long. It can vary in texture and be dense or soft. Gerberian Shepsky puppies are at their best health possible when they get brushed twice a week at least. Brushing them three to four times might be necessary if your pup has a thicker, longer coat. Only bathe your puppy when needed, maybe once a month if they tend to have a stinkier coat. Make sure to get a shampoo that doesn't remove natural oils. This could give your puppy dry skin and irritability. Dog lovers could also spot clean their dogs with a damp cloth or use a deodorizing spray to help with the smell. Never shave these dogs as they will get bad skin problems.

gerberian shepsky standing in flower field

Gerberian Shepsky Temperament & Personality

Thanks to the German Shepherd breed, the German Shepherd Husky mix has a lot of excellent guard dog qualities. They share similar temperaments as they can be brave, gentle, attentive, calm, and loyal. Thankfully, because of their genes with the Siberian Husky breed, they can also be incredibly friendly, lovable, pleasant, and silly. 

Husky and German Shepherd mixes can live great with children and other animals if they're socialized at a young age. It's essential to make sure they get enough of their energy out. When these dogs don't get enough activity, they begin barking, howling, or chewing. This bad habit of being a noisy dog comes from the inherent need to alert its owners of any noise. They're guard dogs by genetics, so they are super sensitive to sound. They want to let you know anytime they hear a noise. Because they are so loyal and attentive to their owners, they also suffer from separation anxiety.

These dogs are great working companions or running partners. They need around two hours of activity a day to remain happy. If you are away from home often, these dogs aren't the right breed for you. If you live in an apartment, it may be hard to keep these dogs pleased and quiet. They can live in apartments and happily, so long as they get daily time outside on walks or trips to the park. Because of their needs, these pets aren't great for first-time dog owners. If you want to adopt a Gerberian Shepky as your first dog, it's vital to have a plan for a trainer and someone who can assist you in making sure you are meeting all of your dog's needs while getting them the proper training they need.

Intelligence

Germans used German Shepherds in wars in WWI and WWII. They trained these dogs to be calm in the faces of loud noises like guns. They also taught them how to assist soldiers on the battlefield. Siberian Huskies were trained to help men transport goods in Siberia and prepared to make life or death decisions in the frozen tundras of Alaska. They're incredibly loyal and easy to train.

Both parent breeds of the Husky and German Shepherd mix have higher cognitive abilities than some other species, making it easier to train them. They are the third most intelligent dog breed in the working breed group. They're an excellent family pet as they can be easily trainable and incredibly social. These dogs are naturally intelligent, so they may be stubborn, but they recognize their person as their pack leader. They're smart enough to know who is in charge of their families. 

Trainability

Gerberian Shepskys are very intelligent, so training should be a breeze! The most important thing to remember for training is to ensure you are consistent and reinforce your proper training commands. Being firm but kind in your orders will help your dog grasp a more stone understanding of them. Also, try to engage with your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy as much as possible. Early socialization and early training will only benefit them in the long run.

Dogs like the Husky and German Shepherd mix need mental stimulation and physical exertion to be satisfied. These dogs have a history of being guard dogs and sled runners. They have an account of using a lot of strength and energy running. The Husky and German Shepherd mix has a history of focusing on sounds and movement, even finding people in search and rescue missions. They need things that apply to these instincts in them.

Some dogs can benefit from obedience training or get some energy out in a dog park for exercise. As long as your Gerberian Shepsky gets socialized at a young age, they should be able to get along with others just fine.

close up of gerberian shepsky

Energy Levels

The German Shepherd has tons of energy historically fighting alongside military men, participating in search and rescue missions, and having a history in law enforcement. The Siberian Husky has the same amount of historical energy as they used to run across frozen lakes for the sake of survival. It makes sense that German Shepherd Husky mixes are very active dogs, as well.

The Husky and German Shepherd mix has high energy and a high activity level. To make sure your dog meets their exercise requirements, let your dog get a solid two hours of moderate to vigorous activities. These types of dogs may want to participate in obstacle courses or challenging puzzles. They might also just want to go for a jog. They are happy to get lots of exercises done outside in parks and wide-open spaces. These dogs need mental stimulation; otherwise, they may get bored. If your Gerberian Shepsky favors running over puzzles, consider changing up the running route. Different surroundings can help keep them stimulated.

Gerberian Shepsky Health & Care

This hybrid dog has an average lifespan of ten to thirteen years. Sometimes these dogs can live as long as eighteen years, but their lifespan varies based on genetics, health, activity levels, and diet. This hybrid breed is at risk of a few health issues.

Many breeds inherit health issues from genetics, and the Husky and German Shepherd mix is no different. The Gerberian Shepsky inherits a fair share of health risks from the two breeds that make this hybrid up. Some health conditions are not severe, such as ear infections, but some health conditions are extreme. The German Shepherd Husky mix is prone to cancer as well as hip and elbow dysplasia.  

However, for things like Progressive retinal atrophy, there is no cure, and an animal will go blind eventually. German Shepherd Husky mix puppies are at higher risk of this degenerative eye disease because of genetics. Large-chested dogs are also at a higher risk of experiencing bloat, a life-threatening illness. We'll cover more issues a Husky and German Shepherd mix might be at higher risk of contracting.

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia can result in a loss of movement if left untreated. The cause of this health problem is that a dog's elbows have developed abnormally. Dysplasia causes pain which ends up resulting in unstable conditions in a dog's body. Thankfully, dysplasia can be treated with medication to help the pain or even corrective surgery if caught early enough. It all depends on a vet's diagnosis and recommendation. 

To prevent issues like dysplasia, regularly take your German Shepherd Husky mix to their vet and make sure they get adequate exercise. Preventing stress will help them as well. This issue is most commonly caused by obesity in a dog, so be sure to feed your dog a healthy diet.

gerberian shepsky standing behind tree

Eye Conditions

The Husky and German Shepherd mix is at risk of developing a disease called Canine Glaucoma. Canine Glaucoma is one word that covers a fraction of a group of conditions that affect the optic nerve in dogs. These diseases cause pressure to be released onto the eye. When a dog's optic nerve experiences this pressure, it can result in blindness. 40% of dogs diagnosed with some form of Canine Glaucoma become blind in the affected eye after just one year. 

Another issue the German Shepherd Husky mixes may suffer from is Corneal Dystrophy. This health condition is an accumulation of abnormal materials found in the eye. These materials irritate the cornea, which can cause pain and discomfort to our furry friends. Another side effect of Corneal Dystrophy is the outer layers of the eye can be permanently damaged. This can result in vision impairment if developed over time without treatment.

Sadly, Juvenile Cataracts are an inherited health condition for German Shepherd Husky mix puppies. The hybrid breed inherits this from its Husky relatives. If a dog experiences this and doesn't get the treatment it needs, it will become disoriented and aggressive. If these symptoms are caught early enough, medication or surgery can be done to treat the disease. Symptoms of this eye disease may present themselves as early as five months old. If this is not caught in time, a dog may be blind by one year old. 

Another hereditary eye disease is that of Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This degenerative eye disease slowly causes deterioration in the cones and rods of an eye. It is an incurable eye disease and will eventually result in complete blindness. First, a dog may lose its ability to see at night, and then it will lose its peripheral vision and depth perception. Last to go is their vision in bright lights. This disease might occur late in life for a German Shepherd Husky mix, but it may begin in a puppy. Symptoms include dilated pupils and disorientation. An early diagnosis is a key to finding treatment to ward off the complete loss of vision for your dog.

Epilepsy

The Germain Shepherd Husky mix breed suffers from another health problem called Epilepsy. These dogs have a neurological disorder that results in uncontrollable reoccurring seizures. When a dog experiences an episode, it may lose consciousness. Some dogs can get treatments and medications to help prevent seizures. The best way to find the proper treatment for these dogs is through a vet. Some owners give their dogs CBD oils to help prevent seizures.

Bloat

Bloat is a life-threatening health risk commonly occurring in large chested dogs. Considering the size of the GSD and the Siberian Husky breed, it makes sense that these two breeds are at high risk for this issue. The Husky and German Shepherd mix is at just as high a risk as its parent's species.

When bloat occurs, too much gas gets trapped in your dog's stomach. This gas can't find a way to release itself, and emergency veterinarian services will always be required to treat bloating right away. When they bloat, their stomach may twist, blocking off circulation to other parts of the stomach and body. This can result in a seizure or loss of consciousness. It will result in some dead stomach tissue. 

When a dog has bloat, there are only a few hours available to save its life. Sometimes, these dogs die in as little as thirty minutes. There is a surgery called gastropexy surgery that attaches the stomach to the dog's abdomen. This prevents a stomach from twisting and therefore lessens the chance that a dog may experience bloat. The only way to help a dog that is experiencing bloat is to get emergency vet care immediately.

Signs and symptoms a dog is experiencing bloat include a failed attempt of vomiting, stretching with their stomach towards the ground and their butts in the air, and a swollen belly. These dogs may also stare at their stomach or even pass out. Some things that are known to increase the risk of bloat are primarily based on eating habits. To lower the risk of your dog getting bloat, don't feed your dog one large meal. Split them into smaller meals throughout the day. Do not feed your dog from an elevated food bowl, and don't let them run around right after eating their food. 

gerberian shepsky laying on box

Diet

The German Shepherd Husky mix is a large active dog breed, and they require a lot of protein. Most adults in this hybrid thrive on no less than a 25% protein diet. Ensuring they get the best dog kibble is essential in ensuring they are in tip-top shape both mentally and physically. The calorie requirement of these dogs varies based on age, sex, size, and activity level.

An average active adult requires anywhere from 1,700 calories in their daily diet to 2,400 calories. In comparison, a senior Husky and German Shepherd mix may only require anywhere from 1,300 calories to 1,600 calories in their daily diet.

Make sure your German Shepherd Husky mix has all of their dietary needs met by giving them high-quality dog food and plenty of access to water. Granting them wet food now and then would benefit their overall health as well. Give these dogs tasty treats for rewards or treats with certain benefits, such as dental treats or calming treats. A dog's diet can affect its behavior, so knowing what food works best with your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy is important.

How Much Do German Shepherd Husky Puppies Cost?

The German Shepherd Husky mix puppies can cost anywhere from $350 to $1,000. This hybrid breed is considered a designer breed. They have become more and more popular year after year. Sadly, this also means many people get one of these dogs and end up not being able to care for it properly. If you are looking into getting a German Shepherd Siberian Husky mix, consider rescuing a dog from an adoption center first. Adopting is an excellent alternative to purchasing from breeders, but it's important to acknowledge there is less genetic proof through adoption. These dogs may have other breeds mixed in with them and may not come from two purebred dogs. But, giving a dog hope and the safety of finding a forever home after living in a shelter is a gift unlike any other. However, if you want to buy one from breeders, be sure they are excellent and reputable. Always visit the dog before getting it to make sure they are being cared for properly. 

Owning one of these dogs may cost a lot. The medical costs of a Gerberian Shepsky average about $500 to $600 a year. Other expenses such as food, treats, grooming, training, or miscellaneous expenses can run a bill of up to $1,000 each year. Make sure you are aware of a Husky and German Shepherd mix's needs before buying or adopting one. These dogs aren't recommended for first-time owners.

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