Shepsky’s are a wonderful breed, they are the perfect balance between two much loved breeds, intelligent and regal looking. They are a favorite of many, as are the breeds which are great in this mix.
Each pup can look different, and each litter will look very different, some can even develop heterochromia, which is the instance in which their eyes may differ in color.
Some pups can get a long snout like their Husky parent, whereas others may have the slightly shorter snout of their German Shepard parent. The Husky German Shepherd mix is a wonderful mix breed, of which we love, but it is time to learn more about them!
What You Need To Know
While we call them Shepsky, technically they are known as the Gerberian Shepsky, which is a bit of a mouthful to say, so let’s just stick with Shepsky.
It is the best of both breeds, being smart and strong, independent and fiercely loyal. Their Husky part is sized as medium and are considered to be work dogs, meanwhile German Shepard’s are large dogs often used for herding.
This means that a Shepsky will be an ideal mix of both, they can grow to be 25 inches tall, and can weigh up to 80 lbs! Note that females will be a bit smaller, they tend to be 22 inches tall and weigh around 65 lbs.
They make great family dogs, but are also ideal to have as guard dogs, so are great for many potential owners.
Training & Temperament
A Shepsky pup will have different personalities made up of traits which they have inherited from their parents. Overall, their temperament is pretty ideal though. They can be friendly and a bit quirky, like their husky parents, but they are also loyal and brave like their German Shepard parents.
This is a perfect balance between protective and fun that owners love to have. They will give you love and cuddles whilst also guarding you. This also means that they are great around children and will be easily sociable from a very young age and can live with other pets too.
They are also fast learners as well, so they are a fairly easy breed to train as they learn very quickly, but they have to be trained in the correct manner.
Do note that a husky can be stubborn and will likely get bored fast, and a German Shepard will love to learn. Which, of course, means that overall the temperament of the pup will depend on whether or not they get more genes from mum or dad.
If they have more German Shepard genes, then they will likely enjoy activities such as scent working, if they are more husky based, then they will be more active than mentally stimulated.
Diet
This breed is a large and active breed, so in accordance with this they will need to have a high protein diet to match. The amount of calories they need will depend on their weight, gender, age and how active they are.
Also note that puppies will generally need more calories than an adult as it helps they grow, and they will need specially made formulas for them to help them to grow into the big dogs they will eventually be.
An active adult will need between 1700 and 2400 calories each day, but senior Shepskys will only need 1300 to 1600 a day.
You should also split the meals throughout the day to avoid digestive issues.
Grooming & Appearance
Shepsky have strong noses, piercing eyes and erect ears. They can take on the brown eyes of a German Shepard, or even blue or green like a Husky, or even both if they get heterochromia.
Their coats can also differ too, depending on which parent they take most of their genetics from.
Note that as they are bred from Huskies their coats are adapted to the cold. Note they need brushing twice a week as they have a double coat. Doing this will ensure proper shedding and proper skin health.
Do not fully bathe your Shepsky either, not in a full bath. You should use gentle shampoo and only do so when absolutely necessary.
Things To Consider
Do note that Shepskys can develop health problems that either of their parents may have. You should always consult the breeder to know the health status of the parents before you buy a Shepsky pup. They can develop many physical and eye diseases, so watch out!
