Huskies and German Shepherds are breeds that we’ve grown to know and love. Now, when crossbred, these two old dog breeds have created the black German Shepherd Husky mix.
Also called the Gerberian Shepsky, these hybrid pets make an excellent addition to your family. The breed combines the grace and obedience of a Shepherd as well as the independence and alpha attitude of a Husky.
Stick around to learn more about the black German Shepherd Husky mix.
History of Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
The mixed Shepsky breed is considerably new. While there’s no definite origin, the breed is believed to have been bred between the late 1980s and 1990s.
Aside from that, German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies have been around for a much longer time. The former was originally bred in Germany for herding sheep in 1899.
Meanwhile, Huskies are of Northeast Asian descent and can be traced back centuries ago. The characteristically black and white breed was created by the Chukchi people for companionship and sledding.
Appearance of Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
Gerberian Shepskies hold a distinctive wolf-like appearance similar to both original breeds. The hybrid is fitted with a couple of pointed ears and a long snout.
When it comes to the eyes, you may find either blue or brown-eyed Shepskies. In rare cases, you can find a mix with heterochromia. This condition leaves your black German Shepherd Husky mix with one blue and one brown eye.
Apart from that, both breeds are double-coated, so you can expect your hybrid mix to have the same feature. The inner coat is soft and dense, whereas the outer coat layer has longer hard hairs.
Size
Both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are medium-sized dogs. For this reason, there’s not much difference in terms of size. That means that a Shepsky can be around 20 to 26 inches tall.
Weight
Black German Shepherd Husky mixes can weigh around 35 to 90 lbs. Comparatively, German Shepherds weigh around the same weight. Meanwhile, Huskies are relatively lighter weighing about 35 to 60 lbs.
Temperament of Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
German Shepherds and Huskies are famously athletic breeds. They enjoy running around and being mentally stimulated.
Nevertheless, Huskies are a tad more independent, making them more prone to restlessness. You don’t want to have a bored Husky in your house unless torn shoes are becoming a fashion trend.
In terms of temperament, you could get a 50/50 chance on both breeds’ attitudes and behaviors. Your Shepsky could be as obedient and loyal as a German Shepherd. On the other hand, you might get a diva dog with an alpha attitude like a classic Husky.
Socialization
Socialization refers to how well the dog connects with others of its species as well as other humans. Now, Siberian Huskies are popular in this category. They love any kind of company and socialize well with other dogs.
Meanwhile, Shepherds tend to be more reserved and attached to their owners. Although they’re incredible family dogs, they may act indifferent toward other dogs. Since they’re a smart breed, it takes them a bit more time to warm up and trust others of their kind.
Subsequently, your Shepsky might either be as open to other dogs’ company as a Husky or shyer like a Shepherd.
Barking
If you’ve been surfing through a lot of funny Husky videos on social media, then you know most of them enjoy voicing their opinions. Huskies are howlers because they mainly want to get their owner’s attention.
As for German Shepherds, they’re no different, except they mainly bark. Their barks are so loud, they can sometimes exceed the volume of a moving truck. Having said that, your black German Shepherd Husky mix will likely burst into fits of barking.
The best way to lessen the barking is to understand why they may do it in the first place. In some cases, your fur baby is likely bored or restless and needs some exercise. Once they’re all tired out, you can finally enjoy a bark-free night of sleep.
Caring for Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
Caring for a black German Shepherd Husky mix takes lots of energy. As an active and double-coated breed with lots to say, they can be a handful.
Without further ado, here’s what you need to know about caring for your energetic hybrid dog.
Food
Black German Shepherd Husky mixes are prone to weight gain. Consequently, you need to be more cautious when feeding them. A balanced diet with nutritious vitamins and minerals is critical.
Puppyhood
During their puppy phase, you can ask the previous owner what they fed the Shepsky puppy and you can follow along with their diet. You’ll want to feed them about three cups of food per day.
Adulthood
As your Shepsky grows, you’ll want to start packing in their protein intake. You can optionally resort to a raw diet.
That being so, try to provide your mixed dog with 30% grain-free proteins and 25% grain-based protein. Apart from that, be sure to watch out for allergies to foods like eggs and lamb.
Shepherd Husky mixes may be vulnerable to digestive issues. Subsequently, we suggest consulting your veterinarian to provide you with professional pointers on which foods to eat. Additionally, you can integrate vitamin supplements into your Shepsky’s diet.
Luckily, neither German Shepherds nor Siberian Huskies are known as picky eaters, so you shouldn’t have much trouble feeding your mixed pooch.
Exercise
It almost seems like both parent breeds never run out of energy. Since they’re bred for work, namely, herding and sledding, exercise is a must for the Shepsky mix.
Now, if you live in an apartment, it might be difficult to let your mixed friend let off some steam. For this reason, we’d recommend getting the dog if you have a large backyard or open space where they can run freely.
Overall, you need to walk or exercise the crossbred pooch for at least a couple of hours per day. Otherwise, you’ll be met with lots of whining and damaged furniture.
Grooming
As a double-coated breed, you’ll need to take extra care when grooming your Shepsky. We hope you love vacuuming because, like their parent breeds, Shepskies are notorious shedders.
Regular brushing, at least three times a week, will help ease the excessive shedding and distribute the natural oils for a shinier coat.
Aside from that, you may need to increase your brushing intervals during the spring since they shed, even more, to get rid of their winter coat. The mixed dog will blow their winter coat for a lighter summer one.
That said, you only need to bathe the mix when needed so you don’t risk stripping all the coat’s natural oils off. Consequently, too much bathing can leave their coat dull.
Price of Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
Although German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are relatively on the pricier end, the Shepsky is much more budget-friendly.
German Shepherds can reach up to $1,900. Although Huskies generally cost less, you can find purebred options worth $6,000.
Besides that, you can find black Shepskies worth $400 to $500. Nevertheless, some Shepskies can reach $1,000. That mainly depends on where you buy the mixed breed from.
How to Buy a Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
When looking for a mix, you can usually check German Shepherd or Husky breeders. They’re more likely to house the mixed breed.
If you’re unsure which route to take to purchase a Shepsky mix, here are a few steps to get you started.
Step 1: Do Your Research
Initially, you can visit the American Kennel Club website and browse through reputable breeder resources. The site can help you find breeders in your area. You can also look through other websites like pupquest.
Step 2: Ask for a Referral
After searching for breeders online, you can also ask for some professional advice from a vet. Alternatively, if you know a trustworthy friend that can help, they can refer you to a responsible breeder.
Step 3: Meet the Breeder
When meeting the breeder, try to go to their facilities to make sure the dogs there are well taken care of. Additionally, make sure to ask for the pup’s medical history.
Step 4: Ask for Important Documents
After assessing the breeder’s suitability and finalizing your purchase, ask them for a written contract and health guarantee. Be sure to thoroughly read through the document. You may find info stating that you need to return the dog if you see yourself unfit to take care of it.
Consider Adoption
Rather than taking a risk and purchasing from an untrustworthy breeder, you can go through adoption instead. Nonetheless, it may be more difficult to find Shepskies in adoption centers since it’s a mixed dog.
You may want to visit adoption or rescue centers that already provide German Shepherds and Huskies. Chances are, they may house the mixed breed.
Health Outlook of Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
Before looking for a Shepsky, you may want to be aware of the general health outlook of the crossbreed. That way, it’ll better prepare you for which complications to look out for.
Life Expectancy
Black German Shepherd Husky mixes can live anywhere between 10 to 14 years. A better diet and environment will ensure a long and healthy life for your adorable mix.
Health Complications
Huskies and German Shepherds are vulnerable to certain conditions such as hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia, respectively.
Fortunately, mixed breeds tend to be healthier than purebreds. This is mainly because purebred dogs have a small gene pool which heightens their risk of health complications. Aside from that, here’s what to expect from a Shepsky.
Joint Issues
Joint issues including hip and elbow dysplasia could follow your Shepsky. This illness may cause discomfort and pain in the joint area.
To mitigate these issues, you can purchase an orthopedic bed and make sure they’re sufficiently exercising. Additionally, you’ll need to visit your vet for prescribed medication and vitamin supplement recommendations.
Eye Issues
Shepskies could be susceptible to developing corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy as they grow older. Your vet will likely prescribe eye drops and oral medication to treat these eye ailments.
Ear Infection
If you notice your Shepsky constantly scratching their ears or shaking their heads, then it could be a sign of an ear infection.
This ear condition could be easily avoided with proper hygienic care. Overall, a monthly ear clean should suffice. Too much will just cause more unwanted issues and irritations.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions affecting dogs. The good news is that this illness is rare and mainly impacts over 0.75% of dogs.
The issue is characterized by recurring seizures and loss of consciousness due to a brain deformity. Your dog will likely be treated with Imepitoin and Phenobarbital.
Training a Black German Shepherd Husky Mix
Huskies are notoriously difficult to train. So much so that they’re not recommended as first-time pets. Contrastingly, German Shepherds are much easier to train thanks to their obedience and exceptional intelligence.
Overall, training your Shepsky may require some effort, but not as much work as it would take to train a Husky. You may want to resort to a classic reward-based training method. When doing so, try to keep the training interesting and stimulating to avoid boredom.
As your Shepsky pup grows older, you’ll be able to differentiate which personality gene is dominant. If they’re more Husky, then they’ll enjoy running around rather than learning new tricks.
Meanwhile, German Shepherd-dominant mixes will be more willing to listen to their owners and are generally more agile.
Wrap-Up
Black German Shepherd Husky mixes make for fun-loving and energetic pets. The best part is that they’re more affordable and healthier than their parent breeds.
Aside from that, you’ll need to get your exercise shoes and training tools ready for this crossbreed. They’re going to be a lot to handle, but all the cuddles you get will be worth it.