It’s easy to be blown away by the unique appearance of a white German Shepherd Husky mix. This pup’s all-white fur is eye-catching, but its personality is even more interesting for a first-time dog owner.
This mix simply combines all the best traits of its parents—it has a German Shepherd’s fierce loyalty and protective instincts as well as the Siberian Husky’s playfulness and sociability.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into everything you need to know about this remarkable crossbreed. From its origins to its physical features and personality, you’ll have all the information to understand whether or not this mix is suitable to take home!
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Origin and History
Unfortunately, there aren’t many details available on when and how the first litter of white German Shepherd Huskies came to be.
However, experts estimate that the German Shepherd Husky crossbreed emerged sometime in the late 19th century in Germany.
As for the white-coated version, there weren’t any records of this mix as, sadly, the Germans used to see white German Shepherds as an oddity. Therefore, it was forbidden to officially register these varieties.
Chances are that the first white German Shepherd Husky mixes were an accident. But no one knows when it happened!
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Overview
To sum up what this one-of-a-kind crossbreed is like, think of a dog that has the German Shepherd’s herding instincts and the Husky’s hard work qualities.
The white German Shepherd Husky mix has a bit of both in moderate concentrations!
Of course, this isn’t always the case, as some puppies can lean a little bit toward the German Shepherd or the Siberian Husky side more than the other.
Generally, a lot of people think that this mix has an ideal temperament. It’s incredibly intelligent, intuitive enough to make it easy to train, and a measured balance of friendly and protective.
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Appearance
Now, let’s dive deeper into what white German Shepherd Husky mixes look like. We’ll give you an insight into their size and weight, coat color variations, and other body features.
Size and Weight
Because the white German Shepherd Husky mix is a fairly new breed, it can be hard to come up with a standard value for his size and weight.
Still, based on observations of existing pups, we can conclude that this crossbreed will likely end up being medium-sized to large. So, you could expect the height of your white Shepsky to be around 20–25 inches at the shoulder.
Sure, this dog can be slightly larger or smaller depending on which parent’s traits are more prevalent.
As for the expected weight, a white Shepsky may be anything from 45–90 pounds—again based on how far this dog leans toward his GSD or Husky side.
Coat Type
White German Shepherd Husky mixes often come with medium-sized to long coats. While their pure-white hair surely looks magnificent, its length and thickness may be a downside for people who lead busy lives or have allergies.
That’s because this crossbreed sheds a lot, much like its parents, which can trigger asthma attacks as well as other respiratory problems.
Also, it requires regular grooming to keep its lovely fur healthy, shiny, and free of tangles and nasty parasites!
Other Physical Features
What’s interesting about White German Shepherd Husky mixes is that they’re a cute blend of both their parent’s prominent physical features.
They usually come with the GSD’s trademark perked ears and the Husky’s piercing blue eyes. Some varieties can have dark brown or light brown eyes, too.
These mixes are also well-regarded for their strong bodies, which they inherit from both of their muscular parents.
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Behavior and Temperament
Next up, you’ll want to know more about the personality of this good boy, so let’s explore the white German Shepherd Husky mix’s character and natural tendencies!
Of course, not two crossbred dogs are the same when it comes to personality—much like how it is in terms of looks. Nevertheless, you’ll mostly find the following traits in your mixed dog at varying degrees.
Good Balance of Gentle and Protective
This mix usually has just the right balance of gentleness and protectiveness. Its social traits come from the Husky side, while its loyalty, courage, and attentiveness are all GSD.
The offspring of these two unique dogs ends up being affectionate to their families and playful around kids. That’ll be even more pronounced with proper socialization and training at an early age.
You can also expect your white German Shepherd Husky mix to get along well with other dogs and pets in your household. This is, of course, if you introduce your dog to other dogs the right way.
Great Guarding Instincts
The GSD’s heightened guarding and herding skills as well as the Husky’s loyalty combine in their crossbreed to give you a fierce dog that’ll protect you in times of danger.
He’ll often be wary around strangers but should soon show his Husky’s goofy, funny side when he understands that friends don’t pose any threats to you.
Unmatched Intelligence
Another prevalent trait in your Shepsky is how incredibly smart he is, which will make training him so much smoother than most dog breeds. This is because both his parents are highly intelligent dogs, especially the German Shepherd.
For those who don’t know, the GSD is ranked amongst the top smartest dog breeds, coming up third in this list made by a canine psychologist.
The result of the joining of these two breeds is an intuitive dog that you can train to do almost anything. With the right training schedule at a young age, using positive reinforcement, and plenty of rewards and praise, your Shepsky pup will learn all your commands in no time!
High Energy That Rivals Other Dog Breeds
Both parents are energetic dogs, which gives you an active mix that’ll keep up with your workout routine. While this sounds like a great thing, it could have its downsides, too.
Because he’s a direct descendant of the Husky—an active working dog—your Shepsky will need around 1–2 hours each day to expel his naturally occurring energy.
Without proper stimulation, the dog may resort to destroying stuff around the house, like furniture, shoes, etc.
Luckily, the hyperactivity of Shepskies should go down significantly as they grow older. They’ll still have their crazy moments as adults, though, but not as often!
Tendency Toward Being Vocal
Again, this behavior comes from the Husky side, as it’s one of the most vocal breeds out there.
So, you should expect your white German Shepherd Husky mix to “talk” as a means of communication. Howls, yelps, whines, and even screams are a pretty common occurrence in this breed.
Oftentimes, it’s entertaining to watch your dog trying to speak to you while jumping up and down giddily or being dramatic. However, if you live in a busy apartment building, your neighbors may not appreciate the noise!
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Price, Expenses, and Rarity
If you’re ready to buy your white German Shepherd Husky mix, you can expect the price to range from $400–$1,500. The cost will vary depending on whether it’s a puppy or an adult dog, the place you live in, how reputable the breeder is, etc.
Sure, it may seem like the initial price is too much when compared to other dogs, but that’s only natural because it takes extra care to breed this dog. Think of the amount of money that goes into selecting healthy parents, doing tests, vet expenses, etc. to end up with a healthy litter.
If you come upon a lower price, it’ll be a little suspicious!
Other Expenses
Besides the initial price, it’s important to take other dog expenses into account before taking a Shepsky pup home.
You’ll need to make sure that your budget accommodates his requirements, including food, toys, healthcare, grooming, and accessories. Here’s a quick breakdown of those expenses:
- Medical costs: Around $600 per year
- Food, accessories, and grooming: $1,000 per year
Rarity
While it’s a new dog breed, the white German Shepherd Husky mix isn’t rare.
That’s because both of its parents are widely available throughout different parts of the country—the GSD and Siberian Husky are two of the most popular dogs in the U.S.
Plus, their mixes are becoming more and more in demand by people who covet their balanced temperament. So, whether you’re looking for a dark-colored Shepsky or a pure-white variety, you’re bound to find one somewhere in your state.
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Life Expectancy
The white German Shepherd Husky mix can live for as long as 18 years with proper care, a healthy diet, periodic vet checkups, and enough exercise.
However, on average, the lifespan of this dog is somewhere between 10–13 years.
White German Shepherd Husky Mix Health Concerns
If you get your pup from a reputable breeder, you should keep health risks to a minimum since the breeder takes special care to choose healthy parents to breed.
Nevertheless, even as the healthiest Huskies or GSDs grow older, they’re still prone to some conditions that are associated with their breed’s genes.
These diseases may or may not pass on to their offspring, but you need to have a good idea about them anyway to watch out for any troublesome symptoms:
- Eye conditions: Juvenile cataracts, canine glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, or corneal dystrophy
- Elbow or hip dysplasia: Often as a result of obesity and easy to prevent by leading an active lifestyle
- Cancer: Parents are prone to several types of cancer, such as hemangiosarcoma and anal gland tumors.
- Epilepsy
- Ear infections: A common occurrence in dogs with large ears
How to Care for a White German Shepherd Husky Mix?
Now that you have all the information you need regarding this dog’s appearance, temperament, lifespan, and health, let’s take a look at how you should care for him.
Exercise
As we previously pointed out, white Shepskies need more exercise than your average dog breed. So, make sure you do the following to allow him to let out all that excess energy:
- Take him on walks every day for at least an hour.
- Provide stimulation through playtime (fetch, hide-and-seek, tug-of-war, etc.).
- Let him go on runs with you.
Training and Socialization
Training this dog is easy due to his intelligence, but it’s not a walk in the park either. For the best results, start teaching him commands as well as potty training as soon as you take him home (while he’s still a puppy).
Keep the following points in mind to successfully train your dog:
- Stay consistent, patient, positive, and calm.
- Use rewards like praise words and treats when your dog does whatever you want him to do.
- Don’t shout or punish your dog, as it might leave him confused and upset.
Plus, it’s essential to socialize your pup by exposing him to people, other dogs, and different life experiences to build his confidence.
Grooming
Since this breed has a thick, double coat, expect yours to shed all year round moderately. This is a big factor to consider before bringing him home if you have allergies.
Then, when it comes to grooming, the white Shepsky needs brushing up to three times a week to get rid of matted and loose hair.
Finally, give your dog a good bath only once every three months—too much bathing may result in a dry, irritated coat and skin. You should also check and clean his ears and teeth and trim his nails regularly.
Diet
The white German Shepherd Husky mix is a relatively large dog with so much energy up his sleeve. This naturally translates to a demanding diet.
While still a puppy, your dog will need puppy food that matches his size, weight, and age. At this stage, it’s best to consult the vet so that they’ll recommend the right dog food brands and portions for your pup.
On the other hand, a fully-grown Shepsky requires a diet that’s rich in protein and fiber. A good place to start is three cups of high-quality kibble every day to fulfill his needs for a nutritious diet.
Keeping your dog hydrated is a must, too, so make sure to give him access to clean water all day long.
Living Conditions
Because the white German Shepherd Husky mix is full of energy and enthusiasm, he’ll need as much space as you can afford. So, raising him in an apartment won’t do.
A house with a yard where he can run around and play is essential for his physical and mental well-being. Just make sure that your yard is fenced so that your dog doesn’t stray.
In addition to that, this mix will do well in a comparatively cold climate. It’s mainly because of his Siberian Husky ancestry and having a double coat that can cause him to overheat in warm conditions.