Fun German Shepherd Husky Mix Facts For Kids

Anusuya Mukherjee
Oct 20, 2022 By Anusuya Mukherjee
Originally Published on Aug 05, 2021
Edited by Natalie Rayworth
Fact-checked by Smriti Chaudhary
Read these German Shepherd Husky mix facts to learn more about this amazing mammal.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 10.0 Min

Many crossbreeds are purely bred for their looks but Gerberian Shepsky is a mix of two beautiful, hard-working, and loyal dogs. Gerberian Shepsky is a mixed breed designer dog that is a German Shepherd Husky mix.

Handsome-looking, alert, intelligent and athletic, Gerberian Shepskys have beautiful blue eyes that they inherited from their Siberian Husky parent. The medium to large-sized German Shepherd Husky mix has inherited the best quality from both the large dog breeds and is energetic, affectionate, and loyal.

Gerberian Shepsky puppies may have different colored eyes with one being startling blue and the other being brown. Husky German Shepherd mixes may require a pack leader to control them when in groups. Being extremely protective, they may not welcome strangers easily.

Mostly, Gerberian Shepskys have a fun-filled personality with a mischievous nature. They make wonderful family dogs. They are the best genes of German Shepherds and Huskyies rolled into one beautiful dog breed.

The mixed breed of German Shepherd and Siberian Huskies may look a little intimidating but these dogs are friendly and good with children. It is important to socialize them to make them into gentle, calm dogs. Their protective demeanor for their family and owners comes mostly from their German Shepherd parentage.

These dogs can vary greatly in weight and range from 45-88 lb (20-36 kg). Their weight also depends on the Shepherd Husky puppies genetic makeup, diet, age, exercise, and lifestyle. As both the parent dog breeds of Gerberian Shepskys originate from regions with a cold climate, German Shepherd Husky mixes can also tolerate colder weather better than hot conditions.

If you enjoyed reading these facts, you should check out our fact files on Collie and German Shepherd.

German Shepherd Husky Mix Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a German Shepherd Husky mix?

German Shepherd Husky mix, or Gerberian Shepskys, are a mixed breed dog.

What class of animal does a German Shepherd Husky mix belong to?

German Shepherd Husky mixes are mammals.

How many German Shepherd Husky mixes are there in the world?

It is difficult to say how many German Shepherd Husky mix dogs there are in the world. Therefore, any accurate figure is unavailable.

Where does a German Shepherd Husky mix live?

Siberian Husky German Shepherd mixes live on farms or in urban homes with their owners.

What is a German Shepherd Husky mix's habitat?

The ideal living condition for a German Shepherd Husky mix dog is a farm or house with a large fenced yard. Moderate to cold weather is preferred by these dogs. They cannot tolerate extremely high temperatures.

Who do German Shepherd Husky mixes live with?

Like their Siberian Husky parents, Shepskies are pack dogs. Similar to Huskies, they need a pack leader to help guide the pack. When living individually with their owners, they fit in well with adults and children.

How long does a German Shepherd Husky mix live?

The lifespan of a Gerberian Shepsky is ten to 15 years.

How do they reproduce?

Like all dogs, Shepskys reproduce sexually. When impregnated, the gestation period lasts between 60 to 64 days. Shepsky litters may have between six to ten puppies. Shepsky females have a litter once a year. A female is usually on heat every six months. Frequent breeding is not advised for a Shepsky.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of Gerberian Shepsky, or German Shepherd Husky mix, is Least Concern.

German Shepherd Husky Mix Fun Facts

What do German Shepherd Husky mixes look like?

Gerberian Shepskys have a dense double coat like their parent breeds German Shepherd and Siberian Husky. The dogs have a muscular build, erect ears, and an angular wolf-like face with a long snout. Their nose is usually black or dark brown. A Shepherd Husky mix puppy has a long bushy tail.

Their varying coat colors can be cream, white, brown, blue, and black owing to their mixed parentage. The coat color depends on what type of Husky has been bred with which German Shepherd dog.

The coat is usually never a solid color, and tends to be a mix of two or more colors. Sometimes the coat color changes as the Shepherd Husky mix puppy grows older.

The icy-blue eyes of most Gerberian Shepsky puppies are an attractive feature. However, the color of their eyes may range from dark to light brown like their German Shepherd parent.

Some puppies also have a mix of brown and blue eyes or one blue and one brown eye. This phenomenon is called heterochromia. The most popular Shepsky colors are combinations of black and white, mixes of brown, shades of gray and different tints of light, dark gold and cream.

As both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies have dense, double coats, the fur of the mixed breed Shepsky is also similar. This helps them to stay warm in colder climates.

These dogs can tolerate snowy weather to keep an eye on their flocks. Although these dogs can tolerate low temperatures they should not be exposed to extremely cold temperatures for very long. Some of them have a smaller ability to cope with freezing temperature due to their German Shepherd heritage.

German Shepherd Husky mixes are very loyal and intelligent.

How cute are they?

German Shepherd Husky mix dogs are super cute and good-looking. They have beautiful eyes which are often blue with erect ears and thick coats.

How do they communicate?

German Shepherd Husky mixes are a very playful breed. When excited, they may bark and nip to encourage their owners to play with them. They are very smart and can memorize things well, which makes them learn commands fast. It is easy to teach them tricks.

They are obedient, loyal, and simple to train in comparison to other big breeds. As a puppy, German Shepherd Husky mix puppies are prone to whining, crying, and barking. They may panic in the absence of company.

How big is a German Shepherd Husky mix?

Compared to small Chihuahua dogs of Mexican origin, Shepskys are more than three times larger in size. A Gerberian Shepsky has an average height of 20-25 in (50-63 cm) whereas Chihuahuas grow to a height of 6–9 in (15-22 cm).

How fast can a German Shepherd Husky mix run?

Gerberian Huskies can run at a speed of around 10-15 mph (16-24 kmph).

How much does a German Shepherd Husky mix weigh?

Siberian Husky German Shepherd mixwa can weigh between 45-88 lb (20-36 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male Shepskys are called dogs and females are called bitches.

What would you call a baby German Shepherd Husky mix?

Baby German Shepherd Husky mixes are called puppies.

What do they eat?

Dogs with such an active nature tend to be good eaters. But, some German Shepherd Husky mix puppies can be picky eaters. It is better to stick to a diet that they enjoy, or to a brand of their liking.

Being a working breed, German Shepherd Husky mix puppies require a high-quality diet. How many calories are sufficient for the working dogs will depend on their routine and level of activity. But, a well-maintained diet is important for Gerberian Shepsky adult dogs to avoid malnutrition or extra weight gain.

Weight gain, or obesity, risk for a Shepsky is low provided the dog is not spoilt with large-size treats or overfeeding. They need healthy food and quality dry dog food to keep their healthy and fit body.

Are they hypoallergenic?

Yes, German Shepherd Husky mix breeds are hypoallergenic. But, no dog in the world is completely hypoallergenic. People suffering from allergies and asthma may suffer less with these dogs around compared to other dog breeds.

The thick double coat of Gerberian Shepsky dogs is not essentially relevant when it comes to allergies. Most people are allergic to the flakes on the skin, dander, or the saliva of their four-legged friends. After playing outdoors, Gerberian Shepskys thick coat may end up carrying pollen and dust inside the house.

As far as shedding is concerned, German Shepherd and Siberian Husky mixes shed moderately. Owners must be prepared to find a fair amount of doggy hair in their house with this breed of dog around. The dogs shed more in warmer climates to try and cope with the hot weather.

Would they make a good pet?

Gerberian Shepskys make wonderful pets due to their German Shepherd Husky mix temperament. Shepskys are extremely loyal and affectionate dogs and love to form close bonds with their owners.

They enjoy spending time with their owners or handlers. The breed can also be amazing therapy dogs for those in need. Shepskies have defender genes and are moderately protective of their territories.

Because of this, they may not be too friendly to strangers. These dogs do not accommodate well with cats and other dogs if not socialized from a young age.

Somewhat considered a sensitive breed, they don’t like noisy houses, irregular routines or frequent visitors. As family companions, this breed is one of the best.

German Shepherd Husky mixes, or Shepskys, require average grooming and don't necessarily need an expert dog groomer. Regular brushing helps reduce the shedding of the dogs coat. Their nails need trimming, and they also need seasonal flea treatment.

This is a high-energy dog and they need an active lifestyle. They are the best companion for outdoorsy families. They need a lot of exercises and, at the least, daily walks should be a part of their regular schedule.

Shepsky puppies do not need much sleep and they get bored easily. If they are not provided with enough exercise, they may become disobedient, mischievous, and destructive. To avoid undesirable behavior in these large dogs, they should be given at least one hour of exercise every day.

If given enough exercise, Shepskys don't mind living in an apartment. However, the best choice for a Gerberian Shepsky is a home with a yard where they can run and play.

Though this mixed dog breed has a thick double coat, they do not smell. Due to their dense coat, they can tolerate chilly weather and even snow for a short while. Some of them make good mountain dogs and can be good hiking companions.

This breed of dog is not slobbery, in fact, they hardly drool. The main health conditions affecting this breed of dogs are elbow and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, digestive problems, and juvenile cataract. Health issues like hip dysplasia are faced by most large dog breeds where they form abnormalities in their hip joints.

German Shepherd Husky mix prices can be between 400 USD to 1200 USD.

Did you know...

The FBI’s first therapy dog, Dolce, was a Gerberian Shepsky. This is when the mixed breed first gained recognition and started gaining popularity.

Though their parent breeds, German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are both AKC-recognized dog breeds, German Shepherds mixed with Huskies don't enjoy the same status. Major canine organizations do not register Gerberian Shepskies as they lack official pedigree papers.

It is difficult to say when the first Gerberian Shepsky dog come into existence. They may have existed naturally, but it is thought that breeders intentionally started breeding German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies in the United States in the late 1990s. This comparatively new breed of designer dogs were intended to be good-looking hybrid working dogs.

What is a German Shepherd Husky mix's temperament like?

Gerberian Shepskies have a gentle and calm temperament. These dogs are often feared for their scary muscular build. But, they are energetic, love activities, and are extremely loyal and protective. These qualities make this dog breed a fantastic pet.

This highly energetic breed can get bored easily in the absence of a stimulating environment. This may lead them to become mischievous. They can be aggressive and even hurt someone to protect their owner from danger.

These energetic, intelligent dogs make wonderful pets and can operate as working companions for various jobs such as police work and herding. That’s why it is considered under the category of working and herding dogs.

German shepherd and Siberian Husky mixes understand verbal commands well when trained properly. The dogs also respond to whistles when they are trained for herding livestock.

They have inherited predatory behavior which can be curbed by training. Their hunting prowess, smartness, and strong muscular physique make them good hunting dogs as well as good for military jobs and as police dogs.

Highly intelligent, this Siberian Husky German Shepherd mix breed can learn tricks and tasks in only a few repeated sessions. This trait is inherited mostly from their German Shepherd parent.

German Shepherd and Husky mix dogs have an ability to interpret and understand things fast. This also makes them wonderful guards, as well as search and rescue dogs.

What is a German Shepherd Husky mix called?

A German Shepherd Husky mix is called a Gerberian Shepsky.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Eskimo dog, or American Pitbull Terrier.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our german shepherd husky mix coloring pages.

German Shepherd Husky Mix Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Dog food

What Type of Animal were they?

Carnivore

Average Litter Size?

6 pups

How Much Did They Weigh?

45-80 lb (20-36 kg)

What habitat Do they Live In?

subarctic and temperate climate

Where Do They Live?

north america, germany and russia

How Long Were They?

N/A

How Tall Were They?

20-25 in (51-63 cm)

Class

Mammalia

Genus

Canis

Family

Canidae

Scientific Name

Canis lupus familiaris

What Do They Look Like?

Combinations of brown, black, cream, white, red and blue

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

n/a

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Anusuya Mukherjee

Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

Anusuya Mukherjee picture

Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".

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Fact-checked by Smriti Chaudhary

Bachelor of Technology specializing in Information Technology

Smriti Chaudhary picture

Smriti ChaudharyBachelor of Technology specializing in Information Technology

Smriti, a student data scientist, and coder, is pursuing her Bachelor of Technology at K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering. She has achieved top rankings in the International English Olympiad, National Spelling Bee, and PSAT/SAT English Section. She is experienced in content creation and editing for various academic institutions.

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