Shepsky dogs are actually a mix of two of the most well-known dog breeds: the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky. They are dogs that inherit the physical and behavioral characteristics of their parents, being tall, elegant, strong, active, intelligent, obedient, committed, loyal and friendly. They are very good companion dogs that will guard the house well while protecting the whole family. However, they require more space and it is essential that they can release their energy by exercising, playing or taking walks.
Keep reading this article from PlanèteAnimal to learn all about the Shepsky dog, its origin, its characteristics, its character, its education, its care, its he alth and where to adopt it.
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Muscular
- Proportional
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Quiet
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- House
- Shepherd
- The guard
Recommended climate
- Cold
Hair type
- Medium
- Smooth
- Big
Origin of Shepsky
The Shepsky dog is an increasingly well-known mongrel dog. The first specimen is said to have been created in the 1980s, presumably in the United States, from a cross between the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky, which also makes it an intelligent and bold working dog.
German Shepherds were born a long time ago, in 1899 in the mountainous regions of Germany where they were destined to be shepherd dogs and guardians of sheep.In 1906 they reached the American continent, where the American German Shepherd Club was founded in 1913. Today it is the second most popular breed after the Labrador Retriever. This breed is used in multiple functions as police or military dogs.
The Siberian Husky was born many years ago, 3000 years ago in Eastern Siberia thanks to the Chukchi tribe, who used them as a long-distance sled dog. In the 20th century, it reached Alaska. This breed is used as a competition dog or to carry mail. Today it is also used as a companion dog.
Shepsky Features
The Shepsky is muscular, but his body is lean and graceful. In adulthood, its average weight can be between 23 and 34 kg and it can measure between 51 and 64 cm. Size can vary so much from specimen to specimen due to the differences between the two parent breeds.Being a crossbred dog, he can inherit several characteristics from one breed or another.
On the other hand, the Shepsky has a long, broad head and a pointed muzzle, and it has a powerful jaw. The ears are pointed and erect and its legs are strong and slender. The face is often entirely or partially black.
The eyes are most often a bright blue inherited from the Siberian Husky, while the coat is usually dark, like that of the German Shepherd. However, the eyes can also be light brown or have heterochromia, which is one of each color, usually one brown and one blue.
Shepsky colors
Although it's most common for Shepsky puppies to be born with similar colors to the German Shepherd, the truth is that they can exhibit any of the accepted colors in both parent breeds, as well as new ones models produced by the mixture.In this form, the fur can range from silver to sable to black and white. Their coat is smooth, two-layered, more or less thick, and can be short or long.
Character of the Shepsky
They are very intelligent dogs that get along very well with children and with people in general, since their parents are breeds adapted to live and work in packs and to be in contact with all kinds of people. Likewise, they have a strong guardian instinct, so they do not hesitate to protect their territory and their family. They are very loyal dogs.
Shepskys are very energetic and fearless dogs who love to play, but, at the same time, they are also dogs who have a calm, docile, alert and friendly character, despite their big dog appearance. Of course, it is important that they have a good socialization of puppies, especially with other animals such as cats, so that their instinct does not lead them to want to attack them.
How to Care for a Shepsky Dog
Shepsky dogs should receive the same care as any dog, i.e. a balanced diet that provides the daily nutrients and calories it needs, basic hygiene habits such as brushing once or twice a week, giving them a bath if necessary, checking and cleaning their ears, clipping their nails and brushing their teeth occasionally.
Of course, something to keep in mind with these dogs is that they are very active, so they need lots of space, games and a good daily exercise session in order to release their great energy. Therefore, they are not the ideal companions for sedentary people or those who do not have much space at home. Along with playing games and exercising outdoors, it's important that they can stimulate their minds at home as well.For this, intelligence games for dogs are recommended.
On the other hand, regular visits to the veterinarian are necessary for deworming and vaccination as well as care when the dog falls ill.
Shepsky Education
Shepskys are very intelligent dogs, so their education is usually not a problem as long as they do their part, because this same intelligence allows them to deceive or mislead the guardian, greatly complicating the learning, especially if they look like the Siberian Husky which is more stubborn than the German Shepherd. Likewise, education should always be based on positive reinforcement because it is the best way to learn. Education should be stimulating and fun to make it more satisfying for the animal.
Although these are dogs that learn quickly and like it, it is important to keep in mind that it is not advisable to carry out sessions that are too long because they could tired or bored.As such, 15 to 20 minutes per session will be more than enough. The sessions can be spaced out during the day and it is advisable to do them both at home and outside. In this sense, it is essential, as we have said, to carry out a good socialization since Shepsky dogs can be very territorial with other dogs and chase other animals.
For all that, don't miss these articles:
- How to socialize a puppy?
- How to train a puppy?
Shepsky dog he alth
Shepsky dogs have a life expectancy of between 10 and 13 years. Although they are strong and he althy dogs, they may have common genetic diseases from their parents, such as:
- Hip dysplasia: associated with the German Shepherd breed, it consists of an incongruity or maladjustment between the acetabulum and the head of the femur, the articular areas of the pelvis and the thigh, respectively, at the level of the the hip joint.This poor union causes joint laxity, allowing the head of the femur to move, which damages the joint and progressively weakens it. This causes hip joint instability which can cause osteoarthritis, lameness, muscle atrophy and pain in the animal.
- Elbow dysplasia: also associated with the German Shepherd breed, it appears when dogs are at their fastest growing moment, between 4 and 6 months. It is a group of lesions that can appear in the elbow joint, between the humerus, the radius and the ulna: the nonunion of the anconeal process, the fragmented coronoid process, osteochondritis dissecans and incongruity of the elbow. They can be produced individually or together.
- Cataracts: more common in Siberian huskies, they consist of the partial or total loss of transparency of the lens. This lack of transparency causes opacity or completely prevents the passage of light to the retina, which is responsible for carrying light signals to the brain through the optic nerve and allowing vision.
It is also important to control weight and avoid being overweight or obese, which, in addition to predisposing to certain diseases, worsens the orthopedic picture of elbow dysplasia or hip in affected specimens.
Where to adopt a Shepsky?
If you are an active person, with the time and the desire to take advantage of this dog's high energy, you are a good candidate to adopt this breed. Beyond that, this dog's care doesn't differ much from that of other large breeds. Unless they have hereditary diseases, which should be monitored by a veterinarian.
It's usually not difficult to find a Shepsky to adopt as they are a crossbreed dog, so just go to the nearest animal shelter and ask about this hybrid breed and its availability . On the Internet there are also breed associations with which we can contact for the adoption of a specimen.
Pictures of Shepsky
