| GERBERIAN SHEPSKY OVERVIEW |
|---|
| Size: 20″ – 25″ |
| Weight: average 50 – 60 pounds, in some cases up to 80 pounds |
| Lifespan: 10 – 15 years |
| Eye Color: sometimes uniform in color, and sometimes two different colored eyes |
| Coat Color: black and white, brown, gray, gold, cream, and a combination of these colors |
| Health Concerns: cancer, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts |
| Exercise and Training Requirements: 1 – 2 hours per day |
| Ease of Training: moderate to challenging |
| Temperament: intelligent, loyal, willful, feisty and playful |
| Caloric Requirements: on the higher end, but caloric needs will vary depending on the activity level of each individual dog |
When looking for that perfect pooch to add to your family, you may be dead set on a purebred, papered, fancy dog.
While there is nothing wrong with wanting a dog with that kind of impressive lineage, don’t turn your nose up at perfectly lovable, loyal, and healthy “designer breeds” such as the Gerberian Shepsky. After all, every dog breed started as a “weird” cross!
Gerberian Shepsky: This crazy mouthful of a name comes attached to a sweet-natured, intelligent, and completely adorable canine that just might be the right fit for your household.
So, let’s take a closer look at this cool new breed below to see how combining a Siberian Husky with a German Shepherd can produce such a neat pup.
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Double-Duty Working Dog Genes
Many crossbreeds, mixes, and designer dogs come with some questionable choices for parentage, but not the Gerberian Shepsky. See, this dog is a cross between two incredibly hard-working, sturdy, and intelligent dogs—the Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd.
Both breeds are known for their strong builds, determination, and nearly endless endurance. Mix the two and you end up with a dog that can easily keep up with whatever chore, job, or play activity you have in store for him.
The Siberian Husky brings its curiosity and adventurous nature to this Gerberian Shepsky mix.
Well known for boundless energy and a need to play and run, the Siberian Husky gives the Gerberian Shepsky a nearly endless supply of energy for tough work or rigorous play.
The German Shepherd, on the other hand, is less about playfulness and exploration and more about duty, strength, and obedience.
The GSD adds its loyalty and willingness to serve to the Gerberian Shepsky mix, as well as impressive size, endurance, and ease of training.
Crossbreed Consistency and the Gerberian Shepsky
One big problem in the creating of new breeds is the inconsistency in offspring. This isn’t generally an issue with the Gerberian Shepsky, as both sides of the gene pool share a lot of traits that help keep the new breed much more stable than some others.
Of course, this is assuming you select a breeder who uses only the finest breeding stock on both sides.
Gerberian Shepsky Features
Some of the most consistent features of the Gerberian Shepsky include the angular, erect ears, long snouts, and narrow faces.
You also get the bright, intelligent eyes of the GSD, but with an added chance of those piercing, icy blue Siberian Husky eyes. If you’re lucky, you might even see one with two eye colors, called heterochromia iridum.
Gerberian Shepsky Size
The size of the Gerberian Shepsky is a solid 20 to 25 inches and a weight of 50 to 60 pounds. There have been some huge Gerberian Shepskys though, coming in at a whopping 80 pounds.
That means you’ll need to plan for a fairly large dog and be prepared to care for it.
Gerberian Shepsky Coat and Shedding
Of important note, the Gerberian Shepsky mix will have a thick and warm double coat. This means it will likely enjoy a playful romp through snowbanks in cold weather. On the other hand, they’ll do poorly in very hot or dry climates.
You should also know that this breed is considered a moderate shedder. That means there will be dog hair on your furniture and your clothes, but it won’t be anywhere near as crazy as the purebred Siberian Husky shedding can be. A good brushing two times a week should help keep this under control.
Gerberian Shepsky Colors
Colors are less consistent across the lines, but this is due to the wide variation of coat colors and styles of the parents.
With some genetic know-how, it will become easier for breeders to predict the colors of their pups with greater accuracy.
For now, expect to get a Gerberian Shepsky in a variety of colors such as black and white, brown, gray, gold, and cream, and a combination of these colors. Patterns can range from nearly solid to very Husky-like patterns.
A Word on Allergies and the Gerberian Shepsky
If you are unfortunate enough to be an allergy sufferer, we have bad news for you.
The Gerberian Shepsky is not a good choice for those with allergies. Since they have a double coat and they shed a moderate amount, there is a high probability that allergy sufferers will react to this breed.
You have the hair itself, the saliva on the hair, the dander stuck to the hair, and then the pollen, dust, and other allergens that can be brought ion from outside on the coat.
Cute as these dogs are, if you already suffer allergies of any kind, the Gerberian Shepsky is best left to other owners. Sorry!
The Gerberian Shepsky was Bred to Move
This is not your lazy, pampered lapdog, folks. The Gerberian Shepsky needs to move, play, and work. If you’re not much for the active life, this is not a good breed for you.
With the willfulness and excitement of the Siberian Husky, but the work ethic and loyalty of the GSD, the Gerberian Shepsky needs to have a purpose.
It’s up to you if that purpose is your playtime and adventure companion or a hard-working friend to help you tend your flocks or patrol the fields or mountains. Whatever you have in store, make sure you let your Gerberian Shepsky get plenty of time to move.
A bored Gerberian Shepsky may become disobedient or destructive. Both sides of the Siberian Husky and German Shepherd mix have the same issue, so don’t neglect your Gerberian Shepsky’s activity needs.
These dogs require stimulation for both their bodies and their minds. If you must be away for a few hours a day, be sure to leave your pup with plenty of fun and safe activities they can do on their own.
Training the Gerberian Shepsky
Though the GSD side of this dog is happy and willing to learn and behave for you, the Husky side might prove a bit of a challenge.
While Siberian Huskies are very intelligent, they are apt to be mischievous and willful, too. There is no guarantee which side of the temperament range your Gerberian Shepsky will fall on, so be prepared for anything.
While they do have the potential to be little stinkers and need a bit more work in training, they can also be easy to work with. The key is being firm, loving, and consistent. This is not a dog for the wishy-washy person.
When training your Gerberian Shepsky, remember that she will need a lot of physical activity each day to burn off any pent-up energy. A good amount of exercise will keep her mind and body in good shape.
Look to spend about an hour each day playing with or training your dog. But don’t be shocked if your Gerberian Shepsky is still going strong at the 2-hour mark.
Take a look at this video and you’ll see just how active and feisty a Gerberian Shepsky puppy can be!
Housing Needs for the Gerberian Shepsky
All dogs want to be near their humans, and the Gerberian Shepsky is no different in that regard. While they’ll be quite happy living indoors with you, they will require plenty of time outdoors to burn off that energy.
That means apartments aren’t a good fit for this large, active dog. Your Gerberian Shepsky will be happiest with access to a yard large enough to a good run or fun tumble in the grass with you.
The Gerberian Shepsky Diet
As working dogs, the GSD and Siberian Husky each have dietary needs that hit the high range.
This will be true for your new Gerberian Shepsky, too. These dogs were built for work, so they have fairly high caloric needs. We can’t provide a specific caloric range for your dog since there is such a wide variance in this breed.
Since this is a mix between two big, strong, energetic breeds, you may need to speak to your vet about the special dietary needs for your specific dog and what caloric range you should aim for.
Generally speaking, however, all dogs should be fed a high-quality diet with the right mix of nutrients. What that mix is will vary between dogs.
Rather than watching the dog’s bowl, keep an eye on her body. She should look strong and lean, but not too thin that you can see her bones easily.
Remember her heritage! She was made for strength and endurance, so she should be muscular and sturdy.
Lifespan of the Gerberian Shepsky
Nobody wants to say goodbye to their best friend, so it’s always good to know that your dog could be around for a long time.
While smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, the Gerberian Shepsky has a nice life expectancy of 10 – 15 years.
Be sure to feed a high-quality diet, give your pup tons of exercise, and give her plenty of love, and she’ll be right by your side for many long and happy years.
Health Concerns for the Gerberian Shepsky
No matter how healthy and vibrant the parents, there will always be a risk of health issues for any dog. While some issues could be genetic, many issues are simply the luck of the draw.
In the case of the Gerberian Shepsky, you should be aware of the genetic issues that can plague the two parents. GSDs and Siberian Huskies each have certain ailments that can be passed on to their pups.
Knowing the lineage of your puppy and the health of each parent will go a long way in preparing you for possible health problems down the line.
Cancer
Cancer is a scary word, but it’s important to know that both the GSD and Siberian Husky breeds are prone to various types of cancer.
That means the Gerberian Shepsky could pick up this proclivity, too. But don’t let that frighten you away from this unique breed. Early detection and careful monitoring can help protect your pup.
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
Another issue to watch is elbow and hip dysplasia, which both the parent breeds are susceptible to.
Ideally, you would have health records on both parents and their lines so you could see the prevalence of dysplasia.
With or without these records, you should have your Gerberian Shepsky checked regularly for signs so early action can be taken to minimize damage and pain.
Juvenile Cataracts
Unfortunately, juvenile cataracts are another health issue you should watch out for. Cataracts can be seen as cloudiness in your dog’s eyes, but your vet should be able to catch them much sooner than you can with a thorough examination.
While there isn’t a lot that can be done about cataracts—they just happen sometimes—you can take steps to help your dog get the most out of his or her life before they strike.
It’s also helpful to remember that dogs use their sense of smell more than their eyesight, so even a fully blind dog can still leave a full and happy life.
Is the Gerberian Shepsky Right for You?
Obviously, we can’t answer that question for you, but knowing the details of this neat new breed can help you decide for yourself.
If you like to adventure, go for walks or hikes, explore, and stay active, this is a great dog to join you on your travels. If you like to spend plenty of time with your pets, brushing, bathing, and cleaning up dog hair, then the Gerberian Shepsky could be a good fit.
Are you a total big dog lover that thrives on lots of dog kisses and long wagging tails? You need a Gerberian Shepsky!
However, if you’re less active and prefer to just chill at home and stay warm and cozy inside, the Gerberian Shepsky may not be a good match for you.
If you don’t like too much dog hair on your furniture or on your clothes, you’re not going to be very happy with a Gerberian Shepsky. And if big dogs that want to be in your lap and cuddled close will bother you, stay far away from this loving breed.
Matching the dog to your lifestyle, household, and needs are important for everyone involved. So, be honest about your needs, expectations, and energy level before you bring a Gerberian Shepsky home.