We’ve already put together guides specifically on German Shepherd Labrador Mixes, German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mixes, and German Shepherd Husky Mixes.
In the guide below we’ve put together interesting facts and info about German Shepherd mix breeds in general.
We’ve also included some valuable guides where you can look for more information, such as a guide where you can read more about the German Shepherd purebred vs mix breed discussion.
Let’s get started …
(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)
12 Things To Know About A German Shepherd Mix
1) German Shepherd Mix vs Purebred German Shepherd: Which Is Healthier, and Better?
Much has been made of the German Shepherd Mix vs Purebred German Shepherd comparisons – with a big focus on what is better for the breed and individual dog health.
We’ve put together a guide on the discussion with some subjective perspectives on when each would be better, and some case study data on which type came out healthier.
You can read that guide here:
German Shepherd Mix Breed vs. Purebred: Which Is Better, and Healthier
Something which should come into massive consideration though, especially when it comes to health, is the quality of the breeding and professionalism of the breeder themselves.
2) German Shepherd Mix Temperament
What is the temperament of a mix breed, and in particular a German Shepherd mix breed like?
Temperament in dogs comes down to mainly genetics, but can also be influenced by how the dog is treated, trained, socialised and bonded with.
As mentioned in our guide on mix breed vs purebred German Shepherds, there is only one thing guaranteed with mix breed dogs:
You will get a diversification and mix of all the available dog breed genes (from the family tree, and in particular the parents) in the puppy
Dog genetics is a game of chance, even with two parents who are each purebreds.
But, if you consider that a mix breed puppy could have two parents that have their own mix of breeds in their DNA, you can get 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or really any number of dog breed genes in a puppy.
Two things you could look at to get an indication of what a German Shepherd mix temperament might be like are:
The temperaments of the majority breeds in the dog
The temperaments of the parents
3) German Shepherd Mix Training
The basics of training for all dogs would be to do all these things early and often:
Basic obedience
Socialise the dog
Develop a bond with the dog and maintain it
Establish who the leader is
You might consider advanced training for specific issues
German Shepherds by nature are quite intelligent, so training is usually not a problem with them as long as you are patient and consistent.
4) German Shepherd Mix Care
Caring for a German Shepherd mix would involve all the usual things you would do with a German Shepherd purebred:
Ensure you are buying from a responsible breeder
Vaccinations
Registering your dog
Microchipping
Desexing
Flea Treatment
Ensure you are feeding the right dog food, and have a good feeding routine
Brushing your dog’s coat regularly, and bathe every month or so
Regular vet check ups
+ more
In addition to this, you would want to look at the majority breeds in your dog.
Are they prone to any genetic disorders or diseases?
German Shepherds in particular have a history with Hip and Elbow dysplasia in the breed – so hip and elbow checks and certifications are a must when you get your dog.
A good dog bed with adequate support, a balanced diet with natural joint supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM, and making not sure to overfeed to prevent obesity are all good ways to manage joint problems in large dogs.
5) What Will A German Shepherd Mix’s Ears Look Like?
Going back to the question about temperament, your German Shepherd mix is going to have a diverse range of genes.
Genes are what determine if the ears stand up or not, so if the German Shepherd genes are dominant when it comes to the ears genes, there’s a better chance the ears with stand up.
If it is a German Shepherd lab mix for example, labradors’ ears are floppy.
However, a Husky has ears that stand up – so a German Shepherd Husky mix probably has a better genetic chance of it’s ears being erect.
6) German Shepherd Mix Puppy and Dog Adoption From Rescues and Shelters
This is great option for finding a German Shepherd mix puppy or grown dog.
Dogs from rescues and dog shelters are often just looking for someone to love them, and rescue and shelter staff are usually trained to identify dogs with behavior issues before they get to potential owners.
Here are a couple of guides you can read on adopting and finding adoption locations in your area:
Things To Consider When Adopting or Rescuing A German Shepherd
Where To Find A German Shepherd Rescue or Shelter Near You
7) Where Can I Find A German Shepherd Mix Puppy For Sale?
There are nowhere near as many German Shepherd mix breeders as there are German Shepherd breeders.
In fact, a German Shepherd mix breeder in all likelihood probably has a higher chance of being a casual breeder.
The best thing you might consider in finding a german shepherd mix puppy for sale is to read the following guides:
What To Look For When Buying A German Shepherd Puppy: Ethical Step By Step Guide
Where To Find The Best German Shepherd Breeders Near You
Become aware of how to identify a healthy and stable temperament dog, and how to identify good breeders that try to do the right thing by the dog and owner.
For mix breeds, it’s definitely worth trying to get a guarantee on the health of the dog in writing.
For mix breeds, there’s less chance someone from a German Shepherd club can help you, as most people at those clubs are more interested in purebreds and not interbreeding.
8) How Much Does A German Shepherd Mix Cost?
You aren’t likely to pay as much for a German Shepherd mix as you are for a purebred German Shepherd.
There are some designer type breeds like German Shepherd Husky mix breeds that might be more expensive than a purebred because they are popular among owners.
For some perspective, a family pet type German Shepherd purebred might cost between $500-$1500.
So, you might pay a few hundred for a normal German Shepherd mix.
Dogs from adoption centres can be anywhere from about $50-$500.
9) German Shepherd Mix Dog and Puppy Pictures and Photos
German Shepherd Mix Dog Pictures and Photos
German Shepherd Mix Puppy Pictures and Photos (very cute)
10) German Shepherd Mix Puppy Names
You can check out a list of the best German Shepherd male and female names here – you might get some inspiration for your mix breed dog.
11) German Shepherd Husky Mix Dogs and Puppies
You can read more about German Shepherd Husky Mixes (Gerberian Shepsky) in this guide.
12) German Shepherd Labrador Mix Dogs and Puppies, and Other German Shepherd Mix Breeds
You can read more about German Shepherd Labrador Mixes and 14 other popular German Shepherd Mix breeds in this guide.
More Information & Facts About The German Shepherd Dog Breed
We’ve put together this guide with over 100 interesting pieces of information and facts about the German Shepherd Dog Breed.
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