By Lauren R. Tharpe
The Shepherd Husky is a mix of two breeds: The German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky. Most Shepherd Husky owners consider this breed to be the best of both worlds.
Physical Traits
Size & Weight: Large. Shepherd Huskies range from 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight also varies, but usually falls within the 35-75 pound range.
Coat & Color: Very thick coated dogs! Their outer coat is coarse and their undercoat is thick, plush-like, and like their Husky-half, have the ability to thrive in cooler weather. They also come in a variety of colors. Black, black and white, or black and tan. Their coats tend to shed constantly and will need to be groomed on a regular basis.
Other: While most Shepherd Huskies have brown eyes or blue eyes, some have one of each!
Also, the most decorated war dog of World War II, Chips, was a Shepherd Husky!
Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
Temperament
Shepherd Huskies are diligent working dogs who are eager to please. Shepherd Huskies are highly intelligent (their “shepherd” half, the German Shepherd, was ranked the third most intelligent dog breed in the world!) and they adapt quickly to just about any situation. Equally good as a service dog or a family pet.
Wags
- Highly intelligent and fairly easy to train – if the Shepard side is dominant, if Husky is prevailing – dig in, you’ll have your work cut-out for you.
- Highly courageous. Makes for a great watch/guard dog.
- People “person.” These dogs, unless trained otherwise, get along with most people—including children—that they meet!
Challenges
- Shepherd Huskies can be howlers! Be prepared for a long night of howling any time a siren passes through your neighborhood. They’re also known to be very “talkative.” They may howl and moan more than actually bark, but expect a full bodied bark when they do vocalize in that way.
- Require a lot of exercise! Without daily exercise, these dogs may become destructive. With your Veterinarian’s approval, this would be a great dog to bicycle, run or trike with.
- The predator/prey instinct runs fairly strong in this breed. If not properly socialized with other animals from a very early age, they may see smaller creatures as “prey” rather than “playmate.”