investor79
The German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix brings together two intelligent and hard-working breeds. But do they make a good combination? In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about this mixed breed to help you decide whether this is the right addition for your household. Does the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix get along well with children? Does he have any serious health problems? What about the cleaning? Is he a heavy shedder? And what kind of exercise does this crossing require? Do not worry. We have the answers to all your questions. But before we start, let’s dig into the basics.
What is the difference between a crossbreed and a mutt?
The crossroads are teeming with controversy, and the debate about whether or not crossbreeds and mutts are the same is just the tip of the iceberg. To be clear, most define a crossbreed as the offspring of two specially selected purebred parents to create a particular mix in hopes of specific physical and temperamental traits from each parent breed. Crossbreeding has been a practice that has existed for centuries. It is a relatively new trend in the dog-loving community, however, as many breeders are moving away from breeding purebred breeds and choosing to create hybrid litters for potential health and genetic benefits. It’s no secret that purebred dogs face genetic problems when gene pools have dwindled significantly. Many followers of crossbreeding insist that this practice can help reduce the chances of the hereditary health disorders that we see so often in purebred dogs. Others disagree, saying the problem with crossbreeding is that you have an unpredictable outcome when it comes to things like temperament and physical traits. With purebred dogs, you can predict with great certainty what type of dog you will receive, and with a crossbreed, the outcome is left to chance. Even so, many people are drawn to these hybrid dogs and enjoy their unique traits and looks. If you want to learn more about the intersection, click here. Whatever your opinion on it, the crossbred dogs stay here. So let’s learn about the crossbreed that got us here – The German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd mix.
Who is the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix?
The mixture of the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd is the offspring of the purebred German Shepherd and the purebred Australian Shepherd. Many breeders hope this crossbreed will maintain Shepherd’s courage and confidence, as well as the Australian Shepherd’s enthusiasm and work ethic. Of course, both the German Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd are known for their intelligence. So it’s no surprise that their offspring, the Australian Shepherd mix of German Shepherds, will be incredibly smart. But what other properties could this cross have? Since this is an intersection, it’s hard to tell. Even so, we can get a good idea of what type of dog he will be by simply looking into the history of his purebred parents.
Where does the Australian Shepherd mix come from?
The exact origin of the Australian Shepherd Cross is a little hazy. We know he’s a relatively young crossbreed. Because of this, it’s hard to know where he started for sure, but a look back into his parents’ history should help us learn more about what mixes up the German Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd. Let’s start with the German Shepherd.
German Shepherd Origins
The German Shepherd, famous for his work in law enforcement and the military, is believed to have descended from a family of herding dogs in the early 19th century. It is even thought to be associated with the five main Italian hats: Bergamasco Shepherd, Lupino del Gigante, Pastore d’Oropa, Cane Paratore, and Cane da Pastore Della Lessinia and Lagorai. According to its name, the German Shepherd originally came from Belgium, Germany, where it was a top choice among shepherds for herding and herding livestock. Due to its natural protection, the German Shepherd also found work guarding property. Today, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Australian Shepherd Origins
So what about the Australian Shepherd? The Australian Shepherd is a true working dog that did not originate from Australia, as its name suggests, but from the wild west of the United States. Known by a variety of names throughout history, including Pastor Dog, New Mexican Shepherd, Austrian Shepherd, Spanish Shepherd, and most famously the Australian, this ranch dog is perhaps best known as “Cowboys Companion”. He was and is an incredibly intelligent herding dog, mainly used by shepherds to flock sheep. The Australian Shepherd is unique in its tolerance to great heights and allows it to thrive in the Rocky Mountains, where it drove herds across the rough terrain in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because the Australian Shepherd is a hardworking working dog, he will not be happy without a job. If you train him to do certain things, such as: For example, picking up the morning paper from the driveway or helping put in the dishwasher will help make this brood energy manifest and make something more productive than destructive. And while he may not be as popular as his German Shepherd, the Australian Shepherd still sits at # 16 on the AKC’s registry for America’s Most Popular Dog Breeds. Given the interesting stories of both the German and Australian Shepherds, it is no wonder that breeders have been tricked into creating offspring from the two.
What does the Australian Shepherd mix look like?
Seeing how the appearances of the German and Australian shepherds differ greatly will make predicting what the offspring of their crossbred children will look like will be a little difficult. Remember that when dealing with a crossbreed, things like temperament, physical traits, and even health issues can be left to chance. Let’s go over the physical traits of the German and Australian Shepherds and see what physical traits your pup can inherit from each.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Size
The German Shepherd is perhaps one of the most easily recognizable dogs. He is a strong, muscular dog, with males 24 to 26 inches tall and weighing 65 to 90 pounds, while the females are 22 to 24 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 50 to 70 pounds. The beautiful Australian Shepherd, with his showy fur and (sometimes) piercing blue eyes, has males that are 8 to 9 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds. Females stand anywhere between 18 and 21 inches and can weigh between 35 and 55 pounds. As mentioned earlier, it will be nearly impossible to determine what physical traits your German Shepherd-Australian Shepherd mix will inherit. Even so, you can prepare for a dog that will grow to be between 18 and 26 inches and weigh between 35 and 90 pounds.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Coats
The German Shepherd Dog has a thick, medium-length double coat with a long, fluffy tail, erect ears, and bright, alert eyes. It can come in six standard color markings including:
- black
- Black and tan
- Red and black
- Black and silver
- sable
- Gray
The Australian Shepherd’s weatherproof coat is long and thick and comes in four standard colors: - Blue merle
- Red Merle
- black
- red
Your German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix is guaranteed to be beautiful and could be a range of beautiful colors too!
Care and Maintenance
Since both the German and Australian shepherds are shedders with double-ply, weatherproof coats, you can expect some maintenance while cleaning. The German Shepherd alone doesn’t need as much grooming as the Australian Shepherd. Although its dense, dense coat sheds regularly, it only fails vigorously twice a year. Most of the time, it is only brushed occasionally with a wire bristle brush to remove loose hair and keep your furniture and clothing fur-free. Fortunately, the German Shepherd’s weatherproof coat makes bathing a temporary event.
The Australian Shepherd is also a season keeper, but his long hair and thick undercoat make him a little more maintenance-friendly than his German Shepherd. Weekly brushing will help keep knots and an occasional bath at bay. When it comes to your German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd mix, you should also have your nails trimmed regularly to avoid cracking or splitting, which can lead to infection and severe pain. Your Australian Shepherd Cross will have your ears cleaned frequently to make sure no wax, moisture, build up, and cause infection.
German Shepherd x Australian Shepherd temperament
Later, the personality of a crossbreed can be left to chance, depending on which genes are passed on from its purebred parents. In this case, the Australian German Shepherd mix is likely to be an intelligent dog who is loyal and very work-oriented. We can rely on these qualities because both the German and Australian shepherds have them in common. However, there are other temperamental traits unique to the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd, which their offspring may or may not inherit from crossbred children. For example, the German Shepherd is so loyal that he is willing to risk his own life to protect his loved ones. This is part of what makes him such a fabulous military and law enforcement dog. However, he has been known to show a reluctance to meet new people and this is why you must earn your trust and attachment to this breed. However, once you have his heart, you can be sure that he will be a kind and devoted companion.
Socialization is crucial in a German Shepherd with an Australian Shepherd
The German Shepherd Dog is well suited for children if they are very well socialized from a young age and, despite their muscular frame, are called gentle and patient. He’s easy to train, takes commands pretty quickly, and is good at handling doggy jobs. As a result, the Australian Shepherd is perhaps one of the most intelligent breeds in the world. He’s quite active and will require jobs to keep him from destruction or boredom. He was bred to be herding, so it is natural for him to try to herd his people from place to place in the home. Although he is very good around children and loves families, this is a breed so intelligent that it is known to outsmart new or unprepared owners. Therefore, it requires patience and diligence in training. When considering an Australian Shepherd crossbreed for a pet, we always recommend early training for socialization and obedience. Regardless of breed, training and socializing your dog as early as possible will help him grow up, be plump, happy, and healthy.
Lifespan and Health Concerns of the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix
The bonds we build with our canine partners are indestructible. This is one of the many reasons we think it’s so important to study the life expectancy and health aspects of your desired breed before you get one. Knowing what your breed is in terms of heritable conditions can help you take preventative steps and potentially save you from a potentially devastating and expensive journey down the road. The environment, exercise, and an adequate diet all play a role in keeping our dogs healthy. However, there are some genetic conditions that we just cannot avoid. When it comes to the German Shepherd-Australian Shepherd mix, there are some health issues to watch out for as its two purebred parents are prone to some major health concerns. We start with the German Shepherd Dog.
German shepherd health
Unfortunately, being a larger dog, the German Shepherd has a shorter lifespan of only seven to ten years. The health problems he most advocates for include hip and elbow dysplasia, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, disc disease, osteochondrosis, panosteitis, degenerative myelopathy, skin problems, hemophilia A, pancreatitis, diabetes, progressive retinal atrophy. Epilepsy, Von Willebrand Disease, Bilateral Cataracts, Cherry Eye, Cryptorchidism, and Bloated.
Australian Shepherd Health
The Australian Shepherd Dog has a slightly longer lifespan than the German Shepherd Dog, which is between 12 and 15 years old. However, he also has some serious health problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, collie eye abnormality, epilepsy, tumors, cancer, coloboma, autoimmune diseases, and cataracts. As mentioned earlier, there is still no way to know if crossbreeding will help alleviate some of these inheritable health conditions. For this reason, we always recommend a yearly check-up to make sure your German Shepherd-Australian Shepherd puppy has been relieved of certain issues before you bring him home.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Training
There are two things that we know for sure when it comes to the German Shepherd Dog and the Australian Shepherd Dog. These are highly intelligent, high-energy races. The German shepherd, for example, wants to please and is happy to take on new tasks. He is excellent with an owner who is constantly in training and lets him keep learning. He responds best to positive reinforcement and training that is fun and reward-based. Because of his high energy levels and need to work and study, he will require consistent exercise, daily walks, and tromps in the yard. The Australian Shepherd is not much different. The herd-born dog is a natural freak who will herd his people and other pets throughout the home. This can be fun, but it can also be disturbing. Fortunately, consistent exercise can help reduce this habit. Also, remember that the Australian Shepherd is a ranch dog at heart and outside in the blood. He loves nature and needs a lot of space to play and run and lots of exercises, such as daily walks or trips to the dog park.
Because the Australian Shepherd is so intelligent, he has been known to outsmart the new owner. This is a trait that can be passed on to its Australian Shepherd Cross offspring. Positive reinforcement training can guide your intelligence in a productive way. And while the Australian is enthusiastic, he’s also an independent thinker who takes some patience while exercising. However, the Australian Shepherd should do well if he keeps the training methods consistently positive and fun. Given the information above, it is easy to say that the Australian Shepherd Crossbreed of the Shepherd will be intelligent, loyal, and very energetic.
As mentioned earlier, early training in terms of socialization and obedience is vital to ensure that the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd mix becomes a well-adjusted and happy crossbreed.
What is the ideal house type for a German Shepherd?
Since the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd is such an energetic dog who loves being outdoors, the ideal home would be one with a large, securely fenced yard to run and play in. The Australian Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix is a shedder, so allergy sufferers should keep this in mind when considering this crossbreed. Also, the German Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd are larger, energetic dogs. Hence, there is a chance it won’t do well in smaller apartment-style flats. This cross is very suitable for families and will delight children and other pets. However, he’s incredibly intelligent. While this trait is desirable in dogs, it can also cause problems with the inexperienced or impatient owner. Of course, early socialization will help you have a well-rounded dog in the long run, and obedience training will help with stubborn or undesirable behaviors. The Australian German Shepherd mix can be bored if not stimulated mentally and physically. So, an ideal owner has plenty of time to train and practice this crossbreed to avoid depression and destructive behavior around furniture and property.
How do I choose my German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd Mix Puppy?
So you’ve officially decided that the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd is the right dog for you? How exciting. As we’ve learned, this is a smart crossbreed that is extremely loyal, with a lot of energy and an affinity for families. To ensure that you are getting your German Shepherd x Australian Shepherd puppy from a reputable source, we recommend doing plenty of research. Typically, buying a dog from a breeder can run anywhere from $ 500 to $ 2000 depending on the breeder and the puppy’s parent breeds. For example, if the parent breeds are showing quality, be prepared to spend a little more on their offspring. Perhaps the biggest benefit of having a reputable breeder is that it gives you the opportunity to ask questions and get answers. Make sure to ask about parent breeds and any health or temperament issues with previous litters. Remember, reputable breeders can provide health certificates that show that their dogs have been screened for health issues that are inheritable due to their breed. If you’re not sure where to look for a breeder, you can check out your local AKC club or chat at local dog shows. Having a new puppy is fun and exciting, but it takes some time and patience to ensure you get the healthiest puppy from the best source. Have fun finding puppies and we hope you enjoy your Australian Shepherd hybrid.