Introduction
The German Shepherd Husky Mix, also recognized as an Alsatian in Britain, stands out as a German working dog of medium to large stature. Its roots trace back to the meticulous efforts of Max von Stephanitz, who, in 1899, selectively bred various traditional German herding dogs.
Originally intended for herding sheep, this versatile breed has transcended its initial purpose, finding roles in disability assistance, search-and-rescue missions, police operations, and even warfare.
Beyond its professional capacities, the German Shepherd has earned popularity as a beloved companion dog, boasting the second-highest annual registrations in 2013 according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.
History
The 1890s marked a period of concerted endeavors to standardize dog breeds, with a focus on preserving traits essential for herding sheep and safeguarding flocks from predators.
In Germany, this standardization took root within local communities, where shepherds meticulously chose and bred dogs with the requisite skills. Recognizing the breed’s proficiency in herding—thanks to traits like intelligence, speed, strength, and keen olfactory senses—the outcome varied significantly in appearance and ability across different locales.
The German Shepherd emerged not only as a reliable herder but as a testament to the diverse yet purposeful breeding practices of the time.
To address these disparities, the Phylax Society was established in 1891 with the aim of formulating standardized development plans for Germany’s native dog breeds.
Unfortunately, internal conflicts plagued the society, leading to its dissolution after only three years. The disagreements centered on whether the focus should solely be on breeding dogs for practical work or also for their appearance.
Despite falling short of its objectives, the Phylax Society served as inspiration for individuals who sought to independently standardize dog breeds.
The expansion of large, industrialized cities in Germany resulted in a decrease in predator populations, making sheepdogs less essential. Simultaneously, there was a growing recognition of sheepdogs as a versatile and intelligent category of canines.
Max von Stephanitz, a former cavalry captain and alumnus of the Berlin Veterinary College, had been a member of the disbanded Phylax Society. Firmly advocating for breeding dogs primarily for work, he admired the intelligence, strength, and skills exhibited by Germany’s native sheepdogs.
However, he found no single breed that met his criteria for the ideal working dog.
In 1899, while attending a dog show, von Stephanitz discovered a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. This dog, a result of selective breeding, epitomized von Stephanitz’s ideal working dog – strong, intelligent, loyal, and beautiful. Impressed, von Stephanitz bought him and renamed him Horand von Grafrath.
He then founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for German Shepherd Dogs), making Horand the first German Shepherd and the inaugural entry in the society’s breed register. Within decades, this breed rose to global prominence, a status it retains today. By 1923, the society boasted 50,000 members across 500 branches in Germany.
Horand was key to the society’s breeding programs, mating with other members’ dogs and those from Thuringia, Franconia, and Württemberg. His most notable offspring, Hektor von Schwaben, was inbred with Horand’s other progeny, producing notable dogs like Heinz von Starkenburg, Beowulf, and Pilot.
This inbreeding, aimed at cementing desired traits, led to all German Shepherds sharing a genetic link with Beowulf’s progeny. The breed’s success is largely attributed to von Stephanitz’s firm leadership.
During the early 20th century, German Shepherds became symbols of Imperial and Nazi Germany, representing purity and militarism. They were fashionable in the Nazi era, seen as “germanische Urhunde” and akin to wolves.
Hitler, who acquired a German Shepherd named “Prinz” in 1921 and later Blondi, admired the breed for its loyalty and obedience. Blondi was with Hitler in the ‘Führerbunker’ during the Battle of Berlin. Before his suicide, Hitler had Blondi killed to test a cyanide capsule.
Nurse Erna Flegel noted that Blondi’s death deeply impacted the bunker’s occupants, more so than Eva Braun’s suicide. German Shepherds were also prevalent as guard dogs in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.
When the German Shepherd first set foot in the United States, its popularity skyrocketed swiftly. However, as their numbers grew, a stigma developed, associating them with gangsters and bootleggers, casting an ominous shadow on the breed.
This perception of German Shepherds as potentially hazardous escalated to the point where, in 1929, Australia briefly prohibited their import. In South Australia, the situation even led to contemplation of legislation mandating the sterilization of all German Shepherds.
Naming
The breed was designated Deutscher Schäferhund, by von Stephanitz, literally meaning “German Shepherd Dog”. At that time, every other herding dog in Germany was known by this term; they were then called Altdeutsche Schäferhunde, or ancient German herding dogs.
The direct translation of the name was used for the stud-book; however, at the conclusion of the First World War, it was thought that the inclusion of the word “German” might damage the breed’s reputation, due to the anti-German sentiment of that period.
The breed was formally renamed by the UK Kennel Club to “Alsatian Wolf Hound”, after the French territory of Alsace adjacent to Germany.
Eventually, the suffix “wolf hound” was eliminated, following numerous efforts by breeders who were concerned that being known as a wolf-dog hybrid would influence the breed’s popularity and legality.
The title Alsatian persisted for five decades, until 1977, when effective campaigns by dog lovers convinced the British kennel clubs to permit the breed to be registered once more as German Shepherds.
The term “Alsatian” once appeared in parentheses as a component of the formal breed name of the American Kennel Club and was excluded in 2010.
German Shepherd Details
German Shepherds are medium to large-sized canines. The breed standard height at the shoulders is 60–65 cm (24–26 in) for males, and 55–60 cm (22–24 in) for females. German Shepherds can reach running speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Shepherds are longer than they are high, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8+1⁄2.
The AKC official breed standard does not set a standard weight range. They have a rounded forehead, a long square-cut snout with strong jaws and a black nose. The eyes are medium-sized and brown. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during motion.
A German Shepherd has a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast speed as well as stalking. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.
German Shepherds have a double fur which is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The fur is accepted in two variants: medium and long. The gene for long hair is recessive, and therefore the long-haired type is rarer.
Treatment of the long-haired variation differs across standards; it is accepted but does not compete against standard-coated canines under the German and UK Kennel Clubs while it can compete with standard-coated canines, but is considered a fault, in the American Kennel Club.
The FCI accepted the long-haired type in 2010, listing it as the variety b, while the short-haired type is listed as the variety a.
Most commonly, German Shepherds Husky are either tan/black or red/black. Most colour variations have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic “saddle” to an overall “blanket”. Rarer colour variations include sable, pure-black, pure-white, liver, silver, blue, and panda varieties.
The all-black and sable variations are acceptable according to most standards; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification from showing in conformation at All Breed and Specialty Shows.
intelligence
German Shepherds were developed primarily for their intellect. In a list of breeds most likely to alert as sentinels, Stanley Coren placed the breed in second position.
Combined with their power, this characteristic makes the breed ideal as military,
security and search and recovery dogs, as they are able to swiftly acquire diverse tasks and understand commands better than other varieties.
Variants
German Shepherd Husky Mix
Gerberian Shepsky. It’s quite a handful, but we must confess – it indeed has a distinctive charm. This popular German Shepherd Husky Blend offers the finest of both lineages – He’s robust and intelligent, with the autonomy of Huskies, and intense devotion of German Shepherds.
While the Shepherd Husky Hybrid is a congenial breed, and ideal for households with kids, the German Shepherd heritage renders him an excellent protector.
Siberian Huskies are recognized as a medium-sized laboring dog, while the German Shepherd is categorized as a large farming dog who adores a task! The Gerberian Shepsky locates his niche somewhere amid the two, usually maturing to an average stature of 25 inches and tipping the scales at around 80 pounds. The females are slightly smaller at an average of 22 inches in stature and 65 pounds.
Pondering whether you’d like to introduce a mixed breed to your clan? We’ve assembled a thorough guide that elaborates all you require to comprehend – from ancestry, to character and maintenance – about the Gerbian Shepsky!
East-European Shepherd
The East-European Shepherd is a breed of German Shepherd that was developed in the former Soviet Union for the purpose of creating a larger, more frost-resistant version of the German Shepherd.
It does not have the physical abnormalities bred into the Western exhibition lines of the German Shepherd and has become one of Russia’s most favorite dog breeds.
King Shepherd
The King Shepherd is a type of the German Shepherd bred in the United States, with breeders aiming to address the physical deformities that have been intentionally bred into the original breed.
Shiloh Shepherd
The Shiloh Shepherd is a type of the German Shepherd bred in the United States. It was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to address behavioral and conformational issues that have been intentionally bred into modern German Shepherds, and was bred for its large size, length of back, temperament, and soundness of hips. It has been recognized since 1990 by the American Rare Breed Association.
White Shepherd
The White Shepherd is a variant of the German Shepherd bred in the United States. White-coated German Shepherds were formerly prohibited from registration in their native Germany, but in the United States and Canada, the coloration gained popularity, leading to the formation of a breed club specifically for white German Shepherds, naming their variant the White Shepherd. The variant is acknowledged as a distinct breed by the United Kennel Club.
White Swiss Shepherd Dog
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog (French: Berger Blanc Suisse, German: Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund, Italian: Pastore Svizzero Bianco) is a variant of the German Shepherd bred in Switzerland.
It originates from the American White Shepherds; the initial stud dog of what would evolve into the breed was an American dog born in 1966 and brought to Switzerland.
The variant was acknowledged by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a distinct breed in 2003, and it is now recognized by several national kennel clubs.
Health
Numerous prevalent health issues in the German Shepherd stem from the breeding practices implemented initially in the breed’s history. One such prevalent problem is hip and elbow dysplasia, which might cause the dog to suffer discomfort later in life and could lead to arthritis.
A research conducted by the University of Zurich discovered that 45% of the police service dogs suffered from degenerative spinal stenosis, although a limited sample size was utilized. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals noted that 19.1% of German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia.
There are, nevertheless, methods to help avoid hip dysplasia, such as acquiring a puppy from a reputable breeder, maintaining it on a nutritious diet, and restricting the quantity of leaping or rough play.
German Shepherds have a low incidence of ear infections, since this breed is renowned for hyperactivity of its cerumen-producing glands. According to a recent analysis in the UK, the median lifespan of German Shepherds is 10.95 years, which is typical for a dog of their size.
Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disorder, occurs with sufficient frequency specifically in this breed to indicate that the breed is prone to it. An extremely affordable DNA saliva test is now accessible to screen for degenerative myelopathy.
The test examines for the mutated gene that has been observed in dogs with degenerative myelopathy. A minor study in the UK indicated 16% of young asymptomatic German Shepherds to be homozygous for the mutation, with an additional 38% being carriers.
Now that a test is obtainable, the disease can be eliminated from breeds with a high incidence. The test is only advised for predisposed breeds, but can be performed on DNA samples from any dog, collected by swabbing the inside of the animal’s mouth with a sterile cotton swab.
Prospective German Shepherd purchasers can now request the test from the breeder or buy from a breeder who is known to examine their dogs.
German Shepherds have a higher-than-average occurrence of Von Willebrand disease, a widespread inherited bleeding disorder, and exocrine pancreatic deficiency (EPI), a degenerative condition of the pancreas.
It is estimated that 1% of the UK population of German Shepherds suffers from this disease. Treatment is usually provided in the form of pancreatic enzymes taken with meals.
Skeletal health and supplementation
Musculoskeletal conditions are debilitating issues often tied to genetic composition, malnutrition, and stress-related incidents. Certain breeds, like the German Shepherd, have a susceptibility to various skeletal problems, including canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis, arising from suboptimal breeding or triggered by intense exercise and inadequate nutrition.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is an orthopedic ailment resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and adjacent tissues, causing instability and partial hip joint dislocation.
This leads to pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis. German Shepherds are genetically inclined towards CHD, with the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany estimating its prevalence at around 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis stands out as a primary contributor to musculoskeletal pain and disabilities commonly observed in German Shepherds.
Mechanical stress, oxidative damage, and inflammatory mediators collaborate in inducing the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in diminished muscle mass, pain, and impaired movement.
Ensuring adequate growth rates and proper maintenance of musculoskeletal health in large breeds like the German Shepherd necessitates feeding a well-balanced diet.
Monitoring and controlling dietary energy levels at all life stages and activity levels of the German Shepherd play a crucial role in preventing and treating symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Various dietary factors are instrumental in maintaining skeletal health and are outlined as follows:
Optimal calcium levels are crucial for the development of a sturdy skeletal system and play a role in preventing orthopedic conditions like Canine Hip Dysplasia.
Additionally, maintaining a balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus at a recommended 1.2:1 ratio is essential for ensuring proper bone development and structure. Imbalances in phosphorus and calcium levels may lead to various skeletal complications.
Excessive phosphorus can result in bone lesions, while an abundance of calcium may lead to hypocalcemia and excessive bone deposition, disrupting normal bone development. In extreme cases of inadequate calcium intake, the body may resort to bone resorption, withdrawing calcium deposits from the skeletal frame to meet dietary needs.
Omega-3 fatty acids, like EPA and DHA, have shown to be really effective in stopping cartilage from breaking down in lab tests. This suggests that incorporating these acids into food could help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms in German Shepherds.
EPA and DHA also inhibit key regulators of the inflammatory process, reducing pain and inflammation in joints associated with various skeletal disorders.
Maintaining an appropriate ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, around 5:1, is crucial for managing inflammation. Animal sources, particularly marine life like fish, krill, and mussels, as well as plant sources like flaxseed, soybean, and canola oil, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Glucosamine, an amino-monosaccharide naturally occurring in all tissues, is particularly abundant in the articular cartilage of joints and results from glucose biosynthesis.
Natural glucosamine synthesis in joint cartilage diminishes due to joint or cartilage damage, necessitating supplementation. Long-term administration of glucosamine in German Shepherds through clinical trials has reduced symptoms of degenerative joint disease and accelerated cartilage healing.
The anti-inflammatory effects of glucosamine are believed to contribute to pain reduction, promote joint recovery and mobility, and prevent further cartilage degradation.
Similarly, chondroitin supplementation is suggested to have comparable results in inhibiting degradative enzymes within the cartilage matrix to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, although additional research is needed to assess long-term benefits.
Essential vitamins like A and D play vital roles in the development and upkeep of bones by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. It is important to include sufficient levels in the diet of a German Shepherd to support a robust musculoskeletal system.
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