Choice Of German Shepherd Mixed Breeds

The American Kennel Club has registered the German Shepherd dog in its club since 1908. Actually in the 19th century it was bred for herding, because of its strength, intelligence and its excellent temperament. At that time it was already a German Shepherd mix because it was a cross breed between three types of shepherd dogs found in three different regions of Germany. They were the long-haired, short-haired and the wire-haired shepherd dogs. Used extensively by the police and the army, they became excellent guard dogs and guide dogs. They were also used for search and rescue purposes.

The Shepadoodle is a new hybrid dog, which is a cross breed between a German Shepherd and a Standard Poodle. It is one of the recognized crosses of hybrid dogs by the American Canine Hybrid Club. There are other combinations of cross breeding with German Shepherds, but unfortunately not all purebred dogs are 100% purebred, and hence it often becomes a multi generation cross.
Another name for the German Shepherd is the Alsatian. This dog is known for its obedience and loyalty, and because of these characteristics it is often used as a working dog. It learns extremely fast because of its intelligence. It can be trained very well and is always eager and alert to learn. But it is mainly a bold and confident dog, which can be direct and fearless. It is more or less a family dog, sometimes even a one-man dog and dislikes strangers.

The German Shepherd mix could, like any other mixed breed, be freed from some of the genetic diseases which are typical of the German Shepherd breed. Such a disease is hip dysplasia and often in the German Shepherd Mix the genetic disease could be absent because of the mixed breeding. Normally mixed breed dogs live a healthier and longer life than the purebred ones. Of course if both the parents have the same genetic disease, there is a great possibility that the disease will be automatically transmitted to the German Shepherd mix.
Cross-breeding between the German Shepherd and the sweet-tempered dogs like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever and the Collie are not recommended, as the German Shepherd mix retains more of the neurotic characteristics of the German Shepherd breed than the better temperament of the other purebred parent. The cross breed could then be shy but aggressive.

The cross with the Alaskan Malamute is also not recommended, because it’s stubborn and aggressive temperament is overbearing in the German Shepherd mix. In the bargain the hybrid dog can be a source of danger to families, if it does not receive proper handling and training. The same can happen by cross breeding the German Shepherd with the Chow Chow, the Akita, the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher.

A good and successful German Shepherd mix is the cross breed with the Great Dane which makes it an affectionate, loyal and a pure family dog.

German Shepherd mixed breeds have a longer and healthier life than their parents. The purebred German Shepherd is a fearless and loyal family dog. The common cross breeds and the cross breeds to be avoided with the German Shepherd and a lot of German Shepherd information is available in this article.

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