The German Shepherd Dog is regarded as one of the most intelligent, obedient, loyal, and courageous dog breeds. Alert and watchful the GSD is an excellent guard dog and an amazing family companion who is exceptionally protective and kind towards children.
When you consider all these amazing traits it’s not a huge surprise that German Shepherd is often crossed with other purebred dogs. As a result, there are many amazing German Shepherd mix breeds you can choose from.
In this article, you will find a list of 18 German Shepherd mixes that make great companions and family dogs!
18 Popular German Shepherd Mix Breeds – Complete List
While, technically, you can breed a German Shepherd with practically any breed, some German Shepherd mixes are more popular than others. Below, we’ll cover the most popular German Shepherd mixed breeds and, hopefully, help you decide which one is the best for your family.
1. German Aussie – Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd mix
The highly intelligent German Aussie is one of the best herding dogs you’ll be able to find. They are extremely energetic and smart, so if you don’t plan to put your mix to work, you will have to find ways to keep them exercised and mentally stimulated (source).
Naturally reserved with strangers but loyal towards their families, German Aussies make good guard dogs and affectionate companions.
2. Saint Shepherd – Saint Bernard and German Shepherd mix
The intelligent and easy going Saint Shepherd is one of the larger German Shepherd mixes. They can be up to 28 inches tall and weigh between 85 and 140 pounds, so they are best suited for homes with spacious backyards.
Loyal, sweet, and affectionate, this mix is an amazing family dog and a great choice if you don’t mind cleaning dog hairs.
3. Dane Shepherd – Great Dane and German Shepherd mix
A cross between a Great Dane and the German Shepherd, the Dane Shepherd is a rather large dog. But while their giant size can intimidate some, they are gentle, calm, and protective companions.
Friendly and playful, this mix gets along well with other pets and children. However, due to its large size, the Dane Shepherd needs a lot of space to move freely and thrives in homes with some type of outdoor space.
4. Alaskan Shepherd – Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd mix
The gorgeous looking and fluffy Alaskan Shepherd can be 22 to 25 inches tall and weighs between 60 and 85 pounds. Intelligent and loyal, this mix forms strong bonds with its family and tends to pick a favorite person.
True to its parent breeds, the Alaskan Shepherd is a working dog that can easily become bored without a job to do.
5. Labrashepherd – Labrador and German Shepherd mix
The Sheprador is a highly popular German Shepherd mix and an amazing working dog. Having a Lab and a German Shepherd as parents means that this mix is super easy to train.
Intelligent, active, kind, and affectionate, Labrashepherds make great pets to people of all ages and families with children.
6. Boxer Shepherd – Boxer and German Shepherd mix
The Boxer Shepherd is a hard worker and an exceptional guard dog that will scare off intruders better than the most sophisticated security alarm. While it may look intimidating, the Boxer Shepherd is a clownish and playful dog that will keep you entertained with its silly antics.
Due to their high energy, they are best suited for active people or families with children who know how to interact and play with a dog.
7. Beagle Shepherd – Beagle and German Shepherd mix
One of the smaller mixes on this list, the Beagle Shepherd is a friendly, outgoing, and affectionate companion. Highly energetic, playful, and fun-loving, this mix needs regular exercise, otherwise it can become bored and destructive.
8. Doberman Shepherd – Doberman and German Shepherd mix
The Doberman Shepherd is an excellent choice if you are looking for a superb guard dog. Highly intelligent, loyal, and protective this mix needs a lot of exercise and an experienced owner.
They can be independent and stubborn at times, so early socialization and training are a must if you want to have a well-behaved and obedient dog (source).
9. German Sheppit – Pit Bull and German Shepherd mix
The medium-sized German Sheppit is a people-oriented, friendly, and loving breed that craves human companionship. If left alone a lot, this mix may develop separation anxiety and become a very destructive dog.
However, when provided with the attention and affection they need, German Sheppits are sweet and loving companions that are gentle and protective of children.
10. Euro Mountain Sheparnese – Bernese Mountain Dog and German Shepherd mix
The Euro Mountain Sheparnese is a large breed that weighs between 75 and 110 pounds and stands between 23 and 28 inches tall. This cute-looking mix has a fluffy coat that sheds throughout the year, so they aren’t a good choice if you suffer from allergies.
However, if you don’t mind cleaning dog hairs, this mix will make a friendly, loyal, and affectionate companion that will make you laugh with their goofy behavior.
11. Shepadoodle – Poodle and German Shepherd mix
The Shepadoodle is an extremely cute mixed-breed dog that will likely inherit the Poodle’s curly coat. As a mix of two highly intelligent dog breeds, the Shepadoodle is very easy to train and will learn obedience in no time.
Highly energetic and agile, the Shepadoodle needs a lot of exercise and excels at agility sports. When provided with attention it craves, this mix is a loving, playful, and affectionate companion.
12. Corman Shepherd – Welsh Corgi and German Shepherd mix
As a cross of two herding breeds, the Corman Shepherd has a lot of energy and a strong desire to work. Small and cute-looking, this mix is a good apartment dweller as long as you keep them properly exercised.
Bear in mind, Corgis are prone to back problems due to their shortened legs, so there is a chance that your mix may inherit this health issue (source).
13. Gerberian Shepsky – Siberian Husky and German Shepherd mix
The stunning Gerberian Shepsky is a very popular designer breed developed by crossing a Siberian Husky and a German Shepherd. This mix may inherit the Husky’s wolf-like appearance, blue eyes, and thick fluffy coat.
Personality-wise you can expect a slightly mischievous, goofy, outgoing, and vocal dog that can easily get bored if not mentally stimulated. Please note, the Gerberian Shepsky is a highly energetic dog that needs around 90 minutes of vigorous exercise every day.
14. Basset Shepherd – Basset Hound and German Shepherd mix
The Basset Shepherd is a medium-sized breed that makes a great companion as well as a guard dog. True to their parent breeds, Basset Shepherds are highly intelligent and alert dogs that like to have a job to do.
This highly energetic mix can easily become bored and destructive if left to its own devices. Therefore, exercise and play with your mix every day, and start training from a young age to have a well-behaved and obedient dog.
15. Shepkita – Akita Inu and German Shepherd mix
The Shepkita is a large and powerful mixed-breed dog that can weigh up to 120 pounds and be up to 28 inches tall at the shoulder. They have strong guarding instincts and a mind of their own, so early socialization and training are a must!
Due to their large size and high energy levels, they need a lot of exercise and access to a fenced backyard. Please note, the Shepkita isn’t recommended for novice owners, since they tend to be stubborn and may develop behavioral problems if not properly trained.
However, in the hands of an experienced owner, the Shepkita will be one of the most loyal dogs you are ever going to own. They get along well with people of all ages, including children, and make great companions.
16. Shepweiler – Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix
The Shepweiler is a large and powerful breed that can weigh between 50 and 135 pounds and needs a lot of space to move freely. They are very protective and make great guard dogs, but need an experienced owner who is knowledgeable about training and socialization.
A properly trained and socialized Shepweiler is a loyal and affectionate companion who won’t hesitate to protect its owner and their property.
17. Golden Shepherd – Golden Retriever and German Shepherd
Like any other Retriever mix, the Golden Shepherd is a highly intelligent, friendly, and affectionate dog. This mix usually inherits the Golden Retriever’s kind and gentle nature and the German Shepherd’s loyalty.
Golden Shepherds are usually less protective than their German Shepherd parents and are more likely to meet strangers with a wagging tail rather than a warning bark. Outgoing and affectionate, this mix is the ultimate family dog and a gentle companion.
18. Chow Shepherd – Chow Chow and German Shepherd
The Chow Shepherd is a large-sized dog that weighs between 40 and 80 pounds. This mixed-breed inherited the Chow Chow’s fluffy coat that sheds all year round and requires regular grooming (source).
When it comes to their owners, Chow Shepherds are extremely loyal, protective, and affectionate dogs. However, they are reserved towards strangers and won’t show much interest in anyone outside their immediate family.
Brief History of German Shepherd
The German Shepherd Dog was developed in 1899 by German cavalry captain Max von Stephanitz. His goal was to create a superior herding dog with an athletic and powerful physique and high intelligence.
Von Stephanitz attended many dog shows and saw many great German-type herding dogs, but none of them possessed all traits he was looking for. Finally, in 1899, Stephanitz was visiting a dog show, when a wolf-like dog named Hektor Linksrhein caught his eye.
He immediately purchased that dog, whom he later renamed Horand v Grafeth and began developing the German Shepherd breed we know today.
Why You Should Consider a German Shepherd Mix Breed?
If you fancy a German Shepherd’s loyal and obedient nature but are concerned about health issues this breed faces, you should consider getting a German Shepherd mix. Mixed-breed dogs are generally healthier than their purebred counterparts and inherit personality traits from both their parent breeds.
Where to Get German Shepherd Mix Breed?
There are only two ways you can welcome a German Shepherd mix into your home. You can purchase a puppy from a breeder or adopt a dog from an animal shelter.
German Shepherd Mix Breeders
The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds, so there is no shortage of reputable breeders that make mixed-breed puppies available.
Avoid dealing with puppy mills and backyard breeders, and only purchase a puppy from a breeder that tests their breeding stocks and has health certificates for both parents and the puppies.
German Shepherd Mix Price
On average the German Shepherd mix costs from $300 to $1200. However, since there are so many different German Shepherd mixed-breeds the prices can vary greatly depending on many factors, such as the breeder and the cost of the other parent breed.
Adoption
While German Shepherd mixes are highly popular designer dogs, many of them end up in animal shelters and rescue organizations. Check out your local shelter to see if they have any German Shepherd mixed-breed dogs for adoption.
You should also contact German Shepherd breed-specific rescue groups to see if they have any dogs available for adoption since these organizations take care of GSD mixes too.
Conclusion
There are so many wonderful German Shepherd mixes you can choose from. While every mixed-breed dog is unique, you can expect a loyal, obedient, protective, and family-oriented dog.
Bear in mind, most German Shepherd mixes are highly energetic working dogs who need a lot of exercise every day. But if you are active and live in a home with a backyard, the German Shepherd mix will be a faithful companion and a fierce protector.
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