Gerberian Shepsky

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With their high energy levels, sensitive noses, and alert personalities, Gerberian Shepskies are perfect guard dogs and working companions.

With fluffy fur, bright eyes, and incredibly alert senses, the Gerberian Shepsky is one of the most majestic designer dog breeds on the market. These gorgeous and loyal dogs are made by mixing a German Shepherd with a Siberian Husky in the hopes of getting the best traits from both breeds. The result is a dog that’s hardworking, obedient, energetic, and always excited to be part of the action. Gerberian Shepskies need a lot of attention from their owners and aren’t suited for apartment living. However, if you spend time training them and give them plenty of exercise, you’ll find that these dogs are some of the best companions that you’ll ever have.

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Owning a Gerberian Shepsky: 3 Pros and Cons

Pros!	Cons!
Loyal and Attentive! Gerberian Shepskies are smart dogs that love to follow their owner’s commands. Expect your dog to always be on the alert and waiting for your next directive.	Lots of shedding. Like the Siberian Husky, the Gerberian Shepsky is known for having a thick, fluffy coat that sheds when the seasons change. Expect to brush your dog regularly, and use a vacuum to keep the household fur levels under control.
Hardworking Employee! Whether they’re working security or assisting the local police force, Gerberian Shepskies are known for being some of the most hardworking dogs on the market.	Separation anxiety. Both of the Gerberian Shepsky’s parent breeds suffer from high levels of separation anxiety. These dogs do best if there’s always a human at home; if you must leave them alone, consider kenneling them to avoid destructive behaviors.
Extremely Attached! Gerberian Shepskies love their families and will spend all of their time curled up at their owner’s feet.	Needs a yard. Gerberian Shepskies are big dogs who need room to run around. This breed is not adapted for apartment living and is a better choice for families with large yards and active lifestyles.

Gerberian Shepsky playing in a field — Gerberian Shepskies are always alert and waiting for your next directive.
©Ovidiu Constantin Moraru/Shutterstock.com

Evolution and Origins

The exact origins of the Gerberian Shepsky are unknown, although it’s likely this breed was developed in the U.S. in the 1990s, when designer dogs, or hybrids, became popular.

Most designer dogs aren’t used as working dogs. However, because the Gerberian Shepsky is descended from two hardworking breeds, these pups are often used for police work and search and rescue missions like their parents.

The Gerberian Shepsky’s parent breed the German shepherd originated in Germany dating back to the 1890s and was used as a herding dog due to its agility, intelligence, and strength. These qualities also made this breed a very effective working dog, especially for law enforcement. The America Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd in 1912.

Health and Entertainment for your Gerberian Shepsky

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The other parent breed, the Siberian Husky, came from northeast Asia and can trace its lineage back around 4,000 years. The Chukchi people kept these huskies as family pets and working sled dogs, hauling freight in arctic conditions, as well as herding reindeer and acting as watchdogs. The Siberian Husky was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.

Why do Siberian Huskies have blue eyes — The Gerberian Shepsky’s parent breed the Siberian Husky is used to pull sleds.
©iStock.com/8213erika

Size and Weight

Gerberian Shepskies are medium to large-sized dogs with thick coats of fluffy fur. Depending on which parent breed they take after, your Gerberian Shepsky might have tan, brown, grey, or white fur with various patterns and patches. Most of them have either light gold or stunning blue eyes. These dogs typically weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, with females weighing slightly less than males from the same litter. Gerberian Shepskies grow quickly when they are puppies; if you start a growth chart, you’ll notice that they can get up to 25 inches tall at the shoulder by the time they are 2 years old.

Height (male)	20-25 inches
Height (female)	20-25 inches
Weight (male)	50-100 lbs
Weight (female)	45-90 lbs

Common Health Issues

Gerberian Shepskies are fairly healthy dogs that tend to share the same potential genetic conditions as their parent breeds. Possible concerns include joint dysplasia, retinal problems, patellar luxation, and canine epilepsy. Bring your dog to the vet for a checkup as soon as you adopt them from the breeder. The problems your vet will check for include:

Joint dysplasia
Patellar luxation
Retinal atrophy
Cataracts
Epilepsy
Skin allergies.

Dog Food for Liver Disease — Like its parent breed the German Shepherd, the Gerberian Shepsky is prone to joint dysplasia.
©Roger costa morera/Shutterstock.com

Temperament

Gerberian Shepskies are sweet and loving dogs with loyal, attentive, and endearing personalities. Because they are descended from two working breeds, they have high energy levels and display many herding and guarding behaviors. These dogs prefer active and involving lives and love to follow their owners to the job site.

When they’re not working, they are playful pets that adore their primary owners. Expect to find your dog curled up under your feet, lounging underneath the windowsill, or bringing you toys in the hopes that you’ll play a round of fetch. Start building your bond with your dog early, and you’ll enjoy a close relationship for the rest of their life.

How to Take Care of a Gerberian Shepsky

Gerberian Shepskies are large dogs that need plenty of exercise. In addition to owning a yard, you should also take your dog for at least one or two hour-long walks every day. These dogs love attention and suffer from separation anxiety, so prepare to keep your dog right by your side.

The Best Dog Food for Gerberian Shepskies

Because they’re large and energetic dogs, they tend to burn a lot of calories. Look for high-protein and/or high-energy dog food made with healthy ingredients. Alternatively, you can cook homemade food with lean meats, green vegetables, and whole grains. These dogs need slightly larger portions than most pups; however, if you notice a steady stream of nervous or destructive behavior, it might be a sign that your dog is eating too much for the amount of exercise that they are getting.

The A-Z Animals recommendation for the best dog food for Gerberian Shepskies is Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Probiotics, Salmon Dry Dog Food.

That’s because of the high-protein salmon recipe that delivers quality nutrition to keep this active working breed on its feet. The joints will be well taken care of thanks to the twofold support of glucosamine and an omega-3 fatty acid called EPA. Plus, omega-6 fatty acids nourish the skin and coat, while probiotics aid digestion for a hearty immune system from the inside out.

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Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Sensitive Skin & Stomach

Tasty real salmon is the #1 ingredient in this formula.
Fortified with glucosamine and EPA Omega-3 fatty acid for joint support.
Oat meal provides a gentle and easily digestible source of calories.
Omega-6 rich sunflower oil promotes a healthy coat and skin.
Natural prebiotic fiber nourishes healthy intestinal bacteria.

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Maintenance and Grooming

Like its parent breed the Siberian Husky, the Gerberian Shepsky is a heavy shedder that should be brushed at least twice a week. When the weather starts to warm up, take your dog to the groomer; a summer haircut will do a lot to keep your canine cool and comfortable. You should also trim your dog’s nails and brush their teeth on a monthly basis. Finally, don’t forget to inspect your dog’s ears and clean them regularly to prevent infections.

Siberian Husky laying on floor after being brushed — The Gerberian Shepsky is a heavy shedder like its parent breed the Siberian Husky.
©iStock.com/Inna Dodor

Training

Gerberian Shepskies are loyal dogs that love to follow their owner’s commands. However, because these dogs tend to become hyper-focused, you may have to spend extra time training them to respond to your voice instead of to outside distractions. Start working with your dog as soon as you bring them home. Be careful to make sure that you only issue commands if your dog is capable of following through on them, and build habits of quick recall and immediate obedience. With a little time and patience, your dog will quickly respond to every command.

Gerberian Shepsky standing in field with flowers — It may take some time to train a Gerberian Shepsky to respond to your voice and ignore outside distractions.
©Ovidiu Constantin Moraru/Shutterstock.com

Exercise

These dogs are far too active to live in apartments. Make sure your dog has a large yard where it can run around and play. In addition, you should take your dog on one or two hour-long walks every day. Don’t forget to provide plenty of ropes, balls, and other chew toys. Dog toys are a great way to help active pets burn off steam and prevent them from engaging in destructive behaviors.

Gerberian Shepsky standing in a field — Gerberian Shepskies need a large yard or space where they can run around and play.
©Ovidiu Constantin Moraru/Shutterstock.com

Puppies

The puppies are adventurous and energetic. Keep an eye on yours to make sure they don’t get into trouble. You should also start working on basic commands and quick recall early on to get your puppy used to responding to your voice. These dogs get big fast; if you want to get the most out of their puppy days, consider starting a growth chart.

how much does a dog cost — Keep an eye on your puppy to make sure it doesn’t get into trouble.
©Stone36/Shutterstock.com

Gerberian Shepskies and Children

Gerberian Shepskies are sweet and playful dogs, but they are far too large and energetic to interact with small children. Only let your kids play with these dogs if they are comfortable with large animals and know how to respect a dog’s boundaries.

Dogs Similar to Gerberian Shepskies

The Gerberian Shepsky is a rare designer hybrid with many desirable traits. If you’re looking for something similar, try adopting one of the parent breeds or another herding dog like the Australian Shepherd.

German Shepherd – A classic working breed, the German Shepherd is a beloved part of families across the world.
Australian Shepherd – The Australian Shepherd is slightly smaller than the German Shepherd and has a playful and jovial personality.
Siberian Husky – With fluffy white fur and big blue eyes, the Siberian Husky is one of the most impressive and loyal dogs on the market.

Osiris Beef Flavored Dog Chews — Australian Shepherds are a little smaller than German shepherds.
©Christian Mueller/Shutterstock.com

Popular Names for Gerberian Shepskies

Gerberian Shepskies like names that are sweet, playful, and easy to pronounce. Popular names for them include:

Benson
Brownie
Cosmo
Chloe
Piper
Echo
Bandit
Ariel
Clover

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About the Author

Catherine Gin

Catherine Gin has more than 15 years of experience working as an editor for digital, print and social media. She grew up in Australia with an alphabet of interesting animals, from echidnas and funnel-web spiders to kookaburras and quokkas, as well as beautiful native plants including bottlebrushes and gum trees. Being based in the U.S. for a decade has expanded Catherine's knowledge of flora and fauna, and she and her husband hope to have a hobby farm and vegetable garden in future.

Gerberian Shepsky FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a Gerberian Shepsky?

A Gerberian Shepsky is a designer dog breed created by crossing a German Shepherd with a Siberian Husky. These dogs are large and fluffy with brown, white, or grey fur, and they usually have the husky’s signature golden or blue eyes. Most breeders sell Gerberian Shepskies with relatively predictable traits based on the parent’s pedigrees; if you like previous puppies from a set of parents, there’s a good chance you’ll also like the Gerberian Shepsky that you get to bring home.

How much do Gerberian Shepskies cost to own?

The average price for a purebred Gerberian Shepsky is somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500. Different breeders will offer a higher or lower price based on the pedigree of the parents and the rarity of the hybrid in your local region. In addition to adoption fees, you’ll also need to pay regular grooming costs to keep your Gerberian Shepsky’s coat in good condition.

Are Gerberian Shepskies good with kids?

Gerberian Shepskies are sweet and loyal dogs that do very well with older children. However, because these dogs are so large and jumpy, it’s a bad idea to leave them alone with unsupervised kids who don’t know how to respect a dog’s boundaries.

How long do Gerberian Shepskies live?

Gerberian Shepskies are large dogs with a moderate lifespan. In general, you can expect your Gerberian Shepsky to live to be between the ages of 10 and 13. With proper diet, plenty of exercise, and regular visits to the vet, your dog may even live into its late teens.

How much is a Gerberian Shepsky worth?

Although different breeders charge their own prices, a purebred Gerberian Shepsky with pedigree information for both parents is usually worth around $1,200. If your Gerberian Shepsky is not purebred, you can expect to pay a more normal adoption fee for a mixed-breed puppy.

Are Gerberian Shepskies aggressive?

Although Gerberian Shepskies are not inherently aggressive, both parent breeds are known for defending themselves and their families if danger is present. Monitor interactions carefully, and be sure to end a social situation when you notice that your dog is getting tired.

Are Gerberian Shepskies easy to train?

Gerberian Shepskies are loyal and intelligent dogs that love learning to work with their owners. Start training early to cement your voice as an important part of their work routine. These dogs are easily distracted, so be prepared to focus on quick recall and general attentiveness.

How big will a Gerberian Shepsky get?

Gerberian Shepskies are medium to large dogs that typically weigh somewhere between 50 and 100 pounds. You can expect your Gerberian Shepsky to stand about 22 inches high at the shoulder. According to growth charts, males are usually larger than females, but not by more than a few pounds.

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Sources

Dog Time, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/shepsky#/slide/1
Gerberian Shepsky, Available here: https://gerberianshepsky.com/
Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/gerberian-shepsky/
Shepherd Sense, Available here: https://www.shepherdsense.com/gerberian-shepsky/
Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/gerberian-shepsky