You’re someone who loves pets passionately, especially German Shepherds and Huskies. You’re thinking of bringing home pups of German shepherd and Husky because you’re equally fascinated with both canine breeds. But before you proceed, you’d surely want to find out whether the two large dog breeds can coexist harmony. If you’d like a simple and straightforward answer, yes you’d be able to raise both breeds in unison. But you’ll have to take meticulous care of the dog breeds if you’re sincere about their living in close harmony.
A German shepherd and husky staying under the same roof is not unheard of or unusual. However, if you want both the dogs to develop a lasting bond and get along congenially, you should introduce them as pups. At the same time, ensure that you train them appropriately and consistently, and socialize them from an early age.
Training a German Shepherd and a Husky at the same time
You’ll be surprised to learn that many pet lovers like you would want to keep a Siberian husky and German shepherd together. You’ll have to bring home puppies of Husky and German shepherd if you want to train and groom them perfectly. Bear in mind that their training, exercise, grooming, feeding, and healthcare needs differ in many respects. So, you’ll need to have a spacious fenced backyard for sheltering both the dogs.
Furthermore, you’ll have to hire a skilled and experienced dog trainer for making the dogs not only bond with each other but with other dog breeds and humans as well. To say the last but not the least, make sure you buy the pups from a certified breeder. Knowledge about the two canine breeds’ history, temperament, appearance, size, training, and grooming needs will make it easier for you to understand if they can live amicably.
German Shepherd vis-à-vis Husky
Do not form an impression about the Siberian husky or the German shepherd based on their menacing looks. Despite appearing threatening, both dogs tend to be friendly, bright, genial, and gregarious. No wonder German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies go on to make splendid family pets. The Husky which is closely related to the Alaskan malamute and the Samoyed is one of the earliest dog breeds.
German Shepherds and Husky are known for their playful nature. They can live in unison as both of them are lively and exuberant. Training becomes easier if the dogs have something in common. Their fun loving attitude and high-spirited character will make them enjoy each other’s company. Click here to know more about the husky’s aggressive attitude.
Does appearance make any difference?
Both the German shepherd and Husky tend to be hefty with a piercing gaze and sharp features. The two dogs have double coats that enable to withstand inclement weather and variations in temperatures. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the dogs are prolific shedders, losing hairs heavily, especially during the shedding season.
You should be able to distinguish a Siberian husky from an Alsatian with ease. The Husky has a more compact built compared to the German shepherd, and the former’s physique is also more proportionate. By contrast, the Alsatian’s form is more muscular and leaner with upright ears and enthusiastic eyes.
Huskies usually have white, black or grayish coats with patches and blotches whose hues range from copper to red. The double coat of the Alsatian is generally of medium-length, but in some cases, it could be lengthier. Coat color varies from black & white to gray to black and tan.
German Shepherds appear majestic and have a dark and elongated muzzle. As puppies, their ears tend to be somewhat droopy that become pointed as they grow up. The furry coat of the Huskies serves as a barrier, shielding them from the harsh cold weather prevailing in Siberia and Alaska.
The husky’s ears stand erect, and their acute eyes can be either blue or brown. Very much like the Alsatian, the medium-size ears of the husky have a conical form, and the muzzle could be black or pinkish.
Are Huskies bigger compared to German shepherds?
On the whole, a typical German shepherd is larger than a Siberian husky. The majority of registered kennel clubs categorize the German shepherd as a pastoral, herding, and guardian dog. On the other hand, the husky belongs to the groups of the primitive, sled, and working dog. A male German shepherd stands tall at 61-67 cm while his female counterpart is about 55-61 cm in height.
Conversely, male huskies are about 53-60 cm tall while females have a height of 50-56 cm. Male German Shepherds weigh between 30-40 kg while the female Alsatians weigh anywhere from 22 to 33 kg. On the other hand, female huskies weigh between 14-27 kg while their male counterpart has a weight varying from 16-29 kg. Enough German Shepherds outclass the Huskies both in terms of heaviness and stature.
German shepherds and Huskies: Shedding
When it comes to shedding, both the breeds happen to be heavy shedders and compete for almost neck and neck. German Shepherds have earned the epithet “German shedder” owing to their tendency to shed profusely. The Alsatian sheds a great deal throughout the year, and so if you’re thinking of bringing up a pup, be ready to use the vacuum cleaner more often.
The Alsatian will at least lose hairs profoundly at least two times in a year. The breed remains fairly clean, thereby relieving you from the need to bathe him periodically. To maintain the coat’s texture and smoothness, you’ll have brushed it at least once every fortnight.
Alternatively, huskies shed mostly during the fall and spring rather than during the winter season. The breed has a fetish for remaining spic and span, and hence you’ll often find him licking his coat. You don’t need about keeping your pet husky well-groomed as it fur is nearly odorless.
However, regular brushing of his coat is something that you have to keep in mind. During the shedding season, you’ll have to brush the skin nearly every day and nothing less than once weekly at other times.
Does temperament play an important role when these breeds live together?
The German shepherd is well-known all over the world as a highly intelligent, diligent, loyal, and affectionate dog breed. It is because of their intelligence that armies, police departments, and the military mobilize them extensively. In terms of intellect and astuteness, they rank next to border collies and poodles.
At the same time, they can be trained easily and effectively owing to their intellect, and serve as an excellent guide or police dogs. German shepherds also assist disabled individuals, accompany disaster rescue teams, and so on. Though they’re fiercely loyal to their master and his family, they’re not very receptive to strangers.
Thanks to their aloofness towards trespassers and strangers, they also make exceptional sentinel dogs or watchdogs. As an Alsatian, a husky also is quite intelligent by nature and has a mind of its own. They also bond strongly with children and old people, and owing to their compassionate streak; they make fantastic family pets.
Though Huskies can learn tricks and understand instructions easily, their moodiness could make them somewhat challenging to train. So, it’d be better for you to entrust the dog’s training to a seasoned trainer. Since the herd mentality is still very much ingrained in them, your pup husky will need an instructor who can play the role of a pack leader.
Their carefree spirit and devil-may-care attitude prevent them from serving as reliable guardian dogs. Huskies also prefer to howl rather than bark or yap that could intimidate visitors or neighbors. They’re also infamous for their wanderlust character and could escape if you do not keep an eye on them.
Make sure the porch or backyard has high walls all around and has barbed wire fencing.
Do both the breeds enjoy activities and outdoor exercise?
Both Huskies and German shepherds are active and lively canine breeds implying that you need to exercise the pups daily. If you do not train or exercise your pup husky properly, he’ll feel bored and cause mayhem. The dog might chew up furniture or uproot plants in the garden if he does not get his daily dose of exercise.
Taking out your pup Alsatian for long walks and making him work out vigorously is also essential for mental and physical stimulation. German shepherds are fanatical about chewing and could ruin valuables in your home. So, make sure you always keep a large and hygienic toy or a bone handy.
The husky is livelier and more vigorous in comparison to an Alsatian. Therefore, you may have to be more particular when exercising or training a husky.
A German Shepherd’s health as compared to a Husky
A German shepherd goes on to live for 10-14 years while Huskies’ life span varies from 12-15 years. Both the dog breeds tend to remain more or less healthy provided you take good care. A German shepherd is prone to allergies, bloat, hip, and elbow dysplasia while a husky could suffer from cataract, progressive retinal atrophy, and hip dysplasia. To know more about health factors click here.
Grooming both the dogs
A husky or German shepherd can do without regular grooming as their coats are almost free of odors. The breeds also like to keep themselves squeaky clean. Bathe them once in a month, trim their nails weekly, clean their ears, and brush their teeth routinely to prevent infections.
Brush their coats a couple of times in a week to keep bacteria and microorganisms from infesting their skins. Click here to know more about grooming a German Shepherd and Husky together.
Related Questions
Are Huskies and German Shepherds a good mix?
Yes German Shepherds and Huskies prove to be a good mix. You get a nice mix of loyalty and companionship in both the dogs. Both of them have a versatile nature and like to play outdoor games.
Are there any health concerns while keeping huskies and German Shepherds together?
Though you need to give extra care when you keep both these breeds together, there is no danger of any health issues between them.
Are German Shepherds smarter than Huskies?
German Shepherds are very intelligent. They prove to be good guard dogs. Huskies are not that smart when compared with German Shepherds and they cannot be treated as guard dogs
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