Mixed breeds are the result of random or deliberate crossing of two breeds. In the first generation, hybrids have qualities of both parents. It is difficult to predict the appearance and character of such animals. Breeders often purposefully cross husky and shepherd dogs to enhance their hunting and guarding qualities.
Mixed huskies and shepherds
Description
In most cases the puppy will resemble a shepherd, but sometimes the husky genes are dominant. Most often, mestizos have blue eyes, short hair, like a husky, and spots on the sides, like a shepherd dog. Appearance depends on which genes predominate. Rarely there are individuals with white, black or red fur.
Important! Metis are named after their mother's breed. If she is a shepherd, then the puppy will be a shepheroid. If it’s like, it’s a likeoid.
The mixed breed will always be large and with a strong physique. He will also inherit similar features of both breeds: a wedge-shaped muzzle, triangular ears and very thick hair. The tail of a husky and shepherd puppy can be curled or straight.
Mestizos are active and inquisitive. Therefore, they are worth getting for those who lead an active lifestyle, because this dog needs daily exercise. Among the character flaws, owners of Shepherd or Laykoid identify:
- frequent loud barking for no reason;
- independent disposition;
- frequent escapes from the owner;
- stubbornness, reluctance to follow commands.
But it would be wrong to assume that a shepherd-husky mix is not trainable and disobedient. However, it all depends on the owner: the earlier they start raising a puppy, the faster he will learn commands and the basics of correct behavior.
Important! The result of the owner’s efforts can be assessed when the puppy reaches 8 months of age. Then the teenage period begins, in which the pet’s character manifests itself in all its glory.
These pets are devoted to their owner
Mendel's law and mixed-breed puppies
Mendel's law speaks of uniformity, which applies to all living organisms. Its essence is that the genotype of the fetus contains one parental gene. They are combined randomly. All first-generation hybrids have similar external characteristics and are similar to one of the parents.
If we apply Mendel's law to puppies, this means that its genotype will be 50/50. There can be no other options. If a mestizo shows signs of other dogs, then his parents are not purebred.
When a litter contains puppies of different colors, different weights and heights, or the main breed characteristics are absent, it means that it is not a cross between a husky and a shepherd dog. These are “mutts” and it is difficult to predict their development.
Who are mestizos and how do they differ from purebred dogs?
Mestizos are the “fruits” of intraspecific crossing, in which both purebred and outbred animals can participate. Any mestizo is essentially a mongrel, and is by no means a new breed, as experimenters would like to think .
Shepherd and Laika - similar in appearance, but very different in character
From the first experimental mating to recognition of the breed is a long-term, thorny and costly path that only a dedicated and patient dog handler with a base of theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience can do. Creating a new breed involves several mandatory steps:
- obtaining stable offspring from generation to generation;
- consolidation of general desired characteristics in appearance and behavior;
- formation of a fairly extensive gene pool of healthy dogs with well-predictable prospects.
Do not confuse mixed-breed dogs with hybrids: in the first case, crossing occurs within one species, Canis lupus familiaris, in the second, between different species of the canine family, for example, a jackal and a dog, a dog and a wolf, and so on.
To consciously obtain mixed breeds of various breeds, you must at least be guided by Mendel’s three laws:
- law of uniformity of the first generation - offspring in the first generation inherits the characteristics of only one of the parents according to the principle of dominance;
- the law of segregation - in the offspring of the second generation, individuals appear with the phenotypes of the original parental forms and the offspring of the first generation;
- the law of independent combination (inheritance) of traits - among the descendants of the second generation, individuals with new (relative to the parent) combinations of traits appear in a certain ratio.
The potential of a mestizo can be very interesting; it is the owner’s task to reveal it
Shepherds and huskies
You need to understand that huskies (like shepherd dogs) are not one breed, but a rather large and diverse group of breeds, each of which has its own characteristics, and often its own working specialization. This must be realized before forming a specific parent pair out of them.
Features of Laikas
The concept of “husky” unites about a dozen officially recognized and about the same number of unrecognized breeds. They are medium to slightly larger than average Spitz-shaped dogs that live in cold climates and have aboriginal roots. The FCI classification places all of them in the fifth group - “Spitz and primitive type breeds”.
Most huskies are universal working dogs that can combine two or more “professions,” but most breeds are still focused on certain work functions:
- hunting;
- sledding;
- security - rarely;
- shepherds - even less often.
Often, other northern dogs that are similar to them in appearance, for example, huskies, malamutes, and samoyeds, are indiscriminately classified as huskies, but this is a mistake.
For crossing with huskies, breeds that are distinguished by pronounced service talents, good trainability, obedience, and also “wolf-like” appearance are usually used. The results of such cross-linking can be really interesting.
Photo gallery: some breeds of huskies
The Russian-European Laika has a kind, easy-going character, but only for its owners; it is wary of strangers
The West Siberian Laika is obedient to its owner, but may not immediately follow commands
The Karelian-Finnish Laika is a kind, obedient, but quite proud dog, so you should not leave him alone with small children
The Karelian Bear Dog was originally intended to work as a hunting dog due to its remarkable sense of smell.
The Nenets Reindeer Laika is an independent, intelligent, hardworking dog that can be used for protective guard duty.
The East Siberian Laika is not suitable for protection, because it treats strangers with indifference rather than aggressiveness.
The Yakut Laika is an indispensable human assistant in northern latitudes thanks to its excellent sense of smell and ability to navigate the terrain even in bad weather.
Norwegian Huskies are suitable for a variety of purposes, very intelligent, calm, and good with children.
Distinctive qualities of shepherd dogs
In the FCI catalog, shepherd dogs are classified in the first group - “Shepherd and Cattle Dogs”. They are even more numerous and diverse than huskies: about forty breeds have received official recognition. At least twice as many as yet unrecognized shepherd dog breeds have emerged in various territories around the world. All of them have a herding background, and many remain professional shepherds today.
For what purposes are huskies and shepherds crossed?
Many breeders deliberately cross representatives of different breeds. There are several reasons for this:
- To improve the breed. But this is a complex and lengthy process. It is necessary to select the best gene from the genotype and strengthen it until the desired result is achieved.
- Shepherd-husky hybrids are crossed to produce second-generation crossbreeds. They are genetically combined with pedigree dogs to enhance the main qualities of the breeds.
The result is strong, hardy dogs, active, irreplaceable in hunting, devoted to their owner. Despite the fact that the individuals are hybrids, many want them because of the improved qualities of the Shepherd and Laika.
Hybrid of husky and German shepherd
It is difficult to predict a puppy's appearance. But more often he gets his coat color from a German Shepherd, and his eye color and tail shape from a husky. But everything is determined by the dominant gene.
From a shepherd dog the puppy receives:
- broad forehead;
- strong strong paws;
- spots on the sides characteristic of this breed;
- straight tail;
- loyalty to the owner;
- excellent guard qualities;
- friendliness and friendly attitude towards other animals.
Attention! If the husky genotype is dominant, then the puppy will have blue eyes or heterochromia, a curled tail, light color and dense fur.
Friendliness and hunting skills predominate in behavior.
Husky-Shepherd mix puppies are highly prized
Appearance
Most often, the German Shepherd genes take over, and the mixed breed looks like a shepherd. Only the color of the eyes is different, and the color of the dog is not similar to the latter.
What does a husky/shepherd mix look like? The description given in the article is conditional. We should not forget that this is a mestizo. And it is simply impossible to predict exactly what a particular dog will look like. For example, the following dogs are found:
- The head is large, the forehead is wide.
- The muzzle is slightly narrowed, “fox-like”.
- The nose can be brown or black.
- The body is long and elongated.
- The legs are straight and muscular.
- The chest is round or barrel-shaped.
- The tail is both straight and curved.
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- The wool is dense.
- The colors are varied. Starting from gray to spotted.
- Eye colors range from blue to miscellaneous.
Pros and cons of the nature of mixed-breed dogs
Dog handlers highlight the excellent guard qualities of hybrids, which is why they are often taken for hunting or to guard herds. A cross between a husky and a shepherd dog, it takes part in special operations thanks to its intelligence and keen sense of smell.
Thanks to these qualities, hybrids can be classified as service breeds. They are not afraid of cold weather and are unpretentious in their maintenance. The husky/German shepherd mix is often used for hunting. They are loyal to their owner and enjoy playing with children and other animals.
But such dogs have disadvantages. This is an independent, willful character, a tendency to disobedience. They can run away from their owner and do not always follow commands the first time. Ovcharoids and Laikoids have difficulty getting used to living in an apartment, and they are only friendly with those animals with whom they grew up.
When choosing a mixed breed of these breeds, you need to understand that this is an independent dog that can defend its opinion. Breeders advise purchasing hybrids at 2-3 months, while it is possible to adjust the pet’s character.
Important! It is recommended to start training at 5-6 months of age. This will avoid many problems in the further education of the mestizo.
Laika character
If you are planning to purchase a cross between a husky and a shepherd dog, you need to know what these breeds are. Let's start with likes:
- This dog is not suitable for apartment living.
- Quite an unaffected breed. Laikas, especially West Siberian ones, do not have a pronounced need to communicate with their owner. They prefer solitude.
- Favorite pastime is hunting.
- Very hardy, can stay in the forest for days.
- Not prone to dysplasia. In general, they are distinguished by good health.
- To make friends with a husky, you need to win its affection. The dog will not blindly follow the owner just because he is called that.
- Doesn't like cats. It is advisable to exclude possible contacts with them.
Mixed Laika and Caucasian Shepherd
The puppy has a large build, well-developed muscles and strong paws. The coat color has a large number of variations - from gray to dark brown, sometimes there are spots on the sides.
From the Caucasian Shepherd the puppy inherits:
- large head and broad forehead;
- strong paws;
- long curly coat with dense undercoat;
- powerful jaw with pronounced fangs;
- long straight tail.
A mixture of Laika and Caucasian Shepherd is distinguished by its bold character and excellent watchdog qualities. The owner does not have to worry about the lives of his loved ones and the safety of his property: the dog will not let strangers get close.
It needs intensive training, because their character is dominated by willfulness and stubbornness. The pet must immediately remember that the owner is the main one in their relationship. And you can attack only at the command of the owner.
When getting a crossbreed Laika and Caucasian Shepherd, you need to be prepared for daily walks lasting 2-3 hours.
Important! They have a hard time getting used to living in an apartment; it is ideal for them to live outside the city.
They make excellent watchdogs
Other husky and shepherd mixes
Sometimes, during the process of crossing, puppies appear that have characteristics of other breeds. Breeders call them “mongrels” or “mongrels.” Their development is difficult to predict because traits of other breeds may appear.
Laikas and huskies are purposefully crossed to enhance the dogs' riding and guarding qualities. Their puppies are distinguished by their active character, love of open spaces and quickly adapt to difficult conditions.
The East European Shepherd is crossed with a wolf. But in the first generation, puppies are difficult to train and are not friendly. Therefore, such experiments are rare among dog handlers.
Mixed Breed Nutrition
The diet of hybrids is made taking into account their physical activity and size. The more energy they spend, the larger the portion size should be. Many dog lovers are supporters of natural feeding. But it is better to give mixed breeds ready-made food, which contains all the necessary vitamins and micro- and macroelements.
The Shepherd and Husky mix has an excellent metabolism and appetite. If the owner has chosen natural feeding, then the dog’s diet should include:
- cereals and cereals;
- milk products;
- vegetables;
- offal;
- vitamin and mineral complexes.
It is recommended to feed hybrid puppies 3-4 times a day; adult dogs need two meals a day.
Important! Mestizos require more drinking than purebreds.
The mixed breed of husky and shepherd is extremely beautiful
Other crosses and hybrids
When a shepherd dog and a husky are brought together, both quite successful offspring and completely unpredictable individuals can appear.
A dog can outwardly resemble either one of its parents or have mixed features inherent in both breeds.
For example: the dog will have a curled tail, but long ears; or with the color of a husky, but the appearance of a shepherd, or vice versa.
We suggest you read: How to properly raise a German Shepherd puppy
There are many options, and it is impossible to predict the result of crossing. A dog that is not similar to any of the breeds due to the strange interweaving of common characteristics can also learn.
When you purchase a puppy born from the marriage of a husky and a shepherd, you will find a faithful friend for life.
The loyalty and protective qualities of a shepherd dog, complemented by the friendliness, calmness and playfulness of a husky, will give you a wonderful pet.
Today, more than a dozen mixed breeds of four-legged animals are found in nature. The most common ones include: a cross between a “German” and a Malamute, a cross between a Caucasian Shepherd and a German, a mixture of a Caucasian with a Laika, a golden shepherd dog, a nops or a cross between a “German” and a pug, a hybrid of a German Shepherd and a Labradoodle, a mixture of a Shepherd with a collie and many other.
When crossing a shepherd and a husky, it is difficult to predict in advance what appearance the dog will have. This could be a dog that looks exactly like a shepherd, but with a tail in the shape of a donut curled up. Or, on the contrary, you will buy a husky puppy with sharp ears of a German shepherd. Until a puppy is six months old, it is almost impossible to determine the future appearance of a pet.
A mixed breed of husky and shepherd dog, as experienced dog breeders note, will become man's best friend. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by their devotion to their owner, playfulness and friendliness.
A cross between a German Shepherd and a Labrador is an interesting pet option for a family with small children. Dogs are inherently playful and friendly. They easily find contact not only with people, but also with other animals living in the house. Having carefully studied the appearance, habits and character traits, dog experts note that this cross has absorbed all the best qualities of its “parents”.
Do you want a reliable guard and protector to appear in your home? Pay attention to the German Shepherd and Rottweiler mixes. The main character traits of representatives of this breed include: self-confidence and calmness. They are also very energetic and inquisitive.
With a collie With a chow-chow With a golden retriever With a Welsh corgi We invite you to familiarize yourself with: Puli Hungarian water dog, photo and description of the breed
Caring for husky and shepherd crossbreeds
Metis are unpretentious in their maintenance, the main thing is that the owner is ready to devote time to his pet. Clean eyes and ears as needed. The coat needs to be brushed daily, and twice during the shedding period. Experienced breeders advise using a special metal comb. Once every 3-6 months, the pet is taken to the veterinarian for a dental examination.
By crossing a husky and a shepherd, the breeder gets a strong, hardy dog that will be an excellent hunter and watchman. But you need to be prepared for the stubborn and wayward nature of your pet. Therefore, it is necessary to train mestizos from an early age so that the ideal assistant grows up.
Care and maintenance
With yard keeping, caring for a cute mestizo will not be a problem even for a beginner. The main thing is that the owner has enough time and desire to take care of his pet.
Hygiene
Simple hygiene procedures usual for dogs are necessary in this case, including:
- cleaning eyes - daily;
- gentle ear cleaning - weekly;
- checking the condition and, if necessary, cleaning your teeth - monthly;
- combing - 2-3 times a week, and during periods of shedding - daily;
- swimming - no more than once a quarter.
The main problem of both original breeds is strong seasonal shedding, which makes it difficult to keep mixed breeds in an apartment. And by nature, it is more natural for such a temperamental dog to be in a spacious area than in cramped rooms.
