Pastimes
Walking
Hiking
Very intelligent- though, if not properly trained, can use it's intelligence for mischievous things.
Gerberian Shepsky Breed Maintenance
There’s no getting around the fact that a full grown Gerberian Shepsky needs a lot of exercise — we’re talking at least two hours a day and around 11 miles of walking a week. A large yard is particularly helpful in letting them expel some energy while parents are otherwise occupied.
For a lot of people (including apartment-dwellers), that might be an unfeasible figure and perhaps a slightly less demanding breed might be more suitable. However, those who lead an active lifestyle will love this hybrid’s impressive stamina and enthusiasm for adventures.
As well as this, their dense and double-coated coat should be brushed at least twice a week to keep it in good shape. A Shepsky can be bathed if they’re especially dirty, but this shouldn’t be done too often as it can upset the balance of natural oils in its coat.
Just as with all other breeds, parents will need to stay on top of teeth brushing, nail clipping and ear cleaning — it can be a challenge to keep a Shepsky sitting still for long periods of time, so try to keep these sessions as short as possible.
Shepsky Health Risks
Although German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies gift many positive traits down to Shepsky puppies, unfortunately, there’s also the risk that they pass on certain health conditions.
Some of the medical conditions that can develop over the course of the Shepsky lifespan include:
Joint Problems
As mentioned, the Shepsky is a dog that loves nothing more than to run around, but sadly, there are two health conditions that can impair this movement.
The first is hip dysplasia, a disease that’s common in medium-sized dogs with lots of energy. This happens when the hip joint fails to develop correctly during their formative years and the bone becomes misaligned with the corresponding socket.
The main symptoms are reduced mobility and pain in the hindquarters, which vets can address in a number of ways. Sometimes, supplements and weight loss will ease the worst of the effects, but physiotherapy or surgery might be necessary in more serious instances.
The second joint issue is Patellar Luxation, which, while more commonly diagnosed in smaller breeds, can occur in dogs the size of a Shepsky. This happens when a dog’s kneecap dislocates periodically, resulting in limping, abnormal movements and general distress.
Again, surgery can often correct this problem and medication can be given to soothe the pain and inflammation.
Eye conditions
Parents of a Shepsky should be clued up on eye disease. Cataracts are fairly common and are quite easy for parents to spot — the lens of a dog’s eye will look cloudy or abnormal in terms of color.
Cataracts can lead to partial or even complete vision loss, but usually can be successfully treated with surgery. It’s important to inform your vet as soon as you suspect your dog has cataracts, as the affliction can sometimes be a side effect of a different medical condition.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is another risk. This affects the retina at the back of the eye, but is similar to cataracts in that it can lead to vision loss. Unfortunately, it’s untreatable and the most a parent can do following a diagnosis is to keep their dog’s environment safer to reduce the risk of accidents.Epilepsy
Both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are slightly more prone to being affected by epilepsy, so it only follows that this might be the case with Shepskies, too.
The main symptom of epilepsy is seizures, which often include involuntary movements and loss of consciousness. Although it can be an inherited condition, it can also be brought about by another disease, such as a brain tumor or liver disease.
Vets will look to get an epileptic dog onto anticonvulsant medication as soon as possible. This doesn’t cure epilepsy but allows a dog with the condition to live as normal a life as possible. Regular veterinary monitoring will be required once they’ve started taking the drugs.
Just as with humans, catching disease in dogs as early as possible is often key to a full recovery — a wellness plan includes testing and examinations for this very purpose.
What to Feed a Shepsky
Generally speaking, dogs that need a lot of exercise also need a lot of food and that’s no different for the Shepsky. Be sure to satisfy this big appetite with the sort of food that’s actively good for their insides — that means lots of protein, vegetables and vitamins, and less starchy filler and mysterious ingredients.
As a dog susceptible to hip dysplasia, be sure not to give them recipes with a large amount of calcium while they’re a puppy as this can be a contributing factor. Choosing a dog food that’s been specifically designed around the needs of growing canines averts this risk.
Our partner Dog Food Advisor has compiled lists of the best products for both German Shepherds and Huskies — these should also be great for Gerberian Shepskies, too.
Brushes for Gerberian Shepsky
Comb
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
