The Gerberian Shepsky is a cross breed of two very intelligent breeds that are most popular for their possession of highly desirable qualities and other attractive characteristics, the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky.
Photo by Dember (xDember@gmail.com)
In actual reality, this breed of dogs shares both aspects of the species. While the personality traits evident in a Gerberian Shepsky come from both the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky, there will always be one dominant breed’s traits in the resultant hybrid.
It is commonly referred to as a designer dog or hybrid dog due to the fact that it originates from two singular pure breeds. They are some of the best breeds known to man despite being cross bred. The Gerberian Shepsky is loyal, social, alert and also very intelligent. They get along well with almost everyone if appropriately socialized. It is hard not to fall in love with these beautiful creatures and especially when those pale piercing blue eyes are dotingly fixed on you.
Physical appearance
The Gerberian Shepsky is a large-sized type of dog with a height of 20 -25 inches. The weight standing is 45-88 lbs but is mostly dependent on the diet and overall wellbeing of the dog. The average lifespan of a Gerberian Shepsky is 13 years. This breed is therefore ideal for those looking for a short term emotional and physical commitment in a dog pet.
It is also possible for its lifespan to vary from the said years for these are just human estimations but it’s mostly a matter of the divine. Gerberian Shepskies come in a variety of colors, the most common being black and brown with black. Other color variations include blue, red, white, cream, brown and white, pepper and salt/gray and light brown or golden.
Gerberian Shepskies have a straight haired double coat that can be long, short, dense or medium. The coat is generally thick with a fluffy-like appearance. The inner coat generally contains thick and soft hair. Being arctic dogs, the double coat provides much needed protection from overly hot and cold weather conditions. Its ears are usually pointy and so is the muzzle. The skull at times resembles that of the German Shepherds or that of the Siberian Husky. Eyes can at times be dual-colored. The Gerberian Shepsky is not suited to live in hot places.
Personality and Temperament
The Gerberian Shepsky has an extremely gentle and calm temperament but is mostly feared because of its daunting muscular build. It can operate as both a pet and also as a working companion of humans to assist with various tasks. It is classified in the working and herding category of dogs. Being a pastoral type of dog, the Gerberian Shepsky possesses an uncanny ability to react to verbal commands and whistles, which is basically the reason as to why they are trained to herd. Their ability to be trained to a level of modified herding behavior is all tailored predatory behavior. Training minimizes the dog’s innate proclivity to treat cattle and other domestic animals as prey while at the same time maintaining the animalistic hunting prowess, thereby creating an efficient hunting dog. Coming from dogs trained in the rugged wilderness and also recommended as a police dog, it goes without saying that this dog is brilliantly smart.
Gerberian Shepsky’ strength, obedience, trainability and intelligence makes it a perfect choice for many types of work such as acting, search and rescue police operations and even other important military roles. Gerberian are typically famous for their intelligence, a trait which appeals to most owners and breeders as a whole. They have the ability to learn simple tasks after a few repetitions and obey within the first given command most often than not. A characteristic they have borrowed from the German Shepherds. Together with their strength, these dogs are desirable as than other guards, search and rescue dogs as they are able to learn various tasks pretty much faster and also interpret instructions better and act faster than other large dog breeds.
They are extremely active dogs and very eager to learn and are usually highly purposeful. Their curious nature makes them excellent guards and scouts. If not rightly socialized, Gerberian Shepskies can be overly protective of their territory and family. It is good to note that, they are also not programmed to become immediate friends with strangers. They are also very faithful to their master and consequently, they also remain faithful and loving to their master’s children too. They have an inclination of being quite voiced and bark a lot and especially when left on their own. They are also very kind but can be very aggressive and even hurt others in the event that their own or their master’s security and well being is threatened. However, these dogs usually do not get along very well with cats and other dogs. In the event that the need may arise, socialization should take place at a very early stage.
Shedding and Grooming
Dogs can at times prove to be a work load and particular during clean up time. Apart from requiring regular grooming sessions, the Gerberian Shepsky sheds moderately. Ideally, ensure that the double coat is brushed at least two times per week. This ensures that the coats remain shiny and free of any dead fur. If not looked after properly, their hair can get pretty wild. It is important that you spend quality time with your dog and especially during cleaning time brushing them, bathing, trimming, cutting their hair and even taking care of their ears. Their ears have a tendency of accumulating a lot of wax and their eyes need regular checking and cleaning. If you are not up to the task, you could hire the services of a vet or a professional groomer.
Health conditions common problems
While most designer dogs do not inherit most of the health issues present in their parents, the risk of a Gerberian Shepsky inheriting an undesirable health condition from its parentage cannot be ruled out. Here are some are the common health issues of the Gerberian Shepsky’s parents and which it could be prone to:
- elbow and hip dysplasia
- eye issues such as juvenile cataracts
- digestive problems
- blood disorders
- bloat
- epilepsy
- eczema
- dwarfism
- keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
- flea allergies
- perianal fistulas and Von Willebrand’s disease
- spleen tumors
- PRA (primarily in male dogs)
- Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)Degenerative Myelitis (DM)
- ectopy (displacement of the urethra)
- corneal dystrophy
- crystalline corneal opacities
Being a hybrid, the Gerberian Shepsky enjoys a favorably healthy life unlike other purebred dogs.
Exercise and Training
This breed of dog is strictly a working dog and thus requires regular physical exercise and training. If you struggle to get some free time to 
walk, jog your dog or allow it to get the necessary exercise it needs, then this is not the dog for you. The Gerberian Husky have independent behavioral patterns, so it is required that the person training them be stronger minded than they are. They will willingly obey gentle commands of a patient and dominating pack leader. If its trainer is not wholly firm, consistent and confident, then it can be very disappointing to be victim of its mischievous pranks.
The training sessions should be purposeful and rewarding and should also be done in a gentle manner. Purposeful training demands consistency, patience and an understanding of the arctic character of the dog. Being energetic dogs, Gerberian Shepskies love to play around. There’s need to provide them with an open area where they can freely move and play around. It not only strengthens their bones, but also increases their resistance power. If not exercises properly, these dogs can be both mischievous and overly demanding. There has to be an outlet for the excess energy.
Dietary information
The vigorous active nature of these dogs makes them pretty good eaters. However, some can be annoyingly picky about their diet. For such, it would be wise to buy a specific brand of food and stick to it. Finding dog treats that they appreciate could also be one daunting affair. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing food for your Gerberian Shepsky is that every dog is uniquely different.
Just like people, every dog has its own unique preferences. It might take you a few try and errors before you find something that your dog loves. Know your dog well enough and make it your business to find out if your dog suffers from any allergic conditions. You could also consult your vet for their best recommendations. This will make it easier for you to find what your dog is most comfortable with.
Gerberian Shepskies are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Dog Registry of America Inc.