German Shepherd Mixed Breeds: Advantages And Disadvantages

The American Kennel Club has registered the German Shepherd dog in its club since 1908. Actually in the 19th century it was bred for herding, because of its strength, intelligence and its excellent temperament. At that time it was already a German Shepherd mix because it was a cross breed between three types of shepherd dogs found in three different regions of Germany. They were the long-haired, short-haired and the wire-haired shepherd dogs. Used extensively by the police and the army, they became excellent guard dogs and guide dogs. They were also used for search and rescue purposes.

Now the German Shepherd is further cross bred with other dogs and a common cross is with the Standard Poodle. The cross breed is called a Shepadoodle. The best way by which you can determine the temperament of a breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and you can then know which combination of the characteristics is found in either breed. The American Canine Hybrid Club recognizes the hybrid cross of the Shepadoodle. Of course not all such designer hybrid dogs which are being bred are even 50% pure bred. Breeders often breed multi-generation crosses.

The German Shepherd is also called the Alsatian. This dog is often used as working dogs, because they are direct and fearless. Their main characteristics are obedience and loyalty. They are bold, cheerful, eager and alert and very confident in what they undertake or have been trained to do. Their learning ability is extremely high and they love to be close to their families and are rather wary of strangers.

On the other hand, if both the parents have the same genetic disease, then it becomes a genetic disease of the German Shepherd mix as well.

The German Shepherd or the Alsatian is a popular working dog, because it is intelligent, alert and confident and can be trained very well. It is known for its obedience and above all its loyalty to its family and especially to its master. It is extremely alert and is therefore a very good watchdog and has a natural aversion to strangers.

Cross-breeding between the German Shepherd and the sweet-tempered dogs like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever and the Collie are not recommended, as the German Shepherd mix retains more of the neurotic characteristics of the German Shepherd breed than the better temperament of the other purebred parent. The cross breed could then be shy but aggressive.

Also cross breeding with the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever or the Collie can be unsuccessful, because the neurotic characteristics of the German Shepherd totally overshadow the sweet temperament of the others. The hybrid dogs may turn out to be too shy or too aggressive. The Alaskan Malamute is an independent, stubborn and aggressive dog.

When it is crossbred with the German Shepherd Dog, the German Shepherd mix can actually become a dangerous animal, and become difficult to handle.

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