The German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix combines two intelligent and hard-working breeds. But do they form a good combination? In this article, we cover everything you need to know about this mixed breed. Does the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix get along well with children? Does he have serious health problems? What about cleaning? Is he a heavy shedder? And what kind of exercise does this crossing require? Don’t worry. We have the answers to all your questions. But before we start, we want to deal with the basics.
Who is the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix?
This cross is the offspring of a purebred German Shepherd and a purebred Australian Shepherd. Many breeders hope that this cross will preserve the courage and trust of the German Shepherd as well as the enthusiasm and work ethic of the Australian shepherd. Of course, both the German shepherd and the Australian shepherd are known for their intelligence. So it is no surprise that her offspring, the Australian Shepherd Mix of German Shepherd, will be incredibly smart. But what other characteristics could this crossing have? Since this is a crossroads, this is difficult to say. But let’s take a look at the parents.
Where does the Australian Shepherd Mix come from?
The exact origin of the Australian shepherd dog cross is a little blurry. We know that it is a relatively young crossbreed. For this reason, it is difficult to know where he certainly started. But a look at the history of his parents should help us to learn more. Let’s start with the German shepherd dog.
German Shepherd Origins
The German Shepherd is famous for his work in law enforcement and the military. It’s believed that his origins go back to the beginning of the 19th century. He descended from a family of herding dogs. According to his name, the German shepherd originally came from Germany. There he was a top choice among shepherds to look after and care for cattle. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the German Shepherd is today the second most popular dog in the United States.
Australian Shepherd Origins
So, what about the Australian shepherd? The Australian shepherd dog is a real working dog that does not come from Australia, as its name suggests. Instead he comes from the wild west of the United States. He was and is an incredibly intelligent herding dog, mainly used by shepherds to flock sheep.
The Australian shepherd dog is unique in its tolerance for high altitudes and allows him to thrive in the Rocky Mountains, where he was in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Although he may not be as popular as his German shepherd, the Australian shepherd is still ranked 16th in the AKC register.
What does the Australian Shepherd Mix look like?
When dealing with a crossroads, things like temperament, physical characteristics and even health problems can be left to chance. Let’s go through the physical characteristics of the parents to see what physical characteristics your puppy can inherit.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Size
The German Shepherd is perhaps one of the most recognizable dogs. He is a strong, muscular dog. Males are 24 to 26 inches tall with a weight of 65 to 90 pounds. Females are 22 to 24 inches tall and can weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. The beautiful Australian shepherd with his eye-catching fur and (sometimes) penetrating blue eyes has males who are between 20 and 23 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds. Women stand everywhere between 18 and 21 inches and can weigh between 35 and 55 pounds. Their mix most commonly grows between 18 and 26 inches tall and weighs between 35 and 90 pounds.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Coats
The German Shepherd has a thick, medium-length double coat with a long, fluffy tail, upright ears and bright, alert eyes. It can come in six standard color markings, including:
- Black
- Black and tan
- Red and black
- Black and silver
- Zobel
- Grey
The weatherproof coat of the Australian shepherd is long and thick and available in four standard colors:
- Blue Merle
- Red Merle
- Black
- Red
Grooming
Since both the German and Australian shepherds are shedders with double-layered, weatherproof coats, you can expect some maintenance when cleaning. The German Shepherd does not need as much as the Australian Shepherd. Although his dense, dense coat falls off regularly, it only runs strong twice a year. Either way, make sure to brush a couple times a week. You don’t have to bathe them too often.
Temperament
In the further course, the personality of a crossroads can be left to chance, depending on which genes are passed on by their purebred parents. In this case, the Australian German Shepherd mix will probably be an intelligent dog that is loyal and very work-oriented. We can rely on these qualities because both the German and Australian shepherds have them in common. However, there are also other spirited characteristics that are unique for the German shepherd and the Australian shepherd dog, which can or cannot inherit their descendants from crossbreed children.
For example, the German shepherd is so loyal that he is willing to risk his own life in order to protect his relatives. This is part of what makes him such a fabulous military and law enforcement dog. However, it is known that he shows restraint when meeting new people, and therefore you must deserve your trust and attachment to this race. However, once you have his heart, you can be sure that he will be a friendly and devoted companion.
Lifespan and health concerns of the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix
The bonds we build with our dog partners are indestructible. This is one of the many reasons why we think it is so important to deal with the life expectancy and health aspects of your desired breed before you get it. If you know what your race requires in terms of hereditary conditions, you can take preventive measures and possibly save you from a potentially devastating and expensive trip on the road. Environment, exercise and adequate nutrition all play a role in maintaining the health of our dogs. However, there are some genetic conditions that we simply cannot avoid. When it comes to the German Shepherd-Australian Shepherd Dog mix, there are some health problems to consider, as his two purebred parents are susceptible to some major health concerns. We start with the German Shepherd.
German Shepherd Health
Since he is a larger dog, the German shepherd unfortunately has a shorter lifespan of only seven to ten years. The health problems he advocates most include hip and elbow dysplasia, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, intervertebral disc disease, osteochondrosis, panosteitis, degenerative myelopathy, skin problems, hemophilia A, pancreatitis, diabetes, progressive retinal atrophy, subastor Epilepsy, Von Willebrand disease, bilateral cataracts, cherry eye, cryptorchism and bloated.
Australian Shepherd Health
The Australian shepherd has a slightly longer lifespan than the German shepherd, which is between 12 and 15 years old. However, he also has some serious health problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, collie-eye anomaly, epilepsy, tumors, cancer, cobom, autoimmune diseases and cataracts. As already mentioned, there is still no way to know whether the crossing helps to alleviate some of these hereditary health conditions. For this reason, we always recommend an early check-up to ensure that your German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Puppy has been freed from certain problems before you take him home.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Training
There are two things we certainly know when it comes to the German Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd. These are highly intelligent, high-energy races. For example, the German shepherd would like to like it and likes to take on new tasks. He is awarded an owner who is constantly in training and lets him continue learning. He reacts best to positive reinforcement and training that is fun and reward-based.
Because of his high level of energy and his need to work and learn, he will need consistent exercise, daily walks and trumps in the yard. The Australian shepherd is not much different. The dog born into a herd is a natural freak who will look after his people and other pets throughout the house. This can be funny, but it can also be annoying. Fortunately, consistent training can help reduce this habit. Also remember that the Australian shepherd is a ranch dog in the heart and is outside in his blood. He loves nature and needs a lot of freedom to play and run and a lot of exercise, such as daily walks or excursions to the dog park.