German ShepherdAustralian Shepherd Mix is a crossbreed between two popular pure breeds, German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd. Interestingly, both parent breeds belong to the working group, and the puppy comes out with high intelligence and energy levels. These hybrid dogs are beautiful, smart, obedient, and energetic. The origin of this breed is unknown and is believed to be developed in the United States. They carry the designer breed tag and are not recognized by the AKC.
German Shepherds belong to Germany which originated in the late 1800. They are one of the most intelligent and responsive breeds among dogs. They were created from the local shepherd dogs for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. Also, these dogs have dome-shaped heads with a long, square muzzle. That’s how this breed ended up with the name German Shepherd.
The other parent breed, Australian Shepherd, is believed to have originated from the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. Australian Shepherd dogs were initially used to herd sheep and cattle in rugged terrains. They are loyal and brilliant dogs. Australian Shepherds are called so as they stayed and migrated with shepherds from Australia to the United States.
Both German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd are globally popular among families and individuals. Thus, the crossbreed of these sweet souls actively fit in well with the families and make beautiful companions like none other.
Table of Contents
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Good family companion
Not apartment-friendly
Easy to train
A high level of activities required
Good watchdog
High maintenance
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Basic Information
Other Names: German Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd Aussie, Australian Shepherd German Shepherd, Aussie German Shepherd.
Breed Recognition: American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHA), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd: A Comparison
Features
German Shepherd
Australian Shepherd
Image
Origin
Germany
United States
Height
22-26 inches
18-23 inches
Weight
50-90 pounds
40-65 pounds
Size
Large
Medium
Group
Herding and working dogs
Herding
Children Compatibility
Compatible and loves to play
High
Family Compatibility
Compatible and friendly
High
Pets Compatibility
Compatible and adaptable
High
Barking Level
Frequent and loud
Medium to high
Shedding Level
All around the year
Medium to high
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Medium to low
Medium to high
Overall Health
Healthy and athletic
Medium to high
Energy
High
High
Exercise Needs
Mandatory
High
Trainability
Easily trainable
High
Activities
Required
Companion, Sports, Obedience, Agility
Complication in breeding
Occurs due to unethical breeding
No
Litter Size
8-15
6-7 Puppies
Lifespan
9-13 Years
12-15 years
Other Names
Alsatian, German Shepherd Dog, Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schäferhund
Spanish Shepherd, Pastor dogs, BobTails, Blue Heelers, New Mexican Shepherds, California Shepherds
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Personality
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes are medium to large-sized dogs. They are muscular, grow around 19–26 inches, and weigh 45-80 pounds. This is the size of your pet when he is a cross between the German Shepherd and a standard Aussie Shepherd. If he is a cross between a toy or a miniature Aussie Shepherd, they can be smaller. However, they are smaller than the German Shepherds and slightly larger than the Aussies.
The coat is medium-length, double-coat, and dense. They shed moderately. However, they shed heavily during the spring and the fall. The coat is straight or wavy and comes in various colors. The coat colors include white, black, blue, red, cream, silver, and sable.
Regardless of the gene game, Aussie German Shepherd looks athletic and long with straight legs. The head is broad and wedge-shaped with a strong muzzle and a black nose; The almond-shaped eyes can be blue, brown, or hazel; Suppose the Aussie gene dominates your pet. In that case, he may have two different colored eyes due to heterochromia. The ears are floppy, and triangular-shaped; The tail is either long or a bobtail like the Aussie parent.
However, the overall appearance depends on genetics. So take this beauty home and get a dog to flaunt to the world.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium
Dog-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium to low
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low
Good for new owners
Medium to low
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
Medium to high
Heat tolerance
Low
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Temperament
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix is primarily herding dogs. They flock to anything from animals to children. They are active, strong-willed, independent, and have a high prey drive. They love to be around humans and create a strong bond with their owners. They are loving, affectionate, and protective. They are wary of strangers but will warm up to visitors in no time.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherds are excellent watchdogs and guard their families against any threat. Their barking is moderate, but they bark to alert their owners about dangers. Alongside being protective, they also serve as therapy dogs to elders.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix gets along well with kids, yet children should not be left alone without supervision. They do well with other pets with early socialization and training. Yet, they sometimes start chasing small animals like cats and rodents due to their high prey drive. They are intelligent, active, energetic, and love to solve puzzles and problems.
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The German Australian Shepherd is an adorable, goofy dog that keeps your home safe and loves to laze around your laps. Their overall temperament includes:
Loyal
Affectionate
Independent
Smart
Protective
Energetic
Hard-working
Active
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Training
German Shepherd Australian Shepherds are intelligent, adaptable, and easy to train. Obedience training in puppyhood helps in behavioral corrections. Like any other dog breed, they require early socialization and proper training. They are obedient and interested to learn and respond to positive reinforcement. They love being around people, and the owner should invest time in training their dogs. Praises, small treats, and cuddles do wonders while training. They enjoy playtime, and mental stimulation keeps these dogs happy. Their training can include:
In addition, German Australian Shepherds make excellent police dogs or service dogs owing to their problem-solving skills.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey to drive
High
Mouthiness tendencies
Medium
Barking and Howling tendencies
Medium to high
Wanderlust tendencies
High
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Exercise Need
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix are energetic dogs and require a lot of activities. They are intelligent and always eager to learn new things. They are also good at agility, obedience, playing fetch, and canine games. They like walking, running, chasing, and hiking. A daily exercise of 1-2 hours includes 2-3 walks and some running within a yard or a house with space is ideal and keeps them happy and healthy. They love spending time with their owners, and a lot of room to run and play will make them joyous. A proper exercise routine helps the dog with the following benefits:
Social interaction
Weight control
Stress relief
Behavioral corrections like excessive chewing, persistent barking
Brain stimulation
Strengthening muscles
Routine toileting
Mental health and happiness
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
Medium to high
Intensity
high
Playfulness
Medium to High
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Grooming
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix is not a low-maintenance dog and has a seasonal shedding pattern. They shed heavily during fall and spring, and the phenomenon is called ‘blowing of the coat.’ Generally, they shed medium to a high level and are not hypoallergenic. They are easy to groom, and the coat needs to be brushed 2-3 times per week.
The coat can be either straight or wavy, so you should brush accordingly. Brushing helps remove clump hair and pull out the loose fur during shedding. One of the essential parts of grooming is bathing which keeps the dog clean. However, frequent bathing causes dry skin and itches.
Bathing your dog using shampoos with balanced pH and pet wipes will keep your dog’s coat fresh, clean, and shiny. You can also bathe once a week. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots and tangles.
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Brush their teeth daily to prevent plaque and other dental problems. Never brush the teeth with a stiff brush as it will harm the gums and teeth. Also, make sure to use dog-friendly toothpaste.
Trim their nails. Their toenails need to be checked once a week as longer nails may harm and injure the dog. You can trim the toenails with a commercial dog nail trimmer or with the help of a vet or professional groomer.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes are healthy dogs and may not develop any health concerns. Still, it always helps to know when to take your pup to the vet.
General health
Medium to high
Weight gain tendencies
Medium to low
Size
Medium to large
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is outwardly a painful disease that occurs when the bones of the back legs do not fit properly in the joints. While some dogs will exhibit symptoms, the majority of canines will not. Hip dysplasia is primarily genetic, although other causes such as accidents, excessive weight gain, and inappropriate training can also cause it. Even though this disease is fatal, therapies range from medicine to hip replacement surgery. To avoid this problem, avoid breeding dogs with hip dysplasia parentage and get annual examinations.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
Injuries
Excessive weight gain
Wrong exercises
This condition causes defects or injury to the hip bones and joints and worsens without treatment.
Deformed Eyes (Small Microphthalmia): Animals suffering from this deformation develop smaller eyes as the nictitating membranes cover their eye socket or sockets. For this reason, they may be confined to an eye or both.
Missing Eye or Eyes (Anophthalmia): This congenital disability occurs when one or both eyes are missing. At times, the eyes may have been formed but exist so deep inside the eye socket that the nictitating membrane covers them.
Wandering Eye: This condition is characterized by eye degeneration which causes the lens to be liquefied.
Cataracts: The condition causes cloudiness on the eye lens, which can lead to blindness.
Starburst Pupil (Coloboma): This deformation may be associated with deafness and blindness. It is similar to an eye cleft. This condition may also lead to cataracts in dogs.
Jagged Pupils: Dogs suffering from this defect are sensitive to light as their pupils have irregular edges.
Blindness: Lack of eyesight in one or both eyes
Corectopia: In this condition, the pupils of the eye droop below their normal position.
Cherry Eye: When the glands under your canine’s eyelid protrude, it appears like cherry and has to be removed surgically.
Dry Eye: This painful condition dries the affected eye or creates a blue haze due to the insufficient production of tears. It can be treated with proper medication or tear drops.
Entropion: Entropion is when the eyelids are positioned inwards, disturbing the eye and causing eye irritation. Treatment involves correcting the eyelids surgically.
Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a hereditary disorder characterized by a lack of blood clotting activity. Hemophiliac dogs are prone to bleeding from a variety of sources.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Many eye infections involve the retina’s slow deterioration.
In the initial phases, puppies become night-blind. As it progresses, they lose their eyesight during the daytime as well. However, most canines slowly adapt to their slight or complete sight loss as long as their home surroundings remain the same.
Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder explicitly affecting the part of the spinal cord that carries information to the brain regarding the hind legs. Dogs with DM behave as they don’t know their back legs and cannot move them well. The disease progresses to a case where the dog cannot walk. Most of the time, there is no cure, and the dog is put to rest. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is related to a lack of vitamin E or vitamin-12. If this is the case, vitamin supplements might uphold the situation.
Deafness: Deafness is a heritable condition prevalent among Dogs. They may be prevalent unilaterally (deafness in one ear) or bilaterally (deafness in both the ears). Bilaterally deaf dogs require some special considerations. To get to know your pet better, you can take the BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test, which helps you detect deafness in dogs.
Idiopathic Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy is a common hereditary disorder. It frequently causes seizures, ranging from mild to severe. Unusual behaviors may indicate a stroke or frantically fleeing as threatened, stumbling, or hiding. Seizures frighten, but dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have a relatively good long-term outlook. Other than unexplained epilepsy, seizures can be induced by metabolic disorders, respiratory illnesses of the brain, malignancies, toxin poisoning, and severe traumatic injury.
Perianal Fistula: Perianal Fistula is common in German Shepherd and their mixed breeds. Dogs with this condition will have an infection in the perianal region. The infection might lead to foul-smelling discharges. Dogs will exhibit symptoms like straining to defecate, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, excessive licking near the rectal region, and behavioral changes. Promptly consult a vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
Panosteitis: Young dogs with rapid growth tend to develop panosteitis.
Cataract: As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow gradually. Cataracts may develop at any age and often don’t damage vision, although in some cases cause vision loss. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist certifies the breeding dogs after testing them free of hereditary eye disease before breeding. Usually, cataracts can be removed surgically with good results.
Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable disease common to large-sized dog breeds. It’s caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow, causing joint loosening. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend medication to control the pain or even surgery to correct the problem.
Bloat: German Australian Shepherds suffer from bloat. It is a condition where the stomach is filled with air and twists. The gas in the gut leads to bloat. This can be life-threatening and needs immediate vet care.
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It eliminates the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Recommended Tests
Physical Examination
X-ray imaging
Eye Examinations
Brain Auditory Evoked
Response (BAER)
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Diet and Nutrition
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes are hybrid dogs. They should eat 3-4 cups of high-quality dog food every day. Each puppy is distinctive, and the correct amount and quality of food depend on their age, weight, activity level, health, and more. You can split the food into two 2 cups daily.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes are prone to obesity, so overfeeding must be avoided. The pups can be given dry food. Make sure the diet contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, chondroitin, and glucosamine. You can also feed them with fruits and vegetables that give carbohydrate energy. Never hesitate to consult a vet to meet your pup’s dietary requirements to keep them happy and healthy.
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix Living Condition
German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix is not suggested for apartment dwellers and best suits homes with bigger yards. They love outdoor activities like walking, running, playing, and hunting. However, they have a high prey drive and may wander off due to their hunting instincts. It is best to keep them leashed or within fenced yards for safety.
German Australian Shepherds suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. Boredom and anxiety lead to destructive behaviors like chewing. They do not suit homes with smaller kids and do not do well with smaller animals. They are sensitive and cannot tolerate hot weather conditions.
Adding a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix to Your Family
Things to remember before adding a German Australian Shepherd to your family
Getting a German Australian Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder is best to prevent unavoidable circumstances like health disorders and provide you with vaccination certificates. It is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure his health and happiness. Always remember the following red flags to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Puppies are available around the year.
You can choose from a variety of litter that is always available.
One will be promised any puppy they want.
We recommend you visit the puppy and his parents and get health clearance and vaccination certificates, to avoid purchasing a weaker puppy.
Cost of a German Australian Shepherd Puppy
The cost of a German Australian Shepherd ranges from $300 to $2000.
