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Lycan Shepherd – Everything You Need to Know

Lycan Shepherd is a dog breed that is a cross between a German Shepherd, a Belgian Malinois, and a Blue Bay Shepherd. They take their name “Lycan” owing to the lycanthrope resemblance. According to folklore, a lycanthrope is a werewolf, which can shift into a complete wolf or a creature with wolf-like characteristics. 

“Lycan” takes its origin from the Greek word Lykos, which means ‘wolf.’ The term Shepherd was given as Lycan Shepherds are a mix of German Shepherds and Blue Bay Shepherds. Lycan Shepherds are a somewhat unusual hybrid dog breed that has only existed for two generations. This dog breed is currently in its early stages of development. 

Lycan Shepherd is, nevertheless, cross-bred for its superior intelligence, wolf-like looks, and obedience. The breed is expected to have tremendous problem-solving ability, a wolfish appearance with black coats, bright eyes, and massive heads, and be as loyal as its German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois ancestors. 

There are just a few Lycan shepherds in the world. They came from a single breeder, who indicated in 2017 that they were not yet accessible to the general public and would not be for several years. It’s unclear how long it will take until this breed is generally accessible, as it looks to be in its first or second generation.

Lycan Shepherd Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Highly obedientRare breed
Easy trainingAggressive
Highly intelligentUnexpected temperament

Lycan Shepherd Basic Information

  • Name: Lycan Shepherd
  • Height: 22 – 28 inches
  • Weight: 48 – 100 pounds
  • Size: Large
  • Color: Blue, black
  • Coat: Thick, dense, plush
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Energy: High
  • Activities: Agile, intelligent, working dogs
  • Barking Level: Unknown
  • Shedding Level: High
  • Group: Mixed breed
  • Litter size: Unknown
  • Life span: 10 – 14 years
  • Other names: German Wolf Dog

German Shepherd Vs. Belgian Malinois vs. Blue Bay Shepherd: A Comparison

FeaturesGerman ShepherdBelgian MalinoisBlue Bay Shepherd
ImageInserting image...
OriginGermanyBelgiumFlorida
Height22 – 26 inches22 – 26 inchesMale/Female 30 inches
Weight50 – 90 pounds40 – 80 poundsMale: 85 – 105 pounds Female: 70 – 85 pounds
SizeLargeLargeLarge
GroupsHerdingHerdingFamily dogs
Children-friendlyHighMedium to highMedium to high
Family-friendlyHighHighHigh
Pet-friendlyLowLow to mediumMedium to high
Barking-levelHighLow to mediumToo soon to know
Shedding-levelHighLow to mediumMedium to high
HypoallergenicNoNoNo
Grooming needsLowMediumMedium
Overall healthMedium to highMedium to highMedium to high
EnergyMediumHighHigh
Exercise needsHighHighHigh
TrainabilityHighMedium to highHigh
ActivitiesAgility, herding, conformation, obedience, rally, trackingAgility, herding, companion dogs, guard dogs, military dogsIntelligent, companion dogs 
Complication in breedingNoNoNo
Litter size6 – 8 puppies6 – 10 puppiesYet to know
Life span9 – 13 years12 – 14 yearsYet to know
Other namesAlsatian, Deutscher SchaeferhundMalinois, Chien De Berger Belge, Mechelaar, Mechelse Herder, Mechelse Scheper, Pastor Belga Malinois

Lycan Shepherd Personality

Lycan Shepherds preserve their Blue Bay Shepherd parents’ wolf-like looks. They’re big dogs with thick black hair, lean, muscular frames, narrow faces, and upright ears. Lycan Shepherd’s eyes come in various colors, including blue, brown, black, and silver-gray. Lycan Shepherd may grow between 20 and 35 inches tall (51cm-89cm) and weigh 40 and 80 pounds.

All three parent breeds of Lycan Shepherds are highly tolerant of coldness. Hence, Lycan Shepherd inherits the same trait besides his thick double coat. However, we are less sure of his heat tolerance. Nevertheless, do not leave your dog in extreme temperatures for a long time to avoid skin issues and allergies.

Belgian Malinois and Blue Bay Shepherd bark moderately while German Shepherds bark and howl. Inheriting from their parent breeds, Lycan Shepherds are protective dogs, and so they will bark, looking at the strangers. 

Friendliness Overview

Affection levelMedium
Family-friendlyHigh
Kid-friendlyLow to medium
Pet-friendlyMedium
Stranger-friendlyLow to medium

Adaptability Overview

Good for apartment livingLow to medium
Good for new ownersLow to medium
Sensitivity levelMedium to high
Tolerates being aloneUnknown
Cold-toleranceHigh
Heat-toleranceLow to medium

Lycan Shepherd Temperament 

When it comes to Lycan shepherds, predicting a breed-wide norm for personality is challenging. This is because it is a newer breed that is continually developing. Lycan Shepherds will most likely acquire numerous urges like fight, defense, and prey from his German shepherd ancestors’ working line. If you’re thinking about getting a Lycan, you should think about the personalities of the three dog breeds that make up the Lycan Shepherd lineage. Consider the following scenario: 

German Shepherds are devoted to their owners and work hard. They are excellent guard and service dogs. They are lively and accept their duty as working dogs, as they are shepherding dogs. This is why police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and seeing-eye dogs are regularly utilized. 

German shepherds are clever and obedient. However, they have excessive energy and need to be kept busy, or else they’ll become restless. 

Blue Bay Shepherds have many characteristics familiar with German Shepherds, but owing to their DNA, they also exhibit wolf-like characteristics.  In addition, they can have unpredictable personalities and be violent and shy in some circumstances. 

If properly raised and trained, Blue Bay Shepherds make terrific companions and are more affectionate and attentive than their German predecessors. 

Belgian Malinois are self-assured watchdogs who are protective of their owners. They are highly energetic and require a lot of physical activity. Although they don’t bark as often as German Shepherds, they have protective barking tendencies. 

To sum it up, Lycan Shepherd is: 

  • Friendly 
  • Playful 
  • Loyal 
  • Protective 
  • Caring 
  • Affectionate 
  • Trustworthy
  • Problem-solving 
  • Social 

Lycan Shepherd Training 

Since the parent breeds are excellent at training, Lycan Shepherds are equally intelligent and highly trainable with a few challenges. 

Blue Bay, German, and Malinois dogs are all bright and like to be cognitively stimulated, yet they may be headstrong and unpredictable. 

To train a Lycan Shepherd: 

  • Be resistant to unpredictability. 
  • Stay physically fit as they are high-energy dogs.
  • Maintain a controlled household.

Like every dog, Lycan Shepherds need early socialization. So, introduce him to people and other pets when young. This ensures that your puppy grows up to be a well-behaved dog.

Training Overview

Easy to trainLow to medium
IntelligenceHigh
Prey driveHigh
Mouthiness tendenciesUnknown
Barking and Howling tendenciesMedium
Wanderlust tendenciesMedium to high

Lycan Shepherd Exercise Needs

Based on their parent breeds, Lycan shepherds require a lot of activity to stay happy and healthy. It’s worth mentioning that simple strolls may not be sufficient. Lycan Shepherds are working breeds developed to do specific tasks that cannot be overstated. Similarly, Lycan Shepherds will most likely require something to keep them occupied and interested. Given their physical and mental abilities, they may be well-suited to agility training.

Exercise Needs Overview

Energy levelMedium to high
Exercise needsHigh
IntensityUnknown
PlayfulnessMedium to high

Lycan Shepherd Grooming

Weekly brushing, occasional bathing, and routine grooming such as cutting their nails, cleaning their eyes and ears are all required of Lycan Shepherd. They are moderate shedders. Hence, they will require additional brushing to keep away matting. Inheriting the German Shepherd coat, Lycan Shepherds shed a lot and are unsuitable for allergic people. Regular grooming is a must for a smooth and shiny coat.

Grooming Overview

Amount of sheddingMedium
Easy to groomMedium
Drooling tendenciesLow to medium

Lycan Shepherd Health

Generally, mixed breeds are healthier. However, Lycan Shepherd can have health issues that are common to his parent breeds.  

Health Overview

General healthMedium
Weight gain tendenciesUnknown
SizeLarge
  • Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common bone ailment that affects gigantic breed dogs, although it can also affect smaller breeds. 
  • 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.
  • Allergies: Few German Shepherds and their mixed breeds suffer from various allergies, differing from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergies in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your dog is scratching, licking at their paws, or rubbing their face a lot, suspect that they have an allergy and take them to the vet.
  • Arthritis: This condition, which is most frequent in older dogs, can affect the legs, hips, back, and other body areas, making daily activities uncomfortable. However, as a dog owner, you can watch for signs of arthritis in dogs. So, if your dog is diagnosed, you may discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. 
  • Lumbosacral Syndrome: Clinical indications are caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the nerves exiting the spine. A constricted spinal canal can be caused by arthritis, an intervertebral disc herniation, a disc infection, trauma, a congenital abnormality, or a spinal malignancy. Arthritic degeneration and intervertebral disc herniation are the most prevalent causes. 
  • Bloating: Also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, bloating is a condition in which a dog’s stomach twists when it fills with gas, food, or liquids. GDV appears out of nowhere and can progress swiftly. There is always a situation that requires immediate attention. 
  • Eye issues: Lycan shepherds may have eye issues like cataracts. However, it is not yet sure if Lycan Shepherds can be affected with severe optical disorders.  
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease: The most prevalent hereditary bleeding problem in dogs is Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD). It’s caused by a lack of a specific protein that helps platelets (blood cells that aid with clotting) adhere together and form clots to close damaged blood arteries. Von Willebrand factor is the name of the missing protein (vWF). 
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: The inability to generate enough pancreatic enzymes to digest lipids, carbs and proteins is known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This problem in digestion promotes inadequate nutrition absorption, resulting in weight loss notwithstanding a normal or increased appetite. 
  • Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy (DM), commonly known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM), is a spinal cord illness that causes weakening and paralysis in the hind limbs. Degeneration of the white matter of the spinal cord causes the symptoms.

Lycan Shepherd Diet and Nutrition

Lycan shepherds require 2-3 cups of high-quality food divided into two meals every day. In addition, Lycan shepherds may benefit from joint-protecting vitamin supplements because of the parent breeds’ proclivity for joint issues. Allow your Lycan Shepherds to drink water at constant breaks.

Lycan Shepherd Living Conditions

Lycan Shepherds need a huge backyard to play and roam freely. If not let out, he can be aggressive, and may get behavioral issues. For a new pet owner, a professional trainer is essential.  

Adding Lycan Shepherd to Your Family

Things to remember before adding Lycan Shepherd to your family

Lycan Shepherd is not in the market to purchase. However, while adding a Lycan Shepherd to your family, you must buy from a reputable breeder in the coming years. Additionally, due to the dog’s rarity, there might be various complications, conditions, training, grooming, feeding procedures that need proper assessment.  

Cost of a Lycan Shepherd puppy

Due to its rarity, the price of Lycan Shepherds is not known.

The breeder wasn’t selling these dogs to the general public as of 2017. However, the price will undoubtedly be high if and when he does. There are chances that the breed would cost around $3000 – $5000.  

Lycan Shepherd Images

Lycan Shepherd Video

Lycan Shepherd Puppies

Lycan Shepherd

Lycan Shepherd

Other Belgian Malinois Mixes

  • Labrador Malinois
  • Malinois Greyhound
  • Belusky
  • Mali-Dutchie
  • German Malinois
  • Belgian Boxer
  • Akita Malinois
  • Dobernois
  • Belgian Malamute
  • Pitbull Malinois
  • Malinois Italiano

Other German Shepherd Mixes

  • Airedale Shepherd  
  • Akita German Shepherd Mix  
  • Alaskan Shepherd  
  • American Shepherd  
  • American Bulldog Shepherd  
  • Basset Shepherd
  • Beagle Shepherd  
  • Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix  
  • Bernese Shepherd  
  • Border Collie German Shepherd  
  • Boxer Shepherd 
  • Cane Corso German Shepherd Mix  
  • Catashepherd  
  • Chigerpherd  
  • Chow Shepherd  
  • Corger Shepherd
  • Corgi German Shepherd Mix  
  • Corman Shepherd  
  • Dachshund Shepherd  
  • Dane Shepherd  
  • Doberman Shepherd 
  • Dobgerpherd  
  • English Shepherd  
  • Euro Mountain Sheparnese  
  • French Bullger Shepherd  
  • Gerberian Shepsky
  • German Anatolian Shepherd  
  • German Australian Shepherd  
  • Germanees  
  • German Ridgeback  
  • German Shepherd Chow Mix  
  • German Shepherd Pitbull Mix  
  • German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix  
  • German Shepherd Shih Tzu Mix  
  • German Shepherd Terrier Mix  
  • German Sheppit 
  • German Wolf  
  • Golden Shepherd  
  • Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix  
  • Husky Shepherd   
  • Malinois X  
  • Mastiff Shepherd  
  • Newfougerpherd  
  • New Shep  
  • Labrashepherd  
  • Pitbull German Shepherd Mix
  • Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix  
  • Poodleherd   
  • Rhodesian Shepherd  
  • Saint Shepherd  
  • Sharpherd  
  • Sheltie Shepherd  
  • Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix  
  • Shepkita  
  • Sheprador  
  • Shepweiler
  • Shollie  
  • Shug  
  • Pugger Shepherd  
  • Siberian Shepherd  
  • Spanierd
  • Weim Shepherd  
  • Wolf Shepherd

Other Blue Bay Shepherd Mixes

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