15 Irresistible German Shepherd Mixes

It’s hard to find a more loyal, intelligent, hard-working dog than a Shepherd. Bred to herd and protect livestock, they are adept at working closely with humans but also skilled at making independent decisions. It’s no wonder why Shepherd mixes are extremely popular. It’s common to find different types of Shepherds (such as the Belgian Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and Australian Shepherd) combined with many other breeds. But German Shepherd mixes are the most popular.

German Shepherd mixes are frequently available for adoption in animal shelters and through rescue groups. In the right environment, German Shepherd mixes are wonderful family dogs — friendly, social, and just attentive enough. Here are a few of the cutest German Shepherd mixes around.

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German Shepherd + Pit Bull mix

A German Shepherd mixed with a Pit Bull is commonly called a Shepherd Pit or German Pit. Because these breeds have quite different builds, physical appearance may vary. But a Shepherd Pit is usually medium to large in size and might have a muscular body. Like the parent breeds, Shepherd Pits can be loyal and attentive, so consistent training is essential. The coat can be longer with an undercoat, short and smooth, or somewhere in between.

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German Shepherd + Golden Retriever mix

German Shepherd and Golden Retriever mixes are similar to German Shepherd and Lab mixes in terms of energy level. Often called a Golden Shepherd, this mix is medium to large, with a short- or medium-length double coat, which might be golden, black, or black and tan. Friendly and affectionate, Golden Shepherds can be good family dogs, as long as they get enough training and exercise.

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German Shepherd + Poodle mix

Known as a Shepadoodle, German Shepherds are often mixed with Poodles to try to create a German Shepherd with the Poodle’s non-shedding coat. In reality, Shepadoodles may or may not be “hypoallergenic.” The coat might be similar to a German Shepherd’s, more like a Poodle, wavy, or even wiry. Shepadoodles tend to be highly intelligent and trainable — they thrive on plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Depending on the size of the Poodle parent, they might be small, medium, or large.

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German Shepherd + Rottweiler mix

A German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix is called a Shepweiler or Rottie Shepherd. These are large dogs with a natural tendency to watch over their family, so they must receive adequate training and early socialization to learn to be more accepting of friendly strangers and other dogs. Shepweilers are frequently black and tan, with short- or medium-length coats.

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German Shepherd + Corgi mix

A German Shepherd and Corgi mix, called a Corman Shepherd or Corgi Shepherd, usually has the short legs of a Corgi with the body of a German Shepherd. The double coat is short to medium in length, and can be black and tan like a Shepherd, black, tan, bi-colored, or tri-colored. Both parent breeds are herding dogs, so expect increased herding instincts with this mix — and plan on offering abundant exercise.

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German Shepherd + Border Collie mix

Commonly referred to as a Shollie, the German Shepherd and Border Collie mix combines two breeds with stellar herding skills, intelligence, and work ethics. This results in a phenomenal dog that does best when given a job to do, whether herding or training for dog sports and plenty of exercise. The Shollie is usually medium to large in stature, while their double coat is short to medium in length, and comes in many different colors.

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German Shepherd + Australian Shepherd mix

Another great herding combo, a German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd mix is usually called a German Australian Shepherd or Shepherd Aussie. These highly energetic dogs have high herding drives, which can be channeled through training and exercise. They can look rather unique, with some pups inheriting the striking merle coat pattern of the Aussie.

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German Shepherd + Chow mix

Called a Sheprachow or Chow Shepherd, the German Shepherd and Chow Chow is a distinctive mix. They often have the thick, fluffy coat of the Chow Chow, and might inherit that breed’s unique blue-colored tongue as well. Any Chow mix benefits from lots of socialization, to ensure they are comfortable around new people and animals. Chows can also be challenging to train, but do best with fair and consistent methods.

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German Shepherd + Husky mix

Usually called a Shepsky or Gerberian Shepsky, a German Shepherd mixed with a Siberian Husky is a medium to large dog with an athletic build. Because both parent breeds are high-energy working dogs, a Shepsky is extremely active and needs plenty of exercise, training, and mental stimulation. The double coat might look more like a Husky’s or more like a German Shepherd’s — or it could be a combination of the two.

German Shepherd + Lab mix

Whether you call it a Sheprador or Labrashepherd, a German Shepherd mixed with a Labrador Retriever is likely to be medium to large, with a double coat that varies in length. Labs and shepherds are active and energetic, so exercise is key. These breeds share qualities of high intelligence, trainability, and loyalty making a Shepador a wonderful pup.

German Shepherd + Boxer mix

This mix, called a Boxer Shepherd or German Boxer, is usually muscular and athletic but doesn’t often resemble either of the parent breeds. Their coat may be short and smooth, or medium-long. 

German Shepherd + Doberman mix

A Doberman Shepherd is frequently black and tan, though their coat might be short and smooth or longer and thicker. This mix needs consistent training and vigorous daily exercise.

German Shepherd + Belgian Malinois mix

These two breeds are similar in appearance and temperament, so they end up looking a lot like the parent breeds. Expect a considerable herding drive and an extra amount of intensity from their Malinois side.

German Shepherd + Akita mix

Called an Akita Shepherd or Shepherd Akita, this mix usually has a large, powerful build. Due to the Akita’s strong sense of loyalty, they need abundant early socialization and manners to help them understand social cues.

German Shepherd + Beagle mix

A Shepherd Beagle or Beagle Shepherd, as this mix is known, might be small or medium, with a short or semi-long coat. A Shepherd Beagle will likely be friendly, energetic, and affectionate with their human family.

German Shepherd + Australian Cattle Dog mix

Whether you call them an Australian Shepherd Cattle Dog or Cattle Shepherd, this mix is sure to pack intense energy, drive, and herding instincts. They are usually medium-sized, with a short coat. 

Commonly asked questions

Are German Shepherd mixes good dogs?

Yes, German Shepherd mixes are good dogs. These highly energetic dogs would do best in an active home with lots of physical and mental exercise, especially if mixed with another working breed. Mixed-breed dogs have fewer consistent physical and temperamental characteristics compared to purebred dogs, but you can make some guesses based on the two breeds involved. Regardless of which breeds are in the mix, all German Shepherd mixes are individuals.

How long do Shepherd mixes live?

How long a Shepherd mix will live partly depends on the other breed in the mix. In general, smaller dogs have longer average lifespans and larger dogs have shorter lifespans. Meanwhile, dogs that are 100 percent German Shepherd live an average of 12 to 14 years.  

How big do German Shepherd mixes get?

German Shepherd mixes can be small, medium, or large depending on the other breeds in the mix. Pure German Shepherd Dogs are 22 to 26 inches tall, and weigh 50 to 90 pounds on average.

Are German Shepherd mixes easy to train?

Although the trainability of a German Shepherd mix is partly dependent on the other breed in the mix, German Shepherd Dogs are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. This means it’s likely that a German Shepherd mix will be easy to train as well. But let’s be real: Regardless of the mix, building a strong bond and raising a well-behaved pup takes time and consistent effort, even with quick learners. Enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer can provide essential guidance for new pet parents.

 Do Shepherd mixes shed?

German Shepherds shed a fair amount, so most Shepherd mixes will shed as well. Occasionally, a German Shepherd mixed with a Poodle or other non-shedding breed might inherit the same type of coat and shed very little or not at all.

Are German Shepherd mixes hypoallergenic?

No, German Shepherd mixes are not hypoallergenic. In some rare cases, a German Shepherd mixed with a Poodle or other non-shedding breed might inherit their coat and be somewhat tolerable for people with allergies.

How to adopt a German Shepherd mix

If you want to bring home a German Shepherd mix, first consider adopting one. Many different German Shepherd mixes of all ages are waiting for their forever homes.

The easiest way to adopt a German Shepherd mix is through a rescue that specializes in them. But there are many German Shepherd mixes available through general rescue groups and in animal shelters, too. A great place to start is by creating a breed search on Adopt a Pet. The search will show you all the available German Shepherd mixes in your area.

References

American Kennel Club: German Shepherd Dog