Discover the 13 Most Adorable German Shepherd Mixes (Crossbreeds)

German Shepherds are a fantastic breed that are loyal, strong and brave. While sometimes they have garnered a reputation for being scary and intimidating, this is purely because, when coupled with their strength, they are easy to train as guard dogs. They actually have a whole host of positive characteristics that can make them great pets, which is one of the reasons that they are often chosen to be mixed with other breeds that have similarly positive traits with the hope the result is yet another great dog.

Here is our guide to the top 13 German Shepherd mixes along with their good and bad points.

German Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix or Golden Shepherd

These are two of the most popular breeds for family dogs that are available on the puppy market. When breeders mix the two together, it results in an absolutely gorgeous dog with a loveable face and gloriously fluffy coat. While that may not suit all houses, especially ones with people with allergies, a Golden Shepherd mix will please homes that want a big dog who will soon become an important part of the family.

Both pure breeds have extremely loyal streaks who can be very protective of its owners and nothing short of devoted. They are loving and affectionate so are happiest when they are around their owners. However, whilst they are both smart, they do need some training and socialization as early as possible to ensure that they are well behaved – given their size, any mischief can be magnified.

In short, though, this is a wonderful breed that is hard to find fault with.

German Shepherd Labrador Mix or Labrashepherd

The Labrashepherd is similar to the Golden Shepherd in that they make fantastic family pets owing to their loving nature. One positive in comparison to the Golden Shepherd however is that they malt slightly less owing to a shorter haired coat. The mix itself is still a large dog breed even though Labradors are naturally a bit smaller than German Shepherds themselves.

However, given both the intelligence of both breeds, their size should not be an issue if they are trained early enough and exercised enough on a daily basis. Labradors are people pleasing dogs who love to learn new tricks, so teaching them is easier than most other dog breeds, which is a trait that has been passed down into Labrashepherds. They make fantastic companions if potential owners are looking for friendship and are exceedingly loving.

German Shepherd Chow Mix or Chow Shepherd

This mixed breed is perhaps one of the cutest mixed breeds around owing to all the fantastic fluffy fur that is created when a pure bred German Shepherd is mixed with a Chow Chow. That being said, whilst cute, they are big dogs that can weigh up to almost 100 pounds which is something for owners to be aware of before making a purchase of this mix. Whilst they are highly devoted animals, they can also have an almost limitless amount of energy which can be a handful when coupled with their size.

They love to play and shower their owners with love and affection as well. They are not always the friendliest with strangers but this manifests itself as simply being aloof and is never aggressive.

Ultimately, these dogs are impressive to look at given how regal they look with their lion like features, as well as being wonderful companions.

German Shepherd Pug Mix or Shug

By mixing the small breed of a Pug with the large breed of a German Shepherd, breeders have come up with a medium sized pooch that is full of energy. While this level of activity and craziness may not suit all potential owners, most people are won over by a Shug’s loyalty which is extremely endearing. They are also always incredibly happy pups which makes them fun to be around.

Given the German Shepherd in a Shug, one may think that they could make for good guard dogs, however due to the amount of people pleasing Pug in them they end up simply wanting to play with any strangers who could be intruders.

On the flip side of that however, is that this makes them great dogs for families with children of any age. They love to play and turn any house into a home with their fun loving natures.

German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix or German Australian Shepherd

These two breeds are an obvious breed that have resulted in a cross that is popular – especially with owners who can put them to work on farms or have a great deal of land for them to roam. Both breeds are smart as well as powerful and athletic, which can also make them great guard dogs. The mix has resulted in a medium sized dog that is slightly smaller than the pure German Shepherd, but this has not diminished their energy levels in anyway way.

Their protective natures also make them fantastic additions to families and they are sometimes used as therapy dogs these days. Additionally, their smart minds sees them put to work as military or police dogs who enjoy the companionship of a trainer. In short, they are a great all rounder for any family or would be owner that has enough time to dedicate to giving it the amount of exercise it needs.

German Shepherd Siberian Husky Mix or Shepsky

The well named Shepsky is a wonderful mix of two wolf like dogs in the German Shepherd and Siberian Husky. These mix breeds are not for the faint hearted thanks to both pure lines having the ability to walk the prairies for days on end. They require a great deal of work and exercise therefore, but owners of this good looking breed don’t mind as they will love the opportunity to show off their handsome pup.

Both breeds are also exceptionally clever and while this can make them great to train, sometimes this may backfire on an owner who may find that their Shepsky is actually able to outsmart them with its cunning. However, those that are dedicated to its training as well as those who have the time simply to chill out and play with this breed will find that their dog is, for the most part, well behaved.

German Shepherd Border Collie Mix or German Collie

These two breeds are often voted the most popular breed of dog, so when they are mixed together, they really do result in a fantastic mix. They are both known for their intelligence and none of that is lost when a German Shepherd and Border Collie are mixed together.

They both abound in energy however given both working dog backgrounds so a German Collie will need to become part of a household that has owners that can cope with their activity levels as well as size. Those with small apartments should perhaps look at another breed, though those with a large garden and near places to go on long walks will be absolutely fine.

What owners have to give their German Collies in time dedicated to walking and play, they will receive back in eternal loyalty and devotion. They can make great guard dogs owing to their protective streak that comes from loving each and every family member.

German Shepherd St. Bernard Mix or Saint Shepherd

These two famous breeds amalgamate into one of the fluffiest animals on the planet when mixed together. They’re a fantastic dog to add to any home or family given that they are so loving as well as calm and kind. However, their size and protective instinct also make them brilliant as guard dogs.

Given the German Shepherd’s working dog background, they do need some exercise, but St.Bernards are naturally laid back breeds so they won’t be scrabbling around for a walk from the moment you wake in the morning. The mix also results in a very intelligent dog who is easy to train given their want to please.

Whilst laidback, that is not to say they don’t love to play and they will never say no to a game of tug with a family member. They are fine around children, though their size makes them a bit more suited for families with older kids.

German Shepherd Corgi Mix or Corman Shepherd

When mixing a small dog with a big dog, you are bound to come up with a breed that has a quirky look about them, but actually the German Shepherd and the Corgi do have a great deal of characteristics in common that make them fantastics dogs. For starters, as working dogs that were often used on farms, they are great for herding, but also smart.

They are also a cute hybrid that are very affectionate towards their owners. However, those owners need to be aware that these dogs have almost boundless amounts of energy so will need daily walks of a fair length to tire them out, as well as owners that have the time to play lots of games with them so they do not start chewing on furniture and destroying shoes or items left on the floor.

They can be quite stubborn so owners will need to have a lot of patience when training them as well as a determination that can match their dog’s will. Given that they are so intelligent, they are quick to pick up on when their owner can be ignored.

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German Shepherd Basset Hound Mix or Basset Shepherd

This is a mix that one would not ordinarily think to breed together. However, somehow mixing the German Shepherd with a Basset Hound results in a handsome dog that has some incredibly positive attributes.

For starters, both breeds are some of the most intelligent around, and they are also very alert so if would be owners are on the lookout for a guard dog or watch dog, this could be a suitable breed for them.

That being said, as they are both active, potential owners should be aware that coming from a working dog breed means that they do require a fair bit of exercise to tire them out, keep them fit and, importantly, from displaying any negative and destructive behavior. However, if properly entertained the Basset Shepherd can be an excellent addition to any family. They are loving and calm, as well as very easy to train. For households with families, they are fantastic as they are great with children.

German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix or Blue Shepherd

The German Shepherd Blue Heeler mix is an extremely attractive fluffy dog breed, also known as the Blue Shepherd. The Blue Heeler purebred is sometimes known as the Australian Cattle Dog and so with this mix, are some characteristics of a working dog that loves to run around all day.

They are very strong and, given the Blue Heeler in them, they are both athletic and powerful at the same time. They are easy to train by experienced dog owners as they are very loyal, but their power can sometimes be a bit much for dog novices. They are hard not to buy though if seen as a puppy as they are the most adorable bundles of fluff.

Being a working dog means that this mix breed needs a lot of exercise so they are not the breed for families that cannot devote a certain amount of time each day to him to take him for a long walk as well as playing with him often enough so that he does not get bored.

German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix or Shepherd Inu

The Shepherd Inu mix is a very handsome dog and start off as some of the cutest puppies out there. They grow to become a medium sized dog given that the Shiba Inu pure breed is slightly smaller than a pure German Shepherd. However, they remain extremely strong and have a very energetic nature.

These two characteristics transpire against owners as it does not always make them the easiest of dogs to handle. However, those with a wealth of experience in training dogs as well as those with a lot of time and patience, will soon be able to have these dogs under control – even in the face of their sometimes boundless energy. That being said, bearing this in mind, would be owners should be aware that these dogs do need a great deal of space so those with gardens will be fine. However, if these dogs are not tired out or entertained, their boredom can manifest itself into some of the worst destructive behavior a dog can display.

They are a protective mix breed, which also needs to be kept under control, but if socialized early enough with other dogs and humans, families with a Shepherd Inu will be fine. When on their own with their pack they are very affectionate and loves to play.

German Shepherd Doberman Mix or Doberman Shepherd

This mix of a Doberman with a German Shepherd has resulted in one of the strongest dog breeds available. To some, they may verge on the intimidating to come across, but that is not to say that they are an ugly breed in any respect of the word. Their strength, whilst obvious, is also quite awe-inspiring at times and it most certainly makes them exceptionally brave.

In fact, their courage is one of the main reasons these dogs are so popular – particularly as guard dogs or for all round protection. His size most definitely helps with this given that both pure breeds are large. Would be owners, should bear this in mind before buying one, even if they do want one of the most courageous dogs around.

They are otherwise dogs that are full of life and are easy to train given their natural instinct to want to protect their family or pack. Whilst they can give the impression of being scary, they can also be incredibly charming to have around and soon become firm favorites of any family.

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German Shepherd Mixes – The Bottom Line

Potential dog owners will do well to research into German Shepherd mixes given the pure bred breed’s intelligent and devoted nature. When mixed with other dogs, these characteristics can be enhanced and added to by some attributes that other great dog breeds have. However, in the main, German Shepherd breeds will not only always be at least medium sized, they will invariably need a fair bit of exercise so they are not the dogs for those that do not have the space or the time to give a dog with such requirements.