Greyhound German Shepherd Mix

This may be the first time you have heard of the Greyhound German Shepherd mix, as they are not the most common breed. Usually, we see either the Greyhound or German Shepherd as purebreds, but when combined these two breeds can produce a dog of high stamina, intelligence, and athleticism in abundance. 

Lifespan 

The Greyhound German Shepherd mix is long-lived for a large breed dog. Between age ten and thirteen would be the expected lifespan for this mix. 

Personality

The Greyhound German Shepherd mix will inherit personality traits from both breeds, so each dog is truly unique. 

German Shepherds are bold, brave, and territorial. They are fiercely loyal to their owner and tend to bond strongly with their handler. They do have a tendency to bite and bark if they are not well socialized and trained. This breed was originally bred for herding, and in today’s world, is used in the police and defense forces for detection and guarding work. 

Greyhounds are even-tempered, gentle, and sociable dogs. They fit in well with family life and are very intelligent. Originally used for hunting and more recently in dog racing, their athletic prowess is undeniable. As such, the modern-day greyhound needs a considerable amount of exercise to avoid destructive behaviors or signs of anxiety in the home. 

Exercise needs  

Both breeds need at least one hour per day of exercise. Ideally, with a combination of on and off-leash walking during walks, being allowed time for sniffing or exploring the area to fulfill emotional as well as physical needs.

Due to the high intelligence of both the German Shepherd and the Greyhound, these mixed breeds can participate in scent work, agility, obedience, and herding with ease. This particular mix thoroughly enjoys having a purpose, so signing up to regular classes will bring your Greyhound German Shepherd mix much joy. 

Sociability 

If well trained, these dogs can settle well into social settings with people or other dogs alike. If they are not trained and socialized from a young age, behavioral issues can develop making them difficult to integrate into normal life. Working with a trainer can help overcome these problems, but regular socialization and training from a young age have massive rewards for this breed. 

Grooming

A greyhound naturally has a fine, short coat, so if your Greyhound German Shepherd mix inherits this type of coat, your grooming needs will be minimal. A once-weekly light brush over will be enough to remove any dead hairs and dirt. 

If your greyhound German Shepherd mix takes after the German Shepherd side, then your grooming regime will be a little different. German Shepherds have double coats, designed to keep them warm during the cold winter months. These thick double coats shed easily, and twice a year the undercoat will change completely. During these times, daily brushing will be needed. At other points in the year when they are not shedding, brushing two to three times a week is needed. 

Bathing to remove mud after a walk is fine but avoid regular baths, as bathing too frequently can remove important oils from the hairs. These oils keep the coat healthy and add to the waterproof nature of the coat, so are very important for normal bodily functions. 

Keep nails short with regular trimming and keep their teeth in optimal health with daily teeth brushing. Always use pet-safe toothpaste when brushing dog’s teeth as human toothpaste can contain toxic ingredients to dogs such as xylitol. 

Health 

German Shepherds and Greyhounds are both predisposed to a condition called bloat, or GDV. The chances of this condition occurring are reduced with a preventative surgery called gastropexy. This surgery is often done at the same time as desexing. We would highly recommend this surgery if you are thinking of bringing a German Shepherd Greyhound mix into your family. 

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, so always purchase from a breeder who has had their German Shepherd hip and elbow scored to reduce your chances of having a dog who suffers from elbow and hip dysplasia.