This is an amazing but rare breed mix as the Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is alternatively called the “Shepnees” or “Shepherd Pyrenees.” The Shepherd Pyrenees, a lesser-known hybrid dog, combines the best of both worlds with traits from both hugely popular dog breeds, and grows into an intelligent, loyal, and gentle protector. Here, we explain everything prospective owners need to know about the Great Pyrenees German shepherd mix, including info on appearance, personality, health care and more.
The German Pyrenees (Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix) With their loyalty, protectiveness, and strength, these family-favourite dogs are now a favorite among families, outdoor lovers, and those who need a good guard dog. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about this amazing breed, from appearance and behaviour to care and training.
Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix: At a glance
| Weight: | 75–120 pounds |
| Height: | 24–32 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Coat colours: | White, black and tan, sable, cream, either gray or a blend of these colours. |
| Temperament: | Protective, loyal and affectionate, intelligent and trainable, good with children and other pets, gentle with family. |
| Suitable for: | active families, experienced owners with large dogs, committed to consistent training and exercise, yard for them to play and explore. |
| Exercise: | 60–90 minutes of daily exercise. |
| Grooming: | Brush coat 2–3 times per week to remove loose fur, Bath once every 6–8 weeks, trim their nails, Brush their teeth a few times a week, clean ears to avoid infection. |
What does a Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix look like?
Origin and history of the Parent Breeds
Mixing two completely different breeds, the Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is a dog that embodies loyalty, intelligence, and protectiveness.
Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees (or, more literally, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog) is a very old breed from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. A historically utilized livestock guardian, this breed is strong, protective, and gentle with its people.
These are two robust, well-established breeds with interesting histories, none the less. Each breed here has its origins, one of the oldest breeds is the Great Pyrenees bred to safeguard sheep from the predators in the Pyrenees mountains, that lie between France and Spain. They are characterized to be calm, patient, and protective, traits that have been inherited to the Shepnees.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a herding breed first developed in Germany in the late 19th century to herd sheep and other livestock. Due to its intelligence, versatility, and loyalty, the breed has since become popular all over the world and is often utilized as a working dog in military and police roles.
Known for their intelligence, agility, and loyalty, they are ideal for police work, search and rescue, and assistance roles. The Shepnees combines a mix of these characteristics, making it a flexible and attractive family pet.
Physical appearance and Characteristics: Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix
This mix typically carries on the stocky, massive body of the Great Pyrenees and the athleticism and frame of the German Shepherd.
The large Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd mix weighs between 75 to 120 lbs and stands 24 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder. Most often, these dogs have a thick double-coat; Their coats may vary in color, but usually consists of white, black, tan or cream color.
Shepnees typically take on the regal build of a Great Pyrenees, with ears that stand erect, like those of a German Shepherd, but they come in different sizes and looks. As a result of their parent breeds, both are powerful dogs with a muscular structure.
Coat type and colours: Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix
The protective coat of a Shepnees is typically a thick double coat, shielding them from both both hot and cold temperatures.
Common coat colors include:
- White
- Black and tan
- Sable
- Cream
- Either gray or a blend of these colors
They could of course inherit the denser fur of the Great Pyrenees which may have more tendency to shed, but may also have the sleeker coat of the German Shepherd. Frequent grooming is required in order to maintain their coat quality.
Eyes and Facial Features
A lot of bark in almond shaped piercing brown/almost amber eyes are coat colors are common in this mix. Their ears can be German shepherd erect or slightly droopy due to them inheriting them from the Great Pyrenees. The face is typically well formed with a prominent muzzle and an sly, attentive demeanor.
Temperament and personality: Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix
This loyal, protective mix is a great family dog (after proper training and socialization) Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd mixgoogle.com The Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd mix has an innate loyalty, protectiveness, and gentle character for family members.
Both parent breeds tend to be family protectors, which translates to this breed mix. The Shepnees is the offspring of 2 guard breeds so naturally has the instinct to protect its family and property — Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd. They are good watchdogs and are cautious of strangers but will only regard them as dangerous until the all clear signal has been given.
Gentle with Kids and other pet
Although cautious with strangers, they tend to be friendly and tender with their own family. They are loyal to their families and love being around them. They are loving animals, build close relations with their owners and make great pets. With early socialization, Shepnees tend to do well with kids and other pets.
They are excellent family dogs because of their patience, gentleness, and protectiveness. The dogs are loyal to their families and love being with them. They are very loving and will bond strongly with their owners, which makes them great companions.
Trainable, intelligent, and alert
With the German Shepherd genes, these dogs are smart and very observant, so they are also good watchdogs. As alert and reactive they are to perceived threats, Shepnees can also be calm, patient and tolerant, particularly around family members. This makes them a perfect balance for protection and companionship. Shepnees is very trainable.
Shepnees like to sound the alarm any time there may be an intruder, but lambs also have a docile, patient side, which of course they are capable of showing to their “families.” That balance is what makes them ideal companions for being both protective and cuddly. They are easy to train and respond well to positive reinforcement methods.
Permitting households are fine for them, but they do best in bigger homes where they could get room to allow around. Shepnees tend to be good with children and other pets if socialized from a young age. They are perfect for families as they are very patient, gentle, and protective.
Exercise and activity needs: Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix
The high-energy Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix requires a lot of mental and physical activity due to his unique high-energy mix. The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix, known as a Shepnees, is a giant, energetic, and intellectual dog that needs daily physical exercise and brain work. Here is a breakdown of its exercise and activity requirements:
Daily Needs for Exercise and Mental Stimulation
It is also important that this mix receive a minimum of 60–90 minutes of exercise daily. Things like hiking, jogging, or taking long walks are perfect. Try for 30–45 minutes walks twice a day. Add everything from hills to fields, they like to explore. This combo works well with mid to high intensity workouts, so think jogging, hiking, and long walks.
As both breeds are high in the intelligence department, mental stimulation is high on its list of needs as well. Things like puzzle toys, scent work and interactive games help to keep their brain occupied. Playtime with tug-of-war, fetch or frisbee provides physical and mental stimulation. This mix will be very trainable and will love learning tricks, commands, and doing agility activities.
Getting Outdoors and Making Friends
Providing them with an area where they can roam free, like a fenced yard or an open space, will fulfill this need for freedom and movement. Both breeds do well with colder weather tolerances, so any outdoor activities can generally be done in the cold months as well. However, hot weather might necessitate access to shade and breaks.
Being social with other dogs or people prevent boredom and boosts confidence. Set up play dates or take them to a dog park where they get exposure with other animals. With simple tasks, such as carrying a lightweight backpack during a hike or participating in herding games, they fulfill their working dog background; the tasks provide structure for them.
Cautions and Considerations
The bones of young Shepnees puppies are still developing and while exercise is important, over the top activity that can result in joint problems in elderly dogs should be avoided. Being large dogs for whom joint issues are common, ensure that their exercises are balanced with no excessive joint stress.
Training and Socialization Tips
This mix requires training and socialization to control its tendency to protective instincts.
- Early socialization of your Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix with different people, animals and surroundings will instill good social behaviors in them.
- This breed mix is responsive to positive reinforcement, so rewards for proper actions in the form of treats or praise will work wonderfully,
- As this mix is likely to be protective, your consistent training will help to train out any overly protective tendencies.
Health and Lifespan: Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix
Several health issues to be aware of regarding the Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd mix Health problems possible for the mix are hip dysplasia, bloat, and elbow dysplasia, all of which can be found in each parent breed. Health risks can usually be reduced with regular vet checkups, a well-balanced diet, and keeping them at an ideal weight. On average this mix lives between 10 to 12 years but like all dogs, their lifespan can be affected by diet, exercise and overall care.
Like many large mixed breeds the Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd mix may inherit any health issues from either parent breed. Here are some of the major and minor health risks associated with this combination of substances.
Signs to watch health conditions
Signs to watch Hip Dysplasia
Signs to watch Elbow Dysplasia
Signs to watch Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Signs to watch Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
Signs to watch Addison’s Disease
Signs to watch Arthritis
Signs to watch Skin Sensitivities and Allergies
Signs to watch Eye and Ear Infections
Signs to watch Hypothyroidism
Preventative care tips
However, with the right care, proper vet checkups and an active lifestyle, you can minimize some of these issues, keeping your Shepnees happy and healthy!
- See the Vet Regularly: The sooner things are found, the better — especially for things like hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Keep a Big Girlish Weight: Reduces a Stress on Joints Which Can Avoid Or Manage Arthritis and Joint Dysplasia
- So, Exercise in Moderation: Keep them exercised, but well within the limits of their joints.
- Diet and Allergies: Provide balanced food to prevent allergies and digestive problems
- Regular Check-Ups for Seniors: As we enter the later stages of life, the need for regular check-ups becomes more vital in order to monitor and treat conditions such as arthritis, degenerative disease, and hypothyroidism.
Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix Puppy look like
Diet and Nutrition
Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix–Activity Level Nutritious food is important for the proper development of their size because it is a giant dog. Provide them with enough high-quality large-breed formula that will help joints and that has enough protein and calories for energy.
Do not overfeed your puppy, which can cause obesity; follow the feeding guidelines according to their weight and age. Give joint health supplements like glucosamine, if your vet recommends them.
Grooming and shedding
Depending on their coat type, grooming needs may be different, but most Shepnees will be moderately high maintenance in this area. Fur: Brush at least twice a week to help manage shedding and maintain a healthy coat (they do shed a lot) Limited or occasional bathing (every few months or sooner if they spend a lot of time outside). Keep their nails trimmed at least once a month, their teeth brushed regularly and clean their ears to avoid infection.
Is the Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix Right for You?
For a larger protective dog that stays loyal, the Shepnees is a great option. Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix are ideal for families who have a yard and lead an active life. They tend to be friendly with children and other pets, but as with many other breeds, proper socialization and training from a young age is very important to achieve the desired temperament.
They are protective of their home base so need to also be socialized well in order to know the difference between a friend and foe but most will be cautious around strangers. Owners should be dedicated to providing plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and regular training to ensure their Shepnees are happy and well-behaved.
Final thoughts
The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix is an incredible hybrid that combines the best traits of both parent breeds. Combining the loyal and smart disposition of a German Shepherd with the calm and protective nature of a Great Pyrenees, they will be perfect for literally anyone in need of an affectionate, reliable companion!
The Shepnees could be your ideal family pet if you are looking for a family pet or a guard dog or even a best hiking buddy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
They typically weigh between 75 to 120 pounds and stand 24 to 32 inches tall.
Yes, they are usually gentle with family members, including children, but early socialization is important.
Yes, expect regular shedding, especially during seasonal changes. Regular brushing can help manage it.
They are intelligent but can be independent, so consistent, positive training methods work best.