The German shepherd dog (GSD) is one of the most popular breeds in the United States with good reason.
GSDs come in both short-haired and long-haired variants, and they look lovable and cuddly either way.
One of the best guard dogs you’ll find, GSDs also make loyal and caring pets. They integrate well with families and typically get on well with children.
What can you do, though, if you fancy something a little less pedestrian than a regular GSD?
Well, many mixed breed German shepherds have gained currency over the years, but buying a mixed breed dog can be something of a minefield if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Luckily, we do!
With today’s roundup, we decided not to attempt an exhaustive roundup of all crosses under the sun. That could lead to more confusion and a glut of options.
Instead, we’ve stripped down a cross-section of the most popular and the most family-friendly mixed breed GSDs so you can more easily find the right one We have drawn your attention throughout to any pets that make a questionable choice for first-time owners. We’ve also flagged any potential legal issues with mixed breed dogs.
Dive in and explore some of the best German shepherd mixes out there!
READ MORE: The Best Australian Shepherd Mix Breeds. Discover the best Aussie mixes that make for loveable and adorable pets!
I. 15 of the Best German Shepherd Mixes
- German Australian Shepherd
- German Ridgeback
- Saint Shepherd
- Shollie
- Golden Shepherd
- Shepweiler
- Sheprador
- Bernese Shepherd
- Shepkita
- Alaskan Shepherd
- German Wolf
- Corman Shepherd
- German Anatolian Shepherd
- Beagle Shepherd
- German Sheppit
1) German Australian Shepherd
The German Australian shepherd is a very smart and alert dog that makes a loyal addition to any home.
This mixed breed dog makes a superb guard dog thanks to its fiercely protective qualities. The German Australian shepherd is a deliberate cross of two working dogs – the German and the Australian shepherd.
While irresponsible breeding can produce anxious, fearful dogs prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Responsible breeding, on the other hand, produces intelligent canines with a strong work ethic that also make great home companions.
2) German Ridgeback
The German ridgeback is a remarkably loyal dog that also works hard.
Puppies of this breed are inquisitive and destructive. Leave these pups alone at your own risk! If you’re prepared to put the effort in, though, you’ll benefit from a dinky dog that won’t leave your side.
3) Saint Shepherd
When a German shepherd is crossed with a lovable Saint Bernard, the resultant Saint Shepherd is a colossal hunk of joy.
You’ll need to make certain you have plenty of space at home for your new fur baby to roam. These dogs are not just beefy, but they have bundles of energy, too.
4) Shollie
The Shollie is a mix between a German shepherd and a border collie.
This pretty pooch often takes on the colors of the German shepherd parent, resplendent with dark tones. The hair is usually longer and finer, though, drawing from the border collie heritage. Shollies are seldom one solid color.
Shollies weigh anywhere from 40 to 90 pounds dependent on which parent’s genetics are dominant, and they stand around 15 to 20 inches high.
These dogs are remarkably sharp and they need continual stimulation. Shollies make the smoothest fit for families with active lifestyles.
The Shollie is a super intelligent dog who needs to be stimulated throughout the day, be that with
5) Golden Shepherd
The golden shepherd is an alluring mix between the German shepherd and the golden retriever.
Most of these mixed breed dogs inherit the gentle and loving nature of the golden retriever as well as the enduring loyalty German shepherds are famous for. You’ll get a friend for life if you invite one of these lovable mixed breeds into your home.
These dogs are highly protective by nature, but they are usually approachable enough when visitors arrive.
Standing from 20 to 25 inches tall and weighing between 50 and 70 pounds, these dogs are longer than are tall.
Coloring tends to be lighter with a golden hue most prevalent.
6) Shepweiler
When the GSD and the rottweiler are mixed, the resulting Shepweiler is a fiercely protective dog with strong working heritage.
If you’re thinking of adding one of these fur babies to your home, you’ll need to ensure he is properly trained and socialized from the onset. This should involve a pack leader who will assume control of the dog. If you feel up to the job, a shepweiler can make an incredibly rewarding pet.
Also, that protective nature makes shepweilers highly effective guard dogs.
If you fail to take charge of these dogs, though, they can become rather unruly and problematic.
Weighing anywhere from 50 to 135 pounds, these mixed breeds dogs need a lot of space.
Most shepweilers are black or brown in color, often with striking markings.
7) Sheprador
The German shepherd mixed with the labrador retriever yields the iconic sheprador. In the popularity contest run by the AKC (American Kennel Club).
These dogs have high energy levels, so you’ll need to do more than stretch his legs each day. Shepradors need at least an hour of intense exercise daily, so make sure you’re up to the challenge before bringing one of these dogs home.
Most shepradors love spending time in the water due to their working background, so be sure to indulge him whenever possible.
Weighing up to 90 pounds and standing over 25 inches, these dogs are pretty bulky, like most German shepherd mixes. The thick hair obscures what a powerful, muscular dog this mixed breed is. Unfortunately, these dogs shed heavily, making them less than ideal for family members with allergies or sensitivities.
The coloring of this dogs depends on the Labrador parent’s coloring, but in most cases you’ll find shepradors in brown, golden, or black hues.
8) Bernese Shepherd
When you mix the Bernese mountain dog with a German shepherd, you get a Bernese shepherd, sometimes also known as the Euro Mountain Sheparnese, is a true head turner. You can expect plenty of attention when you walk one of these hulking dogs down the street.
Standing up to 28 inches tall and weighing from 70 to 120 pounds, this is one of the beefier German shepherd mixes on our list. You’ll need to ensure your home has plenty of space, indoors and outside, for this dog to feel happiest and most comfortable. If you live somewhere with more limited real estate at your disposal, we review plenty of smaller German shepherd mixes that would make a neater fit.
This dogs sheds copiously, so if you’re obsessive about the house or you dislike the thought of constantly cleaning up after Rover, this is not the dog for you.
This mixed breed has a strong loyal streak, so you can expect him to spend a lot of time in close proximity. This dog is sometimes called the Velcro dog for this sticky nature he tends to exhibit.
These dogs have high energy levels, so you should be prepared to get outside for plenty of regular exercise, from moderate walks through to much more intense activity.
9) Shepkita
The German shepherd bred with the Akita results in the shepkita. These wolf-like dogs look square and thickset with the curly tail of the Akita often coming to the fore.
Just like with many other Akita mixes, this dog can easily weigh 120 pounds, standing around 28 inches tall on average. These dogs needs plenty of room to feel comfortable, and he’ll also need access to fresh air throughout the day. You’ll need a spacious and fully-enclosed yard to give this mixed breed German shepherd an enjoyable and stimulating life.
As a highly protective dog, you’ll have to take care of socialization from a very young age. It’s a good call to continue obedience training on an ongoing basis if the Akita genetics are more dominant.
We should stress that this is not the best dog for first-time owners, and you should not take on one of these pups lightly. Unless shepkita are firmly guided by a pack leader, behavioral issues can manifest.
If, however, you’re an experienced pet parent ready for your next challenge, the shepkita can be an incredibly rewarding addition to your home.
10) Alaskan Shepherd
If the German shepherd is mixed with the feisty Alaskan malamute, you’ll get an Alaskan Shepherd.
Loyal and brave, these dogs can also become slightly aloof due to their fiercely independent streak. If you catch this in time with the right training and socialization at a young age, you can mold an Alaskan shepherd into a lovable and obedient puppy.
Most Alaskan shepherds becoming post strongly attached to their main caregiver, to the exclusion of other family members. Make sure the idea of a stand-offish dog is something the rest of the family are happy to deal with.
In terms of appearance, the Alaskan shepherd strongly resembles the Alaskan malamute. The colors will more likely take after the German shepherd parent. Standing up to 25 inches tall and weighing in at up to 85 pounds, these mixed breeds need a family with an active lifestyle.
11) German Wolf
When the German shepherd is mixed with a wolf, you’ll get a German wolf.
Like all wolf hybrids, the German wolf is unpredictable. Wolves may superficially resemble their cousins, but domesticated dogs don’t have many of the less desirable wild traits. With wolf hybrids, though, this feral nature can come powerfully to the fore.
Not only is the breeding of wolf hybrids controversial, but in some states it’s also illegal. This is not a mixed breed you should stumble into blindly. Especially given the rarity of this mixed breed, you need to dive deep with your due diligence. Improperly researched, purchasing a German wolf could lead to a series of headaches and hiccups.
If you decide to press ahead with a legal German wolf hybrid, you should be prepared to go all-in. You’ll need acres of secure land for him to roam as a prerequisite. If you don’t have this at your disposal, don’t invest in this mixed breed German shepherd.
Assuming you have enough space, the commitment to caring for this high-maintenance animal, you should explore the International Wolf Center to get a feel for what you’ll be getting into.
12) Corman Shepherd
When he corgi and the GSD are mixed, you get the Corman shepherd, a spunk-filled pup with energy and love in abundance.
With both of this mixed breed dog’s parents being herding dogs, he’ll have oodles of pent-up energy, so be prepared to give that dinky frame plenty of exercise daily.
Neither purebred or mixed breed corgis hold back with their barking when they meet a stranger. Once they calm down and expend that initial excitement, though, they interact well with strangers as a rule.
Mid-sized dogs measuring up to 15 inches tall and weighing from 30 to 60 pounds, this is one German shepherd breed that works well for apartment dwellers or anyone with limited space at home. Just be certain to cater for his exercise needs and a Corman shepherd will make a superb addition to your family this summer.
13) German Anatolian Shepherd
If the German shepherd and the Anatolian shepherd are mixed, you end up with a German Anatolian shepherd. How does this mixed breed shape up, then?
When crossed, these dogs are usually bigger than a German shepherd but not quite as large as the beefy Anatolian shepherd.
You’ll need to take care of early socialization if you opt for one of these mixed breeds. The right training is key from puppyhood to stamp out the stubborn streak that can otherwise become problematic.
These dogs love to roam, and they are also fiercely protective of their territory, rendering them superb watch dogs or guard dogs.
Standing up to 28 inches tall and weighing anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds, this mixed breed varies quite dramatically depending on which of the breeds it more resembles.
14) Beagle Shepherd
The Beagle Shepherd is the result of the German Shepherd crossed with the beagle.
A sweet and lovable dog, the beagle shepherd doesn’t just attach himself to you and the family, but also to any visitors or guests. Once this dog overcomes his protective instincts, he’ll soon give out love in the hope of a treat.
Beagle shepherds sometimes inherit the howling tendency of the beagle parent, so be prepared for plenty of noise if this characteristic appears.
These mixed breed dogs are among the smaller pups we highlight today, and they work well for anyone living in an apartment or a small house but still interested in a splash of German shepherd in the mix. Smaller beagle shepherds can weigh as little as 20 pounds, with the larger examples of this breed weighing in at up to 50 pounds.
Read More: Why Do Beagles End Up in Shelters? It’s not uncommon to see Beagles at animal shelters. We discuss why.
15) German Sheppit
If the pitbull is mixed with the German shepherd, you get the neatly-named German sheppit.
This endearing and kind dog will attach himself firmly to the family to the extent that separation anxiety is not uncommon in this mixed breed. As such, you need to have a family dynamic where family members have enough time to devote to the fur baby. They don’t respond especially well to being alone for prolonged periods either. This can manifest either in anxiety or in destructive behaviors.
The pitbull parentage leads to this dog’s nannying nature, so if you have any kids in the house, this mixed breed will cosset them and protect them.
When you’re buying any pit bull cross-breed, you should check your local laws closely to ensure the mixed breeds on your shortlist are legal in your state.
German sheppits weigh from 35 to 75 pounds, and they stand up to 24 inches tall, qualifying this dog as medium-sized.
It’s more likely that this mixed breed will take after his pit bull parent than the GSD. You can expect a fairly short and shiny coat, and the coloring will probably resemble that of a German shepherd.
II. Conclusion
Well, we very much hope today’s guided tour of some of the best German shepherd mixed has given you some inspiration.
Buying any dog is something that should only consider after lengthy planning and research phases. Choosing a dog on a whim and without robustly researching the breed is a potential recipe for disaster. When you’re considering a mixed breed, due diligence is doubly vital.
You should also pay close attention if you’re thinking about any breed mixed with a pit bull or wolf, and you should also check local laws to make sure the mixed breed complies.
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