German & Australian Shepherd Mix: Info, Pictures, Facts, Traits

The German Australian Shepherd is the ultimate shepherding dog that was born to work as a herder on a ranch or help out around the yard at home. Created by breeding the German Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd, this is a gorgeous and powerful mixed breed that requires tons of exercise and brain stimulation throughout the day.

These dogs sport chiseled heads and medium to long muzzles, depending on which parent they most take after. Some German Australian Shepherds are born with naturally docked tails, either halfway or to the nub. Their almond-shaped eyes show their high intelligence and serious personality. And they feature a thick water repellent coat of fur that protects them from the outdoor elements so they can safely spend lots of time in a wide variety of weather settings.

This large mixed breed dog packs a powerful bite, making it an excellent guard dog that will protect your family and your possessions. Luckily, German Australian Shepherds are extremely easy to train and can become wonderful family pets at home that aren’t a danger to kids or the society at large.

German Australian Shepherd Puppies

German Australian Shepherds might be cute and cuddly when they are puppies, but they quickly turn in to large dogs that require lots of exercise and stimulation.

3 Little-Known Facts About the German Australian Shepherd

1. Many Are Still Used as Working Dogs

Lots of people decide to adopt these mixed breed dogs and make them a part of their family. But many people still use this powerful breed to help them work their farms and businesses. These dogs can work all day long without becoming lethargic because that’s what their parents were originally bred to do.

2. They Aren’t Interested Much in Indoor Life

The German Australian Shepherd doesn’t have a problem sleeping inside at night or spending a couple hours lounging around while their family watches a movie on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But these dogs typically aren’t happy unless they can spend hours of their time outside exploring, running, and working.

3. They’re Considered Designer Dogs

Many people think about toy dog breeds when they hear the term designer dog. But the German Australian Shepherd is actually considered a designer dog just as much as the Yorkipoo or Puggle because it was intentionally bred using two dominant breeds. This mixed breed just happens to be quite a bit bigger than the average designer dog.

Temperament & Intelligence of the German Australian Shepherd🧠

The German Australian Shepherd was born to work. This dog was traditionally counted on to herd packs of animals and handle other tasks. They have a strong prey drive that makes them suitable as hunting partners, but they will need to be trained for effectiveness and safety reasons. While this is a strong-willed and independent breed, they enjoy spending time with human family members and will show their deep affectionate side when they feel safe and loved.

This dog is wary when meeting strangers, but once assured that there is no danger, they will warm up to any visitor who wants to spend time in your home. The German Australian Shepherd will fiercely defend their family and can be trained to become attentive guard dogs. When full grown, this mixed breed makes wonderful therapy dogs for the elderly and those who are dealing with mental and physical issues.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡 

Any family can successfully introduce a German Australian Shepherd into their household. These dogs are loving with children and will protect them from harm while adventuring outdoors. But they need exercise and discipline to keep them focused and centered so they can remain a well-behaved member of the family. Children who will grow up with this designer mixed breed should participate in training with the dog to ensure that they will be able to handle the dog, both as a puppy and as a full-grown dog.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽 

The key to making sure that the German Australian Shepherd will get along with other dogs and animals throughout their life is socialization. Every dog of this breed should start meeting new dogs by the time they start taking walks. Unfortunately, these dogs instinctually go after what they consider to be prey whether it’s a cat, raccoon, or rat.

So, this breed should be introduced to cats as soon as they are adopted if they’ll be expected to live under the same roof with one. And these dogs shouldn’t be left alone with cats for long periods unless they have proven themselves to respect the cat’s boundaries. If chasing begins, it’s a sign that your German Australian Shepherd may not get along with cats and other prey-type animals.

Things to Know When Owning a German Australian Shepherd:

The German Australian Shepherd is a strong and proud breed of dog that won’t let the farmer down and will help round out the busy household full of kids and adults. They need more exercise than your average breed, so prospective owners should be ready and willing to put in several hours each week keeping their dogs physically active.

Food & Diet Requirements🦴 

German Australian Shepherd puppies require food that is specially designed for puppies to support their quick growth cycle. A puppy might eat anywhere from 2-3 cups of high-quality protein rich food as they play and grow. Once full grown, this dog breed can be expected to eat upwards of 3-5 cups of food each day to meet their caloric and nutritional needs. However, food shouldn’t be fed to these dogs all at once during a day. Owners should instead split their dog’s food up into three or four meals for puppies and two separate meals for adults every day.

Exercise🐕 

The German Australian Shepherd has more energy than the average human because they come from long lines of breeds that spent their entire days working. These dogs could use at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise every day whether in the form of walks, hikes, park runs, or agility classes. This is not a breed for the faint of heart. Unless you are willing to get out there and sweat, even if you have been working all day, you may have a hard time keeping this interesting dog happy as they age.

Training🦮

Not only does this mixed dog breed want to be trained, but it needs to be trained. These dogs crave direction and are extremely smart, so they are easy to train even if training doesn’t begin until well after being adopted. Obedience training is the first thing any owner should consider when adopting a German Australian Shepherd. Due to their impressive agile bodies and athletic builds, agility training should be considered for these dogs while they are still young. Guard and therapy training are other viable options to consider for this designer hybrid as it gets older.

Grooming ✂️

The thick undercoat of this mixed breed tends to shed a lot, so be prepared to brush or comb your German Australian Shepherd several times a week to keep your home from looking like it has shag carpets. Some dogs take after their Australian Shepherd parents and shed even more during the summer months which may require daily brushing at that time.

The German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd mix are good at grooming themselves, but they love to get dirty in the yard or in the field, so they might need occasional bathing if they spend time indoors. Keep in mind that this dog breed is prone to ear infections, so thorough inspections of the canals should take place weekly. Dirt and wax buildup can be cleaned away with a damp cloth.

Health and Conditions❤️

Like with most large dog breeds, there are several health conditions that the German Australian Shepherd may develop as they enjoy their lives.

Male vs. Female

Male and female German Australian Shepherds work just as hard as the other, but males tend to be more dominant while females are more willing to take the more supportive role when necessary. Females are as independent as males, and males show such as much of an affectionate side as females. But the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd mix boys are usually noticeably bigger than the girls.

Conclusion

The German Australian Shepherd may be big, but it won’t overwhelm the household when it’s time to chill out. These dogs want affection, yet they prefer to get their attention in the form of a job well done after a long day’s work or a successful training session.

Those who are looking for a working dog to rely on should certainly consider adopting one of these hybrid dogs. Active families who love to hike, camp, take long walks around the neighborhood, and play games in the yard will enjoy having one of these handsome dogs as a family member, too. Even those in need of a therapy dog can benefit from adopting a German Australian Shepherd.

See Also:

• Mini Foxy Rat Terrier (American Rat Terrier & Mini Fox Terrier Mix) Info, Pictures
• 250+ Amazing Names for Miniature American Shepherds

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Featured Image Credit: Shannon A Moseley, Shutterstock