What Exactly Is a Lycan Shepherd? Breed Facts & History
Updated on
The term “Lycan” was made popular in the “Underworld” movie series about vampires and werewolves. Lycan is a short form for the word “lycanthrope,” which means “wolf man.” The Lycan German Shepherd is not a werewolf! But there is some wolf in the dog’s bloodlines, which is where they get their name. This breed is a combination of the Blue Bay Shepherd, the working line German Shepherd, and the Belgian Malinois.
Read on to learn more about these new and unique dogs!
Lycan Shepherd Breeder
The Lycan Shepherd was created by Chadde JoliCoeur, who is also responsible for the Renascence Bulldogge breed and has 30 years of experience working with and breeding dogs. Former infantry paratrooper and animal warden and owner of Gargoyle Kennels, Chadde wanted to develop an athletic, healthy working breed and a highly trainable dog.
He started with Blue Bay Shepherds (which are Blue-coated Wolf Dogs bred with European German Shepherds) and combined them with German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois.
Why the Lycan Shepherd?
Chadde has experience with the Blue Bay Shepherd, and therefore has experience with wolf breeds. He was looking for a breed with the intelligence and resourcefulness of a wolf but with the traits of a dog that is steadfast and easily trained.
He was looking for:
- Larger brain-to-body-size ratio: A larger brain equals higher intelligence and better problem-solving abilities.
- Working dog: The German Shepherd line, as well as that of the Belgian Malinois, adds a stronger work ethic and a more trustworthy and dependable nature.
- Wolf-like appearance: Having a dog with a rangy and lean body and long legs leads to a unique looking and attractive dog that will also have better athletic abilities.
The Foundational Dogs
We look at the three breeds that make up the Lycan Shepherd, as that can give further insight into this dog’s temperament and appearance.
1. The Blue Bay Shepherd
The Blue Bay Shepherd was developed in Palm Bay, Florida. These dogs are about five generations away from pure wolf blood and are a combination of a blue Wolf Dog and a blue German Shepherd, both being quite rare. They have a wolfish appearance but are active, bold, and good-natured companion dogs.
They originated in 2011 and, like the Lycan Shepherd, are still a breed in progress. Blue Bay Shepherds might have about 12 to 16% wolf DNA, but the breeder of the Blue Bay does try to keep it to about 6%.
Blue Bay Shepherds are large dogs with shaggy, blue double coats. They look like a mix of German Shepherd and their wolf ancestors.
One of the most well-known Blue Bays is Kurgan, who is the original parent of the Lycan Shepherds.
2. The German Shepherd
German Shepherds are known as working dogs, for police, security, search and rescue, guide dogs, etc. They are also the second most popular dogs in the United States (according to the AKC).
German Shepherds are famous for their loyalty, dependability, confidence, and intelligence. The working line of the German Shepherd has a slightly different appearance to the show dogs and a higher work drive.
They are intensely devoted to their families but might be aloof around strangers and show aggressive behavior, particularly around other dogs.
3. The Belgian Malinois
These dogs look and act like the German Shepherd, but there are a few differences. They are slightly smaller and lighter in color and have shorter coats than German Shepherds do.
Belgian Malinois are highly energetic, confident, and smart dogs that form a powerful bond with their owners. Like the German Shepherd, they tend to be aloof with strangers and are prone to aggression when they are protecting their families.
Appearance
The Lycan Shepherd is a beautiful dog that has a slightly wolfish appearance. They are large dogs with a similar build and stance as the German Shepherd, with pointy, triangular ears and long, curved tails. Their coats are thick and shaggy, usually double-coated, and are typically a solid black with the occasional white markings.
Some Lycan Shepherds are blue/grey in color (and these dogs tend to have blue eyes), and others might have more of the German Shepherd coloring. However, as the different generations of the Lycan Shepherd are bred, we will most likely see variations in color.
These dogs will shed quite a bit because all three breeds that they come from are known shedders, so they need brushing about two to three times a week and a bath every 3 to 4 months.
Lycan Shepherds are large dogs and range from 55 to 80 pounds and can be 22 to 25 inches in height (up to their shoulders).
Temperament
The Lycan Shepherd has a lovely temperament and is highly trainable. They are intelligent and do have the ability to problem-solve.
They are capable of becoming excellent family dogs because they are patient and loving with children and are tolerant of other dogs and pets. However, you should expect a certain amount of unpredictability with this breed because of the different breeds that make up their background. So, while one Lycan might be fantastic with children, another might not.
The Lycan Shepherd is energetic and playful and will need frequent exercise, so an active family would be necessary.
These dogs need a great deal of training and socialization and plenty of your time and attention. They need to spend most of their time with you or be stimulated in some way, and they are not a good fit for beginner dog owners.
Health
There isn’t much known about the health of the Lycan Shepherd, so you’ll need to look to the parent breeds for an idea. If you’re planning on bringing a Lycan into your family, look at the potential health conditions that German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are prone to.
Common problems are:
However, Lycans are still a new breed, so they are not as likely to have issues with the same genetic medical issues as purebreds. Your breeder should also inform you if there are any health problems with your new puppy before you invest in one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if You Want a Lycan Shepherd Puppy?
A Lycan Shepherd puppy can cost $3,000 to $5,000. The Lycan Shepherd is a breed that is still in development and exceedingly rare.
What Is This “F” Business?
When you see F1 or F2 in association with a dog, the “F” stands for “filial,” and the number tells you which generation the dog is. So, if you see an F3 Lycan Shepherd, you’ll know that they are a third-generation dog.
The parents of an F1 Lycan Shepherd puppy might include a Blue Bay Shepherd and either the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. The parents of an F2 Lycan Shepherd puppy will consist of an F1 Lycan Shepherd and either another Lycan Shepherd or one of the other three founding breeds.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning about the Lycan and are interested in picking up one of these dogs someday. It will take quite a while before these dogs become available to the public, albeit only for the right owner. These dogs are not for the faint of heart!
The Lycan Shepherd is a truly beautiful new breed that, for the right family, will make an incredible pet. Keep a close eye on this dog and the progress that the breeder makes, as we see so much doggy potential!
Feature Image: If you wish to use our image, please give credits by Hepper.com
