. Ever wondered what it is like to own a German Shepherd Great Pyrenees mixture ?? This combination of two large protective breeds creates a large and watchful puppy. This combination is loyal, intelligent, and fierce when necessary. Although you may be familiar with him under another name such as the Sheppy or the Germanees, we will continue to use his most popular nickname, the Shepnees, throughout the guide.
The Shepnees are a large breed that is protective of his family. As a puppy, they will require a strong owner with strong guidance and training. He needs approximately 60 minutes of exercise every day. A family with a large house and access to a large, reinforced backyard is required to place the Shepnees. These are the essential requirements for the Germanees. If you’re thinking of welcoming this popular Great Pyrenees combination , there are many things you should know. This comprehensive guide will help you learn everything about your future Shepnees addition to the family. Let’s get started to see if this is the right mix for you!
Parent Breeds
Understanding the Shepnees requires that you learn more about his parents. Below you’ll find a snapshot of their history, breed purpose and main characteristics. This breed is larger and can show stubborn tendencies so it’s important that you know the temperaments of each parent. Let’s look at each.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is the most well-known protection and police dog in the world. They are ranked by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the 2nd most popular dog breed in America. He was once a German traditional herding dog. Soon, however, it was realized that his loyalty to his master, intelligence and tenacity, as well as his courage and strength, made him a great protector of us humans.
So whether you employ a German Shepherd as a protection dog or not you can still expect these characteristics from him. He weighs between 50 and 90 pounds, and measures between 22 to 26 inches tall, from paw to shoulder. German Shepherds can be medium-sized to large dogs. Shepherds are loved by many families across the world, and is a common parent breed to many mixes.
Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees are not as well-known than the German Shepherd. The breed is currently ranked as the 66th most popular dog breed in America in 2020. However, he is just as vigilant about protecting his family’s home. Being a giant dog who was originally bred in Europe to scare and fight sheep-stealing wolves, he would certainly can deter intruders. He is calm and peaceful at home when he’s not working. The Great Pyrenees has been described as a gentle and sweet giant.
This breed measures between 25 and 32 inches in height and weighs 85 pounds and above. It’s common for them to exceed 150 pounds. His coat is thickest and most fluffiest of all the canine kingdom. You can expect a lot of hair in the home and a little bit of drool. But what good is doggy dribble among friends? The Great Pyrenees has become common to mix with other breeds to create designer dogs like the Pyrador in recent years, because of his size and calm temperament.
Shepnees
This guide will explain what to expect from a Shepnees. However, as a mixed-breed dog, particularly one like this guy, he may inherit traits from either parent . You should love both the Great Pyrenees and the German Shepherd.
Temperament
The Shepnees will be a brave dog who will protect his family. This loyal mix is the perfect choice for your four-legged family protector. This trait comes with responsibility as a dog owner. It is your responsibility to make sure that your dog is well socialized and trained. Shepnees will let you know when someone is around by barking. They will also be suspicious of strangers ,, even if their master invites them to the family home.
When he is with his family , he will be a very affectionate and loving dog with his immediate family
. He can either be a lapdog and join you on the couch, or he can relax at your feet by the fire. He will also love to be rubbed and snoozed, as he enjoys the quieter life in the interior.
If he looks after his German Shepherd parent he might experience separation anxiety. If he looks after his Pyrenees parents, he might be more independent and less anxious about leaving. Either way, it is always a good idea to prepare for either eventuality and invest in an XXL crate that he can call his own safe space, especially if there are young children in the home that he may need some time out from.
Size & Appearance
The Shepnees may look like an equal amount of each of his parents. You may see them as one or the other. Even puppies from the same litter may look very different from each other .. His stature will be muscular and his long tail will be thick. Germanees have a longer muzzle and the potential for droopy cheeks. His ears will also be large.
He will likely measure anywhere between 24 and 30 inches tall, from paw to shoulder, and weigh upwards of 70 pounds. Considering his Pyrenees parent can weigh in excess of 150 pounds, you need to prepare for a giant dog who will need everything in giant size.
Coat & Colors
His coat will be influenced greatly by the coat of his German parents. You can be certain that he will not be very short, no matter how long or short-haired.
Both of the Shepnees’ parents are from cold climates so his double-layered coat will be dense and thick. He will shed moderately through the year and have a full blowout during shedding season. If it is patterned after his Pyrenees parents, his coat might even be water/snow-resistant.
He could take the classic black and rust colors of his German parent, or he could take the solid white or cream color of the Pyrenees parent, or a mixture of both.
Exercise & Living Conditions
The Shepnees will need between 45 and 60 minutes of exercise every day. While it doesn’t need to be intense, it is important to get it in order to keep his brain active, to keep him healthy and avoid behavioral problems.
It is obvious that the Shepnees need space to run. There will be plenty of it. He should be placed in a home that is larger and has lots of outside space. His parents love the outdoors and fresh air ,, so it is unlikely that they will enjoy being inside all day.
*His outdoor space must be strengthened to prevent him from fleeing. He is not only protective of his estate, and will defend it if necessary, but his Pyrenees heritage roams the mountains of Europe. He may never ! return if he has a taste of freedom. Families with young children will love the Shepnees. Because of his size and potential dangers, you should never leave him alone. He may be suitable for homes with other pets if he is socialized well as a puppy . But, his parents may make him a difficult pet. This is an important consideration if you have multiple pets.
Training
The Shepnees should be socialized at an early age. It is possible for a Shepnee to become too protective of his estate and family if this is not done in a timely manner. This can lead to behavioral issues . It is important to expose your family to all kinds of animals, and to introduce people to them.
The Shepnees are intelligent dogs and should be trained consistently. Use the positive reinforcement training method. This dog thrives when his master praises him regularly.
Be aware that his Pyrenees parent is an independent dog (read stubborn. It can make training a dog difficult for novice owners. enrolling your dog in an obedience training class is a good idea if he seems stubborn. It’s important to instill discipline, a sense of hierarchy and guarding dogs at an early age.
Health
The Shepnees is a relatively healthy pooch who will enjoy a lifespan of anywhere between 7 and 12 years. He may inherit the health problems of either parent. Here are the main ones to watch out for:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia This condition affects many breeds of dogs, including his parents. It is caused by abnormal formation of the elbow and hip joints. This can eventually lead to arthritis or paralysis.
Patellaluxation: This is when the kneecap moves away from its original position in the thigh bone. It can cause severe discomfort.
Bloat: This is a life-threatening condition whereby the stomach suddenly twists. This can be prevented by giving your dog a break from exercise and by giving it a chance to eat throughout the day.
Nutrition
Shepnees will consume between 3 and 3 1/2 cups of high quality kibble each day He is a large breed and must be fed a kibbe specifically designed for larger dogs , to meet his nutritional requirements. This is especially important for his puppy development, when he will need to control his rapid bone growth.
While his Pyrenees genetics might lead him to eat unhealthy snacks, it is important that he doesn’t become overweight . This will put unnecessary strain on his joints and cause other health problems. Head over to our nutritional guide for the Great Pyrenees or the German Shepherd, where you can find recommendations on the best kibbles for this mix.
Grooming
The Shepnees’ coat will be thick and fluffy . This gorgeous boy isn’t the right breed for you if you don’t want dog hair in your home. To keep his hair healthy and free from tangles, he will need to be brushed every day. To manage your undercoat effectively, you will need a pin brush as well as an undercoat deshedding tool.
He is a relatively clean breed who will only need a bath once every 2 to 3 months or so, and be sure to check out the very best shampoos for heavy shedders, of which the Shepnees is for sure. To prevent bacterial infections, his large ears need to be cleaned several times per week.
Puppies
The starting price of a Shepnees puppy from a reputable breeder is around $1,000. Designer breeders who specialize in Shepnee breeding can charge more. It’s not uncommon seeing designer dog breeders charging in excess of $3,500 for one of these pups depending on the parent breed.
As Family Pets
- The Shepnees mix is a protective mixed breed.
- It will protect it’s family and estate if threatened.
- They are cautious with strangers and protective of family.
- Obedience and socialization early are key for this breed.
- He will do well with younger children when supervised.
- They are great with other household pets if socialized early in life.
- The double coat will require deshedding regularly.
- The Great Pyreness German Shepherd mix needs 1 hour of exercise daily.
- He needs to be placed into a large home with access to plenty of outdoor space.
Finding a Shepnees Breeder
The Shepnees, a rare and new breed of designer dog, is You can expect to travel to locate a reliable breeder who will only raise healthy pups. Do your research about breeders . Do not agree to work with anyone who is unable to show you the parents, pups or health certificates.
Rescue & Shelters
You should concentrate your efforts on rescue centers that specialize in Shepnees. This will give you the best chance of finding one in a rescue facility. The American German Shepherd Rescue Association list approved centers state by state along with contact details, as does the Great Pyrenees Rescue Club of America.
Final Thoughts
The Shepnees, a large dog, will require a lot of space and firm love. He may become anxious and have behavioral problems.
If you believe you can give him everything he needs, then you may have just discovered a great designer dog. This combination can provide you with the security and love you and your family deserve, as well as the canine affection and love you all love.
