German Shepherd Great Pyrenees Mix: Shepnees Breed Information

Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by Becky Roberts

Quick Summary: German Shepherds are very popular and loved by people worldwide. The result of crossbreeding with the Great Pyrenees is called the Shepnees, a rare and new designer dog breed. If you love both the Great Pyrenees and the German Shepherd, this mixed breed may be what you’re looking for. Shepnees could take the classic black and rust colors of their German Shepherd parent, the solid white or cream color of the Pyrenees parent, or a mixture of both. This mixed breed makes for an excellent guard dog as they get their protective instincts from both parents. They are relatively healthy dogs who can live anywhere from 7 to 12 years.

Ever wondered what it is like to own a German Shepherd Great Pyrenees mix? This combination of two large protective breeds creates a large and watchful puppy. This mix 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 their family. As a puppy, they will require a strong owner for 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 this type of dog.

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: History and Background

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 large and can show stubborn tendencies, so it’s important that you know the behavior and temperament of each parent. Let’s look at each.

German Shepherd Overview

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 2^nd 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 people.

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 worldwide and are a common parent breed to many mixes.

Great Pyrenees Overview

The Great Pyrenees are not as well-known as the German Shepherd. The breed was ranked as the 66^th 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 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 the thickest and fluffiest in all the canine kingdom. You can expect a lot of hair in your home and a little bit of drool when you get this dog.

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. But of course, mixing him with the German Shepherd is one of the best combinations there is.

German Shepherd and Great Pyrenees Mix: The Shepnees

This guide will explain what to expect from 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 to consider this mix.

Appearance and Size

The Shepnees may look like an equal amount of each of his parents. 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 up to 70 pounds or more. Considering his Pyrenees parent can weigh more than 150 pounds, you need to prepare for a giant dog who will need everything in giant size.

Coat and Colors

His coat will be influenced greatly by the coat of his German Shepherd parents. Certainly, he will not be very short, no matter how long or short-haired he becomes.

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.

Temperament and Personality Traits

The Shepnees will be a brave dog who will protect his family. This loyal mix is the perfect choice as 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. 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 petted as he enjoys the quieter life inside the home.

If he takes on after his German Shepherd parent, he might experience separation anxiety. If he takes on after his Pyrenees parents, he might be more independent and less anxious about being alone. 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.

Exercise and Living Requirements

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 to keep his brain active, keep him healthy, and avoid behavioral problems.

It is obvious that the Shepnees need space to run. There should be plenty of it. He should be placed in a large home with 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 with small children. He may be suitable for homes with other pets if he is socialized well as a puppy.

Training and Socialization

The Shepnees should be socialized at an early age. It is possible for a Shepnees to become too protective of his estate and family if this is not done promptly. This can lead to behavioral issues, so 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 and a sense of hierarchy in guarding dogs at an early age.

Grooming Requirements

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 their undercoat effectively, you will need a pin brush and an undercoat de-shedding 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 best shampoos for heavy shedders, of which the Shepnees is for sure. To prevent bacterial infections, his large ears must be cleaned several times a week.

Nutritional Requirements

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 kibble 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.

Health Issues

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.

Bloating: 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.

Patella Luxation: This is when the kneecap moves away from its original position in the thigh bone. It can cause severe discomfort.

The Shepnees as Family Pets

• The Shepnees mix is a protective mixed breed.
• It will protect its family and estate if threatened.
• They are cautious with strangers.
• Obedience and early socialization 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.
• Their double coat will require de-shedding regularly.
• The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix needs 1 hour of exercise daily.
• He needs to be placed in a large home with access to plenty of outdoor space.

Finding Reputable Breeders

The Shepnees is a rare and new breed of designer dog. You can expect to travel to locate a reliable breeder who will only raise healthy pups.

Do your research about reputable breeders and do not agree to work with anyone unable to show you the parents, pups, or health certificates.

Shepnees Puppies

The starting price of a Shepnees puppy from a reputable breeder is around $1,000. Designer breeders who specialize in Shepnees breeding can charge more. It’s not uncommon to see designer dog breeders charging more than $3,500 for one of these pups, depending on the parent breed.

Adopting From Rescues and 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.

You can look at the American German Shepherd Rescue Association list of approved centers state by state along with contact details, as does the Great Pyrenees Club of America website.

Conclusion

The Shepnees, a large dog, will require a lot of space and firm love. He may become anxious and have behavioral problems if not properly socialized and trained.

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’re looking for.