If you’re looking for a pet that will get along with the whole family, you can’t go wrong with a Whippet German Shepherd mix. This beautiful mixed breed of canine isn’t your ordinary pup.
They are the perfect balance of gentle and fierce all wrapped up in one. The great thing about Whippet German Shepherd mixes is that they can be docile with the family but can also scare off intruders when needed.
If you want a dog that’s easy to get along with but will stand its ground when it needs to, then a Whippet German Shepherd mix could make a great addition to your household.
In this guide, I’m going to cover everything you’ve been wanting to know about Whippet German Shepherd mixes.
What Is A Whippet German Shepherd Mix?
The Whippet German Shepherd mix is just as the name states, a mixed breed of both Whippets and German Shepherds. It’s easy to fall in love with one of these dogs as soon as you see their big brown eyes and an adorable black nose.
This type of dog is the best of both worlds because Whippets are known for their friendly nature and the brave German Shepard.
When these two breeds mix, the result is one amazing puppy. Dog owners love the Whippet German Shepherd mix because the gentle nature of the Whippets tones down the aggressive traits of the German Shepherd. Many people see this breed as the perfect balance of both types of dogs.
Whippet German Shepherd mixes can be very affectionate dogs that love to be around their owners. However, if a threat occurs, these dogs exhibit some great guard dog traits. You can feel safe at night knowing you have a trusted dog to ward off intruders.
Whippet German Shepherd Mix: Appearance, Health & More
You can’t sum up a Whippet German Shepard’s appearance in one sentence. That is because there are many different traits a Whippet German Shepherd mix puppy could have.
One dog in the litter may have a slender body like a Whippet with a face shaped like a German Shepard, while another could have a Whippet’s face with a slender German Shepard body.
No matter which one of the two dogs a Whippet German Shepherd mix may resemble, they usually exhibit traits of both. One unique thing about this breed of dog is that both Whippets and German Shepherds have curved backs, but the Whippet German Shepherd mix has a straight back.
The coat of a Whippet German Shepherd could be either purely Whippet or German Shepherd, or it could be a mix of the two. These dogs can grow anywhere between 20 to 25 inches tall and can weigh between 20 to 95 lbs.
Depending on which dog breed was the dominant parent, their tail could be thin or bushy.
Most Whippet German Shepherd mixes have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. There are a few health concerns that these dogs may be prone to:
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
- Myelopathy
- Bloat
- Arrhythmia
How To Identify A Whippet German Shepherd Mix
Since a Whippet German Shepherd mix could take on traits from either of its parents, it makes it a little more difficult to identify them at first glance.
They can usually be identified by their lean bodies no matter which parent they take after more. There are certain colors that may be present in their coats:
- Black ; gold
- Black ; silver
- Black ; red
- Sable
Their coats will be on the short to medium side and they very rarely shed. This makes them a very easy dog to groom, which is great because these dogs love to play outside in the dirt.
It doesn’t take very much effort to get these dogs cleaned up, and since they love the attention they usually enjoy it when you do groom them.
More On The Whippet German Shepherd Mix
Whippets and German Shepherds have very different personality traits, and a Whippet German Shepherd could take on more traits from one parent or be an equal balance of both personalities.
The German Shepard is a very dominant dog, and they are also incredibly smart. They are very courageous and have no problem scaring off anyone that presents a danger.
On the other side of the gene pool, the Whippet dog is a lot more mellow. They are one of the least aggressive breeds of dogs and usually love to be around people.
These are the dogs that can sit beside their human companions and listen to them chit-chat for hours. A lot of people find having a Whippet dog around very comforting.
When listing out the traits that you would like your ideal dog to have, most people will find those both German Shepherds and Whippets present qualities they want.
When these two breeds come together to breed, they bring the best of both worlds into one dog. The Whippet German Shepherd mix could have the temperament of either breed, but will likely have traits from both.
They are incredibly smart guard dogs that show a lot of courage. However, they may be reserved or shy around people you invite over that they aren’t familiar with.
Once they get comfortable, it won’t take them long to warm up to other people. The Whippet gene does usually take over and these dogs become loveable family dogs.
However, one trait that many Whippet German Shepherd mixes carry from the German Shepherd side is nipping. This is because the German Shepard was originally bred for herding. They may start to nip when they are trying to get your attention.
Whippet German Shepherd Mix: Other Considerations
A Whippet German Shepherd mix is a very energetic dog, so you will need to be prepared for a lot of activity.
This is because the German Shepherd dog is full of energy and the Whippet is known for how speedy they are. If this dog doesn’t get to exercise it will definitely keep you on your toes.
Ideally, you should give a Whippet German Shepard mix at least 40 minutes of exercise each day. The best way to do this is to break it up into two separate sessions.
While these dogs love a good run to burn off energy, it’s a good idea to also test their mental strength as well when playing. They love a game that challenges their mind as well as their agility.
It’s also a good idea to switch up the activities and give them different challenges to keep them from getting bored. They love a good game of fetch or tug-of-war.
Switching up the games will keep them happy while staying healthy. Since they are a gentler breed, they can easily be entertained by playing with kids. Most Whippet German Shepherd mixes enjoy the company of kids.
Whippet German Shepherd Mix: Training
While these dogs are very well-behaved, they do have some bad habits (such as nipping) that should be corrected. Training should be started as early as possible with Whippet German Shepherd mix dogs. This will help curb some of the aggressive traits that they inherited from the German Shepherd.
When you start training and socialising with these dogs when they are puppies, then they will likely be very obedient dogs.
This will help ensure that your dog behaves in an affectionate manner, without taking their guard dog instincts away from them. As long as you start the training process early, they shouldn’t cause problems for you as they grow.
The thing about Whippet German Shepherd mixes is that they are at their happiest when they have a task to do. You should always encourage them to exercise their physical and mental capabilities to the fullest.
This goes back to the instincts of the Whippet dog because they were originally bred to chase rabbits and fish them out of their burrows.
Once a Whippet German Shepherd mix is socialised and well adapted to their surroundings, they will be very loyal to their owners. There’s one habit they have that absolutely melts their owner’s hearts.
You may notice once a Whippet German Shepherd mix makes eye contact with you, they won’t break it until something else breaks their attention.
Final Thoughts
When you’re looking for a family-friendly pet that you can trust not to get aggressive with your kids, a Whippet German Shepherd mix should be at the top of your list.
What makes this dog perfect for most families is that they have the gentle nature of a Whippet and are very affectionate to those they love. However, they still hold the protective traits of a German Shepherd.
You will need to make sure you begin training these dogs early to make sure they are on their best behavior. When you put the time into these dogs, they will easily become a part of the family. They are one of the most loyal types of dogs and enjoy being surrounded by people they love.
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Hello. I’m Luke- the founder of WhippetCentral. I’m somewhat of a whippet nut and have been for most of my life. In that time, I’ve owned and raised numerous whippets. Bonnie is my latest girl; she is currently eight years old and keeps me very busy! Understanding the need for whippet-specific content, I decided to create this blog to share what I have learned and to share my expertise regarding owning and raising whippets – the right way!
