Don’t let their intimidating appearances fool you! The German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky are both friendly and intelligent dogs and they make wonderful family pets. Read on to find out more about their similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Siberian Husky .
See also:
- f
Index
German Shepherd Vs Siberian Husky: History
The Siberian husky is one of the oldest dog breeds and originates from the Chukchi, a Siberian tribe. They were used as sled dogs for transportation and even slept with the children of the tribe to keep them warm. They were exported to Alaska in 1908 and were used as sled dogs for racing during the gold rush.
In comparison, the German Shepherd is a fairly young breed, originating in 1899. Captain Max von Stephanitz, retired from the German cavalry, began breeding German Shepherd dogs to herd sheep. As Germany industrialized, von Stephanitz saw the need for herding dogs diminish, so he convinced the German government to use the breed for police work and military service. During World War I, the breed served as a Red Cross dog. After the war, an American soldier took a puppy to Los Angeles where the dog later became Rin Tin Tin, starring in more than 26 Hollywood movies that made the breed famous.
German Shepherd Vs Siberian Husky: Appearance
Huskies come in a variety of colors from black to white and can have color markings on their body in shades of red to copper.
The coloration and coat of a German Shepherd can vary greatly. They generally have a medium length double coat, but some dogs have a longer double coat. Their fur comes in a variety of colors such as black and tan, sable, gray, or black and white.
German Shepherds are noble-looking dogs with a long, dark muzzle, intelligent eyes, and large pointed ears that are raised above their head. When they are puppies, German Shepherds can have floppy ears that make them appear less serious and more playful.
Huskies also have pricked ears and thick fur to protect them from the cold. They are famous for their intense eyes, which can be brown, blue, partial in color, or even a combination of those colors. A husky’s ears are medium in size and triangular in shape and sit high on its head like a German shepherd. A husky’s nose can be black or pink, which is called a “snow nose.”
Are German Shepherds bigger than huskies?
Yes, a German Shepherd is generally the larger of the two dogs. A husky is classified as a medium-sized working dog while a German shepherd is classified as a large herding dog, belonging to the group of herding dogs.
Male husky are approximately 53-60 cm tall, while female husky is 50-56 cm. Male German Shepherd dogs are approximately 60-66 cm tall and females 55-61 cm. Male huskies weigh 20-27 kg and females 16-22 kg. In contrast, both male and female German Shepherds weigh approximately 34-44 kg.
Both breeds are double-coated and heavily furred to protect them in cold weather.
A husky will shed a lot in the spring and fall, but they tend to shed less in colder climates. Huskies are a fairly clean breed and they like to clean themselves. They don’t miss a lot of smells or need too much grooming, just a lot of brushing. They need to be brushed at least once a week throughout the year and daily when they are shedding.
German Shepherds shed so much that they have the nickname “the German Shepherd.” The breed sheds all year round, so if you have this dog, be prepared to breathe a lot and have clothes covered in hair. Twice a year, German Shepherds shed so much that their hair literally “blows away.” Like the husky, the breed is fairly clean and low-odor and requires regular brushing throughout the year.
Personality of the German Shepherd Vs Siberian Husky
Siberian huskies are known for their intelligence and independence. They are very affectionate and make great family pets, but at the same time, they are not needy. Although their ability to learn is remarkable, huskies are notoriously difficult to train and can be mischievous, which is why they are best with confident and experienced dog owners. They are pack dogs, so they need an owner who can be the leader of the pack.
German Shepherds are also very intelligent, strong and active breeds and they are extremely loyal pets. German Shepherds are easy to train and love their jobs, which is why they are often used to help people with disabilities, work as police dogs, or to rescue avalanche victims.
German Shepherds love dogs for their family, but they are usually not overly friendly when they first meet someone and they do not open up to strangers quickly. This distancing from new people also makes them excellent watchdogs.
In contrast, huskies are generally not good watchdogs. They can appear intimidating with their wolfish features, but the breed is very friendly. They are also not great barkers. Instead, they like to howl, which can be annoying for some.
Huskies can also be mischievous if they get bored or don’t get enough exercise. They love to dig and can wreak havoc in gardens and even some parts of the house, if left unsupervised. They also have the reputation of being “escape artists” … they will leave home when given the opportunity.
German Shepherds need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation. If left alone for long periods of time, they get bored or frustrated, they will act up, chew on things, and bark. German Shepherds also need appropriate chew toys, they like to chew and will easily ruin their favorite pair of shoes with their strong jaws. Choose a healthy chew toy, a large bone that protects their teeth and ensures that they are not chewing the wrong things.
Family pets
Huskies make great family pets and are good with children. They are also good in a multi-dog household. If they are raised with other animals as puppies, huskies can also live in a household with multiple pets. Originally, due to their wild roots, huskies had a strong prey drive towards smaller animals such as squirrels, rabbits, and cats, but if they are raised with small animals, they will be fine with pets of all sizes.
German Shepherds make good family dogs too, but they will benefit from exposure to young children, especially as puppies. They are very good with the children in their family and can be both gentle and protective, some calling the breed a cross between a nanny and a police officer. Although they are large dogs, they have the potential to dominate or take down young children. German Shepherds can live with other animals, but they are best integrated into a household with multiple pets at a puppy stage.
Do Siberian Huskies Get Along With German Shepherds?
Yes, a husky and a German shepherd can live together but they get along better if they are presented as puppies.
German Shepherd Vs Siberian Husky Health
Huskies have a life expectancy of 12-15 years while that of a German Shepherd is 10-14 years.
Both breeds are healthy but can suffer from some health conditions. Huskies can have eye problems such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. German Shepherds can suffer from hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric dilatation-volvulus or bloating, and allergies.
I love the animals. Reading and writing about them, their customs, their peculiarities or the attention they require is exciting, and I also believe that it makes us better people. I share articles that solve the questions that dog caregivers face on a daily basis.