The miniature German shepherd is a fashionable and stylish breed, usually called a designer dog to be a household pet or a working dog.
The parent German Shepherd is a good looking and powerful breed. In this article, we shall cover its ancestry, its personality, cross-breeding for a miniature dog and health matters.
Standard German Shepherd Breed Overview
Standard-size German Shepherd dogs (German: Deutscher Schäferhund) originated in Germany and are a medium- to large-sized breed of working dog. The name is sometimes abbreviated as GSD. These dogs resemble wolves and are a fairly new breed dating back to only 1899.
There is no dog more willing to learn and respond to all phases of training. They are used for the blind, for guard work, for narcotic detection, and make a great house pet. They are used globally as the preferred breed for assisting the disabled, military and police work, search-and-rescue, and are even used in movies as actors.
These dogs are wonderful with kids and elderly people. They adapt to any environment and are good in the city or country living to a ripe old age. They are excessive shedders, though. They continuously shed their fur and need to be brushed daily.
Being a smart breed, miniature German Shepherds can tolerate warm and cold climates.
Be sure your dog sees the vet for vaccinations, health checkups, trimming, and bathing, including toenail trimming if you cannot do it.
Miniature German Shepherd Breed Overview
Know that an authentic pure-bred miniature German Shepherd dog is nonexistent. These designer-bred dogs are created from a pure-bred German Shepherd and another variety as listed below.
These are great companion dogs and are faithful, trustworthy, and devoted.
Discover more about this miniature dog on the video below.
The Mysterious Miniature German Shepherd video.
The German Shepherd is a great watchdog and lives from 9- to 12-years. They are adorable and highly active.
Miniature German Shepherd Cost
When you buy a miniature German Shepherd from a dog breeder, they have a duty to give you the dog’s parents’ names, and proof that the dog is free from diseases and Hip Dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the socket and ball joint are deformed at the ball part and the socket to not quite meet each other correctly. This makes the joint rub and grind rather than sliding smoothly when moving.
Hip Dysplasia is an inbreeding problem developed over the years in this very in the breed. Therefore, it’s a hereditary disease that seems to attack Shepherds more than other large breeds.
This disease is a congenital dislocation of the hip socket and cannot usually be detected until the dog is over 8-months old.
Be sure to discuss the bloodlines with the breeder. If there’s any evidence of Hip Dysplasia, do not buy the dog only to have your heart break when you have to put the dog down or undergo expensive surgery.
German Shepherd miniature puppies cross-bred with a Border Collie can cost around $950 and up. Those cross-bred with a Poodle might cost around $900 and up.
Appearance of the Miniature German Shepherd
The miniature German Shepherd looks like a smaller variation of the Alsatian known by that name in England until 1977, when the name was switched back to German Shepherd.
The dogs can be susceptible to dwarfism. When bred with a smaller dog, the miniature version will look the same as the standard-sized German Shepherd. Then too, it can show characteristics of its other smaller dog parent.
Full-Grown Miniature German Shepherd
The miniature dog is cute with powerful legs and body, and is as trainable as its standard-bred counterpart, the full-sized German Shepherd.
Miniature German Shepherds, when crossed with another breed, can be closer in size to the other parent that is not a German Shepherd.
Cross breeding with a small Yorkie would produce a smaller dog while breeding with a Collie would create a larger dog.
When a miniature German Shepherd has the gene for being a dwarf, it will weigh about 30-pounds and have short legs when fully grown.
Temperament of the Miniature German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is the second most popular dog breed globally because of its pleasant personality and temperament. Once you are considering a pet when you have children, this intelligent dog will train faster than other breeds.
These dogs are loyal protectors, easy to discipline, and a devoted companion.
The miniature German Shepherd will give you the same temperament and great qualities as its German Shepherd parent. Once trained, they will be quick at learning and very obedient. These are energetic dogs so give them a backyard or country setting to run and play .
All dogs want to please their owners and the German Shepherd is known for creating deep emotional attachments to their family.
With a cross-bred dog, however, it might pick up some characteristics from its other parent that might be unwanted; therefore, don’t be too impulsive when buying the dog.
Tell the breeder you want to take the dog home for a week to see how it interacts with your family, babies, and kids. You want it to be suitable to your expectations for your family to love and feel safe with the dog.
How to Care for a Miniature German Shepherd
These dogs are easy to care for and maintain. They will be their best with the proper diet, water, exercise, and training.
- Grooming the Miniature German Shepherd: The coat is soft hair and all you need to do is brush it daily with a quality dog brush. Taking your dog to the vet once a month for a bath is a good routine to have especially if it is outdoors a lot.
- Exercising the Miniature German Shepherd: This is an important function for looking after and caring for this energetic athletic dog. Walk him or her each day to keep it healthy with strong muscles.
- Training the Miniature German Shepherd: This dog is intelligent and will learn quickly. The basic commands of: sit, stay, lay, and no will be learned by the dog in no time. Always use one word commands such as sit, not sit down over there. After they have done the command, praise the dog and reward it with a doggie treat.
Bathroom training any dog is the hardest to do to send it outdoors and not pee or poop on your floors or carpet. It can be done in about 6 days, however.
Provide your miniature German Shepherd with mental stimulation so that it does not have bad habits such as barking and chewing because it is bored.
Socialize your dog when it’s with you for environmental changes, new stuff, and new people, including other dogs and kids. When they are older, consider puppy classes or doggy classes to learn how to act civilly around other dogs.
- Feeding the Miniature German Shepherd: Feeding schedules for any dog including the miniature German Shepherd is not all that demanding. Food and diet requirements for daily food consumption should be 1500 calories each day. For instance, 3 cups total in a bowl of Kibbles ‘n Bits® each day in the morning and late afternoon around your dinner time. Choose food without corn and high in protein. In the morning fix your dog’s food bowl 5 cups and in late afternoon 1.5 cups. Be sure the water bowl is always filled with clean fresh water.
The size of the miniature German Shepherd needs 30 calories per pound of its body weight each day.
Dogs should never eat chocolate or sunflower seeds, but can have a little peanut butter. Try not to feed your dog table scraps that will add fat to its body weight.
A high multiple vitamin will supplement the dog’s diet to prevent some illnesses.
- Common Health Issues in Miniature German Shepherds: Like the standard size German Shepherd, the miniature dog could be prone to Canine Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid gland. Be sure the dog food you buy is fortified with vitamins and minerals and an emphasis on protein.
Miniature German Shepherd Mixes
There are many, many mixes for these small dogs. Four of the most popular are listed here:
1. Miniature German Shepherd Husky Mix (Gerberian Shepsky)
This handsome blend with beautiful blue eyes of the Siberian Husky will be eye-catching with its double-furred coat. It could, however, have the brown eyes of the German Shepherd.
It can weigh from 35 to 90 pounds and be from 20 to 26 inches tall needing much exercise and brushing each day.
Vet bills, food, and grooming can cost about $1500 a year to maintain this beautiful dog.
Both breeds are strong and loyal and come in many colors of brown, black, red, white, gray, and a mix of these colors. They live to be 7- to 14-years-old.
Siberian Huskies have a long history and descend from the nomadic Chukchi people of Northeast Siberia for pulling their snow sleds. The Husky’s came to America in the early 20th century and have been loved ever since.
The blend is loyal, friendly, and make good companions. The mix has a good temperament and the dog is dynamic.
2. Miniature German Shepherd Poodle Mix (Shepadoodle)
The Shepadoodle will have intelligence, be athletic, and loyal, with a gentle spirit. You would want this mix to have less shedding hair but there’s no way of telling what the puppy will be.
The Poodle, often called the French Poodle has its origins in Germany, not France. It was bred in Germany over 400 years ago to hunt ducks.
The Poodle is friendly and the Shepadoodle cross-bred dog has a lovely temperament.
On the other hand, the German Shepherd is smart and courageous and that’s why it is used for police and military work.
The Shepadoodle can range from 15 to 26 inches tall and weigh from 40 to 90 pounds.
Cost for this hybrid can run anywhere from $500 to $1000 and up.
Both dog breeds are active and require 1 to 2 hours of walking every day.
3. Miniature German Shepherd Corgi Mix (Corman Shepherd)
This hybrid is easy to train, yet the Corgi will be somewhat stubborn. Both breeds are herders, loyal, eager to please, and work hard. It can have barking problems and be destructive when left alone. These dogs can be pushy when untrained because both have alpha personalities.
Today’s Welsh Corgi can be traced back to 1107 AD when artisan Flemish weavers relocated to Wales, taking their dogs along. Used to herd sheep, geese, ponies, cattle, and other livestock, this habit of dog work goes back to 900 AD.
German Shepherds are explorers and both breeds like adventure. Take it for walks in the woods or parks. They live from 11 to 14years.
The dog can be 15 to 20 inches tall and weigh from 40 to 70 pounds.
The cost for this breed is about the same price as a German Shepherd dog from $200 to $500.
4. Miniature German Shepherd Border Collie Mix (Shollies)
From Great Britain comes the Border Collie, a fantastic herding dog. It is intelligent, athletic, and quick to learn. They love mental and physical exercise.
The average life span is 13 to 15 years and these dogs also need exercise.
This breed weighs from 75 to 80 pounds and is about 22 to 29 inches tall.
The mix is a beautiful dog with a long fur coat. Brush it daily for a silky shiny coat.
This dog will bark when it senses danger making it the perfect watch dog. It is friendly and loves to have fun with people it knows. It is gentle and good around little kids, but supervision is recommended.
These dogs need lots of space and are not suitable for apartment living.
Puppy prices run from around $475 to $900. Always buy from a reputable breeder.
Should I Adopt, Rescue, or Buy a Miniature German Shepherd Puppy or Adult From a Breeder?
Think about your options before buying a miniature German Shepherd or mixed-breed dog. If you are looking for a dog with no specific use in mind simply wanting a companion for the family and kids, then rescue dogs are a good place to go.
Another great option is to get a dog from a rescue when you don’t have a particular need for the dog. Rescue dogs are a good choice since those dogs are as well-bred as dogs from breeders. Rescue missions will work with you and the dog will not cost an arm and a leg.
Buying or adopting a miniature German Shepherd dog or a mix is a cost consideration. Adoption is cheaper at about $300 rather than buying the dog from a breeder. That covers the care of the dog received at the adoption agency.
Purchasing the dog from a breeder can be extremely expensive. They can cost from $500 to $7000 if they are from show-dog or working dog bloodlines.
Search for the dog’s appearance, health, and location. The animal shelters and rescues focus on puppies and adults.
The best way to adopt a German Shepherd dog would be through a rescue that specializes in German Shepherd dogs. Start a breed search on Adoptapet.com to find all the available German Shepherd dogs in your area by zip code.
Is the Miniature German Shepherd Right for You?
If you want a devoted miniature German Shepherd or a mix, you will have a loyal loving dog if you have space and time to devote to it.
These dogs make wonderful family pets, are good with children, and live for many years.
