The miniature German Shepherd is a breed of German Shepherd Dogs that is not a whole breed. Sometimes, they are full-bred, but this happens only when the German Shepherd has dwarfism.
WHAT ARE MINIATURE GERMAN SHEPHERDS?
Miniature German shepherds are what’s known as designer dogs, and they exist from the crossbreeding of a purebred German Shepherd with a smaller dog, typically a poodle or a collie. The result of this crossbreed is what gives rise to the miniature German Shepherd. The dominant genes of the German Shepherd usually surface in the coat colors and patterns and even the ears, so you’re expected to have a dog with a distinctive German Shepherd Dog but one that is smaller than the standard German Shepherd Dog.
There is, however, no different standard when it comes to the appearance of the miniature German Shepherd. Every litter will differ depending on the breed with which it was crossed. Not all mixed dog breeds will inherit 50 % of characteristics from one parent and 50% from the other. The inheritance of characteristics may be heavily weighted toward one of the parents than the other.
Common breeds used to produce miniature German shepherds include:
• Poodles
• Collies
• Siberian huskies
• Corgies
• Golden retrievers
• Pugs
• Yorkshire terrier and others.
10 TRUTHS/CHARACTERISTICS OF A MINIATURE GERMAN SHEPHERD
• Appearance: As stated above, the miniature German Shepherd typically has the colors and markings of the German Shepherd. It has brown eyes, a double coat, a bushy downward curving tail, and large erect ears like the German Shepherd.
• Coat: The miniature German Shepherd has a double coat, just like the standard German Shepherd. The coat color is difficult to predict, but the range of possible coat colors includes black and tan, white, or even fawn.
• Weight and Height: The male miniature German Shepherd has a height between 15 and 20 inches and will weigh 50lb on average. The females also have the exact measurements.
• Temperaments: The miniature German Shepherd is known widely for its loyalty. They are very caring and protective companions. Regardless of how small they are, they are fierce and are listed as one of the most dangerous dogs when they are not adequately trained and socialized.
• Grooming: The miniature German Shepherd sheds more than the average German shepherd dog and will need to be groomed more regularly. Brushing at least twice a week is recommended. They should not be bathed too often as they will lose their coat’s natural oil. Also, clean their teeth regularly to avoid the build-up of plaque. Trim their nails too.
• Exercise and Feeding: This small hybrid dog is very active and has a lot of stamina. It will need a lot of exercises blended with fun, at least one hour per day that can build up to 2 hours when it is an adult. As small dogs are, they should be fed as such. They should be fed twice daily to prevent bloat, which is fatal. Please encourage them to eat slowly using a slow-feeding bowl.
• Health: The miniature German Shepherd is prone to fewer disorders than their purebred counterparts. They have health disorders and diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat(GDV), hemophilia, degenerative myelopathy, and so on.
• Lifespan: The average lifespan of a miniature German shepherd is 15 years.
• Cost: A miniature German shepherd pup should cost around $1000, but the price depends on the mix you want as some breed mix cost more than others.
• Trainability: The miniature German Shepherd, like every other dog breed, needs to be trained and socialized early on. Just like its parent – the German Shepherd, it will be very agile. It will need lots of mental and physical activities. They are, however, easy to train. Harsh control is not a very good option, instead, try the positive reinforcement and treats method.
HOW TO TRAIN A MINIATURE GERMAN SHEPHERD?
The primary type of training they will require would be obedience, discipline, agility, and socialization. They are very active and may need to run around without a leash to tire themselves out.
• Develop basic commands: You would require your miniature German Shepherd to listen to you. Do you have to set anchor words like sit, stand, run, wait, and so on? Be consistent in using these anchor words with positive reinforcement and treats. This hybrid dog may try to dominate, which must be controlled early enough.
• Crate: Firstly, you must get a crate and then teach your miniature German shepherd puppy to get into it. This crate would eventually become its nest, and it would learn to sleep there. You may have to lock the crate to teach the fog to sleep in the early training days. This training proves it worth it when you need to transport your dog.
• Potty training: This should be one of the training you start from the first day you bring this pup home. You can set out a part in your yard, make it distinct from the rest of the yard, and teach your pup how it goes there to ease itself.
• Walking on a leash: Voice command and road awareness is vital for your dog’s safety.
A miniature German shepherd makes a tremendous emotional support animal due to its size, and it can adapt to any environment or home. Though a mixed breed, they retain the German Shepherd’s temperaments, making it a great family and work dog. It is also a very loyal, intelligent, and affectionate dog with high energy.
Before you get a miniature German shepherd, be sure you’re ready to commit to the routine medical checkups it will need. The miniature German Shepherd will be a great dog that can double as a companion and work dog.