Shepherd Husky is originated from United States but Spanish Water Dog is originated from Spain. Shepherd Husky may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Spanish Water Dog. Shepherd Husky may weigh 18 kg / 40 pounds more than Spanish Water Dog. Both Shepherd Husky and Spanish Water Dog has same life span. Both Shepherd Husky and Spanish Water Dog has almost same litter size. Both Shepherd Husky and Spanish Water Dog requires Moderate Maintenance.
What a beautiful dog the Shepherd Husky is. He is a mix between the Husky and the German Shepherd. Other names for him include Gerberian Shepsky, German Husky and Siberian Shepherd.
The German Shepherd originated in Germany and the Husky is from Siberia. We assume this mixed breed dog was bred in the USA. The true origin of the German Shepherd Husky dog is unclear but both the parent breeds have long histories.
The dog is recognized as a Hybrid by both the Dog Registry of America as well as the American canine hybrid Club.
Bred in Spain to guard and herd sheep, the Spanish Water Dog was also used in hunting because he could retrieve in water. The breed is closely aligned with other water dogs like the Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog and French Barbel. It is especially true that the Spanish Water Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog share some of the same ancestors. The two breeds are closely related.
In the early days of the breed, they were separated into three different sizes and types. The dogs from Northern Spain were smaller than the others and came from the regions of Cantabria and Asturias. These lighter colored dogs eventually became their own breed – the Cantabria Water Dog. The second group came from western Andalusia marsh lands. He had a long chorded coat. The third group was the strongest and largest and came from the southern Andalusian sierras. This was by far the largest and most influential group, most of whom were herders. Eventually the groups interbred and today’s SWD carries the traits of all three. They were and still are a very versatile breed. In addition to herding they fished or retrieved for hunters.
The breed was revived in the 1970”s by two breeders, Santiago Montesinos and Antonio Garcia Perez travelled through southern Spain to buy or borrow dogs for breeding. By 1980, they had established the Spanish Water Dog Club of Spain and reestablished the breed. They fought to the breed recognized in Spain first. After five years of hard work, the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed permanently in 1999.
The UKC, or United Kennel Club, of the United States, recognized the breed in 2001, accepting them for confirmation by 2004. In the United States the breed was championed by Ken and Jerry Mann to attain that UKC recognition. Still the AKC, or American Kennel Club, held out on their recognition. The Manns showed the SWD in 2000 in the AKC Rare Breed Conformation and the UKC multi-breed show in 2004.
The Manns also used their breed for herding in the United States in entered them into the herding competition. In the they advocated for and got the SWD into the herding group for confirmation with the UKC in 2013. The American Kennel Club approved the requests of the Spanish Water Dog Club, Inc and recognized the breed in 2005 as foundation stock. By 2008 the AKC recognized the SWD to be able to compete in field trials by not conformation. In 2015 the SWD will be admitting to AKC conformation and fully recognized as a member of the herding group. They were also recognized by the American Herding Breed Association in 2007.
Solid and strong, the German Shepherd Husky mix is attractive. He is a fairly large dog standing at 51 to 64cm in height and weighing between 20 to 40kg.
They’re powerful dogs these as they have a long history of being working dogs. The eyes of this beautiful dog can be brown, green or blue or a mix of these. The thick double coat protects them from the cold and in the warmer months, he sheds quite a bit.
The coat can be brown, black and tan or it can have creamy shades and be mixed with grey and white too.
The Shepherd Husky is a friendly, amicable dog who wants to please his owner. Training and socialization make him even more well adjusted. He is a dog that will get on well with children in the home as well as other dogs.
He is such an all rounder this dog – loyal, intelligent, social and loving - being great for accompanying you on walks and hikes but being willing to sit with you indoors too.
While he is adaptable and good natured and will happily live with his owner in the city or the countryside, he is better suited to life in the countryside. He also makes a great guard-dog.
The Spanish Water Dog is an athletic, medium size, robust breed that is not as tall as it is long. In countries like the US, the tails are docked but it is not a conformation fault if they are not. The carry themselves with pride and elegance, have a strong head and expressive eyes which are brown. They have flat skulls and wide set eyes. Their paw pads, eye-rims and nose should be darker than their coat or at least the same color. Their eyes are chestnut, hazel or dark brown and their ears are medium height and triangular. His coat is curly and his topline is straight. With a broad chest and arched rib, he is a very athletic looking dog. The breed has much respiratory capacity with broad shoulders and straight sturdy legs. The breed has rounded feet , tight toes, and resistant pads.
The German Shepherd Husky mix is such an ideal dog for single people, couples and families. This wolf-like breed is intelligent, loving,social and protective – the ideal family dog.
For those looking for an active dog that can be their jogging, walking and camping partner, this dog is for you. He loves to be busy, but he also loves being made a fuss of indoors too.
He has so many excellent qualities and is one dog breed that ticks all the right boxes for being such an all-round splendid pet and companion.
This is such a robust dog that you an scarcely think of him being sickly and yet there are some illnesses that are common to all dogs and which your German Shepherd Husky mix might get as well.
Hip dysplasia is common in German Shepherd dogs as well as arthritis and thyroid dysfunction. Bloat and cancer are other diseases to watch for.
Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic disease characterised as a disease of the hip. The malformation can lead to arthritis and pain and ultimately lead to the loss of hip function, crippling your dog.
You will need to get your pet to the vet for treatment to make his life more comfortable.
The Spanish Water Dog has much of the same health problems as the other water dogs and dogs their size and heritage. Here are some of the health issues they are prone to.
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – inability to digest food – can be treated.
• CHG – Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter – inherited and pups don’t grow correctly.
• Neuroaxonal Dystrophy – cognitive and muscular dysfunction. Vitamin E and insulin deficiency
◆Brush the coat of your Shepherd Husky twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs. This dog’s hair sheds quite heavily as the weather warms and he may require brushing more often.
◆When you brush him, check the ears and eyes for infection. The eyes must be bright and clear.
◆Feed your Shepherd Husky the best food there is as he is an energetic, working breed. The commercially manufactured foods can be a good, convenient choice but you need to make sure it is one of the better brands.
Some of the cheaper brands are full of bad ingredients that can make a dog sick.Try and give him some home-made foods that are healthy and nutritious. This food can be added to his dry kibble twice a week.
Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a tasty healthy choice for your pet. Try and include some raw meat into the diet as well.
1.Feeding the puppy – Because of the breed propensity to some genetic dietary issues it is important to feed high quality food made from mostly meat. Avoid grains as much as possible. Don’t feed adult foods to the puppies. Feed puppy breed specific or medium size dogs.
2.Feeding the adult - Feed the adult as little grain and as much protein as possible. Feed adult breed specific or medium size dog’s food.
4. Games and Exercises – This is a working breed. Remember they are both herders and hunters and need exercise. They love strenuous hiking, running, jogging, long walks, swimming and playing fetch. Don’t over work the puppy/young dog until they have matured and their growth plates close.