If you’re looking for a loyal and protective working or guard dog, then you can do no worse than the Shepweiler. This uncommon hybrid is produced from the crossing of two different breeds: the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd. The Rottweiler is a strong and muscular working breed that descended from the ancient Mastiffs. Over the centuries, it has been used to herd livestock, guard homes, and do police and rescue work. The German Shepherd is a muscular and agile herding dog that first arose in the 19th century to wrangle sheep. It later became an excellent watchdog, police dog, and overall service dog.

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This crossbreed will inherit many of its parents’ traits, though not in a perfect 50/50 split. Most Shepweilers will have a big, muscular body, long legs, a large muzzle, powerful jaws, blue and/or brown eyes, and droopy ears that sometimes become erect when the dog is particularly attentive. The straight thick coat of fur is usually some combination of black, brown, white, and tan. Red, fawn, and sable are common colors as well. The Shepweiler is usually a first-generation hybrid, but some multi-generation crosses do exist as well.

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3 pros and cons of owning a Shepweiler

Shepweiler Size and Weight

The Shepweiler is a big dog with a strong and muscular frame. Females are slightly smaller than males on average.

Shepweiler Common Health Issues

The Shepweiler is a fairly healthy dog with a lifespan of some 10 to 13 years. But just like its two parent breeds, this hybrid may be prone to cataracts, cancer, bloating, autoimmune disorders, hip and elbow problems, skin irritation, hypothyroidism, and a congenital heart defect.

In order to reduce the chances of your dog developing these health problems, it is always important to buy your Shepweiler from high-quality breeders who will screen for common conditions that are known to afflict this type of dog. If necessary, ask the breeders for proof of their dogs’ health. Once you’ve purchased a dog, it is also necessary to have regular checkups at the vet to catch early health problems. In summation, these are the most common health issues of a Shepweiler:

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• Allergies
• Cataracts
• Bloating
• Joint Problems
• Cancer

Shepweiler Temperament

The Shepweiler’s parent breeds both have an unfortunate reputation for exhibiting some aggressive behavior, but this is only the case when the dog is mistreated or not properly trained by a bad owner. If the Shepweiler has undergone proper socialization and obedience training, then it should be very well-behaved and friendly as a fully grown adult.

They can be a hard-working, diligent, loving, and self-confident member of the family. Their naturally protective personality makes them excellent guard dogs, and they also have the ability to do all kinds of complex work. The Shepweiler does require plenty of physical and mental stimulation (and may turn annoying if it does not receive that), so they may offer only frustration for busy or negligent owners.

How to Take Care of the Shepweiler

The Shepweiler is a good choice for experienced and diligent owners who have the time and knowledge to train it and care for its considerable needs. First-time or novice owners may struggle with the dog’s tendency to push the boundaries during the training process. If you have any other questions or concerns about the proper way to care for this dog, then you should always consult with your vet.

The Best Dog Food for Shepweilers

A fully grown Shepweiler probably needs around 3 to 4 cups of high-protein dry food per day. The exact amount will depend on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. Since this dog may be particularly prone to bloating, it is a good idea to split this into three or four meals per day. Bloating is a very serious condition that can cause the stomach to expand beyond its normal size, which can cause pain and damage. Some dogs may also be allergic to wheat, soy, and corn as well. Aim for allergy-prevention dog foods with limited ingredients.

So A-Z Animals believes the best dog food for Shepweilers is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet | Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food.

We like this dog food for Shepweilers, because it eliminates the grain that can trigger the breed’s food sensitivities. Also, wet food can be a good kibble alternative for breeds like Shepweilers that can experience bloat, because dry food can expand in contact with water/moisture to exacerbate bloat. This dog food manages to cut out the sub-optimal ingredients in favor of high-quality proteins and plenty of calcium for the bones and joints.

Here’s where to find Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Canned Dog Food on amazon.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Sweet Potato & Fish | Adult Grain-Free Wet Canned Dog Food | 13-oz. Can, (Pack of 12)

• SALMON IS THE FIRST ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCE providing essential protein and amino acids to help maintain strong muscles; Sweet Potato is included as a grain-free source of fiber to help support digestive health; Contains (12) 13-Ounce Cans
• LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET PHILOSOPHY Formulated with a simplified list of premium ingredients; a single animal protein source, and no grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors or flavors; We use fewer ingredients so pets, and pet parents, can live healthy lives
• NUTRIENTS FROM OUR SWEET POTATO & SALMON RECIPE crafted with nutritious ingredients such as salmon, fish broth and sweet potatoes; Complete and balanced with essential nutrients to help maintain your dog’s healthy immune system
• NUTRITION FOR EVERY TYPE OF DOG Any dog can enjoy our delicious recipes, not just dogs with sensitive stomachs, irritable skin or allergies; Our purposefully crafted formulas reduce the number of ingredients without sacrificing taste or nutrition
• SAFETY & TRANSPARENCY Natural Balance’s ‘Feed with Confidence’ program tests every batch of food from start to finish, ensuring safety with every bite; Validate bag on our site or call our Customer Care Team of Registered Veterinary Technicians

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Shepweiler Maintenance and Grooming

As a relatively heavy shedder, the Shepweiler needs to be groomed at least once a week to maintain the proper health of the coat. It is recommended to do at least some light brushing every day with a slicker brush or de-shedder to remove the loose hair as well. Because of its tendency to develop dry and irritated skin, bathing should take place only as needed with a light shampoo when the dog becomes dirty. Other important aspects of the dog’s hygiene include regular nail trimmings, ear cleanings, and teeth brushing.

Shepweiler Training

The Shepweiler is a very smart dog that will follow commands with great proficiency and aplomb. They will benefit enormously from a disciplined training regime. But many owners make the mistake of assuming that these dogs need to be treated with harshness and aggression. This is not the case. While the Shepweiler may have the tendency to push boundaries and test your limits, owners should respond with patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement methods.

You will need to establish the fact that you’re the leader, but don’t react harshly and negatively when it disobeys. Most importantly, you will need to be consistent with your commands. The dog cannot read your mind, and sending mixed signals may just confuse it. If you need help with training at all, then you may want to consult with a professional.

Shepweiler Exercise

The Shepweiler needs between 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day, divided into several smaller sessions. This dog should be satisfied with long walks, jogs, hikes, fetching, playtime, and some time to roam around in a park or yard. It may also excel at some complex tricks, tasks, and sports. If the dog’s daily exercise needs are neglected, then it might resort to destructive behavior such as chewing and barking.

Shepweiler Puppies

In order to become a well-behaved fully grown adult, the Shepweiler needs to begin proper socialization and obedience training within the first few months of its life. Part of this process will entail introducing your puppy to as many new people and situations as possible to counteract some of its natural wariness toward strangers. Shepweiler puppies shouldn’t be too difficult to house train, but a crate may nevertheless be useful if you are experiencing any difficulties. Owners will also need to pay close attention to the puppy’s physical development. Until the dog is fully mature, its joints may be sensitive and frail. Be careful about letting puppies jump around or play on hard surfaces.

Shepweilers and Children

Despite its enormous size, the Shepweiler should do well with most children. It is loyal and protective but also sometimes very loving and playful. However, parents may need to be careful about letting this dog unsupervised around smaller children, since its size can be intimidating.

Dogs Similar to the Shepweiler

If the Shepweiler appeal to you, then you might want to check out the following breeds. They have similar physical characteristics, behaviors, and traits.

• Doberman Pinscher – This confident, fearless, and alert breed is one of the best watchdogs around. It sports a muscular physique, a keen intelligence, and a short brown or red coat of fur.
• Bullmastiff – Among the largest of all dogs, the big, muscular Bullmastiff descends from a cross between the Bulldog and the Mastiff. This affectionate, courageous, and loyal dog was originally bred to protect the vast estates of English aristocrats from game poachers.
• Beauceron – Despite looking a bit like a Rottweiler, this kind gentle, obedient, and loyal breed is actually a French herding and guard dog with a big international following. Its enormous ability for hard work is one of its defining traits.

Famous Shepweilers

As a relatively obscure and unknown crossbreed, the Shepweiler does not have a large following. But its two parent breeds, the Rottweiler and German Shepherd, regularly rank among the top 10 most popular dogs in the United States.

Popular Names for the Shepweiler

If you need help coming up with a good Shepweiler name, then you might want to consider the following options:

• Rocky
• Bella
• Max
• Charlie
• Zeus
• Charlie
• Luna
• Roxy
• Harley
• Moose

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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