The German Shepherd Mastic Mix, also known as the Mastiff Shepherd, is a designer dog created in the last few years. This interesting crossbreed combines the German Shepherd and the Mastiff together.
This results in a very large dog that should make for a wonderful companion. This mixed breed dog will enjoy regular exercises and playing with their owners.
If you’re interested in getting the German Shepherd Mastiff Mix, keep reading to see pictures and to determine if this mix is a good match for you.
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts About the German Shepherd Mastiff Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Other Names: | Mastiff Shepherd, German Mastiff Shepherd, English Mastiff Shepherd, German Mastiff, GSD Mastiff |
| Size: | Large-sized dog |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes |
| Good Guard Dog: | Yes |
| Average Weight: | 130 to 190 pounds |
| Average Height: | 27 to 30 inches |
| Lifespan: | 9 to 11 years |
| Apartment Living: | Yes, but proper exercise and mental stimulation is essential |
| Ideal for: | Active families, spacious homes, farm dog, experienced dog owners, people looking for a watchdog |
| Coat: | Double coat with short-medium length, straight hair |
| Coat colors: | Black, tan, apricot, fawn, and brindle |
| Suitable for first time owners: | No, these dogs do best with experienced dog owners |
| Trainability: | Difficult |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | High |
| Grooming Needs: | Brushing should be done at least 3 times each week to help keep their coat healthy |
| Energy Levels: | Moderate to high |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 45 t0 90 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | Low |
| Feeding and Diet: | 3 to 4 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two or three meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, bleeding disorder, cherry eye, bloat, and urinary tract infection |
| Temperament: | Loyal, intelligent, courageous, protective, loving, energetic, aggressive, gentle |
| Cat Friendly: | Yes, But Proper Socialization Is Recommended |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes, But Proper Socialization Is Recommended |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, but supervision is strongly recommended |
| Barking Tendencies: | May or may not bark excessively. depends on which parent dog breeds your German Mastiff takes after most (you can control your dog’s barking tendencies with proper training) |
| Price: | $400 to $1,000 |
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What Is A German Shepherd Mastiff Mix Called?
The German Shepherd Mastiff Mix is also known as a German Mastiff Shepherd, a Shepherd Mastiff, an English Mastiff Shepherd, a German Mastiff, or a GSD Mastiff. Some people also refer to this dog as an English Mastiff X German Shepherd Cross, or a German Shepherd X Mastiff Cross.
Any dog breeder or dog lover will know what you’re are referring to when you use any of these names. Whichever name you use is fine and should describe this wonderful mixed breed dog well.
Let’s now take a look at the histories of both parent breeds:
The History of the German Shepherd
As the name suggests, the German Shepherd breed has its roots in Germany, where it played a number of roles. One prominent role was herding sheep.
The breed owes its existence to a man named Captain Max von Stephanitz. His goal was to create a German dog breed that would excel at herding sheep.
He loved the dog because of its strength, intelligence and eagerness to please.
This dog breed has also been used as a farm dog and military and police dog. The breed played a major role during the First and Second World Wars.
The GSD can now be found around the world. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in the early 1900s.
The History of Mastiff Dogs
The term Mastiff refers to a group of massive dogs and not a single breed. These dogs have similar characteristics, but different origins. Most Mastiff dogs are believed to have originated from Asia over a thousand years ago.
One of the most popular Mastiff breeds is the English Mastiff breed, which was common used for herding and as a guard dog in the UK. They were used to herd sheep and for hunting wolves. Their protective nature allowed them to protect flocks of sheep.
Mastiffs are a popular family dog due to their gentle, loyal and loving traits. They are also great guard dogs and watchdogs.
Unfortunately, the Mastiff breeds were commonly used for fighting. However, the practice was declared illegal in the UK in 1835. This led to a decrease in their numbers. Their population has since increased and they are popular family companions today.
The General Appearance of the German Shepherd Mastiff Mix
What the German Shepherd and Mastiff Mix will look like will vary from puppy to puppy. This is mainly because of the different Mastiffs that can change the general appearance of these pups. Full grown German Shepherd Mastiff Mixes can look different from each other.
Generally speaking, these dogs have large paws, folded ears and a pronounced muzzle. These large dogs also have a large head and large abdomens. Your Shepherd Mastiff cross has a moderate brush on their tail.
Overall, Shepherd Mastiff Mixes look more like their Mastiff parent dogs, but have long facial features just like the GSD.
How Big Will a German Shepherd Mastiff Mix Get?
The size of a Shepherd Mastiff cross can vary significantly. However, these are normally large dogs. Your Shepherd Mastiff Mix should a large dog that stands between 27 to 30 inches tall, and weighs around 130 to 190 pounds.
Since this is a mixed breed, it is difficult to predict how big your pup will be. It all depends on the parent dogs.
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Coat and Coat Colors
When it comes to coat and coat color, the GSD and Mastiff breeds are quite similar. They both have a short, straight and thick outer coat with a soft undercoat. Nonetheless, the GSDs tend to have longer coat, especially around their necks.
Shepherd Mastiff puppies could inherit the fluffy look of their GSD parents. However, most pups have a short, straight and thick coat throughout their body.
The most common coat colors include black, tan, apricot, and fawn. They generally have black spots around the face, just like both parent breeds.
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Temperament and Personality Traits
The German Shepherd Mastiff Mix can be quite aggressive, especially when protecting their owner and family. This trait might have been inherited from the Mastiff dogs who were commonly used for fighting. However, they are not a dangerous breed. All you need to do is to train and socialize them at an early age so they don’t become aggressive towards people and other animals.
These loyal and brave dogs will do anything in their power to protect ad rescue their owner and family. This certainly makes them great guard dogs.
That being said, the German Shepherd Mastiff Mix is also gentle and sweet, especially with young children. Even when they want to play, they are patient with children and always try to play safe with them.
Mastiffs are also known for their gentle mouth. This means they can keep cats and other pets safely in their mouths without hurting them.
Do They Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
The gentle nature of the Mastiff makes them good with children and other animals, including other dogs. A well-trained and socialized German Shepherd Mastiff Mix can get along well with cats and other dogs. However, their massive size means that you should supervise them when around little kids and small pets.
However, these dogs do not always extend tolerance towards strangers and can sometimes be aggressive towards unfamiliar children.
Socialize your pup at a young age and he will be happy around children and other dogs.
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Training
Since this crossbreed is a result of two breeds that are highly protective, they should be properly trained to ensure they don’t put you, your family or the general public in trouble.
Housetraining can be quite difficult since they are often stubborn, and Mastiff dogs are not known to be particularly intelligent. However, that doesn’t mean that training your Mastiff German Shepherd Mix puppy will be an impossible task. All you need to do is to start training them early so you can prevent behavioral issues in the future.
The German Shepherd Mastiff Mix is not the best breed for first time dog owner because training can be a challenge.
If you’re a first-time owner considering getting a Mastiff German Shepherd Mix puppy, then it is strongly recommended to seek out the services of a professional dog trainer.
Exercise Needs
German Shepherds need 2 hours of exercise each day, while Mastiff breeds require around 40 to 60 minutes of daily exercise.
Your Mastiff German Shepherd Mix will need around 45 to 90 minutes of daily exercise to remain happy and healthy. Make sure to divide their daily exercise into two equal sessions.
It is also advisable to engage your pup’s mind with interactive dog toys. German Shepherd Mixes need both physical activities and mental stimulation to remain healthy and happy.
German Shepherd Mastiff Mixes will most likely not be as energetic as German Shepherds, but they might do well in tracking and agility.
These dogs also need a spacious place to play and run around. Apart from a good place to exercise, you need to buy them a good crate like the Midwest Folding Crate for X-Large Dogs and a quality bed like the Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed to help them enjoy a good night’s sleep after a long, tiring day.
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Grooming and Shedding
Mastiff Shepherds tend to shed a lot throughout the year. Therefore, this is not the best breed for people with allergies.
Groom your German Shepherd Mastiff Mix a few times each week to keep their coat smooth and healthy. A Mastiff Shepherd should be combed regularly to remove or prevent mats and tangles.
Bathing should be done as necessary. For everyday cleaning, consider using the best deodorizing wipes for dogs. This will help clean the dirt in your dog’s coat and skin, leaving him freshened up.
Other important grooming treatments for your Mastiff Shepherd including weekly nail trimming, and regular ear cleaning to prevent infections. Finally, brush their teeth regularly with a vet-approved toothpaste for fresh breath and good dental health. Start teeth brushing and nail trimming early so your puppy gets accustomed to these grooming routines.
Feeding and Diet
The dietary requirements for this mix will vary depending on their size, age and activity level. Larger dogs may require more food. That’s why it’s important to know the size and weight of your Mastiff Shepherd.
Your German Shepherd Mastiff Mix will most likely do well eating between 3 to 4 cups of high quality dog food.
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You can give your adorable mixed breed dog the best dry dog food for large dogs and see if they enjoy eating it. If you find a formula they like, stick with it. However, make sure to speak to your vet before changing their diet.
Your mixed breed dog’s diet should also contain probiotics and wild Alaskan salmon oil. These supplements will help keep their joints, skin and coat healthy.
Giving your pup fresh water is also important because it helps them stay hydrated.
How Long Do German Shepherd Mastiffs Live?
The average lifespan of the German Shepherd Mastiff mix is around 9 to 11 years – which is the average life expectancy for most large dog breeds.
Common Health Issues of a German Shepherd Mastiff Mix
Just like the parent breeds, the German Shepherd Mastiff Mix is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, bleeding disorder, cherry eye, bloat, and urinary tract infection.
His and elbow dysplasia are common among large dogs die to their massive weight. With proper care, you can prevent this condition. Proper nutrition can help control your dog’s weight and reduce the risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia.
To avoid all of these health problems, insist on buying a puppy from a reputable breeder. The breeder should give you a guarantee on the quality and health of their puppies.
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German Shepherd Mastiff Mix Puppies for Sale
Before buying a German Shepherd Mastiff mix puppy, make sure to find a responsible breeder. Stay away from puppy mills, pet stores, and backyard breeders.
Ask your breeder a few questions about their breeding practices, the health, and temperament of their puppies.
How Much Does A German Shepherd Mastiff Puppy Cost?
Since this is a crossbreed, it is not as expensive as pure breeds. You can expect to pay around $400 to $1,000 for a healthy Mastiff and German Shepherd Mix puppy. This price will vary based on the location and the breeders involved.
You may also want to consider a Mastiff Shepherd for adoption. Rescues and animals shelters may also have this mix listed for adoption. If you don’t want to buy a puppy, you should consider getting an older dog that has already undergone some form of training.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are German Shepherd Mastiffs Aggressive?
German Shepherd Mastiffs are potentially aggressive, they are not dangerous dogs. That said, it is important to avoid leaving them with little children unattended.
Can German Shepherd Mastiff Dogs Be Left Alone?
German Shepherd Mastiff dogs should not be left along for far too long. If you leave your Mastiff Shepherd alone for extended periods, they could develop separation anxiety and behavioral problems.
Consider hiring a dog walker, dog sitter, or requesting a friend to look after your dog while you’re away from home.
Mastiff German Shepherd Dogs High Maintenance?
The Mastiff Shepherd can be a medium-length coated or long coated dog. Therefore, their coats can be said to be high maintenance. That is because they often need extensive grooming.
Do German Shepherd Mastiffs Bark A Lot?
Yes and No. German Shepherds are known to bark a lot, while Mastiff dogs do not bark much. With proper training and socialization, you can control your dog’s barking tendencies.
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Conclusion
As you can see, the German Shepherd Mastiff Mix can be a wonderful family companion. He is loyal and protective, especially when trained and socialized well. They usually combine the best traits of both parent breeds, making them loyal, intelligent, and hardworking.
Give them quality playtime, feed them the right type of food, and groom them regularly. Make this a routine, and you’ll have a loyal friend by your side at all times.
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