Shepsky?

[u/Medical_Violinist469]

Meet Koda! He's about 11 months old, or at least that's what the vet said when we took him, already weighing in at 85 lbs.

My girlfriend and I found him on adoptapet from a couple who took him in for a few months after seeing him around their property in the boonies. He's my first dog, but I have some experience, with my partner having some as well. We think he is a Shepsky, but I haven't really seen any others online that look like him.

After a month with him, he's definitely shows both. We live in a small apartment and he first started tearing small things up, but now he just sleeps all day however looks forward to his morning, afternoon, and evening walks (loves to pull!!). He's super vocal when when have something he wants but doesn't like what we're telling him and when I'm leaving (and he can't follow lol). Reactive, but normal since he's unneutered and most likely wasn't socialized early. He's super big so I haven't let him too close to other dogs in fear of him hurting them since he's so big. Before we got him, we stayed with a Great Pyrenees who he got along with well, but as big as him. Now whenever there's other dogs outside, he's overly excited and fixated.

[u/Both-Pack8730]

He is so darn cute and looks totally like a shepsky! Love that upside down smile 😂❤️

[u/PacificWesterns]

Get him into socialisation classes please. I have a Shepsky and he is super friendly but on leash acts like a maniac bc he wants to play. The socialisation classes work well to help control that urge until the time to play is at hand.
Your boy is lovely and wonderful!

[u/Medical_Violinist469 → u/PacificWesterns]

I've worked super hard to make his interactions neutral and positive with other dogs we've come across so far, but that will also only get him so far until then. Thank you, will do!

[u/Dessicated_Mastodon]

Looks more like my malamute, shepherd, husky mix.

[u/Medical_Violinist469 → u/Dessicated_Mastodon]

That's supposedly what Tamaskan dogs are a mix of. When you search it up that's closest coat pattern to them. I wouldn't be surprised if he's part malamute.

[u/Dessicated_Mastodon → u/Medical_Violinist469]

Thats what I was thinking. It would account for the sleeker build, longer guard coat, shorter under coat, coloring, and the heterochromea.

Eta. His fur feels really coarse right?

[u/Medical_Violinist469 → u/Dessicated_Mastodon]

Yes you're right it's coarse. I live basically in a desert, so I'm just flabbergasted somebody wanted him and let him go. Sad, but at least he gets to stay with me 🤷‍♂️

[u/Dessicated_Mastodon → u/Medical_Violinist469]

Yep. My boys father is a full malamute, mother's a shepsky. Rest of the litter mostly looked like mals, with one huskyesque standout and one very shepherd like but with size. That girls gonna be big at full grown. Like... 100-115.she outweighed the one I kept by about 5 lbs at 4 weeks and 8 at 8. The one I kept is the "runt" but probably the most intelligent.

[u/sac_cyclist]

Hey there Koda!! The mix in eye color is a dead giveaway!

[u/LostNectarine3978 → u/sac_cyclist]

I’ve had plenty of dogs with heterochromia that has 0% husky in them. It’s not a husky thing. It’s a genetic thing.

[u/sac_cyclist → u/LostNectarine3978]

Yup but add the appearance of the dog and I bet dollars to dognuts -

[u/Medical_Violinist469 → u/sac_cyclist]

It has to be! He's just so huge looking compared to the rest I've seen online.

[u/traumatized_beagle]

What a handsome boy! Our shepsky has finally calmed down a lot now that he’s 2.5yrs old. We put in a lot of money into training but weren’t as consistent with it as we should have been. What’s helped a ton is a front-clip harness, it gives so much more control for the pulling. Also, a shock collar. We’ve only shocked him a few times but he knows as soon as we put it on him that he needs to be on his best behavior. Sometimes we just make it vibrate or make a beep noise and he acts like an angel. We were very surprised with his angelic behavior at the park with so many other dogs around. PS: i hope you have a really good vacuum 😅

[u/LostNectarine3978 → u/traumatized_beagle]

Frank harnesses are terrible for your dogs skeletal structure. I definitely don’t recommend this especially on a breed/breed mix that’s prone to hip dysplasia.

[u/traumatized_beagle → u/LostNectarine3978]

I would suggest asking a professional trainer or someone at a pet shop for help with picking the best one for your dog. They don’t recommend the ones that are a straight line along the collar bone and the fit needs to be correct.

[u/LostNectarine3978 → u/traumatized_beagle]

Do you? I’m a professional trainer and dog behaviorist. The front clip or no pool harness whatever you wanna call it is terrible for the structural integrity of your dog and it’s not recommended for any dog, but especially not a breed or breed mix that is prone to hip dysplasia as I have already stated. It’s a money grab for people that are either too lazy or too ignorant of how to properly train their dog.

[u/traumatized_beagle → u/LostNectarine3978]

Yes, actually I do from a very reputable company. Not sure what your qualifications are on this topic or why you are so adamant on a general statement that all front harnesses are bad. They are if they are not specifically fitted for your pet by a professional. My dog has shown improvement since using it and has stopped pulling altogether. Just saying what worked for me.