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German Shepherd Coyote Mix – Complete Guide

The German Shepherd coyote mix is a new designer hybrid that combines two different species – a dog and a coyote. Though beautiful to behold, coyote Shepherds aren’t for everyone and require an experienced and active owner who’ll be able to keep them in check.

So, do German Shepherd coyote mixes make good pets? The Shepherd coyote mix can make a good pet and companion with proper training and socialization. As hybrids of two different species, coyote Shepherds can be unpredictable and need an experienced and firm owner. In the right home, these dogs can make loving pets and fantastic guard dogs. 

Whether you are looking to adopt a coyote German Shepherd mix or are just curious to learn more about this rare hybrid, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you want to know about the coyote Shepherd and what to expect from this dog mix.

What Is a German Shepherd Coyote Mix?

As its name suggests, the German Shepherd coyote mix is a crossbreed of a purebred German Shepherd dog and a coyote. This designer hybrid doesn’t exist in the wild and was created with human help.

Brief History

It’s unclear when designer breeders crossed a German Shepherd and a coyote for the first time. However, people have been crossing dogs and coyotes for many centuries. 

A Coydog is a result of mating a male coyote with a female dog. However, when a male domestic dog is mated with a female coyote, the resulting offspring are known as Dogotes (source).

To get a better understanding of a coyote Shepherd you’ll need to know more about its parents!

German Shepherd

Originally bred as a herding dog breed, the German Shepherd dog has evolved into an all-purpose working dog. The GSD is an excellent guard dog and family companion but is also used by military and police as a bomb detection dog and as a search and rescue dog.

Coyote 

The coyote is a member of the canine family, native to North America. Adult coyotes weigh from 20 to 50 pounds and are slightly smaller than purebred German Shepherds. Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that can survive and thrive in many different climates and environments, from deserts to suburbs. 

German Shepherd x Coyote 

A male coyote mixed with a female German Shepherd will produce coydogs that can vary greatly in temperament and appearance. Since coyotes are wild animals, their hybrid offspring will need a lot of socialization and training to get used to interacting and living with people in harmony.

Characteristics of German Shepherd Coyote Mix

Characteristics of German Shepherd Coyote Mix

It’s hard to predict the exact appearance of any mixed-breed dog and the coyote Shepherd isn’t an exception. Looking at the parent species, we can assume that this hybrid will be athletically built, have a long well-furred tail, and erect ears. 

SizeMedium to large-sized dog
Weight40-85 pounds
Height24-26 inches
Coat TypeA thick and double medium-length coat
SheddingHeavy shedding
Energy LevelExtremely energetic
Overall HealthVery good
Lifespan10-14 years

Height

The German Shepherd coyote mix is a medium to large size dog. They are usually 24 to 26 inches tall at the withers.

Weight

Full-grown coyote Shepherds usually weigh from 40 to 85 pounds. Males are typically larger and heavier than females. 

Coat Color

Both coyotes and German Shepherds come in many different colors, so it’s safe to assume that their offspring can come in a variety of colors. The most common colors in this hybrid are:

  • Brown
  • Black
  • Grey
  • Tan
  • White

Shedding

Both German Shepherds and coyotes have thick double coats that shed a lot, so their mix will be the same. Coyote Shepherds shed all year round and blow their coat twice a year during spring and fall at which time they will shed obscene amounts of hair. 

If you suffer from allergies or don’t have time to vacuum dog hair every day, this isn’t the right mixed-breed dog for you.

Temperament

Being a mix of a domestic dog and a wild animal, coyote Shepherds are often unpredictable and as such not suited for newbie owners. These hybrids need an experienced owner who’ll be willing to spend extensive time training and exercising their mix.

First-generation coyote Shepherds tend to be less cooperative and more aggressive compared to other dog breeds so training and early socialization are a must! When properly trained and socialized these hybrids can be affectionate pets and companions.

Being a German Shepherd mix, this hybrid is wary of strangers and needs time to warm up to new people. Due to this trait, this mix makes a fantastic guard dog that will watch over you and your property. 

Shepherd coyotes tend to pick their favorite person and will form strong bonds with their owner. However, with proper socialization, they will get along and even be affectionate with the rest of the family.

Pet Friendly

A properly socialized German Shepherd coyote mix can get along with other dogs especially if they were raised together. These dogs have a strong prey drive, so they aren’t a good choice for homes with smaller pets like cats and guinea pigs.

Child Friendly

Due to their unpredictable nature, Shepherd coyotes aren’t suitable for families with children. If you have children visiting, don’t leave them unsupervised with your hybrid dog to prevent any roughhousing and injuries to both parties.

German Shepherd Coyote Mix Care

German Shepherd Coyote Mix Care

The German Shepherd coyote mix is a high-maintenance dog when it comes to exercise and training! If you aren’t active or don’t have time for training and socialization, this mix isn’t a good choice for you!

However, if you think you can provide a loving and balanced home for this mix, here’s everything you need to know about caring for them:

Health Risks

The coyote German Shepherd mix is a hardy hybrid that has very good health. However, some may inherit health issues that affect coyotes and German Shepherds.

The most common health problems seen in this mix are:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Arthritis 
  • Bloat 

The German Shepherd Coyote mix has an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years, but they can live longer when properly cared for.

Grooming

Their thick and double medium-length coats are shed all year round and need to be brushed regularly to remove loose hairs and prevent mats from forming. Brush your mix at least four times a week to keep their coat nice and clean.

During the shedding season, you may need to brush your dog once a day to control the shedding and prevent the undercoat from getting embedded in your clothes and furniture. 

Bathe your mix once every three or four months or as necessary using a de-shedding dog shampoo. 

Besides bathing and brushing, you’ll also need to trim your dog’s nails once a month. Inspect their ears for dirt and waxy buildup once a week and clean as necessary.

Last but not least, brush your dog’s teeth every day or at least three times a week to prevent the onset of periodontal disease.

Food or Diet

Having a wild coyote as one parent, this mix will thrive on raw diets and will enjoy eating fresh meat and bones. When feeding a raw diet, talk with your vet or canine nutritionist as they can create a complete and balanced meal plan for your dog.

Training and Exercise

Shepherd coyotes are highly energetic dogs that need around two hours of vigorous activity every single day! Hiking, jogging, running, cycling, and agility are a few ways you can keep your mix exercised and help them burn excess energy.

Besides regular exercise, this hybrid needs to be mentally stimulated so invest in puzzles and interactive toys and play with your dog every day. Keeping your dog entertained and occupied will prevent them from getting bored, frustrated, and destructive.

Shepherd coyotes are highly intelligent hybrids, but they are also wild which can make training a challenge. You’ll have to arm yourself with patience, treats, and use positive reinforcement methods to teach your mixed obedience. 

Luckily these dogs are food motivated, so reward-based training and tasty treats can help a lot in training. Due to their wild and unpredictable natures, you should continue training your mix for the rest of their lives.

All dogs must be properly socialized, but coyote Shepherds even more so. Expose your puppy to lots of different people, children, animals, places, situations, noises, smells, and sounds to build up their confidence and help them grow into a well-adjusted and friendly dog.

Housing

The German Shepherd coyote mix isn’t a good apartment or urban dweller as it needs a lot of space to move around and explore. This hybrid is better off living in rural homes that have fenced yards and a lot of space for this dog to run around and play. 

Where to Get a German Shepherd Coyote Mix?

The coyote German Shepherd mix is a rare designer hybrid so you may have trouble locating a reputable breeder or finding a puppy at a shelter. 

German Shepherd Coyote Mix Breeders

Before you start researching different breeders, know that owning a coydog is illegal in most states without special permits and licensing. Before you start looking for breeders, it’s a good idea to check state laws regarding owning coyote hybrids and whether you can get a permit to own one (source).

German Shepherd Coyote Mix Price

A German Shepherd coyote mix puppy can cost anywhere from $600 to $1500 or more. The exact price will depend on the breeder, location, and supply and demand.

Adoption

Since German Shepherd coyotes are half-wild dogs there’s a small chance that you’ll find one at your local shelter. Even if you do, you will need extensive paperwork and permits to adopt and take this hybrid home.

Conclusion

The German Shepherd coyote mix is a rare and unusual designer hybrid. Owning a coydog isn’t easy and you’ll need to check your state laws and see if you can obtain a special permit for owning this hybrid.

This mix needs an experienced owner that is familiar with training and knows how to assert themselves as a pack leader. 

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