Let’s talk about unusual dog breed mixes, such as mixes that are more than just a mix of two dogs. Have you ever heard of a German Shepherd Coyote mix? A German Shepherd Coyote mix is a mix of a German Shepherd and a Coyote – unusual but far from unheard of.
Thinking about getting a German Shepherd mix? Here is everything you need to know about a unique and exciting breed mix.
Table of Contents
What Is a German Shepherd Coyote Mix’ Temperament?
The German Shepherd Coyote mix is also known as a Coydog – just like any other dog mixed with a Coyote. You can expect to get an interesting mix of characteristics, considering it is a mix of a wild animal and a domestic dog.
It is a bit of a gamble, as you don’t know which side your dog will inherit the most genes from, and German Shepherd Coyote mixes require experienced owners.
They are often somewhat shy and don’t tend to be the cuddly and sweet dog you might be used to. Their aloofness and fearfulness can become a problem if the owner is inexperienced, as fear in dogs can sometimes lead to a bite.
While not an ideal choice for most regular dog owners – in the right hands, a Coydog can make a great canine companion. They are usually somewhat harder to train than “regular” dogs, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be trained.
Are Coydogs Real?
Before we proceed, we need to address the myth of Coydogs not being a real thing. It most likely springs from the idea that different species do not breed, but Coyotes can breed with regular pet dogs.
It is not common, though, and most of the dogs that are claimed to be Coydogs are actually just house pets with no Coyote DNA. Coyotes also only go into heat between the months of January and March, which means they can only mate during this time period.
With this in mind, if you have a dog that wasn’t born somewhere around May or June, then it is highly unlikely that one of its parents was a real Coyote.
Is a German Shepherd Coyote Mix Right for You?
To fully understand whether a German Shepherd Coyote mix is right for you, you first need to consider the two individual breeds, or in this case, species. German Shepherds are large, strong, and determined dogs, and they require training and guidance to reach their full potential.
Not only can it be difficult to walk a German Shepherd that isn’t leash trained, but unless the breed receives adequate exercise and mental stimulation, it could easily become bored and resort to destructive behaviors like barking, digging, or even aggression.
Mix that with a Coyote, and you could have a disaster in the making if you don’t know what you are doing. The question you need to ask yourself first this: Would you be ready for a German Shepherd? Read up on the breed, and then, once you’ve determined you could handle a GSD, it is time to decide if a Coydog mix is right for you.
You will most likely get a very active yet skittish dog, and you need to make sure you can provide the required exercise, along with the right training to curb any negative behaviors provoked by fear or insecurity.
How Much Does a German Shepherd Coyote Mix Cost?
German Shepherds are rarely intentionally mixed with a Coyote, as it would be considered somewhat unethical. Coyotes are wild animals and are probably more likely to kill and eat a pet dog than to mate with it, but it does happen.
When it does happen, these dogs are usually found outdoors, and future owners might not even know that they are getting a Coydog. But when talking specifically about German Shepherd Coyote mixes, an accidental litter born in someone’s home might be sold for anything from $400 to $1000 per puppy.
Watch Out for Scams
Considering how unusual Coydog mixes are, you will want to be careful so that you don’t pay money for a dog that turns out not to be a Coydog. There are many scammers out there, and it is not unusual for them to try to pass off puppies as something they are not to make a buck.
What is tricky about a German Shepherd Coydog is that the Coyote parent most likely won’t be onsite for you to view. This makes it incredibly difficult to know if you are actually purchasing a Coydog or just a regular dog, as you will only have the seller’s word for it.
How Can You Spot a German Shepherd Coyote Mix?
The Coyote genes are strong, and most Coydogs tend to stand out and look more like a Coyote than the dog breed they are mixed with. You can expect a German Shepherd Coyote Mix to be a little larger than a Coyote due to the size of the GSD, but it will likely have the color of a Coyote, along with the very characteristic color and eyes.
The tail of a GSD Coyote mix is usually bent downward and with long shaggy hairs, and many are born with a white or light face mask. The ears are often smaller than those of a German Shepherd, and these types of mix will have a very piercing stare that automatically makes you think about a wild animal.
It can be almost impossible to identify a dog’s breed just by looking at it, but the strong Coyote genes make it significantly easier. Look for a dog that stands out, and that doesn’t look quite like a regular pet dog, and if you spot one at the park or on the street – ask the owner for confirmation.
Dog DNA Testing
The only way to know for sure if a dog is part Coyote is to have it DNA tested with a DNA testing company like Embark, which is known to test for Coyote. The test is not cheap but will tell you whether a dog is an authentic German Shepherd Coyote mix.
Are German Shepherd Coyote Mixes Good With Children?
It is not recommended to leave a child and a Coyote mix unattended. While it will likely have a dog-like personality – there is still a wild animal mixed in there, and their sometimes fearful personality could lead to aggression if faced with a threat.
Children don’t always know how to behave when they are with dogs, and even though it is always important to teach them – a Coydog may be more likely to react negatively.
Another reason why German Shepherd Coyote mixes aren’t ideal for families with children is the following: They are a very demanding breed mix and one that requires daily physical exercise and mental challenges, and it can be hard to find the time when you have young kids at home.
Are German Shepherd Coyote Mixes Good With Cats?
The instincts of a wild animal like the Coyote can be inherited, and this means that it is always best to supervise any interaction a German Shepherd Coyote mix has with cats and other small animals.
Their prey drive can become problematic, especially if introduced to cats for the first time when they are older. Keep an eye on things – especially in the beginning. Some mixes do just fine with cats, while others may never fully lose the desire to hunt them and potentially cause damage.
Are German Shepherd Coyote Mixes Good With Other Dogs?
Another common question is whether these dogs get along with other dogs. Perhaps you already have dogs in the family, or maybe you want to make sure you can get another one further down the line.
The good news is that, yes, German Shepherd Coyote mixes do almost always get along with other dogs, provided they have been properly socialized as puppies. You may want to supervise interaction with small dogs in the beginning, but other than that, they do tend to get along well with dogs.
That said, it doesn’t mean a GSD Coyote dog will get along with every dog out there. Some dogs simply don’t get along, and it is recommended that you continue to make sure you introduce your Coydog properly to new friends.
Do German Shepherd Coyote Mixes Have Any Health Problems?
In the wild, Coyotes are at risk of a few unpleasant diseases such as rabies, and it is not unusual to see a Coyote with mange or other skin issues. Luckily neither of these are hereditary and rather a result of their living conditions.
However, the German Shepherd is known for a few genetic diseases and health conditions, and some of these may be passed down to a mixed-breed litter.
Arthritis
Bone and joint diseases are common in large breeds like German Shepherds, and a GSD Coyote mix may eventually develop conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis can be treated but not cured, and the best thing you can do for your dog is to prevent the onset of the disease.
Make sure your German Shepherd Coyote puppy gets high-quality dog food and that you don’t over-exercise the puppy until it is done growing. You can also opt to use bone and joint supplements for your pup.
Heartworm
All dogs living in risk zones are at risk for heartworm, but large dogs like GSD and Coyote mixes should be monitored extra carefully. Heartworm spreads with mosquito bites, and it tends to be recommended that you put your dog on preventive medication.
Heartworm prevention is common throughout the United States, in some states more than others, but might be unheard of in other parts of the world. This is due to not all areas being high-risk zones, and a veterinarian can tell you if you should put your Coydog on heartworm prevention.
Obesity
Excess weight in a dog like the GSD Coyote mix can have devastating consequences! It is a large dog breed that is already prone to bone and joint issues, and extra weight can speed up the development of these diseases.
It is essential to keep your dog at a healthy weight by providing suitable dog food and plenty of physical exercise, and you can speak to a veterinarian if you are unsure whether your pup needs to lose weight.
What Should You Feed A German Shepherd Coyote Mix?
Look for a dog food that is rich in protein. Such a high-energy breed mix needs their food to be filled with essential nutrients, and that is not something you will find in commercial dog food.
Learn to read the packaging and look for a named meat product or meat meal product as the first and second ingredient. Avoid dog food filled with corn, soy, and other fillers, and stay away from low-quality ingredients such as animal by-products.
Once you have picked the food you want to feed your German Shepherd Coyote mix, have a look at the recommendations on the bag to make sure you are not overfeeding (or underfeeding) your dog.
How To Groom A German Shepherd Coyote Mix
These types of mixes might shed extensively at least two times a year, and don’t be surprised if you find your whole house covered in fur. German Shepherds are known for their shedding, and while shedding isn’t an issue in the wild – Coyotes shed too.
The best thing you can do is to get a good de-shedding brush and to teach your dog to stand still while you brush through the coat at least once a week. This will keep a Coydog coat as soft as it can be and cool in the summer, as the practice helps remove any dead or loose hair.
Regular baths are also likely to be needed unless you don’t mind the unmistakable smell of the dog. Don’t bathe your GSD Coyote mix more than once per month, as this could dry out their coat and cause dandruff or itchiness.
Are German Shepherd Coyote Mixes Easy To Train?
The German Shepherd is known for being extremely trainable when trained by the right person, and many people wonder what happens when you throw a Coyote into the mix. A Coyote is a wild animal and not genetically programmed to be trained, so what happens when you want to train a mix?
It can be hard to predict how much of the Coyote a 50/50 mix will inherit, but you should probably prepare yourself for dealing with a stubborn but sharp dog that might understand you – but be unwilling to follow orders. With the right method and plenty of patience – they can be trained.
Want To Train Your Dog With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your dog properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your Shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your dog completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
What Are The Pros And Cons Of A German Shepherd Coyote Mix
If you are still not sure whether a German Shepherd Coyote is really the dog for you – keep reading, as we have listed a few pros and cons. We want to stretch the fact that this is not a dog for everyone, and you need to know what you are doing if you want to raise a Coydog successfully.
Pros
Unique physical appearance.
A mix of a wild animal and a domesticated dog.
Independent and intelligent dog.
Cons
Unpredictable behavior.
Difficult to train.
Easy to get scammed.
How Big Do German Shepherd Coyote Mixes Get?
The size of a mixed breed depends on how big the parents were and what genes the puppy inherited. Dog genetics is tricky that way, and it can be difficult to know what you are going to get.
German Shepherds are bigger than Coyotes, and you will likely end up with a mixed breed that is smaller than a full-grown GSD but slightly larger than a wild Coyote. Expect the dog to grow to a size that would be considered medium or large.
Don’t get a German Shepherd Coyote if you are looking for a small dog you can have in a tiny apartment, as these dogs need space to move around. They can be a little restless and may enjoy walking back and forth at times, and it is crucial that you make sure you have space.
Recap
German Shepherd Coyote mixes are medium to large dogs that often resemble a Coyote more than a GSD. The strong Coyote genes almost always give them small, pointy ears, penetrating gaze that looks like that of a wild animal, a shaggy tail, and sand-colored fur, often with a white mask.
These types of mixes are not for everyone, and it is not recommended for a beginner to acquire any type of dog with a wild animal mixed in. They can be skittish and shy, even though the even temper of the GSD may smooth over these personality features.
Coyotes can mate with pet dogs, but it is nowhere near as common as some people have been led to believe. Most of the dogs claimed to be Coydogs are just regular dogs with no Coyote, and you should be careful and do your research before buying a dog from someone who claims it’s part Coyote.
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