So you’re looking for a new canine companion? Allow us to introduce you to the Newfoundland German Shepherd mix – one of the friendliest, most loyal and downright coolest crossbreeds out there! This impressive hybrid combines the best qualities of two popular purebreds, resulting in a loveable gentle giant that makes an amazing family pet.
An Overview of the New Shep
The New Shep, also sometimes called the Shepfoundland or New Shepherd, is a cross between a purebred Newfoundland and a purebred German Shepherd dog. It’s a large breed, averaging 80-150 pounds and standing 23-28 inches tall when full grown.
This mixed breed has only been around for a couple of decades, first appearing in the 2000s. But its popularity has skyrocketed due to its winning combination of traits from its parent breeds.
Some key characteristics of the New Shep:
- Affectionate, friendly temperament
- High intelligence
- Loyal and protective
- Gentle and patient with children
- Energetic but also laidback
- Double coat in colors like black, brown, blue, tan, cream
- Moderate grooming needs
- Prone to hip dysplasia and eye issues
- Life expectancy of 10 years
Now let’s take a deeper look at what makes this mixed breed so special!
The History and Origin of New Sheps
To understand the New Shep, we first need to learn about its parent breeds – the Newfoundland and the German Shepherd.
The Newfoundland
The Newfoundland hails from Newfoundland, Canada. These gentle giants have a long history as loyal working dogs. They assisted fishermen by hauling nets and lines, and even rescued people from drowning. The Newfoundland weighs 100-150 lbs and has a sweet, patient temperament. It has a thick, waterproof coat and webbed feet that make it an excellent swimmer. The Newfoundland was used as a rescue and lifesaving dog.
The German Shepherd
The German Shepherd originated in Germany in the 1800s as a herding dog. They later became popular as police, military and service dogs. The German Shepherd weighs 50-90 lbs and has a confident, courageous temperament. It has a strait back and erect ears, along with a thick double coat. This breed is commonly used as working and service dogs.
The New Shep
By combining these two pure breeds, breeders aimed to develop a loyal, hardworking dog that was also sweet and gentle. The New Shep first appeared in North America in the early 2000s.
While still uncommon, the New Shep is gaining popularity as an excellent family companion. Let’s look closer at their typical traits and temperament.
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 23-28 inches tall, 80-150 lbs |
| Coat | Thick double coat, medium/long length. Colors like black, brown, tan, cream, silver, blue, red. |
| Temperament | Intelligent, friendly, energetic, loyal, protective, patient with children |
| Lifespan | 10 years on average |
| Exercise needs | Moderate – long daily walks plus playtime |
The Endearing Personality of the New Shep
One of the biggest appeals of the New Shep is its winning personality. This hybrid blends the best traits of each parent breed.
From the Newfoundland side, the New Shep inherits a sweet, gentle and tolerant disposition. Newfoundlands are known for being calm, patient and loving, especially with kids.
The German Shepherd contributes confidence, smarts and loyalty. German Shepherds form strong bonds with their families and have an energetic yet focused temperament.
Bring these traits together, and you get an intelligent, upbeat dog who is also an affectionate gentle giant.
The New Shep is eager to please and responds well to positive reinforcement training. Their energetic nature makes them quick learners. Early socialization is important to nurture their friendliness toward people and other animals.
These hybrids tend to be calm indoors but enthusiastic outside during playtime. They are devoted to their families, including children, making them an excellent choice for an all-around family dog.
Caring for Your New Shep
While marvelously devoted companions, New Sheps do require proper care and training to thrive:
Exercise
With two working breed parents, New Sheps need daily activity to stay happy and healthy. Aim for at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. Long walks, hikes, swimming and games of fetch are great activities for this breed.
Grooming
The New Shep has a thick double coat that should be brushed 2-3 times per week to control shedding and prevent matting. Occasional baths as needed.
Training
This is an intelligent hybrid that responds very well to reward-based training methods. Early obedience training combined with consistent leadership will lead to a well-behaved pup.
Diet
As a large breed, New Sheps should be fed a high-quality dog food formulated for big dogs. 3-4 cups divided into 2-3 meals per day. Limit treats and watch their weight.
Health
New Sheps tend to have good health, but can be prone to issues like hip dysplasia, eye problems and bloat. Vet checkups and tests can detect problems early.
If you’re willing to provide the proper exercise, training, nutrition and veterinary care, the loyal New Shep will reward you with years of unwavering companionship.
Finding Your Perfect New Shep
Have we convinced you to add a New Shep to your life? Here are some tips for finding the perfect pup:
- Find an ethical, responsible breeder who screens their breeding dogs for health issues. Avoid pet stores or irresponsible breeders.
- Consider adopting from a shelter or rescue organization. Check both breed-specific and general rescues.
- Expect to be placed on a waiting list, as good breeders often have more requests than available pups.
- Be prepared to pay a price of $500 to over $1000 for a New Shep puppy.
- Perform your due diligence to ensure you’re getting a healthy dog from the best source possible.
- Look for breeders who socialize pups and start them on basic training. This gets your New Shep off to the right paw!
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Shep
How big do New Sheps get?
They typically reach 23-28 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 80-150 pounds when full grown.
Are New Sheps good family dogs?
Yes! When properly socialized, they bond closely with all family members and are very gentle and patient with children.
Do New Sheps bark a lot?
They can be vocal dogs, but appropriate training and exercise can prevent excess barking. Their loud bark also makes them good watchdogs.
Are New Sheps easy to train?
They are very smart and eager to please, so they generally respond very well to positive reinforcement training methods.
Can New Sheps live in apartments?
While adaptable, their large size and energetic nature make them better suited to homes with yards. But with proper exercise, they can do well in any setting.
How long do New Sheps live?
The average lifespan is 10 years, typical for a larger breed. Proper care and health screening helps ensure a long, healthy life.
Bringing Home Your New Shep
From their endearing personality to their stunning good looks, the New Shep truly is an amazing breed. They make devoted companions who will be gentle protectors and enthusiastic adventure buddies for your whole family.
We hope this overview has helped you better understand what makes the Newfoundland German Shepherd mix such a great pet. Do even more research to decide if they are the right breed for you.
If you’re ready to add one of these marvelous hybrids to your home, take your time finding an ethical breeder or rescue group. The effort will be rewarded with years of companionship from your incredible New Shep!
