Lycan Shepherd is an intelligent, obedient, and loyal dog that can become an ideal working dog with the right and consistent training and a dominant owner.
It is a hybrid dog and was developed by mixing the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Blue Bay Shepherd.
If you are considering getting a Lycan Shepherd puppy and looking for a comprehensive breed guide, keep reading this article. This article contains all the necessary information, facts, do’s and don’ts, grooming needs, etc.
So, let’s explore more about the Lycan Shepherd.
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Lycan Shepherd
Lycan shepherd is a relatively new dog breed and was developed by combining three of the most intelligent and ideal working breeds.
The purpose behind its development was to get a highly intelligent dog with a dependable disposition. The breed is still in the development process and the breeders are working hard to improve its overall health and traits.
Quick facts about Lycan Shepherd
- The exact traits of the breed are unpredictable and it may take some more time to produce predictable Lycan Shepherd puppies, maybe 5-6 generations or more.
- The main purpose of the founder was to eliminate the aggression and shyness in her wolf-dog before introducing them to the German Shepherds.
- It can protect the house, as well as, be a loyal family companion, but as it has wolf-dog genetics you should expect behavioral problems if not well trained.
Common Traits
The following are the expected common features of this hybrid dog:
- Highly intelligent: This dog is bred to have a large body, as well as, a smart mind, which helps it do its work smartly.
- Obedience and devotion: Obedience and devotion to people like their parent breeds-“Belgian Malinois” or “German Shepherd”.
- Quick learner: It is always ready to learn newer commands and won’t take much time to learn new tricks.
Physical Features
Height: 32 inches at height but can vary
Coat Color: Black and fawn
Life span: Too early to say, but the prediction is 11-13 years
Exercise Requirement: High
Coat Type: Thick, dense, plush
Eye-Color: Light brown
What was the purpose behind the development of Lycan Shepherd?
The purpose of developing a Lycan Shepherd was to have a dog breed that could do the following.
- The Perfect Guard Dog.
- An ideal Police and Military Dog.
- An ideal dog for herding the cattle.
- Additionally, it could be the best athletic dog.
Should I Get a Lycan Shepherd?
If you are planning on getting a Lycan Shepherd, be informed that these dogs are rare and hard to come by, as they are still in the developing stage that why they are not suitable for everyone.
Still, for potential owners, it is recommended to first get to know the characteristics before getting Lycan Shepherd.
Read about English Springer Spaniel
What do I need to know before getting an LS puppy?
Unpredictable tolerance level
Hybrid dogs are usually unpredictable for many generations until an ideal blend is developed. In Lycan Shepherd’s case, the scenario is the same, it has an unpredictable tolerance level and you may not know about its temperament until it becomes an adult.
Although it may get most of its perks from its parent breeds- Blue Bay Shepherd, German Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois, still the exact outcome cannot be predicted.
A lot of time for training
As a Lycan shepherd owner, you need to spend plenty of time to train and exercise your dog. If they are well-trained, they’ll become the best working dogs.
Temperament & Behavior
You can expect a Lycan Shepherd to be a fearless, loyal, intelligent, and alert dog. It may be an ideal assistant, rescue, companion, or herding dog.
Overall, it is a loyal and obedient dog but all this depends on how you raise and train them. After all, training and socialization are the keys to a well-tempered Lycan Shepherd. It is also the best idea to go for online dog training courses (like those offered by Dog Academy) to help ensure training your Lycan Shepherd goes as smoothly as possible.
Grooming Needs
There are not many resources available for this breed on the Lycan Shepherd’s grooming, but we can have a look over the resources available about the parent breeds. The Lycan Shepherd is most likely to have a double coat just like the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois. It sheds a lot and needs a lot of grooming.
Furthermore, you should also keep an eye on the following.
Coat brushing:
Brushing is as important as other things for the dog and it should not be neglected. Its double-layered coat should be brushed at least twice a week.
Bathing:
These dogs are specifically developed as outdoor pooches so they do not need to be bathed more often. They may need to be bathed every 3-4 months.
Nails, Ears, and Oral Hygiene:
You should clean your Lycan Shepherd’s teeth at least once a week. It is important to keep their oral health better.
Also, check their nails if they grow too long, clip them or they may hurt your fur baby.
Furthermore, make a routine of inspecting your dog’s ears regularly. Make sure they are free of infections and have no wax or foreign objects stuck inside.
Related: Grooming tips and tricks
Exercising your Lycan Shepherd
Lycan Shepherds have a lot of energy and you need to provide them with frequent exercises and outdoor activities. If not then you may face very rough and destructive behavior from them. 60 to 90 minutes of high-intensity exercises and outdoor activities would be best for them. Along with that different enrichment activities for their mental stimulation are highly recommended.
Training
As this dog is a combination of intelligent and smart breeds, it will not give you a tough time in the training session. For an expert owner, it will be an easily-trainable dog while a novice owner may not be able to train it easily.
Moreover, its high intelligence may also sometimes yield stubbornness. So, it is always recommended to train and socialize your dog at an early age.
Diet and Nutrition
A Lycan shepherd is a highly energetic dog, which means a well-balanced diet is mandatory. Make sure you are providing food that includes minerals, vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates. 2-3 cups of high-quality food would be the best deal for them.
Along with that, make sure you are giving your dog easy access to clean and fresh water to keep it from dehydration, especially in the summer months.
Lycan Shepherds may develop joint problems as their parent breeds suffer from the same issue, hence you should feed your dog with multivitamins it will be beneficial for it. The best practice is to consult your vet regarding your pup’s diet.
Living Requirements
Lycan Shepherd is tall and heavy so it is not suitable for apartment residents or small houses. Along with that, it is an energetic dog and may become messy and destructive if angry or stressed. Hence, this dog is not recommended if you have children or other pets.
They love doing jobs and the best owner for them is the one who can give them different tasks to do.
Common Health Issue:
Like other dogs, you should expect various health issues that are common or found in the parent breeds of Lycan Shepherd.
So, the following are some of the common health issues a Lycan Shepherd may develop.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia:
Both the parent breeds (German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois) are prone to Dysplasias, and these problems may be inherited by the Lycan Shepherd puppies. Hip and Elbow dysplasia can develop due to the abnormal growth of the bone in the joints that are present in the hip and elbow.
So, it is recommended to get a Lycan Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder that checks its breeding dogs for these genetic issues.
Von Willebrand’s Disease:
This disease is very common in many dog breeds and the Lycan Shepherds are also prone to it. This condition is caused by the lack of proteins that are essential for a dog’s body.
Bloat:
Bloat may be caused by abnormal eating or excessive exercise, there may be other reasons though. It is a stomach-related disease, in which rapid fluid or gas builds up in the dog’s stomach and it may be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Other Health Issues:
Some minor health issues that can be found in Lycan Shepherd:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Allergies
- Cataracts
FAQs about Lycan Shepherds
What is the price of a Lycan Shepherd puppy?
Lycan Shepherd is a unique mixture of three high-profile and expensive dog breeds and is rare and difficult to breed. So, you should expect to pay between $2000 to $5000 for a Lycan Shepherd puppy. The price may vary depending on different factors.
Is Lycan Shepherd aggressive?
These dogs may have a wolfish look but they are very soft inside. Still, they need a lot of socialization and training from an early age and intensive exercises to burn their excessive energy in adulthood.
Are Lycan Shepherds good family dogs?
They are bred as working dogs so not recommended to keep them indoors. Plus, their behavior may be sometimes unexpected because they are hybrids and are still under development.
Conclusion
The Lycan Shepherd may be an ideal working dog that is capable of taking charge of your ranch. With consistent training from an early age, it can become an excellent home dog too. It is not suitable for first-time and inexperienced owners. Also, they are not suitable for apartment residents.
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