A German Shepherd Dingo mix most commonly refers to a breed that is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Carolina Dog.
The Carolina Dog, also known as the American Dingo or Dixie Dingo, is a medium-sized, pale golden-brown dog that is occasionally found living in the wild close to isolated stretches of swampland or pinelands. Today, Carolina Dogs are recognized as a standardized breed.
The German Shepherd dog, on the other hand, is a larger breed of working dog that originated in Germany as recently as 1899 and is beloved for its intelligence, loyalty, and trainability.
German Shepherd dogs perform extremely well as service and rescue dogs and are also frequently kept as family pets all over the world.
Both of these breeds are known to be smart and agile with loyal, friendly temperaments, but what happens when their genes are combined?
Is a German Shepherd Dingo mix the right dog for you? Read on to learn all about their temperaments, dietary and exercise requirements, and what you can expect from this breed as a family dog.
What Is a German Shepherd Dingo Mix Like as a Pet?
German Shepherd Dingo mixes are considered loyal pets and make for great family dogs if they are well-trained and properly socialized.
While the Dingo genes of this dog may be off-putting for potential owners, it’s important to remember that American Dingoes are standard breed domestic dogs. Very rarely, if ever, will German Shepherds be bred with wild Dingoes.
When purchasing a mixed-breed dog like this, one would generally work with a breeder, who should have a clear idea of the parentage of your pup.
On odd occasions, German Shepherd Dingo mixes are adopted from shelters, making it slightly harder to judge the prospective characteristics of your dog. That notwithstanding, neither breed is known to be impulsive or aggressive. Instead, they are loyal and reserved.
These characteristics mean that German Shepherd dingo mixes are great for families with children and good with other pets.
They are smart, trainable, and active, preferring environments where they get lots of exercise and plenty of attention and playtime. They are also usually very protective of their families.
What Should You Feed a German Shepherd Dingo Mix?
The best food for a German Shepherd Dingo mix is a vet-approved, protein and calcium-rich blend for active, larger breed dogs. If you purchase your dog from a breeder, they should be able to advise you on which food is most suitable for your pet.
Otherwise, consult your vet for advice. German Shepherd Dingo mixes also enjoy treats and “human” food like certain meats and vegetables from time to time.
To keep your German Shepherd Dingo dog happy and in good shape, it will require a well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and protein.
Generally, vet-approved commercial foods will suffice, and a measure of one to two cups of kibbles per day is the standard quantity, depending on the size of your dog. If they’re larger, like the German Shepherd side of the family, they may eat slightly more.
Some owners prefer to mix kibbles with a selection of proteins and vegetables prepared at home. Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, salmon, and tuna are the preferred proteins for these dogs, but they can also eat eggs, pumpkin, peas, and rice.
Human food should be fed in moderation and under the advisement of a vet or animal nutritionist. You can also spoil your pet with occasional vet-approved treats.
Is It Easy To Train A German Shepherd Dingo Mix?
German Shepherd Dingo mixes are highly intelligent and adaptable dogs, making them easy to train. However, they are prone to a pack mentality, so a trainer needs to be experienced or risk losing alpha status over their dog.
Competent or experienced trainers should have no problem putting this breed through its paces.
We know that German Shepherds are renowned for their trainability, given their status as service dogs, so it makes sense that this characteristic would be prevalent even in mixed breeds.
The intelligence of both species makes it even more likely that your dog will be relatively easy to train. With that being said, however, the success of training lies in how adept the trainer is.
Good training involves plenty of consistency, reward, patience, and positive reinforcement. Training is a necessary part of owning a dog (especially one with mild feral genes) as it will instill loyalty and respect in your pup and make it far easier to socialize them.
With pack dogs like these, trainers need to establish dominance or risk losing control of their animals.
German Shepherd Dingo Mix Temperament
While it is difficult to say with certainty what the temperament of any mixed-breed dog will be, looking at each parent dog’s characteristics can help give you an idea of what to expect.
German Shepherds are confident, intelligent, curious, protective, and obedient, whereas Dingoes are loyal, reserved, gentle, adaptable, and primitive in terms of pack mentality.
The combination of these characteristics is likely to result in a very loyal and intelligent dog that is less outgoing than a German Shepherd due to the Dingo’s quieter, more reserved nature.
They should be easy to train, considering their intelligence and adaptability. Loyalty and an instinct to pack means they will be attached to and protective over their owners once bonded.
A German Shepherd Dingo mix is usually quite a social dog and will get on well with other pets and children, provided it is properly trained and socialized. Both breeds that form this mix are energetic and thus will require a fair amount of play and exercise.
They are known to have good manners and be suitably reserved when their owners have trained them to understand these commands.
German Shepherd Dingo Mix Exercise Requirements
Exercise is an important part of keeping a German Shepherd Dingo mix healthy. They need roughly two hours per day of play or walking time, and it is advisable to visit open spaces where they can move and run freely on a regular basis.Burning off their excess energy will prevent them from becoming bored and destructive.
If you’re planning on adopting one of these dogs, it should be with the understanding that they are naturally athletic and energetic. This means that they require regular exercise in the form of walks, runs, or games.
If you cannot manage an hour to two hours of exercise for your dog per day, you may want to reconsider if this is the breed for you.
To a certain degree, dogs can entertain themselves with play, especially when you have more than one, but they function better with structured physical activity.
Physically, exercise prevents them from becoming overweight or losing muscle tone, and psychologically it stops them from becoming bored and wreaking havoc in your home and garden.
Is A German Shepherd Dingo Mix A Good Family Dog?
The German Shepherd Dingo mix is a great family dog, revered for its loyalty and sweet nature. These dogs are not as boisterous as purebred German Shepherds, making them a good choice for families with young children and other pets.
They are also protective and can be trained to guard and alert families to possible danger.
If you’re wondering if the German Shepherd Dingo mix is the right pup for your family, look no further. These medium-sized, attractive, clever, and friendly canines are wonderful with adults, children, and other pets, provided they are socialized.
If you’re worried that bringing a Dingo mix into your home spells danger, never fear. These beauties are laid-back and rarely aggressive.
When introducing any new dog to your home, be aware that it will take some time for both the family and the puppy to adapt. During this time, socialization is very important for your dog’s development, as bad habits tend to die hard.
German Shepherd Dingo mixes can be a little stubborn, so be prepared to train your pup if you want to create a healthy family environment.
Conclusion
The German Shepherd Dingo mix is a truly special dog breed in so many ways. They’re beautiful, for one, and their temperaments make them a sweet, reliable addition to any family. If you’re looking for a dog that is smart, adaptable, and easy to train and is a size that is manageable and safe for younger children, this may be the breed for you. That being said, always ensure you purchase Dingo mixes from reputable breeders to ensure you’re not bringing a wild animal into your home.
