The Lycan Shepherd – Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide 

Have you ever heard of the Lycan Shepherd? This mystic hybrid isn’t yet very well-known, but the demand for a dog with its stature, temperament, and appearance is steadily increasing.

And the more people hear about the amazing Lycan Shepherd dog, the more it appears as they want to know.

Unfortunately, Lycan Shepherds are incredibly rare. Not only are they difficult to come by, but they can also be costly. This is especially true when going through more reputable sources. Because they are so rare, it’s also highly unlikely to come across a Lycan Shepherd through a rescue. (Of course, that’s not to say this is impossible!)

Whether you are considering investing in a Lycan Shepherd or If you’re simply just curious about this dynamic dog, you’ve come to the right place. Today we are talking all about the Lycan Shepherd and we are going to cover everything you need to know before you decide if this is the crossbreed for you.

Let’s begin.

The Lycan Shepherd – A Brief Breed Overview

The Lycan Shepherd is the crossbreed offspring of three intelligent, work-oriented dogs.

Type: Hybrid, Crossbreed, Mixed Breed, or Designer Dog

Parent Breeds: The German Shepherd, The Blue Bay Shepherd, and The Belgian Malinois

Height: 24 to 28 Inches

Weight: 60 to 100 Pounds

Coat Type: Dense, Double Coated, Shedding

Lifespan: 10 to 14 Years

Health Issues: Diabetes, Cataracts, Epilepsy, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, Elbow Dysplasia, Obesity, Hip Dysplasia, Hemophilia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Pannus, and Hemangiosarcoma

Temperament: Energetic, Intelligent, Work-Oriented

Best Suited For: Experienced Dog Owners, Active Dog Owners, Owners With A Yard

Overview Of The Lycan Shepherd:

Lycan Shepherd dogs cross three types of dogs that are known for their work ethic, loyalty, intelligence, and ability to bond with their families. These highly devoted dogs do well with more active and attentive owners and can get along wonderfully with children and other pets when properly raised.

However, Lycan Shepherds are also known to be high-energy dogs, and they require routine physical exercise, mental stimulation, training, and socialization at an early age to ensure they are well-rounded.

The Lycan Shepherd – What’s In A Name?

Named after the Greek term “Lycanthropy”, which translates roughly to werewolf, the Lycan Shepherd is anything but scary. This is a stunning dog with an incredible disposition.

However, this dog is also relatively rare. A very new hybrid to the crossbreed kingdom, it could be quite difficult to come across a Lycan Shepherd for sale by reputable sources.

However, experts warn it is important not to cut corners when getting this type of dog; responsible breeding practices and being raised in the right environment are key to ensuring the Lycan Shepherd grows up happy, healthy, and well-rounded.

But where did the Lycan Shepherd come from, and what’s behind this mystical-sounding moniker?

Keep reading to find out.

The Origin Of The Lycan Shepherd – Is This Dog A Warewolf At Heart?

The Lycan Shepherd may resemble a wolf, and that is because he has some wolf origins.

As we discussed above, the Lycan Shepherd’s name stems from the Greek word Lycanthropy, which is a term used to describe someone who has the ability to transform into a wolf-like creature.

Lycan Shepherd dogs acquired this name due to the fact that they do have a very wolf-like appearance. Many Lycan Shepherd dogs are black from snout to tail, though some are brown in color or even have brown and black patches in their fur.

Although the Lycan Shepherd can look like a wild wolf, this is a people-oriented dog that enjoys being around his humans.

Lycan Shepherd dogs come from a specific breeding project known as the Lycan Shepherd Project. This project was developed from another, older project known as the Blue Bay Shepherd Project, (a project which specifically focuses on breeding German Shepherds and Blue Wolfdog).

Blue wolfdogs are exceedingly rare, so it’s no wonder it’s difficult to come across a Bluebay Shepherd or a Lycan Shepherd, for that matter.

Still, the projects have taken hold, with the Blue Bay Shepherd Project reaching its second decade.

In spite of this, there is some controversy surrounding hybrid dogs like the Lycan Shepherd.

What You Should Know About The Crossbreed Controversy

The development of crossbreed dogs is nothing new, and the practice has been ongoing for centuries.

However, dogs like the Lycan Shepherd may be at a disadvantage when it comes to steering clear of the debate.

The crossbreed controversy is something any dog lover with an interest in a crossbreed dog should consider.

This debate stems from the idea that hybrid dogs are less predictable than their purebred counterparts in most aspects including health, temperament, and appearance.

This is especially true for a newer and very rare crossbreed dog like the Lycan Shepherd. A mix of three dogs, (one of them being a wolfdog), means that the temperamental traits, appearance, and health of the Lycan Shepherd will be left up to chance and genetics.

Furthermore, and as we have covered, Lycan Shepherds are incredibly rare. In fact, they are some of the rarest crossbreed dogs you can currently come by, with breeders often using this to their advantage to sell the dogs at an inflated cost. This, of course, just adds to the controversy of this mixed breed.

Luckily, the Lycan Shepherd has plenty of other winning qualities that could make the wait and investment worth it if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one.

And on that note, let’s now take a moment to talk about the Lycan Shepherd dog’s temperament and personality.

The Lycan Shepherd Dog’s Temperament and Personality

Lycan Shepherds are known to be devoted and quite intelligent.

The purebred German Shepherd in particular is known to be a devoted and intelligent family dog. In fact, German Shepherds are the second most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.

The Belgian Malinios is also known for his devotion and intelligence, though Belgians are much more suited for very experienced dog owners, especially when they are purebred.

Both the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois are working dogs originally bred for herding and military purposes.

In fact, the Belgian Malenious is still one of the most commonly used dogs in the world when it comes to police and military work.

And then we add to this combination the Blue Bay Shepherd, which is part shepherd and part blue wolf.

Because of this combination of genetics, the Lycan Shepherd could have some unpredictable qualities that most closely resemble one parent breed over the other.

The good news is that the majority of the dogs in the Lycan Shepherd’s DNA are family-oriented, devoted, and intelligent.

When it comes to the Lycan Shepherd, in particular, most experts agree that this is a high-energy dog that is best suited for active, experienced dog owners. They can get along well with children and other pets, although they will require consistent socialization and training at an early age.

How To Train And Socialize A Lycan Shepherd

Training should begin early in puppyhood and continue on throughout your dog’s life.

All dogs require routine training and socialization in order to grow up happy, healthy, and well-rounded, and the Lycan Shepherd is no exception to this rule. In fact, a crossbreed dog with working origins is perhaps even more at risk of suffering from undesirable behaviors if not properly raised, trained, and socialized.

For this reason, it’s important to begin working with your Lycan Shepherd at an early age.

It is never too early to begin training a Lycan Shepherd, and you can begin from puppyhood. Training should be consistent and it’s best to only use positive reinforcement methods like training treats, praise, and patience.

Avoid scolding or punishing your Lycan Shepherd during training, as this can lead to a breakdown in the bond between you and your dog, and even increase the chances of undesirable behaviors down the road like fear and skittishness.

Lycan Shepherd dogs are highly intelligent and, thanks to their devoted nature, are going to be eager to please and quick to learn. However, they could also be easily bored, so training sessions should be kept fun, game-like, and short.

Along with training your Lycan Shepherd dog, it’s also important to implement early socialization during puppyhood.

Lycan Shepherds are very intelligent and protective, and an unsocialized Lycan Shepherd could quickly become territorial and domineering, especially when it comes to strangers and other dogs.

The best course of action is to begin socializing your Lycan Shepherd at an early age and to continue socializing him throughout his life.

Get him used to being around strangers and being handled by children. We also suggest you introduce him to different sights, sounds, places, experiences, and environments, and encourage him to explore things that frighten him using gentle encouragement and treats.

Never force your dog into a situation you can tell he is fearful of. This will only exasperate his fears down the road and could even lead to fear-based aggression.

If you plan on raising your children around your Lycan Shepherd, it’s important to work with youngsters on the appropriate and respectful ways they should interact with the family dog.

We recommend working together as a family to understand basic canine body language so you can better understand when your dog is feeling stressed, excited, fearful, or anxious.

You can also help reduce unwanted behaviors by ensuring your dog is routinely exercised and kept mentally stimulated.

Keep reading!

Tips On Proper Exercise And Mental Stimulation For A Lycan Shepherd

Because they are intelligent, work-oriented dogs, Lycan Shepherds need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Just as training and socialization are imperative to your Lycan Shepherd dog’s overall health and happiness, so is ensuring your dog is kept mentally stimulated and exercised.

Remember, the Lycan Shepherd comes from parent breeds with working roots, and working dogs especially can be prone to destructive behaviors, anxiety, stress, and other behavioral issues if they become bored.

How To Exercise A Lycan Shepherd

When it comes to exercising your Lycan Shepherd, keep in mind that this hybrid dog is a high-energy canine that is going to need at least two walks a day. These walks should be at least an hour or more, and your Lycan Shepherd will also require free playtime in a securely fenced yard or pen.

A well-socialized Lycan Shepherd can get along well with other dogs, and he may enjoy outings at dog parks or playdates with other dogs to help him burn up some excess energy.

Lycan Shepherds can be prone to weight gain, and it’s important to keep them exercised not only to reduce destructive behaviors but to also help reduce potential health issues, which we will discuss further down.

When exercising your Lycan Shepherd, bear in mind that this is an energetic and strong dog that could be prone to pulling ahead.

Instead of investing in prong collars or choke chains, which could be harmful to your dog and do not help to teach him how to walk, we recommend investing in proper walking equipment like a front clip dog harness.

PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness

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The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness above is a popular dog harness many positive reinforcement trainers use to help redirect pulling dogs. This harness fits your dog more naturally than traditional harnesses, and by clipping in the front it helps to reduce your dog’s natural urge to pull ahead.

The front clip dog harness also helps reduce the pressure put on your dog’s sensitive neck and trachea, making the walk safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

How To Keep Your Lycan Shepherd Mentally Stimulated

Mental stimulation and exercise go hand-in-hand, although you won’t always be around to help keep your dog busy and happy.

For times you are away or going to work, we suggest investing in toys that can help keep your dog busy and his mind active.

Toys like KONGS for large breed dogs can be an effective tool in keeping your Lycan Shepherd from chewing things he shouldn’t like furniture and shoes.

You might also consider investing in a treat ball or a puzzle toy to help keep your dog engaged, challenged, and entertained while he is left on his own.

Grooming A Lycan Shepherd – Tips, Tricks, And Tools

Lycan Shepherd dogs have shedding coats, but they are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming.

Due to the three different breeds that the Lycan Shepherd is mixed with, it may come as no surprise that this is a double-coated and shedding hybrid.

The Lycan Shepherd has a dense, weather-resistant coat that sheds year-round, and that sheds most heavily during the shedding season, which occurs both in spring and fall. Lycan Shepherds will need to be brushed routinely to help control their shedding fur, although, for the most part, their coats are self-cleaning and easy to care for.

When grooming your Lycan Shepherd, we suggest brushing him once or twice a week using a deshedding comb to help remove loose hair and debris in the undercoat. During shedding season, you may also need to brush your Lycan Shepherd more frequently.

The Furminator Dog Brush

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The Furminator Deshedding Brush is a deshedding brush that works well for dogs with double coats, as it is designed to get to the undercoat and help remove mats, debris, and loose hair that hasn’t been shed.

This brush has a self-cleaning button that allows you to remove the hair and continue to brush without missing a beat, keeping the process quick and efficient.

Along with brushing, your Lyan Shepherd is also going to require an occasional bath. The good news is that this is a dog that has a self-cleaning coat, and therefore he will only need to be bathed once every four to six weeks.

When you do bathe your Lycan Shepherd, be sure to use a quality dog shampoo that is specified for canine use. Avoid dog shampoos that contain dyes, parabens, alcohols, or other ingredients that could potentially strip your dog’s coat of its natural oils.

Like all dogs, the Lycan Shepherd can be prone to dental disease. It’s very important to brush your dog’s teeth at least once a day using a dog-safe toothbrush and a toothpaste specified for canine use.

Because the Lycan Shepherd is an active hybrid, you may not need to trim his nails down as often as you would for some other dogs. However, he will need his nails trimmed or ground down on occasion to help keep them from splitting or cracking.

Last, be sure to check your Lycan Shepherd dog’s ears. While he is not as prone to ear infections as some other dog breeds, he can develop infections if his ears are not kept dry and free of waxy buildup, moisture, or debris.

The Lycan Shepherd Dog’s Health And Lifespan

Lycan Shepherds have an estimated lifespan of between 10 and 14 years.

Because this is a newer generation crossbreed dog, much of his health cannot yet be predicted. However, as a hybrid, the Lycan Shepherd has the benefit of what is known as hybrid vigor.

Hybrid vigor is the idea that crossbreed dogs could be healthier than their purebred counterparts thanks to their widened gene pool.

While this theory does sound promising, it is not guaranteed.

We should note here that the Lycan Shepherd can be prone to suffering from any of the same genetic health issues of his parent breeds, and it will be important to have a good idea of what your specific dog could be predisposed to.

You can help get a better idea of your Lycan Shepherd dog’s health by having him health screened at an early age.

Doggy DNA kits can provide you with a wealth of information about your dog, including what he may face genetically down the line.

Some of the most common health issues a Lycan Shepherd could be prone to include but are not limited to:

• Diabetes
• Cataracts
• Epilepsy
• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (AKA Bloat or GDV)
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hemophilia
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Weight Gain
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Pannus
• And Hemangiosarcoma

Because the Lycan Shepherd is a deep-chested and large breed dog, he may be more at risk of suffering from diet-related and weight-related health issues like obesity, diabetes, and Bloat, as you may have noticed from our list above.

Along with ensuring your Lycan Shepherd is properly exercised, it is also important to keep him on a quality dog food specified for his age, weight, and activity level.

When choosing dog food for your Lycan Shepherd, we recommend dog foods that include real ingredients like real animal proteins such as chicken, liver, beef, or fish. We also suggest dog foods that are rich in vitamins, nutrients, minerals, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and dog foods that contain a good source of water.

Avoid dog foods that contain artificial ingredients, additives, animal by-products like corn, soy, wheat, or gluten.

Blue Buffalo Taste Of The Wild Large Breed Dog Food

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Because the Lycan Shepherd is a large breed dog, he should eat dog food that is specified as such. The above dog food by Blue Buffalo is a quality dog food that is made with all the ingredients a dog like the Lycan Shepherd needs in order to thrive.

We like that you can order it in different recipes, and if your dog has food sensitivities you also have the option of ordering it in canned food or grain-free options.

Luckily, most Lycan Shepherds are not known to be particularly sensitive to certain foods. However, remember that the Lycan Shepherd is still a new generation hybrid and each dog is different.

Along with quality dog food, we suggest considering investing in a puzzle feeder for your Lycan Shepherd. Also known as a slow feeder, puzzle feeders can help to reduce the chances of Bloat by ensuring your dog slows down while eating, thus reducing the amount of air he swallows during mealtime.

Puzzle feeders can also help to make mealtime more fun for your dog, which goes hand in hand with keeping him mentally stimulated. It’s a win-win!

Are You The Right Owner For A Lycan Shepherd?

Lycan Sheperds are best suited for more experienced dog owners.

Although the Lycan Shepherd seems like a wonderful dog on paper, he is certainly not the ideal dog for every owner. The Lycan Shepherd is highly intelligent, family-oriented, devoted, and energetic.

He will do best in homes with owners who have plenty of time to commit to his needs. This would include daily training, exercise, mental stimulation, and overall attention and affection.

The Lycan Shepherd can do well with children and other pets, though he does require early and consistent socialization and training beginning during puppyhood.

Overall, Lycan Shepherd dogs come from working parents, and they will do best with active owners and in homes with a large yard where they can run and play.

This is not the ideal apartment dog, nor is the Lycan Shepherd a good choice for those who suffer from allergies, those who prefer a more laid-back lifestyle, or those who are not home often.

Have you decided that the Lycan Shepherd is the right dog for you? If so, it’s time to talk about how to get your hands on a healthy Lycan Shepherd puppy or rescue!

The Lycan Shepherd – Let’s Summarize

Lycan Shepherds can make wonderful companions for the right owner.

Because the Lycan Shepherd is such a new and rare crossbreed, it could be difficult finding one through a rescue. In fact, even getting your hands on a Lycan Shepherd through a breeder could be tricky.

Furthermore, Lycan Shepherd puppies through quality sources are not cheap. Is estimated that Lycan Shepherd puppies can go for as much as between $3,000 and $5,000. This cost can vary depending on your location, the breeder, and the quality of the puppy you are looking for, of course, but even so, the price is high.

While this is a hefty cost for a Lycan Shepherd, experts warn against cutting corners or going through unscrupulous breeders. Avoid backyard breeders or online sellers who do not have the paperwork to prove their dogs have been screened and cleared of any serious health issues.

And remember, because the Lycan Shepherd is a crossbreed dog, he will not be eligible for show through most major breed clubs like the American Kennel Club.

However, the Lycan Shepherd can make a wonderful family dog, working dog, and overall companion.

We hope this has been a helpful guide on the Lycan Shepherd! Now we want to hear from you. What do you think about this rare and amazing crossbreed?

Share your thoughts with us about the Lycan Shepherd in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!