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The German Shepherd breed originates from Germany and is actually a German Shepherd mix right from the beginning. There are three types of dogs that have been mixed and they come from three different regions of Germany. This cross breeding happened in the 19th century and it was between the long-haired, short-haired and the wire-haired shepherd dogs. With a very good temperament these dogs were ideal for guarding and guiding. The police and army used the breed for search and rescue purposes. Only at the end of that century, the German Shepherd mix was refined and in the early 20th century it got recognition from the American Kennel Club.

The Shepadoodle is a new hybrid dog, which is a cross breed between a German Shepherd and a Standard Poodle. It is one of the recognized crosses of hybrid dogs by the American Canine Hybrid Club. There are other combinations of cross breeding with German Shepherds, but unfortunately not all purebred dogs are 100% purebred, and hence it often becomes a multi generation cross.

It is generally believed that mixed breeds have a longer and healthier life than their purebred parents. This example has also been proved in the case of the German Shepherd mix. The German Shepherd has a genetic disease called hip dysplasia and when it is cross bred with another purebred, there is a remote chance that the hybrid dog will be prone to the disease.

It is generally believed that mixed-breed dogs are healthier and they have reduced incidents of genetic diseases. They live longer, most of the time, than their pure bred parents. The German Shepherd suffers often from a disease called hip dysplasia. In a German Shepherd Mix where a German Shepherd is crossed with another purebred, it is likely that the cross-breed will not suffer from hip dysplasia. But if both the parents have a similar genetic disease there is a chance that the cross breed develops the disease. But if the genetic ailments of both the breeds are not the same, there is a lesser chance of the ailments being transmitted.

The German Shepherd or the Alsatian is a popular working dog, because it is intelligent, alert and confident and can be trained very well. It is known for its obedience and above all its loyalty to its family and especially to its master. It is extremely alert and is therefore a very good watchdog and has a natural aversion to strangers.

Cross-breeding between the German Shepherd and the sweet-tempered dogs like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever and the Collie are not recommended, as the German Shepherd mix retains more of the neurotic characteristics of the German Shepherd breed than the better temperament of the other purebred parent. The cross breed could then be shy but aggressive.

Also when it is bred with a Golden Retriever, a Labrador Retriever, a Collie or other mild-mannered dog, it totally overpowers the sweet temperament of these dogs. Some neurotic characteristics of the German Shepherd come to the forefront and the cross breed turns shy, but aggressive.

A good and successful German Shepherd mix is the cross breed with the Great Dane which makes it an affectionate, loyal and a pure family dog.