Constant breeding improvements are required to improve dog improvements and produce stronger, healthier dogs. And the Lycan Shepherd, an ambitious cross-breeding project, is one of such initiatives that seek to improve dog welfare. What exactly is a Lycan Shepherd?
A Lycan Shepherd is a mixed dog breed developed from crossing a German Shepherd dog, Belgian Malinois, and Blue Bay Shepherd Dog. The Lycan Shepherd is known to boast a distinct wolf-like intelligence and appearance while retaining qualities of obedience typically found in the parent breeds.
Although the Lycan Shepherd is still in a relatively early stage of development, we’ve gathered as much info as we can about the Pooch’s expected lifespan, common health issues, possible temperament, grooming, and feeding requirements. And it is the aforementioned features that make up the bulk of today’s article. But before we go further, let’s see what a typical Lycan Shepherd looks like.
How Big Is A Lycan Shepherd?
Lycan Shepherds are fairly large dogs, and when fully grown, you can expect a Lycan Shepherd to weigh anything between 55 to 80 lbs!
The Lycan Shepherd is also a fairly tall pooch, and its maximum height, which ranges between 22 to 26 inches, at shoulder level, is above what is considered to be average dog height.
Physical Appearance
While the development of this dog breed is still in relatively early stages, you can expect a Lycan Shepherd to have a wolf-like appearance, just like its parent breeds.
The Lycan Shepherd’s body is lean and muscular, and long, narrow legs contribute to an impressive athletic build. And this pooch is covered in a thick, double-layered coat.
Additionally, the Lycan Shepherd features a large, and narrow triangular head with a powerful muzzle, while its light-colored eyes never fail to draw attention. And the high-set, pointed ears on Lycan Shepherds are slightly smaller than what is obtainable with German Shepherds.
Coat Colors
Judging from early appearances, and what we’ve seen so far, the Lycan Shepherd is expected to be available only in different shades of black and fawn coats. However, it remains to be seen whether there is a possibility for a variation in color for this pooch, from future breeding exercises.
Origin Of Lycan Shepherds
The Lycan Shepherd dog is the brainchild of YouTube user, 1st508thAirborne, with this pooch making its first public appearance only as recently as 2017.
The idea behind the development of this dog breed is to create a domestic pooch that boasts the distinctive appearance and impressive brain-to-body ratio of a wolf, with the obedience, loyalty and physical drive present in German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Blue Bay Shepherd dogs.
How Long Do Lycan Shepherds Live For?
Taking into consideration how long the parent breeds live for, the expected average lifespan for a Lycan Shepherd should fall between 11 to 13 years.
Common Health Issues
There is not much known about the health issues that a Lycan Shepherd may be predisposed to, due to its relatively short existence. But you can expect this breed to suffer from some of the same ailments that are commonly found in its parent breeds.
That said, health conditions that commonly affect German Shepherds, and which a Lycan Shepherd may be predisposed to include:
Elbow And Hip Dysplasia
Both the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd have long and infamous histories of dysplasia, and it is very likely that the Lycan Shepherd will inherit this problem as well.
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia in Shepherds occur when there is abnormal development and growth in the joints that are typically present in the canine’s elbow and hips. German Shepherds, and by extension, Lycan Shepherds are particularly prone to this condition due to their large sizes, but the pooch’s diet and genetics may also play a big role.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
The Von Willebrand Disease is arguably the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs, and there’s every chance that a Lycan Shepherd will be predisposed to this condition as well.
This health condition is characterized by a lack of proteins that are essential for the blood clotting process, thereby resulting in prolonged bleeding after injuries, trauma, or surgery.
Bloat
Bloat (also known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) occurs when there is rapid fluid or gas build-up in the dog’s stomach, either due to abnormally fast eating, excessive exercising, or a combination of both.
Dogs suffering from this condition usually experience swelling of the stomach, coupled with retching and breathing difficulty. However, the Lycan Shepherd’s long coat may hide the swelling, which is why you should pay close attention to this pooch’s physical status at all times.
Additional Health Issues
Apart from those listed above, health conditions that a Lycan Shepherd may also be predisposed to include:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Epilepsy
- Cataracts
- Allergies
How To Take Care Of Lycan Shepherds?
Diet
The Lycan Shepherd doesn’t have any special dietary requirements, and you can feed this pooch high-quality kibble or a homemade diet. And judging from the feeding pattern of the parent breeds, the frequency of feeding for a Lycan Shepherd should be 2 to 3 cups of high-quality kibble, twice daily.
To ensure that a Lycan Shepherd gets the nutrients essential for proper physical development, it should be fed high-quality dog food, and one product that fits the bill is the Pet Plate meal plan.
The Pet Plate’s protein-based formulation ensures that the Lycan Shepherd is not starved of essential nutrients. And moreover, since the Lycan Shepherd is a relatively new dog breed, you can utilize Pet Plate’s special meal estimation feature, by submitting this pooch’s unique characteristics, to get its ideal meal plan.
Constant, easy access to clean, fresh water is a must for the Lycan Shepherd, and given that this pooch may be prone to weight issues, you should avoid overfeeding. The Lycan Shepherd’s parent breeds are particularly prone to joint problems; hence this pooch will benefit from multivitamins that keep the joints healthy.
Exercise
To keep this pooch from becoming frustrated and acting out due to a lack of activity, you should endeavor to frequently engage it in exercises. Because Lycan Shepherds are being bred to be active, working breeds, a simple walk may not suffice to keep this pooch exercised.
Consequently, Lycan Shepherds need to be subjected to physical routines, such as high-quality agility exercises, that will keep them engaged and active. And judging from the exercise needs of German Shepherds, Lycans will ideally need two hours of exercise, spread out through the day.
Are Lycan Shepherds Dangerous? Temperaments Of Lycan Shepherds
Because the Lycan Shepherd is a mix of three different dog breeds, it is difficult to predict with certainty the personality and temperament of a particular lycan pooch.
Regardless, you can expect a Lycan Shepherd to be fiercely loyal, affectionate and attentive to the needs of its family. And it is these aforementioned qualities that make the Lycan Shepherd ideal as a companion, rescue and assistance, or guide dog.
The Lycan Shepherd demands constant attention and may not react too well to being left in solitude for long periods. The Lycan Shepherd is a bundle of energy and is being bred to receive commands; hence this is one pooch that isn’t going to be content with lying around all day.
Due to the Lycan Shepherd’s tall height, this pooch may not do too well in small apartments. And, the Lycan Shepherd has aggressive tendencies, especially when it is stressed; Hence, this may not necessarily be the best pooch for homes with small children. Furthermore, this dog’s unpredictable behavior makes it unsuitable for first-time dog owners.
Also, the Lycan Shepherd has a naturally high prey drive. And coupled with the fact that this pooch has a tendency to favor specific members of the family, you may want to avoid bringing this doggie into highly populated homes.
Training
As obtainable with the parent breeds, the Lycan Shepherd is highly intelligent and can be trained to obey doggie commands, walk on a leash or use a potty.
However, this high level of intelligence can sometimes bring out the stubborn streak in a Lycan Shepherd, which makes training a considerably tougher affair. Regardless, with the use of positive reinforcement to reward acts of obedience, this pooch can be trained, and you can expect your training to be quite effective.
Security
The Lycan Shepherd is highly alert, and doesn’t hesitate to bark; therefore, this pooch will make for an excellent watchdog.
Additionally, the Lycan Shepherd’s excellent physical form and inherent bravery make it well suited to protect the home from attacks by intruders.
Does A Lycan Shepherd Shed? Grooming Tips For Lycan Shepherds
It can’t be stated for sure whether or not a Lycan Shepherd sheds a lot. But given that the German Shepherd dog is known for constant and seasonal shedding, you can expect the Lycan Shepherd to follow suit and shed a lot too.
Consequently, the Lycan Shepherd isn’t expected to be hypoallergenic and may not be the ideal pooch for those with dog allergies.
Brushing
There is limited information available on the grooming requirements of the Lycan Shepherd. But judging from released pictures and videos which suggest that this pooch has thick, double-layered coats, and the grooming requirements of the parent dog breeds, you may need to brush the Lycan Shepherd’s coat, at least, 2 to 3 times a week.
And when you eventually have to brush this pooch’s coat, it is recommended that you do so with a quality brushing tool such as the FURminator Undercoat Tool.
The FURminator Tool’s steel blade design is perfect for reaching through the Lycan Shepherd’s topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair. And the brush’s ergonomic handle design is very comfortable to hold.
Bathing
A Lycan Shepherd is designed to be an outdoor pooch; Hence, this dog may not need frequent baths as this can dry up and irritate the skin. In fact, in accordance with what is applicable to a German Shepherd, it is recommended that you bathe the Lycan Shepherd every 3 to 4 months.
And when bathing the Lycan Shepherd, it is advisable that you do so with a mild, dog-friendly shampoo product like the Mighty Petz 2-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner. And along with its soothing effect on a Shepherd’s skin, the Mighty Petz shampoo helps eliminate unsavory odors and keeps the pooch’s skin moisturized.
Additional Grooming Tips
- Like all other pooches, the Lycan Shepherd should be subjected to regular teeth brushing to ensure and maintain great oral hygiene.
- Also, the Lycan Shepherd’s nails should be clipped when they grow too long to prevent the pooch from hurting itself.
- You should also inspect the Shepherd’s ears occasionally for signs of debris and ear infections.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Lycan Shepherd Cost? As of the time of writing this article in April 2021, Lycan Shepherds are yet to go public; hence, there is no specific answer to the question of how much it’ll cost to get one of these canines. You should also be wary of breeders that claim to be selling Lycan Shepherds, as you’ll most likely be getting a fake.
Do Dogs Share DNA With Wolves? Yes, dogs do share DNA with wolves. And to be precise, wolves and dogs share 99% of their DNA. Several genetic studies have shown that dogs, both past and present, have origins that can be traced back to an ancient, now-extinct wolf population.
Where Are Wolf Dogs Legal? States such as Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, Texas, Utah, and Washington give room to raise wolf-dog hybrids as domestic animals, provided the required percentage of wolf-to-dog features is maintained. And in states such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, and Maryland, just to mention a few, it is completely prohibited to own and raise a wolf dog.
