New Shep Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- German Shepherd & Newfoundland
- Breed Nickname:
- New Shep
- Size:
- Large
- Height:
- 23 to 26 inches
- Weight:
- 75 to 95 pounds
- Life Span:
- 8 to 10 years
- Coat Colors:
- Black, white, red, silver, brown, gray, blue, cream, and sable
New Shep Characteristics
About The New Shep
What Is A Newfoundland German Shepherd Mix called?
The offspring between a Newfoundland and a German Shepherd has been nicknamed New Shep.
They are larger-than-life and lovable dogs, bringing the best of both parent breeds into one amazing puppy.
The New Shep is confident and friendly, although recent reckless breeding has seen an increase in aggressive New Sheps and health issues. Keep reading our ultimate breed guide to learn more about the New Shep!
New Shep Breed History
Thought to have been bred in the 1990s.
Originated in the USA.
Might have been bred to create a German Shepherd that wasn’t afraid of water.
The history of the New Shep is sparse, but it is assumed that intentional breeding began in the 1990s during the rise in popularity of mixed breed dogs.
German Shepherds are one of the world’s most beloved breeds, so it makes sense to breed them with other dog breeds to create a healthier hybrid.
The German Shepherd was originally bred for shepherding, but quickly found itself more at home in workforces such as the police force and military. German Shepherds excel at everything, from intelligence to agility.
However, they have one fatal flaw – German Shepherds hate water. So, it makes sense to breed them with the Newfoundland, who often seems more at home in water than on land.
Breeders may have been attempting to breed the fear of water out of the German Shepherd when creating the New Shep.
New Shep Personality & Temperament
Confident and fun dogs to be around.
Can be aggressive towards strangers if unsocialized.
Don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
Most New Sheps are considered confident, self-assured, and well-mannered. They might be large and intimidating to some, but they’re not aggressive when properly trained and socialized.
They can feel timid or stressed around strangers if not socialized, which is why this is essential in puppyhood.
New Sheps have a good reputation around children and other animals, so they work well in a number of family dynamics.
However, they don’t like being left alone for very long, so busy professionals might not be the best owners for these dogs. They’re very active, too, so they’ll need an owner who can keep up with them.
New Shep Health
Prone to many health issues the parent breeds face.
Major concerns include the joints, bloating, and eye issues.
Life expectancy of 8 to 10 years.
New Sheps might be prone to a number of health issues that their parent breeds face. Major concerns for this breed include:
- Panosteitis
- Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
- Gastric Dilation Volvulus
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Perianal Fistulas
- Subaortic Stenosis
Minor concerns include:
- Cherry Eye
- Seborrhea
- Pannus
- Platelet Dysfunction
- Cataracts
- Mitral Valve Dysplasia
Taking your New Shep to a vet every six months to a year can prevent them from suffering any illness for too long.
With the New Shep having so many potential health issues, it is important that you keep up to date with these appointments.
New Shep Training
Not as easily trainable as you might think.
Always use positive reinforcement.
Early socialization is vital for New Sheps.
Considering the New Shep has German Shepherd genes, you’d think that they’d be very trainable.
However, some New Sheps develop a stubborn streak which can make training more difficult. You need to ensure that this dog knows that you’re the alpha instead of them.
Regardless of how stubborn they seem, always use positive reinforcement with your New Shep. This ensures that they know you’re both working as a team rather than against each other.
New Sheps need to be socialized from an early age to prevent them from becoming aggressive towards strangers and other dogs in adulthood.
A great way to do this is to take them to a quiet dog park to meet new people and dogs. The more you do this, the more comfortable they will get with strangers.
New Shep Exercise Requirements
Not as easily trainable as you might think.
Always use positive reinforcement.
Early socialization is vital for New Sheps.
Both parent breeds are well known for their energy levels, with both being working dogs that need plenty of endurance and strength. You should offer your New Shep at least one hour of exercise a day to keep them healthy.
These dogs need plenty of vigorous exercise. A walk around the block simply won’t do! They love hiking, running, and playing fetch.
Newfoundlands love swimming, but German Shepherds hate water. Whether your New Shep enjoys swimming or not will depend on the genes inherited from their parents.
The New Shep needs plenty of room to exercise, so an apartment without a yard won’t do. Ideally, they’ll have plenty of land to run around on every day.
They need an owner who can keep up with them, so they’re not suitable for busy people or most seniors.
New Shep Diet & Feeding
Choose food formulated for large dogs with high energy levels.
Offer smaller meals throughout the day to combat bloating.
A raw food diet is a great option for New Sheps.
New Sheps need to eat plenty of food in a day – at least three cups for most of them! Look for a food formulated for large dogs with high energy levels.
You will probably be able to find food marketed towards German Shepherds, and this will work too. Alternatively, you could put them on a raw food diet.
No matter what diet you choose, New Sheps need plenty of protein and healthy fats to keep up with their energy levels. You should also look for food fortified with vitamins and minerals.
New Sheps can suffer from bloating, which is rather serious for dogs.
If your dog is getting bloated due to eating too quickly, consider offering them smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large meal. If this doesn’t reduce their bloating, contact your vet about it.
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New Shep Cost
Costs between $500 and $1,500.
Ongoing costs include toys, obedience training, and grooming tools.
Choosing a reputable breeder is essential when buying a dog.
New Sheps can cost anywhere from $500 and $1,500, depending on your location, the breeder, and demand for the breed.
Ongoing costs include food, toys, training classes, and vet bills (which can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 for New Sheps without insurance).
Choosing a reputable breeder for your New Shep is essential.
Both German Shepherds and Newfoundlands can inherit anxiety, timidness, and aggression from their parents, so it is essential that your breeder checks the parents for these traits before breeding.
An untrusted breeder wouldn’t check for these things, making it more likely that their New Sheps will develop these behaviors in the future.
