The Lycan Shepherd may not be an AKC-recognized breed, but that doesn’t make him any less worthy of attention. This beautiful breed was developed by interbreeding German Shepherds, Blue Bay Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois. This has resulted in a hardworking, wolflike, and super reliable breed up for any task.
This is an extremely new breed, only having been developed in the last few years. But already the Lycan Shepherd has proven himself to be an incredibly loyal and intelligent dog. While it will take some time for him to be counted amongst other AKC-approved breeds, the Lycan Shepherd is well on his way.
Highlights
- A new hybrid breed only developed in the last few years
- Created by breeding working line German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Blue Bay Shepherds
- Bred to be wolflike, intelligent, and hardworking
History
The Lycan Shepherd is a breed that’s new to the scene. The man behind the breed has 30 years of experience working with dogs, and previous served in the paramilitary. He wanted to create an all-purpose working dog that was reliable, durable, and wolflike in appearance. It was also important to the breed’s founder to have the same brain-to-body ratio as a wolf, which would help to make the breed even more intelligent.
The breed was created by combining working line German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Blue Bay Shepherds. The working line German Shepherd was desirable for his ability to solve problems, work hard, and his loyalty.
The Belgian Malinois, meanwhile, was added to the mix for their lithe, large bodies as well as their history as hardworking herding and protection dogs.
Finally, Blue Bay Shepherds originate from Florida. This breed is itself a hybrid created by combining German Shepherds with Wolfdogs and were bred to look wolfish but lack any aggression. This breed itself is also very new, only entering its sixth generation of breeding.
By combining these breeds, the Lycan Shepherd is designed to be an all-purpose loyal working dog with high levels of intelligence and unshakeable loyalty.
Appearance and Vital Stats
General Appearance
The Lycan Shepherd was specifically bred to have a wolfish appearance. If you manage to find yourself with one of these difficult-to-find dogs, expect a large, sturdy, and rugged-looking dog.
Dog Breed Group
The Lycan Shepherd, like his parent breeds, could be considered to be a herding dog. However, the ultimate goal with this breed was to create an all-purpose working dog. As the breed develops, they will make excellent dogs for those in the military, police force, search and rescue, and other fields where dogs require superior intelligence and working ability.
Size
Because the Lycan Shepherd is still a very new breed, it is difficult to determine what his general size should be. However, based on the dogs the founder of the Lycan Shepherd has bred, you can expect these dogs to measure 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh somewhere between 60 to 100 pounds.
Life Span
Since this breed is still in development, it’s difficult to say what the general life span of the Lycan Shepherd looks like. However, consider the fact that this is a hybrid dog. Hybrids and mutts tend to live longer than established purebreds because there is more variation in the gene pool.
The expected average life span for the Lycan Shepherd is 11 to 13 years.
Coat and Colors
The ideal Lycan Shepherd will have a black coat, but that is not always the case. You may also find them in brown, grey, and tan colorations.
You can expect this breed’s coat to be very thick. The dog will have a double coat, which means that twice a year he will shed heavily. Throughout the rest of the year, you’ll likely still notice a considerable amount of fur since the fur is quite long and dense.
Tail
The Lycan Shepherd’s tail can vary greatly within the breed since it’s still being developed. Some dogs have more wolfish tails that are carried low on the dog’s rear, with the tip of the tail reaching the dog’s hocks.
Other Lycan Shepherds have tails carried slightly higher up, and that curl upwards and over the dog’s back.
The fur on the Lycan Shepherd’s tail is thick and bushy.
Ears
Like the breeds the Lycan Shepherd is derived from, the Lycan Shepherd has generally large, triangular ears that sit high on his head. They stand upright instead of flopping over, increasing his ability to hear effectively.
Personality
Because the Lycan Shepherd is still very new, the breed’s personality can vary greatly within the breed. However, the founder of this breed’s ultimate goal is to create a super intelligent and obedient breed. This means that they are super trainable, will catch onto new concepts quickly, and will be able to perform them easily.
The breed was also created to have great problem-solving skills. This makes playing brain games with the Lycan Shepherd both fun, and a great way to prevent the dog from getting bored.
Although the Lycan Shepherd is bred to have a wolfish appearance, the breed’s founder specifically works to prevent the puppies from showing any signs of aggression or shyness common with wolves. He does this by being extremely selective about the dogs he uses to breed together.
This results in a breed with a gentle temperament that’s extremely smart and hardworking.
Apartment Living
The Lycan Shepherd should not live in an apartment. This is a super active breed that will do best with a large, enclosed yard or an area where he can run around and explore.
Children and Other Pets
Lycan Shephers will most likely be good family pets. Because they have been bred with other breeds that do well with children, like the German Shepherd, there is some evidence that this breed could also be a great addition to the household.
If properly introduced and socialized, the Lycan Shepherd may be able to do well with other dogs. However, because they have very strong prey drives, they will likely not do well in households with small animals.
Also, be aware that the Lycan Shepherd is not a good dog for beginners. This dog will do best with an experienced owner.
Care
Feeding
As a large, active dog, the Lycan Shepherd will require a significant amount of food during the day. You should feed him around 2.5 cups to 3.5 cups of high-quality dog food every day.
The Lycan Shepherd does not appear to be prone to obesity, but you should still be mindful about the amount of food he eats throughout the day. Split his food into two or three meals to prevent him from overeating.
Grooming
Because the Lycan Shepherd’s coat is a thick double coat, you will need to be mindful about brushing it frequently. Aim to brush his coat about 2 to 3 times a week when it’s not shedding season. During spring and fall when your Lycan Shepherd begins to blow out his undercoat, you will likely need to brush every day.
You may want to bathe your Lycan Shepherd every 3 to four months. Use a mild shampoo on his fur to remove any grime that’s built up.
Exercise
The Lycan Shepherd is an extremely active dog, and you will need to make sure that he gets adequate daily exercise. A daily walk may not be enough for this breed. Aim for a jog, challenging hike, or sign him up to participate in a dog sport like agility or flyball.
Health
Lycan Shepherds are hybrids, which means there is currently more variation in the gene pool than purebred dogs. This means that the Lycan Shepherd is, generally, a heartier breed than many others. However, there are still some conditions and illnesses you should be aware of if you find yourself with one of these dogs.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a condition very common in large breeds like the Lycan Shepherd. This condition occurs when the bones in the dog’s hip joint don’t fit together correctly. Instead of gliding together smoothly as they should, the bones will grind together, causing pain and discomfort.
Depending on the severity, a management plan can help treat your dog’s hip dysplasia. For more serious cases where your dog is limping or the leg has become lame, corrective surgery may be necessary.
Elbow Dysplasia
Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is common amongst large breeds like the Lycan Shepherd. For this reason, you should be mindful of this condition if you find yourself with one of these dogs.
Elbow dysplasia occurs when the joints of the dog’s elbow don’t align, which causes pain when the dog moves its leg. Usually, if a dog has this condition in one elbow it will get it in the other elbow too. If not caught early enough, this could result in damage to the cartilage and, eventually, arthritis.
Bloat
This is an illness common to large breeds like the Lycan Shepherd. This is a life-threatening condition in which the dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food and becomes distended. The dog’s stomach may then twist.
If your dog has bloat, you may notice him trying to retch, drooling, appearing restless, or having a swollen or painful abdomen. Dogs that are experiencing bloat need to be taken to the vet right away.
Similar Breeds
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds, according to the AKC. This is a large, muscular breed that’s built to perform a variety of tasks. There are two different types of German Shepherd Dogs. The first is the working line German Shepherd, which is bred specifically to be a working dog. The other type is the show line German Shepherd, which is built more for the show ring.
German Shepherds are one of the three main breeds that was used to create the Lycan Shepherd. This is because they are known for their hardworking natures, as well as their extremely high levels of intelligence and their generally calm temperaments.
GSDs, specifically working line GSDs have historically been used in a variety of fields. You’ll find them performing police work, search and rescue work, herding, and acting as guard dogs. If you find yourself with a German Shepherd, you’ll have a loyal, dependable, and brave dog.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a lean, lithe breed that belongs to the herding group. Although slightly smaller than the Lycan Shepherd, this breed is similar in appearance and coloration.
One of the three foundational breeds for the Lycan Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois, or the Mal, is an incredibly hardworking breed. These were originally bred to work as herding dogs in the northwestern region of Belgium. They were bred for performance as well as for their ability to follow directions. This has resulted in a smart, muscular breed up for any task.
If you adopt a Belgian Malinois, then you need to make sure you are exercising him frequently. These are super high-energy dogs that will need more than just a brisk walk every day. Like the Lycan Shepherd, they do best when given a task, so dog sports are a great option for this breed.
Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian Sheepdog is a large breed, though he is generally smaller than the Lycan Shepherd. Like the Lycan Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdogs tend to be black in coloration. They have a thick coat with long fur that requires regular brushing throughout the year.
Belgian Sheepdogs are herding dogs. As the name implies, this breed originates from Belgium. These dogs worked hard to herd and protect the cattle that were such a huge component of Belgium’s chocolate industry. Because the Belgian Sheepdog is such a hardworking breed, he is an ideal dog for things like police work and military work.
If you’re thinking of adopting a Belgian Sheepdog, there are a few things you should understand. First, these dogs need plenty of exercise and are built for hard work. The other thing you need to know is that these are very sensitive dogs, and they will demand your attention and companionship.
