What Exactly Is a Lycan Shepherd? The Truth Behind the Breed

Lycanthropes (better known as werewolves) are only found in legends and lore, thank goodness! The Lycan Shepherd, however, is a new and evolving breed inspired and named after these fantasy creatures. They embody many of the best traits of three domestic dogs: the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Blue Bay Shepherd.

The Lycan Shepherds only share a striking werewolf-like appearance, so don’t be scared to keep reading if you’re interested in bringing this gorgeous and unique breed into your life.

Lycan Shepherd Characteristics

The personality of a Lycan Shepherd is defined by a strong work ethic and a reliable and trustworthy nature. They’re known to be a loyal and obedient companion to humans. Lycan Shepherds have keen intelligence and take easily to both agility and obedience training. They are not for new dog owners, as they require intense and regular exercise and can become aggressive and destructive if they become bored or lack mental stimulation. If you already have experience with high-energy working breeds, especially the ones that are related to the Lycan Shepherd, they could be a good choice for you.

The Earliest Records of Lycan Shepherds in History

Since this is a new breed, there is not too much history about them. They are a rare designer breed first developed by Chadde JoliCoeur, a dog breeder with 30 years of experience. He started creating this breed in the late 1990s.

The Lycan Shepherd can only be fully appreciated by learning more about the breeds contributing to their unique DNA.

German Shepherds

Lycan Shepherds are descended from working-line German Shepherds. These dogs have been selectively bred over the years for their ability to perform demanding jobs, such as herding, police, and military work, search and rescue, and other forms of working or performance-based activities. While show-line German Shepherds are bred for their physical appearance and have to meet certain breed standards, working-line German Shepherds are bred for their physical ability and have a more muscular and athletic build. They tend to have a higher drive and energy level, which makes them a good fit for jobs that require physical endurance, focus, and intelligence.

Working-line German Shepherds are typically more trainable and adaptable than show-line German Shepherds and are often used as police dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and guide dogs for the visually impaired. They are also popular in competitive displays of obedience and agility.

Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a breed that originated in the city of Melines in Belgium. They are one of four breeds of Belgian Shepherds, and the others are the Belgian Tervuren, the Belgian Groenendael, and the Belgian Laekenois. Belgian Malinois are medium-sized dogs that typically weigh between 55 and 65 pounds and stand around 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. They have short, smooth coats that are typically tan or fawn in color with a black mask and black-tipped hairs.

Belgian Malinois are known for their high energy levels, intelligence, and work drive, making them popular for the same jobs as working-line German Shepherds. They can be found as police and military dogs and doing search and rescue and other service work. They are also used in dog sports, such as obedience, agility, and Schutzhund, and are eager to please their owners.

Due to their energy levels and working drive, the Belgian Malinois require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They are not recommended as pets for people who cannot provide them with enough exercise and activity or are away from home for long stretches of the day. However, for experienced owners who can provide the necessary training and activity, Belgian Malinois can make loyal and devoted companions.

Blue Bay Shepherd

The final contributor to Lycan Shepherd DNA is the Blue Bay Shepherd. This dog is also a relatively new breed that is not yet recognized by major kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC). They were developed by a breeder named Vicki Spencer in the United States, who selectively bred various breeds to create the Blue Bay Shepherd.

The exact breeds used to create the Blue Bay Shepherd have not been publicly disclosed by the breeder. Experts hypothesize that they include German Shepherds, Malamutes, and possibly others, including wolves. As the name suggests, the Blue Bay Shepherd has a bluish or gray coat that can range in shade from light gray to a darker blue.

Blue Bay Shepherds are said to be intelligent, loyal, and protective, with a strong work ethic and a high energy level. They are also described as being affectionate with their families and good with children. However, since this is a newer and not yet standardized breed, it is important to do thorough research and work with a reputable breeder if you are considering adding a Blue Bay Shepherd to your family. It can also be tricky to find a “true” Blue Bay Shepherd, in part because they are so new but also because disreputable breeders try to pass off other dogs as Blue Bay Shepherds.

Formal Recognition of Lycan Shepherds

You likely hadn’t even heard of the Lycan Shepherd because they are so new to the canine scene. They are not yet officially recognized by the AKC or the UKC. Since it is hard to predict which characteristics from the three origin breeds will show up in each Lycan generation, breeders are closely observing the physical and intellectual traits in Lycan Shepherd puppies, looking in particular for sharp intelligence, a wolf-like appearance, and a loyal, watchful temperament. Aggression is the main trait that enthusiasts are working on breeding out of the Lycan Shepherd.

Top 3 Unique Facts About the Lycan Shepherd

1. A Lycan Shepherd can cost around $3,000 to $5,000!

This is definitely not a cheap dog! The main reasons the Lycan Shepherd is expensive are that they're still quite a rare designer breed and that they have a high level of intelligence.

2. They have a high brain-to-body ratio.

The Lycan Shepherd is quite intelligent, as indicated by their larger-than-average brain-to-body ratio. Since they're smarter than the standard domestic dog, they will need an experienced owner.

3. Lycan Shepherds have traces of wolf DNA.

Don’t worry, we said wolf DNA, not werewolf DNA! Since one of the parent breeds is the Blue Bay Shepherd, which has about 12% to 16% wolf DNA, a Lycan Shepherd will most likely have a bit of wolf DNA too! But a proper canine DNA test will confirm this.

Do Lycan Shepherds Make a Good Pet?

Lycan Shepherds are not for everyone; they need lots of exercise, attention, and intellectual stimulation. If you are an experienced owner, they might be a good fit for you, but if you’re new to dog ownership, another breed would be more suitable.

Conclusion

The Lycan Shepherd is one of the latest evolving breeds in the canine world. With their gorgeous coat and wolf-like stance and appearance, they are uniquely aesthetically pleasing. As experts study them, expect to hear much more about Lycan Shepherds in the future.

See also:

• Does the Solar Eclipse Affect Pets?

• Blue German Shepherd Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, History & More

Featured Image Credit: PhotoSpirit, Shutterstock