What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are highly intelligent easy to train and natural workers. They are adventurous and require lots of exercise.
They naturally protect their owners, which is why early socialization is important to help them understand that people and other animals are not dangers. They can be afraid in unfamiliar situations.
Eyes
German Shepherds tend to have brown eyes but they also can have blue ones. This is because of a genetic variation that requires both parents to carry the recessive gene to allow puppies to have blue eyes. The color of a dog's eyes do not indicate the health of that dog.
In general, German Shepherds are very healthy dogs and do not have any inherited diseases that are linked to their eye color. However, they may suffer from a variety of health issues that are common to all dogs. These include seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Screening preventive can help prevent these conditions.
Blue eyes are not uncommon in other breeds of dog, but they are rare in purebred German Shepherds. It is often an indication of a dog that does not from a breeder who is committed to strict standards for breeding practices and guidelines. It is more likely that the puppy is a mixed breed with a significant amount of Weimaraner or Siberian Husky in its ancestry.
It is not unusual for German Shepherds, even though it is an uncommon mutation having one blue and one brown eye. This is known as heterochromia and can sometimes suggest that the dog has some health issue.
Cataracts are another frequent issue in German Shepherds. They are characterized by areas of opaqueness on the cornea's surface or the inner layers of the cornea. They can cause loss of vision or hinder the ability to detect light. This problem can be prevented by restricting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight, and encouraging it to spend more time indoors. You can also treat it with prescription medications or a pair of doggie glasses.
Ears
The German Shepherd is instantly recognizable by its pointed pinna and erect ears. Though the ear's appearance is largely determined by genetics, it can be affected by the environment and care. It's normal for dog's ears to drop or flop over while he is teething. This usually ends between 16 to 20 weeks, and at that point you'll be able to keep his ears up. The ear's outer layer cartilage and the skin are connected through muscles that allow it to move and move and.
If the ears of your German Shepherd is always down, this could be a sign of an ear infection. Ears that are drooping are usually caused by ear infections.
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You can avoid ear infections by maintaining your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can take away the natural oils that ensure his ears are healthy. Make sure you bathe him only when needed. Avoid using any ear cleansing liquid more than two times per week. You can keep your dog's ears moist by letting him wash his head in a bowl of water every now and then.
A German Shepherd with drooping ears could have an ear mite infection. These tiny parasites are found in the outdoors and cause irritation, itching and swelling in the affected ear.
If your German Shepherd has a sloppy ear, you can encourage them to stand up by taping them with a small piece of vet's or medical tape. This is best done with the assistance of a professional dog trainer or veterinarian and a lot of dogs will have their ears up in no time after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog is a double-coated dog that has an undercoat that is soft and dense and a soft, fluffy undercoat. This breed sheds all year long and requires regular brushing in order to keep its appearance. GSDs have an undercoat that is soft and thick, protecting the skin against the elements. This undercoat is covered by longer guard hairs, that are curly or straight. The length of the guard hairs can vary from 2 inches to 4 inches and they could also include feathers around the ears and chest, as well as the bottom line, and back of thighs (panties). The long stock-coat resembles an wolf with tufts on the ears and feathers on the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is preferred in the show ring, and it comes with a thicker, softer coat with more feathers than the stock coat.
The GSD is available in a variety of colors and patterns. They include the classic black-and-tan color that is well-known to most, as well as other shades like blues, livers and fawns. The sable pattern, which features darker and lighter hairs that mix to create a wolf-like look across the body, is another well-known variation. Solid-color GSDs are also popular, as are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also renowned for its agility, strength, and stealth, which makes it the perfect police and military dog. Its dedication and intelligence make it a wonderful family pet as well. German Shepherds are a big breed that can be protective of their family members, but they are peaceful enough to be able to live happily with other cats and dogs and also get along with livestock. GSDs are frequently trained in Schutzhund, which is a form of protection that is designed to detect and deter criminal activity.
Weight
Puppies are tiny and fragile when they are born and are totally dependent on their mother to eat. At this point, they have a small appetite but can double their weight at the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be alert, curious and unafraid to make a fuss of anyone and all things. The dog can play with other littermates, but may also pick one or two to dominate. These are typical for puppies that are well-bred.
Around three weeks of age, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food like raw ground meat. In general, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to consume this kind of food very quickly and are usually eager to get started.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid growth should be mostly over and he or she will be focused on gaining larger and developing adult teeth. You should ensure that your dog is eating enough calories, especially if they are on an eating plan that includes raw meat.
As an adult as an adult, a German Shepherd is at risk for elbow and hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Certain dogs exhibit signs such as dragging their back feet or refusing to jump or climb stairs. Certain dogs have multiple ailments and require treatment using medications, physical therapy or surgery.
Heart disease, especially heart disease, such as dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular disorders are also a problem for German Shepherds. These conditions can be diagnosed by a vet using a stethoscope to listen to the dog's chest, and x-rays.
Health
German Shepherds can suffer from certain health conditions like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and poor genetics. These conditions are made worse by excess exercise and weight gain. These health issues can be combated by purchasing your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, adhering to a regular eating schedule, and staying away from foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat.
The diet of a German Shepherd Puppy should be nutritious and full of essential fatty acids and protein. Puppies require as much as 10 percent fat in their diet to aid in their rapid growth and development. Fats are also a major energy source, supplying more than twice the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. The fatty acid composition of the diet should be comprised of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish oils, flaxseed, and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are vital to the health of the German Shepherd puppy, especially against parvovirus and hepatitis. The vaccines also protect your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory ailments which can be caused by these conditions.
A German Shepherd's immune system is sensitive, and they are susceptible to allergies, specifically to flea bites and food. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss or vomiting. To avoid this, ensure that your dog is eating a high-quality food that is easily digestible. Avoid eating table food, human food and snacks that are high in fat or sodium.
Cancer is another major concern for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive tumor that grows in blood-rich organs such as the heart and spleen, is a commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other types of cancer include lung, bone and intestinal cancers. German Shepherds can also be affected by lymphoma. This is especially true of multicentric lymphoma which causes multiple lymph nodes to expand around the body.