What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies

German shepherd puppies are incredibly intelligent, easy to train and are natural workers. They need plenty of exercise and love adventures.

They naturally protect their owners, and so early socialization is important to help them understand that animals and humans are not dangers. They are often afraid of unfamiliar environments.

Eyes

German Shepherds usually have brown eyes, but they can also have blue eyes. This is because of a genetic variation that requires both parents to carry the recessive gene for puppies to have blue eyes. However the color of a dog's eyes is not a sign of the health of the dog.

In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no inherited diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they may be afflicted by a variety of health problems that are common to all dogs. This includes seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. These conditions can be avoided by utilizing preventive screening methods.

While blue eyes are commonplace in other breeds of dogs, it's uncommon to see them in a purebred German Shepherd. In reality, it's often a sign that a puppy is not from a breeder that is a strict adherent to breeding standards and practices. It is more likely the puppy is a mix breed, with a significant amount Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.

Although it is a rare genetic condition, it is not unusual for German Shepherds to have a blue eye and one brown eye. This is a condition referred to as heterochromia. It can sometimes indicate a health problem in the dog.

Cataracts are another common problem among German Shepherds. They are characterized as areas of opaqueness on the cornea's surface or deeper layers of the cornea. These can cause a loss of vision or interfere with the ability to detect light. This is a condition that can be avoided by restricting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and encouraging it to spend more time inside. It can also be treated with prescription medication or a specially-designed pair of doggie sunglasses.

Ears

When it is about the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are immediately identifiable. The ear's shape is largely determined by genetics. However the environment and the care can also influence its appearance. If your pup's ears seem to be flopping over or falling down, it is typically normal while he's teething. This period usually lasts between 16 to 20 weeks. At that point, he will have the strength and ability to hold his ears for the duration of time. The ear's outer skin and inner cartilage are connected through muscles that allow it to move and twitch.

If the ear of your German Shepherd is always down, it could be an indication of an ear infection. Drooping ears are often caused by ear infections. The signs include swelling, itching and discharge.

You can keep ear infections at bay by maintaining your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can remove the natural oils which keep his ears healthy. Make sure you bathe him every day if necessary. Avoid using any ear cleansing liquid more than twice per week. You can help keep your dog's ear damp by letting him soak his head in a bowl of water from time to time.

A German Shepherd with drooping ears may have an ear mite infection. These tiny parasites are typically found outdoors, and they can lead to itching, irritation, swelling, and drooping in the affected ear.

If your German Shepherd has ears that are floppy If they are floppy, you can encourage them to stand up by securing them with a small piece of vet's or medical tape. It is best to do this with the assistance of a dog trainer who is experienced or vet. Many dogs will have their ears raised within minutes after you tap them.

Coat

The German Shepherd Dog is a double-coated dog sporting an undercoat that is soft and dense and a soft, fluffy undercoat. The breed sheds throughout the year and requires regular brushing to keep its appearance. GSDs have a soft, thick undercoat that protects the skin from the elements. It is covered by longer guard hairs, which can be straight or waving. The length of the guard hairs varies from 2 inches to 4 inches and they could also have feathering around the ears or chest, the bottom line, and the back of thighs (panties). The long stock-coat resembles the wolf, with tufts of hair in the ears and feathering on the feet. Plush coats are a medium-length coat that is most often used in the show ring. They are a thicker and softer coat, with more feathering, than the stock coat.

The GSD is available in various patterns and colors. These include the classic black-and-tan shade that is well-known to most, as well as other shades like blues, livers and Fawns. Another popular variation is the sable pattern. This pattern is comprised of lighter and darker hairs mixed together to create a wolf-like appearance on the entire body. Solid-color GSDs are also popular as are GSDs with white markings.

The GSD is also known for its strength, agility and stealth, which made it the ideal police and military dog. Its loyalty and intelligence make it a good family dog. German Shepherds are a big breed that can be protective of their families However, they are also calm enough to live happily with other dogs and cats and to get along well with livestock. GSDs are frequently trained in Schutzhund, a form of protection that is designed to identify and deter criminal activities.

Weight

Puppy puppies are tiny and fragile at birth. They are totally dependent on their mother for sustenance. At this point, puppies have a small appetite but can double their weight at the end of their neonatal phase.

A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert and curious, and is not afraid of making advances towards everything and everyone. He or she will play with other littermates but will also pick one or two and assert his or her superiority over the other pups. These are typical of a well-bred pup.

When a puppy is around three weeks old, you can start to feed him or her solid food, such as raw ground beef. It's usually a smooth transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to eat this type of food quickly and are usually eager to get started.

When your German shepherd is four months old his or her rapid development should be over. They will now be focused on growing larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs who eat raw meat diet may be underweight, so it is important to make sure they are getting enough calories.

As an adult as an adult, a German Shepherd is at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Some dogs may show symptoms of these diseases such as dragging their back feet or refusing to run or climb the stairs. Some dogs may suffer from more than one illness and require treatment through physical therapy, medication or surgery.

Heart disease, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy, also known as valvular diseases are also a problem for German Shepherds. These conditions can be tested by a vet using a stethoscope to the dog's chest, and x-rays.

Health

German Shepherds may suffer from certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and genetic problems. These conditions are made worse by excess exercise and obesity. Purchase your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and observing a consistent eating schedule and a diet that does not include foods high in salt, fat, or sugar can help combat these issues.

The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be nutritious, containing plenty of protein as well as essential fat acids. Puppies require 10% of fats in their diet to aid in rapid growth and development. They are also a major energy source, supplying more than double the energy content of proteins or carbohydrates. The diet should contain an assortment of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fat acids from flaxseeds, fish oils, and other vegetable sources.

Vaccinations are crucial to the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true against hepatitis, and parvovirus. These vaccines safeguard your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory diseases caused by these illnesses.

The immune system of the German Shepherd is sensitive. They are susceptible to allergies, particularly food or flea bites. This can lead to stomach upset vomiting, nausea or weight loss. To prevent this from happening, feed a high-quality dog food that is easily digestible and avoid table food human food, as well as treats that are high in sodium or fat.

original site Links to an external site. is another major concern for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs like the spleen and heart, is a common type of cancer seen in German Shepherds. Other types of cancer include bone, lung, and intestinal cancers. Lymphoma is yet another disease that can affect German Shepherds, specifically multicentric lymphoma. This results in the expansion of multiple lymph nodes throughout the body.