What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are incredibly intelligent easy to train and are natural workers. They are adventurous and require lots of exercise.
Early socialization is essential to teach them that animals and humans are not threats. They are often afraid of unfamiliar environments.
Eyes
German Shepherds typically have brown eyes, however they can also have blue eyes. It's a genetic variant. Both parents must possess recessive genes that allow their pups to have blue eyes. The color of a dog's eyes do not indicate the health status of the dog.
In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no genetic diseases are linked to their eye color. They can, however, be afflicted by a variety of health issues that are common to all dogs. These include epilepsy/seizures and bleeding disorders. Preventive screening can help to keep these conditions from happening.
While blue eyes are commonplace in other breeds of dogs, it is rare to see them in purebred German Shepherd. It is usually a sign of a dog that does not from a breeder that adheres to strict standards for breeding practices and guidelines. It is more likely the puppy is a mix breed with an extensive amount of Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.
It is not unusual for German Shepherds, even though it is rare with one brown and one blue eye. This condition is known as heterochromia. It could be a sign of a health problem in the dog.
Cataracts are another common problem among German Shepherds. They are characterized by opaque areas on the surface of the cornea or deeper layers of the cornea. These can lead to loss of vision or hinder the ability to detect light. This is a condition that can be avoided by limiting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and by encouraging it to spend more time indoors. You can also treat it with prescription medications or doggie glasses.
Ears
The German Shepherd is instantly recognizable by its pointed pinna and erect ears. Although the appearance of the ear is determined largely by genetics, it may be affected by the surroundings and care. If your puppy's ears appear to be floating or falling down, it is typically normal while he's teething. This period usually lasts between 16 and 20 weeks. At that time, he'll be able to hold his ears for the duration of time. The outer layer of skin on the ear and inside cartilage are joined through muscles that allow it to move.
If your German Shepherd's ear has always been down it could be a sign of an ear infection or physical trauma. Ears that are drooping are usually caused by ear infections. The signs include swelling, itching and discharge.
Keep your German Shepherd's ear clean to prevent ear infections. Bathing him too often could remove the natural oils that help keep his ears healthy, so try to bathe him only as needed. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than twice each week. You can keep the ear of your pet moist by taking it out to soak in water every now and again.
If one of your German Shepherd's ears is being droopy, it could be due to an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites are commonly found outdoors, and they can lead to itching, irritation, swelling and drooping of the affected ears.
If your German Shepherd has ears that are floppy, you can encourage them to stand by tying them with a small piece of medical or vet's tape. This is best done with the help of a professional dog trainer or veterinarian and a lot of dogs will have their ears up in no time after taping them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that includes a soft, fluffy undercoat and a thick outer layer. This breed sheds year-round and requires regular brushing to keep it looking the best. GSDs have an undercoat that is soft and thick which protects the skin from the elements. This undercoat is covered with longer guard hairs that are curly or straight. click here to investigate can be anywhere between two and four inches, and they can have feathering around the ears, chest and bottom line and also on the back of the thighs. The long coat of stock resembles the Wolf, with tufts of hair on the ears and feathers at the feet. A plush coat is a medium length coat that is favored in the show ring, and has a more full and softer coat with more feathers than the stock coat.
The GSD is available in a wide assortment of colors and patterns that range from the classic black and tan most people are familiar with to other shades like blues, fawns, and livers. The sable pattern, which has darker and lighter hairs that combine to create a wolf-like look throughout the body is another well-known variation. GSDs with solid colors are also popular, as are GSDs with markings.
The GSD was also renowned for its agility, strength and stealth. This made it an ideal military and police dog. Its loyalty and intelligence make it a good family dog. German Shepherds are a large breed and can be protective of their family members however they are also at peace enough to live with other dogs and cats and also get along with livestock. GSDs usually receive Schutzhund training, which is a form or protection work that is designed to deter criminal activity.
Weight
Puppies are fragile and tiny when they are born. They are totally dependent on their mother for nutrition. Puppies are still very small and have a low appetite, but they could double in weight before the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be alert, curious and unafraid to make advances towards everyone and all things. He or she will play with other littermates, but will also pick one or two of them and assert their superiority over the other puppies. These behaviors are typical for a well-bred pup.
After three weeks at which point you can feed your puppy solid food like raw ground meat. It is usually an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to master how to eat this food, and are usually enthusiastic.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid growth will be over and he or she will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. It is essential to ensure that your puppy is eating enough calories when they are eating a diet of raw meat.
As an adult as an adult, a German Shepherd is at risk for elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Certain dogs exhibit signs such as dragging their back of their feet or refusing to climb stairs or jump. Some dogs have multiple conditions and will require treatment with medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
Another problem that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially the valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. These conditions can be evaluated by a veterinarian using a stethoscope to the dog's chest, and x-rays.
Health
German Shepherds are prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy which can be made worse by poor genetics as well as excessive exercise and overweight. Buy your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and following 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 ample protein and essential fat acids. Puppies require up to 10% of fats in their diets to aid in rapid growth and development. hyperlink are also a major energy source, providing more than double the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. The fatty acid composition of the diet should be comprised of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oils, flaxseed, and vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are vital to the health of the German Shepherd puppy, especially against parvovirus and hepatitis. These vaccines protect your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory ailments caused by these diseases.
The immune system of the immune system of a German Shepherd is very sensitive. They are prone to allergies, especially to food or flea bites. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss or vomiting. To prevent this, feed your dog a high-quality food that is easy to digest, and avoid table foods or human food as well as treats that are high in fat or sodium.
Cancer is a different issue that is a common occurrence for German Shepherds, specifically in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive tumor that grows in blood-rich organs, such as the heart and spleen. It is one common type of cancer seen in German Shepherds. Other cancers include lung, intestinal bone, and intestinal cancers. German Shepherds can also be affected by lymphoma. This is especially the case with multicentric lymphoma, which causes multiple lymph nodes to grow around the body.