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 plenty of exercise.
Early socialization is essential to teach them that animals and humans are not danger. They can be afraid in unfamiliar environments.
Eyes
German Shepherds typically have brown eyes, but they can also have blue eyes. It's a genetic variant. Both parents must carry recessive genes to allow their pups to be born with blue eyes. However the hue of the eyes of a dog does not indicate how healthy the dog is.
In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no inherited diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they can suffer from a myriad of health issues that are common to all breeds of dogs. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated conditions. Screening for these conditions can help prevent or avoid these conditions.
While blue eyes are common in other breeds of dogs, it's rare to see them on a purebred German Shepherd. In reality, it's usually a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder who adheres to strict standards of breeding and practices. Instead, it is likely that the pup is a mixed breed that has 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 with one blue and one brown eye. This is known as heterochromia and can sometimes indicate that the dog has an issue with their health.
Another issue that is common in German Shepherds is cataracts, which are characterised by a lack of transparency on the cornea's surface or deeper corneal layers. These can lead to a loss of vision or block the ability to sense 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 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. While the appearance of the ears is determined largely by genetics, it may be influenced by the surroundings and care. If your pup's ears appear to be floating around or falling down, it's typical during the time of teething. The process usually lasts between 16 to 20 weeks, at which point he'll have the strength to keep his ears up. The outer layer of skin that covers the ear and inside cartilage is connected through muscles that allow it to move.
If your German Shepherd's ear is always down, it could be an indication of an ear infection or physical trauma. Ear infections are often the cause of a drop in the ear and symptoms can include itching, redness swelling and discharge from the affected ear.
Make sure you keep your German Shepherd's ears clean to avoid ear infections. Bathing your German Shepherd too often could remove the natural oils which ensure his ears are healthy. Try to bathe him every day if necessary. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than twice every week. You can help keep your dog's ear moist by letting him wash his head in a bowl of water every now and then.
If one of your German Shepherd's ears is dropping it could be due to an ear mite infestation. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt can be seen in the open and can 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 most dogs will have their ears swollen within a matter of minutes after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that includes a soft, fluffy undercoat and a thick outer layer. This breed sheds throughout the year and requires regular brushing in order to keep its appearance. GSDs have an undercoat that is soft and thick which protects the skin from the elements. The undercoat is covered with hairs that are longer, which can be straight or curly. deutsche schäferhunde kaufen of guard hairs varies from 2 inches to 4 inches and may also include feathers around the ears or chest, the bottom line, and the back of thighs (panties). The long stock coat is reminiscent of the Wolf, with tufts of hair on the ear and feathers at the feet. Plush coats are a medium-length coat that is preferred for the show ring. They feature a more full and softer coat, with more feathering, than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a broad assortment of colors and patterns that range from the classic black and tan the majority of people know to other shades like livers, blues, and fawns. The sable pattern, which features darker and lighter hairs that combine to create a wolf-like appearance throughout the body is another well-known variation. GSDs in solid colors are also very common, as well as GSDs with markings.
The GSD is also known for its agility, strength and stealth, which made it the ideal police and military dog. Its intelligence and loyalty also make it a wonderful family dog. German Shepherds are a big breed and can be protective of their family members however they are also calm enough to live happily with other dogs and cats and are able to coexist with livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund, which is a form of protection work that is designed to detect and deter criminal activities.
Weight
Puppy puppies are small and fragile at birth and are totally dependent on their mother for food. At this point, they are not hungry, but can double their weight by the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert and curious, and is not afraid of advancing towards anything and anyone. The dog can play with other littermates but also choose one or two of them to be the most dominant. These behaviors are typical for a well-bred pup.
After three weeks at which point you can feed your puppy solid food such as raw ground meat. It's usually an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to master how to eat this food, and generally, they are excited.
When your German Shepherd is four months old, the rapid growth should be mostly over and they will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. You must make sure that your puppy is getting enough calories if they are on raw meat diet.
As an adult, a German Shepherd is at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Certain dogs may exhibit symptoms like dragging their back of their feet or refusing to jump or climb stairs. Some dogs may suffer from more than one disease and require treatment with physical therapy, medication or surgery.
Heart disease, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy, also known as valvular diseases, can also affect German Shepherds. A veterinarian can test for these conditions by listening to the dog's heart using a stethoscope and taking x-rays of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds can suffer from certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy or genetic problems. These problems are made worse by excess exercise and obesity. Buying your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and following a consistent food schedule and diet that does not include foods high in salt, fat, or sugar can help to combat these issues.
The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be rich in nutrients, and should contain plenty of protein as well as essential fatty acids. Puppy dogs require as much as 10% fats in their diets to help support rapid growth and development. These fats are also a major energy source, offering more than twice the energy content of proteins or carbohydrates. The composition of fatty acids in the diet should be comprised of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that come from flaxseed, fish oils, and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are essential for the health of the German Shepherd puppy, especially against hepatitis and parvovirus. These vaccinations protect 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, especially to food items or flea bites. These can trigger stomach upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To prevent this from happening, feed your dog a high-quality food that is easy to digest and avoid table food or human food as well as treats that contain high levels of fat or sodium.
Cancer is a different issue that is a common occurrence for German Shepherds, particularly 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 may also be affected by lymphoma. This is particularly the case with multicentric lymphoma, which causes multiple lymph nodes to enlarge around the body.