What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are incredibly intelligent, easy to train and are natural workers. They are awe-inspiring and require lots of exercise.
Socialization at an early age is crucial to teach them that animals and humans are not a threat. They may become scared in situations that are not familiar to them.
Eyes
German Shepherds typically have brown eyes, but they can also have blue eyes. This is due to a genetic change that requires both parents to carry the recessive gene for puppies to have blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes do not indicate the health of the dog.
In general German Shepherds are healthy and do not suffer from any genetic diseases that are linked to their eye color. However, they are susceptible to suffering from a variety of health problems that are common to all breeds of 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's rare to see them in purebred German Shepherd. In reality, it's usually a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder that adheres to strict breeding standards and practices. It is more likely that the puppy is a mix breed that has an extensive amount of Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.
It is not uncommon for German Shepherds, although it is a rare mutation, to have one brown and one blue eye. This is known as heterochromia. It may be a sign that a dog is suffering from some health issue.
Another common problem in German Shepherds is cataracts which are characterized by the presence of opaque areas on the cornea's surface or deeper corneal layers. They can cause loss of vision or obstruct the ability to detect light. This can be easily prevented by limiting the amount of direct sunlight your German Shepherd is exposed to, and encouraging it to spend as much time inside as much as is feasible. It can be treated using prescription medications or a specially-designed pair of dog sunglasses.
Ears
When it is time to talk about the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are easily recognized. The shape of the ear is mostly determined by genetics. However the environment and care can affect its appearance. It's normal for your dog's ears to drop or flip over while teething. It usually happens between 16 to 20 weeks, and at that point he'll have the strength to keep his ears up. The ear's outer layer cartilage and the skin are connected by muscles that allow it to move and move and.
If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is constantly down, it could be a sign of an ear infection, or a physical trauma. Drooping ears are often caused by ear infections. The signs include swelling, itching, odor or discharge.
You can prevent ear infections by making sure you keep your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing him too often could remove the natural oils that help keep his ears healthy, so make sure to bathe him only when required. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than twice 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.
If one of your German Shepherd's ears are dropping it could be due to an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites are found outdoors and cause itching, irritation and swelling in the ear affected.
Taping the ears of your German Shepherd using a small piece veterinary or medical tape will help them stand. It is best to do this with the help of a dog trainer who is experienced or vet. Many dogs will have their ears raised within a matter of minutes after you tape them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that has a soft, fluffy undercoat and a thick outer layer. This breed sheds all year round and requires regular brushing to maintain its appearance. GSDs have a thick, soft undercoat that shields skin from the elements. It is covered by longer guard hairs, which may be straight or curly. Guard hairs could be between two and four inches, and they can have feathering on the ears, chest and bottom line as well as the back of the thighs. The long stock coat is reminiscent of the Wolf, with tufts of hair on the ears and feathering at the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is preferred in the show ring and it has a fuller, softer coat with more feathering than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns that range from the classic black and tan the majority of people know to other shades like blues, fawns, and livers. Another variation that is popular is the sable pattern. This pattern has lighter and darker hairs mixed together to create a wolf-like appearance across the entire body. Solid-color GSDs are also common and so are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also known for its strength, agility and stealth, making it the ideal police and military dog. Its intelligence and loyalty also make it a wonderful family dog. German Shepherds are a big breed that is able to be protective of their families However, they are also calm enough to live happily with other cats and dogs and are able to coexist with livestock. GSDs are usually trained in Schutzhund, which is a form of protection work 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. Puppy's are still small and have a limited appetite, however they can grow to a significant size at the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert and curious. They are not afraid of advancing towards anything and anyone. deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung play with other littermates but will also pick one or two of them and assert his or her superiority over the other pups. These behaviors are normal for puppies that are well-bred.
Around three weeks of age, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food such as raw ground meat. It is generally a smooth transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to learn to consume this food and generally are very eager.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, the rapid growth should be over and he or she will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs on a raw meat diet could be underweight, and you need to ensure that they're getting enough calories.
As an adult the German Shepherd is at risk for elbow and hip dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Certain dogs exhibit signs such as dragging the back feet or refusing to climb or jump on stairs. Some dogs may suffer from more than one illness and require treatment with treatment with medication, physical therapy or surgery.
Another problem that can affect German Shepherds is heart disease, specifically heart disease that is dilated and valvular. A vet can check for these conditions by listening to the dog's heart with the stethoscope and taking an x-ray of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are prone to certain health conditions like hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, which can be exacerbated by genetic deficiencies or excessive exercise. They can also be afflicted by overweight. Buying your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and adhering to a regular feeding schedule and diet that is low in fat, salt, or sugar can help combat these issues.
The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be nutrient-dense, providing ample protein and essential fatty acids. Puppies require as much as 10 percent fat in their food to aid in their rapid growth and development. These fats are also an essential energy source, offering more than double the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. The composition of fatty acids in the diet should consist of a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oils, flaxseed, and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are crucial for the health of a German Shepherd puppy, especially against hepatitis and parvovirus. These vaccinations will also shield your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory ailments that can be caused by these conditions.
A German Shepherd's immune system is senile, and they are susceptible to allergies, specifically to flea bites as well as food. This can lead to stomach upset vomiting, nausea, or weight loss. To avoid this, make sure your dog is eating a high-quality food that is easily digestible. Avoid table food, human food and treats that are high in fat or sodium.
Cancer is a different issue that is a common occurrence for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs, such as the spleen and heart, is one common type of cancer seen in German Shepherds. Other cancers include lung, intestinal, and bone 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.