What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are intelligent and easy to train and natural workers. They need plenty of exercise and love adventures.
They are naturally protective of their owners, and so early socialization is essential to teach them that other animals and people aren't dangers. They can be afraid in unfamiliar environments.
Eyes
German Shepherds usually have brown eyes, but they may also have blue eyes. It's a genetic variation. Both parents must carry the recessive genes for their puppies to be born with blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes does NOT indicate the health of the dog.
In general German Shepherds are healthy and do not have any inherited diseases that are linked to their eye color. They can, however, be afflicted by a variety of health issues that are common to all dogs. This includes seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. These conditions can be prevented through preventive screening techniques.
While blue eyes are common in other breeds of dogs, it's rare to see them in purebred German Shepherd. It is often an indication of a puppy that is 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 a significant amount Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.
It is not uncommon for German Shepherds, despite being an uncommon mutation having one blue and one brown eye. This condition is referred to as heterochromia. It can suggest that the dog has some health issue.
Cataracts are another frequent issue among German Shepherds. They are characterized as transparent areas on the cornea's surface or deeper layers of the cornea. These can cause a loss of vision or impair the ability to detect light. This condition can be prevented by restricting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and by encouraging it to spend more time inside. You can also treat it with prescription medication 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 environment and care. If belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich appear to be flopping over or falling down, this is generally normal during his teething. The process usually lasts between 16 to 20 weeks, and at that point you'll be able to permanently stand 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 you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is constantly down, it could be a sign of an ear infection or physical trauma. Ear infections are often the cause of a swelling of the ear, and signs include itching, redness, swelling and odor or discharge from the affected ear.
You can avoid ear infections by making sure you keep your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can take away the natural oils that keep his ears healthy. Try to bathe him every day if needed. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than two times each week. You can help keep your dog's ear moist by letting him wash his head in a bowl of water from time to time.
A German Shepherd with drooping ears may be suffering from an ear mite infection. These tiny parasites are usually found in the open air, and can lead to itching, irritation, swelling, and drooping in the affected ears.
If your German Shepherd has floppy ears If they are floppy, you can encourage them to stand up by taping them with a small piece of medical or vet's tape. It is best to do this with the assistance of an experienced dog trainer or vet. Many dogs will be able to raise their ears within minutes after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat, which includes an undercoat that is soft and fluffy and a dense outer layer. The breed sheds all year round and requires regular brushing to keep it looking the best. GSDs have a thick, soft undercoat that shields the skin from the elements. It is covered by longer guard hairs which may be straight or wavy. Guard hairs could be between two and four inches and can also include feathering around the ears, chest and bottom line, as well as 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 that is preferred in the show ring, and it has a fuller and softer coat with more feathers than the stock coat.
The GSD is available in many colors and patterns. These include the classic black-and-tan shade that everyone is familiar with and other shades like blues, livers, and Fawns. Another popular variation is the sable pattern. This pattern features lighter and darker hairs that are mingled together to create a wolf-like appearance across the entire body. Solid-color GSDs are also popular and so are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD was also renowned for its strength, agility and stealth. This made it a perfect canine for military and police. Its intelligence and loyalty make it a great family companion as well. German Shepherds can be a large breed that is protective of its family however, they are also calm enough to be able to get along with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs are frequently trained in Schutzhund, a form of protection work that is designed to detect and stop criminal activity.
Weight
Puppy's are small and fragile at birth. They are completely dependent on their mother for food. They are still tiny and have a low appetite, but they could double in weight before 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. He or she will play with littermates, but may also single out one or two of them and assert their dominance over other puppies. These are typical of an eugenics-bred puppy.
After three weeks At around three weeks, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food like raw ground meat. It's usually a smooth transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to master how to eat this food and generally are very enthusiastic.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, the rapid growth should be mostly over and he or she will be focused on gaining larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs on a raw meat diet may be underweight, and you need to make sure they are getting enough calories.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia as an adult. They are also at risk of developing degenerative myelopathy which is a spinal cord disorder. Some dogs may show symptoms of these conditions such as dragging their back feet or refusing to jump or walk up the stairs. Some dogs suffer from multiple ailments and require treatment using medications, physical therapy or surgery.
Another problem that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially dilated cardiomyopathy and valvular disease. These conditions can be diagnosed by a veterinarian using a stethoscope to the dog's chest, and x-rays.
Health
German Shepherds can suffer from certain health issues like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy or genetic problems. These problems are made worse due to excessive exercise and weight gain. These ailments can be treated by purchasing your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, following a regular diet, and avoiding foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.
Die Ernährung of a German Shepherd Puppy should be nutrient dense, with plenty of essential fatty acid and protein. Puppies need up to 10% fat in their food to help them grow and development. These fats also provide more energy than proteins or carbohydrates. The composition of fatty acids in the diet should be a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that come from flaxseed, fish oils, and vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are crucial for 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 illnesses.
The immune system of a German Shepherd is sensitive. They are susceptible to allergies, specifically to flea bites or foods. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To avoid this, feed your dog a high-quality food that is easily digestible and avoid table food, human food, and treats that are high in sodium or fat.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancer, particularly older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor that can grow in blood-rich tissues like the heart and spleen. Other cancers include intestinal, lung, and bone cancers. Lymphoma is another condition that can affect German Shepherds, specifically multicentric lymphoma, which results in the expansion of multiple lymph nodes around the body.