What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are intelligent and easy to train and are natural workers. They need plenty of exercise and enjoy adventures.
They naturally protect their owners, so early socialization is crucial to help them understand that people and other animals aren't dangers. They can be scared in unfamiliar situations.
Eyes
German Shepherds tend to have brown eyes, but can also have blue ones. It's a genetic variation. Both parents must have recessive genes that allow their puppies to have blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes does NOT indicate the health of that dog.
In general German Shepherds have healthy eyes and no genetic diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they are susceptible to suffering from a myriad of health issues that are common to all breeds of dogs. This includes seizures, epilepsy 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 on purebred German Shepherd. It is usually a sign of a puppy that is not bred by a breeder who adheres to strict breeding practices and standards. It is more likely that 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, despite being a rare mutation with one brown and one blue eye. This is a condition known as heterochromia, and it may be a sign of a health problem in the dog.
Another common problem in German Shepherds is cataracts which are characterized by a lack of transparency on the cornea's surface or in the deeper corneal layers. They can cause loss of vision or hinder the ability to sense light. This condition 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 indoors as possible. It can also be treated with prescription medications or a specific pair of dog sunglasses.
Ears
The German Shepherd is instantly recognizable by its pointed pinna and erect ears. Although the appearance of the ear is largely determined by genetics, it may also be influenced by surroundings and care. It's normal for dog's ears to drop or roll over when he's teething. This usually ends between 16 to 20 weeks, and at that point you'll be able to keep his ears up. The outer layer of skin on the ear and the inside cartilage are joined by muscles that allow it to move.
If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear has always been down it could be a sign of an ear infection, or a physical trauma. Ear infections are often the cause of a swelling of the ear, and signs may include redness, itching, swelling, odor, or discharge from the affected ear.
Make sure you keep your German Shepherd's ears clean to avoid ear infections. Bathing him too frequently can remove the natural oils that help keep his ears healthy, so try to bathe him only when required. Avoid using any ear cleansing liquid more than twice each week. It is possible to keep the ear of your dog moist by taking it out to soak in water every now and again.
A German Shepherd who has drooping ears might be suffering from an ear mite infection. These tiny parasites are commonly found in the outdoors and can cause swelling, irritation, itching and drooping of the affected ear.
If your German Shepherd has a sloppy ear You can get them to stand up by securing 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 most dogs will have their ears up in no time after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that 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 its appearance. GSDs have an undercoat that is thick and soft and protects the skin from the elements. The undercoat is covered by longer guard hairs, which can be curly or straight. The length of the guard hairs can range 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 looks like a wolf with tufts in the ears and feathering on the feet. Plush coats are medium-length coats, which are preferred for the show ring. They have a fuller and more soft coat, with more feathering than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a wide range of colors and patterns that range from the classic black and tan that the majority of people are familiar with to other shades such as blues, fawns, and livers. The sable pattern, which features darker and lighter hairs that blend to create a wolf-like look across the body, is a different variation that is popular. GSDs in solid colors are also popular, as are GSDs with markings.
The GSD is also known for its strength, agility and stealth, which made it the perfect military and police dog. Its ability to be a loyal and intelligent dog makes it a wonderful companion for families as well. German Shepherds are a large breed that is very protective of their family members however, they are also calm enough to get along with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs usually receive Schutzhund training that is a form or protection program that is designed to deter criminal activity.
Weight
Puppy puppies are small and fragile at birth, when they are completely dependent on their mother for food. schäferhund kaufen welpe are still small and have a limited appetite, but they can grow to a significant size at the end of their neonatal period.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be open, curious and willing to show affection towards anyone and everything. He or she can play with other littermates, but they may also select one or two of them to be the most dominant. These behaviors are normal for an eugenics-bred puppy.
After three weeks, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food like 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 excited.
When your German shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid growth should be over. They will be focusing on growing larger and developing adult teeth. It is essential to ensure that your puppy is getting enough calories in the event that they are on raw meat diet.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia when they become an adult. They also are at risk of degenerative myelopathy, which is a spinal cord disorder. Some dogs may show symptoms of these conditions like walking with their back feet dragging or refusing to jump or walk up the stairs. Some dogs suffer from more than one condition and require treatment using physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
Heart disease, specifically heart disease, such as dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular disorders that affect German Shepherds. A veterinarian can test for these conditions by listening to the heart of the dog using an stethoscope, and taking x-rays of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are susceptible to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and poor genetics. These ailments are exacerbated due to excessive exercise and obesity. Buy your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and adhering to a regular eating schedule and a diet that avoids foods high in salt, fat, or sugar can help combat these issues.
The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be nutrient-dense, providing plenty of protein and essential fat acids. Puppy dogs require as much as 10% of fats in their diet to support rapid growth and development. Fats are also a key energy source, providing more than twice the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. The fatty acid composition of the diet should consist of an amalgamation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from flaxseed, 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. The vaccines protect your puppy from kennel cough and other respiratory diseases caused by these diseases.
A German Shepherd's immune system is sensitive, and they are prone to allergies, especially to flea bites and food. This can lead to stomach upset, vomiting, or weight loss. 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.
German Shepherds are also predisposed to cancer, particularly older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor that develops in blood-rich organs such as the spleen and heart, is a commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other types of cancer include lung, bone and intestinal cancers. German Shepherds can also be affected by lymphoma. This is particularly relevant to multicentric lymphoma that causes multiple lymph nodes to expand around the body.