What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are intelligent and easy to train and are natural workers. They require plenty of exercise and love adventures.
Socialization at an early age is crucial to teach children that animals and humans are not danger. They can become fearful in situations that are not familiar to them.
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 be born with blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes does NOT indicate the health of the dog.
In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no genetic diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they can suffer from a myriad of health issues that are common in all breeds of dogs. These include seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Screening preventive can help keep these conditions from happening.
Blue eyes are not uncommon in other dog breeds however, they are extremely rare in German Shepherds that are purebred. It is often an indication of a puppy not from a breeder that is committed to strict standards and breeding practices. It is more likely that the dog is a mixed breed with a significant amount of Weimaraner or Siberian Husky in its ancestry.
Despite being a rare genetic mutation it is not uncommon for German Shepherds to have one blue eye and one brown eye. This is a condition known as heterochromia. It can sometimes indicate an issue with the health of the dog.
deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich are a different issue that is common in German Shepherds. They are characterized as transparent areas on the surface of the cornea or the inner layers of the cornea. These can cause a loss of vision or hinder the ability to detect light. This condition can easily be prevented by restricting the amount of direct sunlight your German Shepherd is exposed to and urging it to spend as much time indoors as possible. It can be treated with prescription medications or a specific pair of dog sunglasses.
Ears
When it is time to talk about the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are easily identifiable. The shape of the ear is mostly determined by genetics. However the environment and care can also influence its appearance. It's normal for your dog's ears to fall or flop over while he is teething. This phase usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks. At this stage, he'll have the strength and capability to keep his ears in place for a long time. The ear's outer layer of skin and inner cartilage are connected by muscles that allow it to move and twitch.
If the ears of your German Shepherd is always down, it could be a sign of an ear infection. Ear infections are often the cause of a drooping ear, and symptoms may include redness, itching, swelling, odor, or discharge from the affected ear.
Make sure you keep your German Shepherd's ear clean to avoid ear infections. Bathing your German Shepherd too often may eliminate the natural oils that keep his ears healthy. Try to bathe him as required. Do not use any ear cleaning liquid more than two times per week. Keep the ear of your pet moist by letting it 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 found in the outdoors and cause irritation, itching and swelling in the affected ear.
Taping the ears of your German Shepherd using a small piece of medical or veterinary tape will help them stand. This can be done with the assistance of an experienced dog trainer or veterinarian, and a lot of dogs will be able to stand up in no time at all after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog is a double-coated dog with a soft, dense undercoat and a fluffy undercoat. This breed sheds year-round and requires regular brushing to keep it looking its best. GSDs have an undercoat that is soft and thick, protecting the skin against the elements. The undercoat is covered by longer guard hairs, which can be straight or curly. The length of guard hairs varies from two inches to four and they could also include feathers around the ears and chest, as well as the bottom line, and back of the thighs (panties). The long stock-coat resembles the wolf, with tufts of hair in the ears and feathers on the feet. Plush coats are medium-length coats that are preferred for the show ring. They are a thicker and softer coat, with more feathering than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns including the classic black and tan that the majority of people know to other shades such as blues, fawns and livers. The sable pattern, which has lighter and darker hairs that blend to create a wolf-like appearance all over the body, is another popular variation. Solid-color GSDs are also popular, as are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also renowned for its agility, strength, and stealth, which made it the ideal military and police dog. Its ability to be a loyal and intelligent dog makes it a great family companion as well. German Shepherds are 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 usually receive Schutzhund training, which is a form or protection work designed to detect and deter criminal activities.
Weight
Puppy puppies are tiny and fragile when they are born. They are completely dependent on their mother for nutrition. At this point, they are not hungry, but they can gain up to 2 pounds by the end of their neonatal period.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert and curious. They are not afraid of advancing towards anything and everyone. They play with littermates, but may also single out one or two of them and assert their dominance over other pups. These are typical for a well-bred puppy.
At around three weeks old, you may begin feeding your puppy solid food, such as raw ground beef. Typically, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to learn to eat this food, and are usually eager.
When your German shepherd is four months old his or her rapid development will be over. The dog will be focusing on growing larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs who eat raw meat diet may be underweight, so you must ensure that they are getting enough calories.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia when they become an adult. They also run the risk of degenerative myelopathy, which is a spinal cord disorder. Certain breeds may exhibit symptoms of these conditions such as having their back feet drag or becoming unwilling to walk or jump up stairs. Some dogs may suffer from multiple diseases and require treatment via medication, physical therapy or surgery.
Heart disease, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular diseases that affect German Shepherds. A veterinarian can test 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 made worse by genetic deficiencies or excessive exercise. They can also be afflicted by overweight. These problems can be prevented by purchasing your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, adhering to a regular eating schedule, and staying away from foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.
The diet of a German Shepherd Puppy should be nutrient dense, with plenty of essential fatty acids and protein. Puppies require up to 10% fats in their diet to help support rapid growth and development. These fats also provide more energy than carbohydrates or proteins. The fatty acid composition of the diet should consist of comprised of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids derived from flaxseed, fish oils and vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are essential for the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true against parvovirus, hepatitis and hepatitis. These vaccinations will also shield your pup from kennel cough and other respiratory ailments which can be caused by these diseases.
The immune system of the German Shepherd is sensitive. They are prone to allergies, especially to food items or flea bites. These can cause gastrointestinal upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To prevent this, make sure your dog is eating a high quality food that's easily digestible. Avoid table food, human food, and treats high in sodium or fat.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to cancer, particularly older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, a malignant tumor that develops in blood-rich organs such as the heart and spleen, is the most commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other types of cancer include lung, bone, and intestinal cancers. Lymphoma is a different condition that can affect German Shepherds, particularly multicentric lymphoma. This causes the growth of multiple lymph nodes within the body.