What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are incredibly intelligent, easy to train and are natural workers. They need lots of exercise and are awed by adventures.
They are naturally protective of their owners, so early socialization is essential to help them learn that other animals and people are not threats. They can become fearful when they are in unfamiliar surroundings.
Eyes
German Shepherds usually have brown eyes, but they may also have blue eyes. This is due to a genetic change and both parents must have the recessive gene that causes puppies to have blue eyes. However, the color of a dog's eyes does not mean the health of the dog.
In general German Shepherds are healthy and do not suffer from any genetic diseases that are associated with their eye color. However, they are susceptible to suffering from a range of health issues that are common to all dogs. These include seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. These conditions can be prevented by using preventive screening methods.
While blue eyes are common in other breeds of dogs, it's rare to see them on purebred German Shepherd. In reality, it's often a sign that a puppy is not from a breeder who adheres to strict standards of breeding and practices. It is more likely that the dog is a mixed breed with 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, to have one brown and one blue eye. This is known as heterochromia and can sometimes suggest that the dog has some health issue.
Cataracts are another common problem among German Shepherds. They are described as transparent areas on the surface of the cornea or deeper layers of the cornea. They can result in loss of sight or impair the ability to detect light. This condition can easily be prevented by limiting the amount of direct sunlight your German Shepherd is exposed to, and encouraging it to spend as much time inside as possible. It can be treated using prescription medications or a specially-designed pair of dog sunglasses.
Ears
When it comes to the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are instantly recognized. Although the appearance of the ear is determined largely by genetics, it can be affected by the surroundings and care. It is normal for your dog's ears to drop or roll over when he's teething. It usually happens between 16 to 20 weeks, at which point the pup will be strong enough to keep his ears up. The ear's outer layer skin and inner cartilage are joined through muscles that allow it to move and twitch.
If your German Shepherd's ear has always been down, it could be an indication of an ear infection, or a physical trauma. Drooping ears are often caused by ear infections. The signs include itching, swelling and discharge.
Maintain your German Shepherd's ear clean to prevent ear infections. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can eliminate the natural oils that ensure his ears are healthy. Try to bathe him every day if necessary. Avoid using any ear cleansing liquid more than two times per week. You can keep your dog's ears moist by letting him soak his head in a bowl of water every now and then.
If one of your German Shepherd's ears are drooping it could be due to an ear mite infestation. These tiny parasites are commonly found in the outdoors and can cause swelling, irritation, itching and drooping in the affected ear.
Taping the ears of your German Shepherd with a small piece of medical or veterinary tape will make them stand. This is best done with the help of an experienced dog trainer or vet, and most dogs will be able to stand up in no time after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat, which includes a soft, fluffy undercoat and a dense outer layer. The breed sheds all year long and requires regular brushing to maintain its appearance. GSDs have an undercoat that is soft and thick, protecting the skin against the elements. The undercoat is covered with hairs that are longer, that are curly or straight. Guard hairs could be between two and four inches, and they can have feathering on the ear, chest and bottom line as well as the back of the thighs. The long stock coat resembles the Wolf, with tufts of hair on the ear and feathers at the feet. Plush coats are medium-length coats that are ideal for the show ring. They have a fuller and more soft coat, with more feathering, than the stock coat.
The GSD is available in a wide assortment of colors and patterns that range from the classic black and tan that many people know to other shades like livers, blues, and fawns. Another variation that is popular is the sable pattern. This pattern is comprised of lighter and darker hairs mingled together to create a wolflike appearance on the entire body. Solid-color GSDs are also very common and so are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also renowned for its strength, agility and stealth, which makes it the perfect police and military dog. Its intelligence and loyalty also make it a wonderful family dog. German Shepherds are a large breed that can be guardians of their families however they are also at peace enough to live with other dogs and cats and are able to coexist with livestock. GSDs are frequently trained in Schutzhund, which is a form of protection work that is designed to detect and deter criminal activities.
Weight
Puppies are fragile and tiny when they are born. They are totally dependent on the mother for their sustenance. Puppy's are still small and have a small appetite, however they can increase their weight by the end their neonatal stage.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert and curious. They are not afraid of making advances at anything and everyone. They can play with other littermates but also choose one or two to dominate. These behaviors are normal for puppies that are well-bred.
At around three weeks, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food like raw ground meat. It is usually an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to consume this kind of food quickly and are often eager to get started.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, the rapid growth should be over and the dog will be focusing on growing larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs who eat raw meat diet can run underweight, so it is important to make sure they are getting enough calories.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia when they become 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 becoming unwilling to jump or walk up stairs. Some dogs have multiple conditions and require treatment using medications, physical therapy or surgery.
Another issue that could be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially the valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A veterinarian can detect these conditions by listening to the dog's heart with the stethoscope and taking an x-ray of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are at risk of certain health conditions like hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, which can be exacerbated by poor genetics or excessive exercise. They can also be afflicted by overweight. These ailments can be treated by buying your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, following a regular diet, and avoiding foods high in salt, sugar, and fat.
schäferhundwelpen kaufen of a German Shepherd puppy should be nutrient-dense, providing plenty of protein and essential fat acids. Puppies require 10% fat in their diet to support rapid growth and development. These fats also provide more energy than carbohydrates or proteins. The fatty acid composition of 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 crucial to the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true for parvovirus and hepatitis. These 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 susceptible to allergies, particularly to flea bites and food. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To prevent this, ensure your dog is eating a good quality food that is easily digestible. Avoid table food, human food and treats high in sodium or fat.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancer, particularly older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs like the heart and spleen. It is one commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other cancers include lung, intestinal bone cancers, and intestinal. German Shepherds are also affected by lymphoma. This is especially true of multicentric lymphoma which causes multiple lymph nodes to expand around the body.