What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are extremely intelligent, easy to train and natural workers. They require plenty of exercise and love adventures.
They are naturally protective of their owners, so early socialization is important to help them learn that other animals and people aren't dangers. They may become scared in unfamiliar situations.
Eyes
German Shepherds typically have brown eyes, but they may also have blue eyes. It's a genetic variant. Both parents must possess the recessive genes for their puppies to have blue eyes. However the color of a dog's eyes does not mean how healthy that dog is.
In general, German Shepherds are very healthy dogs and do not have any genetic diseases that are associated with their eye color. However, deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen can suffer from a variety of health problems that are common to all dogs. These include epilepsy/seizures, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated disorders. These conditions can be avoided by utilizing preventive screening methods.
While blue eyes are commonplace in other breeds of dogs, it's uncommon to see them in 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 dog is a mixed breed that has a significant amount of Weimaraner or Siberian Husky in its ancestry.
Although it is a rare genetic mutation it is not uncommon for German Shepherds to have one blue eye and one brown. This is a condition known as heterochromia and may be a sign of a health issue in the dog.
Cataracts are a different issue that is common in German Shepherds. They are described as opaque areas on the surface of the cornea or the inner layers of the cornea. These can cause a loss of vision or impair 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 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 recognizable. Although the appearance of the ear is largely determined by genetics, it can also be influenced by surroundings and care. If your pup's ears seem to be floating around or falling down, this is typically normal while he's teething. This phase usually ends between 16 to 20 weeks. At this point, he will have the strength and ability to stand his ears permanently. The ear's outer layer of cartilage and skin are connected by 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. The ear's drooping is usually caused by ear infections. The signs include swelling, itching, odor or discharge.
You can keep ear infections at bay by keeping your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing him too frequently can remove the natural oils that help keep his ears healthy, so make sure to bathe him only as needed. Avoid using any ear cleansing liquid more than two times per week. Keep the ear of your pet moist by letting it soak in water from time to time.
A German Shepherd with drooping ears could have an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites are found in the outdoors and cause irritation, itching and swelling in the ear affected.
If your German Shepherd has floppy ears, you can encourage them to stand up by securing them with a small piece of vet's or medical tape. It is recommended to do this with the assistance of a trained dog trainer or vet. Many dogs will raise their ears within a matter of minutes after you have taped them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat, which includes a soft, fluffy undercoat and a dense outer layer. This breed sheds all year round and requires regular brushing to keep its appearance. GSDs have a soft, thick undercoat that shields the skin from the elements and is covered by longer guard hairs, which may be straight or waving. The length of the guard hairs can range from 2 inches to 4 inches and may also have feathering around the ears or chest, the bottom line, and the back of the thighs (panties). The long coat of stock resembles the Wolf, with tufts of hair on the ear and feathers at the feet. Plush coats are a medium-length coat that is most often used in the show ring. They feature a more full 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 most people are familiar with to different shades like blues, fawns, and livers. The sable pattern, which has darker and lighter hairs that combine to create a wolf-like appearance throughout the body is another well-known variation. GSDs with solid colors are also popular, as are GSDs with markings.
The GSD was also renowned for its strength, agility and stealth. This made it a perfect military and police dog. Its intelligence and loyalty also make it a wonderful family dog. German Shepherds are a large breed that is very protective of their family members however, they are also calm enough to be able to get with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund that is a form or protection work designed to deter and detect criminal activities.
Weight
Puppies are fragile and tiny at birth. They rely completely on their mother for sustenance. At this point, puppies have a limited appetite, but can double their weight by the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be alert, curious and unafraid to make advances towards everyone and everything. He or she will play with littermates, but will also pick one or two of them and assert his or her dominance over other pups. These are typical for puppies that are well-bred.
At around three weeks old, you can begin feeding them solid food items, such as raw ground beef. In general, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to master how to eat this food, and generally, they are excited.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, their rapid growth will be over and he or she will be focused on gaining larger and developing adult teeth. You must make sure that your puppy is getting enough calories if they are on raw meat diet.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia in the adult. They are also at risk of developing degenerative myelopathy which is a spinal disorder. Some dogs will show symptoms such as dragging their back feet, or refusing to climb or jump on stairs. Some dogs have multiple conditions and require treatment using medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
Another issue that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially dilated cardiomyopathy and valvular disease. A veterinarian can test for these conditions by listening to the heart of the dog using a stethoscope and taking x-rays of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are prone to certain health conditions like hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, which can be exacerbated due to genetic issues or excessive exercise. They can also be afflicted by overweight. Buy your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and observing a consistent food schedule and diet that does not include foods high in salt, fat or sugar can help to fight these problems.
The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be rich in nutrients, and should contain plenty of protein and essential fatty acids. Puppies require as much as 10 percent fat in their diet to aid in their rapid growth and development. These fats also provide greater energy than carbohydrates or proteins. The diet should contain a mix of omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids derived from flaxseeds, fish oils, and vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are crucial for the health of the German Shepherd puppy, especially against hepatitis and parvovirus. These vaccines will also protect your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory diseases that can be caused by these conditions.
A German Shepherd's immune system is sensitive, and they are prone to allergies, specifically to flea bites and foods. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To avoid this, feed a high-quality dog food that is easy to digest, and avoid table foods or human food as well as treats that contain high levels of fat or sodium.
Cancer is a different issue that is a common occurrence for German Shepherds, particularly in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs like the spleen and heart, is the most common type of cancer seen in German Shepherds. Other cancers include lung, intestinal bone, and intestinal cancers. Lymphoma is a different condition that can affect German Shepherds, especially multicentric lymphoma, which causes the growth of multiple lymph nodes within the body.