What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are extremely intelligent easy to train and natural workers. They love adventure and need lots of exercise.
Early socialization is essential to teach children that animals and humans are not danger. They are often afraid of situations that are not familiar to them.
Eyes
German Shepherds are typically brown-eyed but they also can have blue eyes. It's a genetic variant. Both parents must possess recessive genes to allow their pups to have blue eyes. However, the hue of the eyes of a dog does not indicate how healthy the dog is.
In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no inherited diseases are linked to their eye color. However, they can suffer from a range of health issues that are common to all dogs. These include seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Preventive screening can help to keep these conditions from happening.
While blue eyes are common in other breeds of dogs, it's rare to see them on a purebred German Shepherd. In fact, it is often a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder who adheres to strict breeding standards and practices. Instead, it is likely that the pup is a mixed breed with 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 a blue eye and one brown. This condition is known as heterochromia and can sometimes indicate that the dog has an issue with their health.
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 result in loss of vision or impair the ability to detect light. This condition can be prevented by limiting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and encouraging it to spend more time indoors. You can also treat it with prescription medication or a pair of doggie glasses.
Ears
The German Shepherd is instantly recognizable by its pointed pinna and erect ears. While the appearance of the ears is largely determined by genetics, it may be affected by the environment and care. It's normal for dog's ears falling or to roll over when he's teething. It usually happens between 16 to 20 weeks, after which the pup will be strong enough 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 the ears of your German Shepherd is always droopy, this could be an indication of an ear infection. Ear infections are often the cause of a drop in the ear and symptoms include itching, redness, swelling and odor or discharge from the affected ear.
Make sure you keep your German Shepherd's ear clear to avoid ear infections. Bathing your German Shepherd too often could take away the natural oils that keep his ears healthy. Make sure you bathe him every day if needed. Do not use any ear cleaning liquid more than two times per week. It is possible to keep the ear of your dog moist by letting it soak in water every now and then.
If one of your German Shepherd's ears is dropping, it could be due to an ear mite infestation. These tiny parasites can be found outdoors and cause irritation, itching and swelling in the affected ear.
If your German Shepherd has a sloppy ear, you can encourage them to stand up by securing them with a small piece of medical or vet's tape. This is best done with the assistance of an experienced dog trainer or veterinarian and many dogs will have their ears swollen in no time at all after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that 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 protects the skin from the elements and is covered by longer guard hairs, that can be straight or curly. Guard hairs could be between two and four inches long and may also have feathering on the ear, chest and bottom line as well as the back of the thighs. The long stock coat is reminiscent of the wolf, with tufts on the ears and feathering at the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is favored in the show ring and it has a fuller, softer coat with more feathering than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors including the classic black and tan that the majority of people know to other shades like livers, blues, and fawns. Another popular variation is the sable pattern. This pattern has lighter and darker hairs mingled together to create a wolf-like appearance across the entire body. Solid-color GSDs are also common, as are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also renowned for its strength, agility and stealth, which made it the perfect police and military dog. Its intelligence and loyalty make it a wonderful family pet as well. German Shepherds can be a large breed that is protective of its family however, they are also calm enough to get along with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund which is a type or protection program that is designed to deter criminal activities.
Weight
Puppy puppies are small and schäferhund welpe kaufen fragile at birth, when they are completely dependent on their mother to eat. They are still tiny and have a limited appetite, but they can grow to a significant size at the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be active, curious and able to make a fuss of anyone and all things. He or she will play with other littermates, but will also pick one or two and assert his or her dominance over other puppies. These are typical of the well-bred dog.
At around three weeks old, deutsche schäFerhunde Kaufen you can start to feed him or her solid food, such as raw ground beef. In general, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to eat this type of food quickly and are usually eager to learn.
By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid growth will be over and the dog will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. You must make sure that your puppy is eating enough calories, especially if they are on a diet of raw meat.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia when they become an adult. They also run the risk of developing degenerative myelopathy which is a spinal disorder. Certain breeds may exhibit symptoms of these diseases such as dragging their back feet or becoming unwilling to walk or jump up the stairs. Some dogs may have multiple diseases and require treatment via treatment with medication, altdeutscher belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich kaufen (affsrc.com) 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 heart of the dog using an stethoscope, and taking x-rays of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are susceptible to certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and genetic problems. These ailments are exacerbated by excessive exercise and obesity. Purchase your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and following a consistent feeding schedule and diet that does not include foods high in salt, fat or sugar can help combat these issues.
The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be rich in nutrients, and should contain plenty of protein and SchäFerhund Welpe Kaufen essential fat acids. Puppies require up to 10% of fat in their diet to help support rapid growth and development. They also provide more energy than carbohydrates or proteins. The diet should contain a mixture of omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that are derived from flaxseeds fish oils, and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are vital to the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true against parvovirus and hepatitis. The vaccines also protect your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory ailments which can be caused by these diseases.
The immune system of the German Shepherd is a sensitive one. They are prone to allergies, particularly food or flea bites. These can lead to gastrointestinal upset vomiting, nausea or weight loss. To prevent this from happening, feed a high-quality dog food that is easily digestible and belgischer SchäFerhund welpen kaufen österreich avoid table food or human food as well as treats that contain high levels of fat or sodium.
Cancer is another common concern for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs like the heart and spleen, is one commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other types of cancer include lung, bone and intestinal cancers. Lymphoma is a different condition that affects German Shepherds, specifically multicentric lymphoma. This causes the growth of multiple lymph nodes around the body.