What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherd puppies are smart easy to train and are natural workers. They are adventurous and require lots of exercise.

They are naturally protective of their owners, and so early socialization is essential to help them understand that people and other animals are not threats. They can be scared when they are in unfamiliar surroundings.

Eyes

German Shepherds typically have brown eyes, but they can also have blue eyes. It is a genetic variation. Both parents must have recessive genes that allow their pups to have blue eyes. However, the colour of a dog's eyes is not a sign of how healthy the dog is.

In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no genetic illnesses are related to their eye color. They can, however, suffer from a variety of health issues that are common to all dogs. These include seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated conditions. Preventive screening can help to keep these conditions from happening.

Blue eyes are not uncommon in other breeds of dog, but they are rare in purebred German Shepherds. In reality, it's often a sign that a puppy is not from a breeder who is a strict adherent to breeding standards and practices. It is more likely that the puppy is a mix breed, with an extensive amount of Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.

Despite being a rare genetic condition, it is not uncommon for German Shepherds to have a blue eye and one brown. This is known as heterochromia. It can be a sign that a dog is suffering from some health issue.

Another common problem in German Shepherds is cataracts, which are characterized by a lack of transparency on the corneal surface or deeper corneal layers. These can lead to loss of vision or block the ability to sense light. This condition can be prevented by restricting 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 ears that are erect. Although the appearance of the ear is determined largely by genetics, it can be influenced by the environmental factors and the care given to it. It is normal for your dog's ears to fall or roll over when he's teething. The process usually lasts between 16 and 20 weeks, and at that point the pup will be strong enough to keep his ears up. The outer layer of skin on the ear and inside cartilage are joined through muscles that allow it to move.

If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is constantly down it could be an indication of an ear infection, or a physical trauma. Ear infections often cause a drop in the ear and symptoms may include redness, itching, swelling and discharge from the affected ear.

Make sure you keep your German Shepherd's ear clean to prevent ear infections. Bathing him too often can take away the natural oils that keep his ears healthy, so make sure to bathe him only as needed. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than two times each week. It is possible to keep the ear of your pet hydrated by taking it out to soak in water every now and then.

A German Shepherd with drooping ears could have an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites can be found in the outdoors and cause itching, irritation and swelling in the ear affected.

Taping the ears of your German Shepherd with a small piece of medical or veterinary tape will encourage them to stand. It is recommended to do this with the assistance of a dog trainer who is experienced or vet. Many dogs will be able to raise their ears within a matter of minutes after you tape them.

Coat

The German Shepherd Dog is a double-coated dog with a soft, dense undercoat and a fluffy undercoat. This breed sheds throughout the year and requires regular brushing to keep it looking the best. GSDs have a soft, thick undercoat that shields the skin from the elements. It is covered by longer guard hairs that can be straight or wavy. Guard hairs can be anywhere between two and four inches and can also include feathering on the ear, chest and bottom line, as well as the back of the thighs. The long stock-coat looks like an wolf with tufts on the ears and feathers on the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is favored in the show ring and it has a fuller and softer coat with more feathers than the stock coat.

The GSD comes in a broad assortment of colors and patterns that range from the classic black and tan many people are familiar with to different shades like livers, blues, and fawns. The sable pattern, which has lighter and darker hairs that combine to create a wolf-like appearance throughout the body is another well-known variation. Solid-color GSDs are also popular, as are GSDs with white markings.

The GSD is also known for its agility, strength and stealth, which makes it the perfect police and military 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 able to be protective of their family members, but they are at peace enough to live with other cats and dogs and to get along well with livestock. GSDs often receive Schutzhund training, which is a form or protection work designed to deter and detect criminal activity.

Weight

Puppy puppies are tiny and fragile at birth. They are totally dependent on the mother for their sustenance. At this point, they are not hungry, but can double their weight by the end of their neonatal period.

A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert and curious, and is not afraid of advancing towards anything and everyone. The dog may play with the other littermates, but they may also select one or two of them to be the most dominant. These are typical for an eugenics-bred puppy.

At around three weeks old, you can start feeding your puppy solid food, like raw ground beef. It is generally a smooth transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to consume this kind of food very quickly and are usually eager to learn.

When your German shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid development should be over. The dog will then be concentrating on growing bigger and developing adult teeth. It is essential to ensure that your dog is eating enough calories, especially if they are on raw meat diet.

As an adult as an adult, a German Shepherd is at risk for elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Certain breeds may exhibit symptoms of these illnesses like walking with their back feet dragging or becoming unwilling to run or climb stairs. Certain dogs may be suffering from multiple diseases and require treatment through physical therapy, medication or surgery.

Another problem that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy and valvular disease. A veterinarian can test for these conditions by listening to the heart of the dog using the stethoscope and taking an x-ray of the chest.

Health

German Shepherds may suffer from certain health issues like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy or poor genetics. These problems are made worse by excessive exercise and obesity. These problems can be prevented by purchasing your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, following a regular eating schedule, and staying away from foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.

The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be rich in nutrients, and should contain ample protein and essential fat acids. Puppy dogs require up to 10 percent fat in their food to aid in their rapid growth and development. Fats are also a major energy source, offering more than twice the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. The diet should contain a mix of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids from flaxseeds, fish oils, and vegetable sources.

Vaccinations are essential for the health of the German Shepherd puppy, especially against parvovirus and hepatitis. These vaccinations safeguard your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory ailments caused by these diseases.

A German Shepherd's immune system is senile, and they are susceptible to allergies, especially to flea bites as well as food. They can cause stomach upset, vomiting or weight loss. To prevent this, feed your dog a high-quality food that is easy to digest and EntzüCkendescäFerhundwelpen avoid table food, human food, and treats that contain high levels of sodium or fat.

German Shepherds are also predisposed to cancer, particularly older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs, such as the heart and spleen, is one frequent type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other cancers include intestinal, lung bone, and intestinal cancers. Lymphoma is yet another disease that can affect German Shepherds, specifically multicentric lymphoma, which causes the growth of multiple lymph nodes within the body.