Then You've Found Your German Shepherd Puppies ... Now What?
What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherd puppies are intelligent and easy to train and natural workers. They love adventure and need lots of exercise.
Early socialization is essential to teach them that animals and humans are not a threat. They can be scared in unfamiliar situations.
Eyes
German Shepherds usually have brown eyes, however they can also have blue eyes. It's a genetic variation. Both parents must possess the recessive genes for their puppies to have blue eyes. The color of a dog's eyes is not a sign of the health of that dog.
In general German Shepherds have healthy eyes and no inherited diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they may be afflicted by a variety of health issues that are common to all dogs. This includes seizures, epilepsy as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. These conditions can be avoided through preventive screening techniques.
While blue eyes are commonplace in other breeds of dogs, it's rare to see them on a purebred German Shepherd. It is often an indication of a puppy that is not from a breeder that follows strict standards for breeding practices and guidelines. It is more likely that the puppy is a mix breed, with significant amounts of Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.
It is not unusual for German Shepherds, even though it is a rare mutation, to have one blue and one brown eye. This condition is referred to as heterochromia and can sometimes suggest that the dog has a health issue.
Cataracts are another common problem in German Shepherds. They are characterized by transparent areas on the surface of the cornea or in the deeper layers of the cornea. These can lead to a loss of vision or block the ability to detect light. This problem can be prevented by limiting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and by encouraging it to spend more time inside. 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 straight. Though the ear's appearance is determined largely by genetics, it may also be influenced by environment and care. If your pup's ears appear to be floating or falling down, this is typically normal while he's teething. This usually ends between 16 to 20 weeks, and at that point he'll have the strength to stand his ears up. The ear's outer layer skin and inner cartilage are joined through muscles that allow it to move and twitch.
If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is always down it could be an indication of an ear infection or a physical trauma. Drooping ears are often caused by ear infections. Symptoms include swelling, itching, odor or discharge.
You can avoid ear infections by making sure you keep your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing him too often can take away the natural oils that keep his ears healthy, so make sure to bathe him only when needed. Avoid using any ear cleansing liquid more than two times per week. Keep the ear of your pet hydrated by taking it out to soak in water every now and then.
A German Shepherd who has drooping ears might have an ear mite infection. 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 veterinary or medical tape will make 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 after taping them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat, which includes an undercoat that is soft and fluffy and a thick outer layer. This breed sheds all year round and requires regular brushing in order to maintain its appearance. GSDs have a soft, thick undercoat that shields skin from the elements and is covered by longer guard hairs that can be straight or waving. The length of the guard hairs varies from two inches to four and may also include feathers around the ears or chest, the bottom line, and the back of thighs (panties). The long stock coat resembles the one with tufts on the ears and feathers at the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is favored in the show ring and it has a fuller soft coat that has more feathers than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a broad variety of patterns and colors including the classic black and tan that most people are familiar with to other shades like blues, fawns and livers. The Sable pattern, which is comprised of darker and lighter hairs that blend to create a wolf-like appearance throughout the body is another well-known variation. Solid-color GSDs are also very common, as are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also renowned for its agility, strength, and stealth, which made it the perfect military and police dog. Its loyalty and intelligence make it a wonderful family dog. German Shepherds are a large breed that is extremely protective of their family However, they are also pacifist enough to be able to get with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs often receive Schutzhund training which is a type or protection exercise designed to deter and detect criminal activity.
Weight
Puppies are tiny and fragile at birth, when they are completely dependent on their mother to eat. Puppy's are still small and have a small appetite, however they can double in weight before the end of their neonatal period.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy is alert, curious, and unafraid of making advances towards everything and anyone. He or she will play with other littermates, but might also choose one or two and assert their dominance over the other pups. These behaviors are normal for an eugenics-bred puppy.
When your puppy is about three weeks old, you can start feeding them solid food, such as raw ground beef. It is generally an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to consume this kind of food quickly and are often eager to learn.
When your German Shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid growth should be mostly over and the dog will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. schäferhund welpe kaufen should ensure that your dog is eating enough calories when they are eating 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). Some dogs will show symptoms such as dragging their back of their feet or refusing to climb stairs or jump. Certain dogs have multiple ailments and require treatment with physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
Heart disease, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy, also known as valvular diseases that affect German Shepherds. A vet can check 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 are prone to certain health conditions, including hip dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy which can be exacerbated due to genetic issues as well as excessive exercise and obesity. Purchase your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and following a consistent food schedule and diet that does not include foods high in salt, fat, or sugar could help combat these issues.
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% fat in their food to aid in their rapid growth and development. These fats also provide greater energy than proteins or carbohydrates. The fatty acid composition of the diet should consist of a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that come from flaxseed, fish oils, and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are vital to the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true against hepatitis, and parvovirus. The vaccines also protect your puppy from kennel cough and other respiratory diseases that can be caused by these conditions.
The immune system of a German Shepherd is very sensitive. They are susceptible to allergies, particularly food items or flea bites. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss or vomiting. To prevent this, feed your dog a high-quality food that is easily digestible and avoid table food or human food as well as treats that are high in sodium or fat.
German Shepherds are also prone to cancer, particularly older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumour that develops in blood-rich tissues like the spleen and heart. Other cancers include intestinal, lung bone, and intestinal cancers. German Shepherds may also be affected by lymphoma. This is especially true of multicentric lymphoma which causes multiple lymph nodes to grow around the body.