German shepherd dogs are known for their bravery, devotion, and protective instincts. The German Shepherd breed makes an excellent guard dog, police dog, military dog, blind guide dog, and search and rescue dog. In many households, the German Shepherd is a cherished family pet.
Table of Contents
Grooming
German Shepherds have such gorgeous thick coats that they require frequent grooming. Their undercoat, or soft layer, is dense, while the outer layer is coarser to protect them from the elements. Furthermore, because the German Shepherd is double-coated, there are twice as many layers to keep up with.
Let them lie down without their collar to ensure your German Shepherd’s comfort. Brush a smooth brush along the length of their spine, all the way to the tail, in the direction his coat grows. Rep until no hair is visible escaping through the bristles. Then go on to the pup’s hips and tail.
Turn your German Shepherd on its side and brush their tummy gently, always going with the grain. Finish by carefully combing the brush through the pup’s leg fur. Combine these regular brushes with a more thorough, rigorous de-shedding meeting to ensure that no loose hairs are left on their undercoat, where they might harden and cause problems.
Your German Shepherd should be bathed regularly. This is usually only necessary for a dog with healthy skin and a good coat every few months. Overbathing can deplete your dog’s natural oils, leaving him dry and uncomfortable.
German Shepherd Instructions
Because of their extraordinary intelligence and obedience when given the correct information and a risk-free environment, German Shepherds are simple to train. Some feel they are easier to train than other breeds since they can quickly absorb and retain information.
Socialization
Puppies of all breeds, including your GSD puppy, have a critical socialization window that closes between 12 and 16 weeks. Indeed, socialization is essential for GSDs, who are naturally protective guardians, so your puppy knows which strangers are kind and which are not. GSDs are highly perceptive; your puppy will pick up on your cues and reactions to new people and situations. At this critical stage, exposing your puppy to various people in non-threatening environments will help your puppy feel at ease with friendly strangers rather than terrified or angry.
Obedience Training
A German Shepherd’s work ethic is legendary, and you can cultivate your dog’s best working instincts early and often through training. Because GSDs are recognized for their obedience, begin teaching your puppy basic commands, including sit, down, and stay, as well as loose-leash walking, from a young age. Enrolling your puppy in a puppy training program can help teach these instructions and socialize.
Training While They Grow Older
German Shepherd Dogs may only reach adult development once they are approximately two or three years old (male dogs tend to reach maturity later than females do). Working on impulse control, increasing obedience skills, and graduating to more organized activities like monitoring, smell work, security work, quickness, and herding—all of which (and much more) are GSD skills—must continue during this period and then be reaffirmed as your GSD matures.
Grooming
During the socialization period, make sure to expose your GSD to the numerous parts of daily life and activities that you desire them to be able to manage as adults. GSDs, for instance, require regular brushing to decrease shedding and maintain coat and skin health, especially when these dogs “blow their coats” regularly (typically twice a year). As a result, you should introduce essential grooming tools, such as combs, brushes, and nail clippers, to your puppy as early as possible, going slowly at first and making it a happy experience.
Best Diet For German Shepherds
What You Shouldn’t Feed A German Shepherd
You should contact a veterinarian as soon as you notice your dog has taken a hazardous chemical. The vets can tell you if your dog has eaten anything dangerous, what symptoms to watch for, and what steps to take next. You may need to take your German Shepherd to the vet to make them sick, or you may be able to keep an eye on them at home for signs of adverse effects.
No-Go Fruits
Grapes, currants, rhubarb, unripe tomatoes, and stone fruit like cherries, peaches, and plums poison German Shepherds.
Nobody knows how grapes, raisins, and sultanas cause poisoning, but we know that they can cause permanent, irreversible kidney problems, which aren’t always apparent until it’s too late.
Any grapes, raisins, or sultanas consumption should be treated as an emergency. In extreme cases, this can potentially lead to death. We also don’t know how dangerous grapes are; one fruit could be enough to cause poisoning symptoms in some dogs.
No-Go Foods – German Shepherd Food List
Any yeast-containing dough may cause sickness in dogs. When the dough is eaten, it continues to expand or swell, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and, in rare cases, obstructions. Your dog may become ill for a few days after eating. Garlic, onions, and chives (all Allium plant members) are toxic to dogs, whether raw, cooked, or powdered.
These are common ingredients in sauces used in home cooking; always read the label before giving leftovers to your dog. They cause toxicity by causing red blood cell destruction, which lowers the amount of oxygen in the blood and leads to hemolytic anemia. When dogs consume it, it causes bowel and stomach irritation, resulting in vomiting, nausea, and acid.
Food They Can & Should Eat
German Shepherd Food List – what you should know! German Shepherds eat a range of foods, but due to their vast size and working dog history, they have specific nutritional requirements. It would help to feed your German Shepherd a high-quality, protein-rich meal. The ideal protein content is 18%-22%, with total daily calorie levels ranging from 1,200 to 2,100 (depending on the dog’s activity level, age, health, and so on). Learn more about German Shepherd nutritional requirements in the categories below.
Feed your high-energy German shepherd dog following the caloric needs of an active dog. German shepherd dogs are enormous dogs, weighing between 60 and 90 pounds on average. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, inactive or older dogs in this weight range require 1,272 to 1,540 calories per day. In comparison, active dogs need 1,740 to 2,100 calories per day. A reduced-calorie diet that keeps the dog’s weight down to avoid placing pressure on aching joints would benefit German shepherd dogs that are rendered less active due to arthritis or congenital problems such as hip dysplasia.
In a Nutshell & German Shepherd Food List
The German Shepherd is a powerful working dog with boundless activity and a voracious appetite. Provide your dog with plenty of exercise and a high-quality diet to help prevent obesity and some inherited health concerns in the breed. Look for elements that are easy to digest and help maintain a healthy coat. This will assist in minimizing stomach discomfort and ensure that your German shepherd dog’s vitamins and minerals are correctly metabolized.
