What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are incredibly intelligent, easy to train and natural workers. They are adventurous and require lots of exercise.
They are naturally protective of their owners, and so early socialization is important to teach them that other animals and people aren't threats. They are often afraid of unfamiliar environments.
Eyes
German Shepherds are usually brown-eyed however, they can also have blue ones. This is due to a genetic variation, and both parents must carry the recessive gene for puppies to have blue eyes. However the hue of the eyes of a dog does not indicate how healthy that dog is.
In general, German Shepherds have very healthy eyes and no inherited diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they can be afflicted by a variety of health issues that are common to all dogs. These include epilepsy/seizures as well as bleeding disorders and immune-mediated diseases. deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich can help prevent these conditions.
Blue eyes are not uncommon in other breeds of dog however, they are extremely rare in German Shepherds that are purebred. It is usually a sign of a dog that does not from a breeder that follows strict standards and breeding practices. It is more likely the puppy is a mix breed with a significant amount Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.
It is not unusual for German Shepherds, despite being rare, to have one brown and one blue eye. This condition is referred to as heterochromia and can sometimes suggest that the dog has an issue with their health.
Cataracts are another frequent issue in German Shepherds. They are characterized as opaque areas on the surface of the cornea or deeper layers of the cornea. These can lead to loss of sight or hinder the ability to detect light. This is a condition that can be avoided by restricting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and by encouraging it to spend more time indoors. It can be treated with prescription medication or a specific pair of doggie sunglasses.
Ears
When it is about the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are easily recognized. The shape of the ears is determined by genetics. However the environment and the care can also affect its appearance. If your pup's ears appear to be floating around or falling down, it is typical during the time of teething. The period typically lasts between 16 to 20 weeks. At that point, he will be able to hold his ears for the duration of time. The ear's outer cartilage and skin are joined through muscles that allow it to move and twitch.
If the ears of your German Shepherd is always down, it could be a sign of an ear infection. The ear's drooping is usually caused by ear infections. Symptoms include itching, swelling and discharge.
Maintain your German Shepherd's ears clear to avoid ear infections. Bathing your German Shepherd too often could take away the natural oils that keep his ears healthy. Try to bathe him only when necessary. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than twice per week. You can keep your dog's ears damp by letting him soak his head in a bowl of water from time to time.
A German Shepherd with drooping ears may have an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites can be found outdoors and cause irritation, itching and swelling in the ear affected.
If your German Shepherd has floppy ears If they are floppy, you can encourage them to stand up by securing them with a small piece of vet's or medical tape. This is best done with the assistance of a professional dog trainer or vet, 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 a soft, fluffy undercoat and a thick outer layer. This breed sheds year-round and requires regular brushing to keep it looking its best. GSDs have a thick, soft undercoat that shields skin from the elements and is covered by hairs that are longer, which may be straight or waving. Guard hairs can be anywhere between two and four inches long and can also include feathering around the ears as well as the chest and bottom line as well as the back of the thighs. The long coat of stock resembles the wolf, with tufts on the ears and feathers at the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is preferred in the show ring and it has a fuller, softer coat with more feathers than the stock coat.
The GSD comes in a broad variety of patterns and colors, from the classic black and tan that the majority of people are familiar with to other shades such as blues, fawns, and livers. The sable pattern, which features darker and lighter hairs that combine to create a wolf-like appearance across the body, is another popular variation. Solid-color GSDs are also common, as are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD is also known for its strength, agility and stealth, which made it the perfect police and military dog. Its intelligence and loyalty also make it a good family dog. German Shepherds are a big breed that is able to be protective of their families However, they are also calm enough to live happily with other cats and dogs and are able to coexist with livestock. GSDs often receive Schutzhund training, which is a form or protection work designed to deter and detect criminal activities.
Weight
Puppies are tiny and fragile from birth, when they are completely dependent on their mother for food. At this stage, puppies have a small appetite but can double their weight at the end of their neonatal period.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be alert, curious and unafraid to make advances towards everyone and all things. He or she will play with other littermates, but may also single out one or two and assert their superiority over the other puppies. These behaviors are typical of a well-bred pup.
When a puppy is around three weeks old, you can start feeding them solid food items, such as raw ground beef. This is usually a smooth transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to learn how to eat this food and generally are very excited.
When your German Shepherd is four months old, the rapid growth will be over and they will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs who eat raw meat diet can run underweight, and you need to ensure that they're getting enough calories.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia as an adult. They are also at risk of degenerative myelopathy, which is a spinal disorder. Certain dogs may exhibit symptoms such as dragging their back feet or refusing to climb stairs or jump. Some dogs may suffer from more than one disease and require treatment via treatment with medication, physical therapy or surgery.
Heart disease, especially dilated cardiomyopathy, also known as valvular diseases are also a problem for German Shepherds. deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich can test for these conditions by listening to the dog's heart with a stethoscope and taking x-rays of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are at risk of certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy which can be made worse by poor genetics or excessive exercise. They can also be afflicted by obesity. These problems can be prevented by purchasing your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, following a regular diet, and avoiding foods that are 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. Puppies require as much as 10 percent fat in their diet to help them grow and development. They also provide more energy than proteins or carbohydrates. The composition of fatty acids in the diet should consist of an amalgamation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from flaxseed, fish oils and vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are essential for the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is particularly true for hepatitis, and parvovirus. The vaccines safeguard your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory diseases caused by these illnesses.
The immune system of a German Shepherd is very sensitive. They are susceptible to allergies, especially to food items or flea bites. These can lead to gastrointestinal upset vomiting, nausea or weight loss. To prevent this, ensure your dog is eating high quality food that's easily digestible. Avoid table food, human food and treats high in fat or sodium.
Cancer is another common concern for German Shepherds, particularly in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs such as the heart and spleen. It is a common type of cancer seen in German Shepherds. Other kinds of cancers include lung, bone and intestinal cancers. German Shepherds can also be affected by lymphoma. This is particularly the case with multicentric lymphoma, which causes multiple lymph nodes to expand around the body.