Last Updated: 4 months ago
This courageous and loyal breed dates back to 19th-century Germany and has been ranked among the top 10 most popular dog breeds since then. No wonder, as German Shepherds are known for their novelty, intelligence, and stability.
In addition, German Shepherds get along well with children and other animals and pets if they are with them from puppyhood, so this breed is also preferred among families.
This clever breed is fairly easily trained but requires consistency and determination. When taking into account their guardian instincts and the fact that they were a military breed of choice in WWII, German shepherd dogs should be supervised when socializing with other pets and people they are unfamiliar with.
One thing is certain: soon after getting a German shepherd pup, it will become the most beloved member of any household.
Care Tips For Your German Shepherd
German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and versatility, making them one of the most beloved dog breeds worldwide. If you’re fortunate enough to share your life with one of these magnificent dogs, you’ll want to provide the best care possible.
In this article, we’ll explore essential care tips for your German Shepherd, from their dietary needs to exercise requirements, grooming routines, and much more. Whether you’re a proud new owner or a seasoned shepherd enthusiast, these insights will help you ensure your four-legged friend leads a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.
German Shepherds Appearance
German Shepherds are considered very well-proportioned. They can reach up to 26 inches in height and weigh up to 95 pounds. Their back is muscular, and their tail is bushy and slightly curved.
Their steady appearance, with large, gentle ears standing upright and a long, thick coat, justly positions this breed in canine royalty.
When you commit to getting a puppy, you are required to take care not just of its basic needs, such as food and shelter, but to give your devotion and apprenticeship as well.
Any animal you acquire as a pet should receive the best possible treatment you are capable of providing.
Don’t Forget The Nails
What’s important to remember, and your chosen vet will tell you the same thing, is to regularly trim the nails of your German shepherd. Longer nails on dogs can tear, get ingrown, even infected, and cause pain and discomfort.
Long nails can negatively impact your German shepherd’s posture and change the alignment of your dog’s paw. Nail trimming should occur every few months from the day your German shepherd arrives at your home.
Some dogs get nervous as the time for nail trimming approaches, and people have developed different ways to soothe them and get the job done.
Nail trimming holds primacy over bathing your German shepherd, so you should consider a more permanent solution if your furry friend is anxious about going to the vet.
You can do this wherever your dog feels most comfortable; just make sure to get the right clipper that is compatible with your dog’s type.
If your German shepherd pup can’t sit still while you approach it with a nail clipper, you can decide to acquire a dog nail grinder. This device is proven to be a safe and effective way to trim your dog’s nails.
The nail grinder also comes with various working modes and is made to be as quiet as the technology allows. Trimming your puppy’s nails with a dog nail grinder may give your four-legged friend a more comfortable experience than using a nail clipper.
How your dog will handle nail trimming, clipping, or grinding usually depends on the dog, but it’s good to know you have more than a few options to make this experience as light as possible for your furred companion.
If they profusely dislike this part of the grooming process, make it up to them by taking them out for a long walk filled with dynamic activity.
Maintain The Beautiful Double Coat Of Your German Shepherd
With German Shepherds and their noteworthy appearance, you should take into consideration that proper grooming is necessary to maintain their long and double-coated fur. The double coat on this breed consists of a soft undercoat and a dense and rough overcoat that requires brushing every couple of days to help with shedding.
German Shepherd dogs shed heavily only once or twice a year, and their maintenance is considered easy to moderate.
The overcoat of a German shepherd dog serves as protection during cold weather as well as during hot summer days. Their close-lying overcoat protects them from sun exposure, dust, and other particles that might get stuck on their coat and cause itching and irritation.
Every three to four months, you should bathe your German shepherd and brush it to maintain its elegant overcoat.
Short-coated German shepherds appear less often than long-coated, and they can be black, black and tan, tan, or grey.
When bathing your German shepherd, use warm water rather than hot. Making sure the appropriate shampoo doesn’t get into its eyes, start bathing your pup from the top of its head.
Rub your way over to its chest, legs, and then the sides. Thoroughly rinse out the shampoo from your dog’s undercoat, as dried-off residue can cause your German shepherd skin irritation.
With German shepherd puppies, you can start bathing them as soon as they reach three weeks. Remember that these dogs are easily adaptable and very obedient.
You should get your puppy familiarized with the bathing ritual from an early age to avoid any problems with getting it into the tub in the long run. Luckily, German shepherds are considered mainly odor-free dogs, so bathing anxious pups will be a short-term battle to handle every couple of months, or even less.
After a long day filled with activities with your German shepherd, you’ll surely be as satisfied and exhausted as your dog and ready for a long night’s sleep.
