What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are incredibly intelligent easy to train and are natural workers. They love adventure and need plenty of exercise.
They are naturally protective of their owners, so early socialization is essential to help them learn that people and other animals aren't threats. They may be scared in situations that are not familiar to them.
Eyes
German Shepherds typically have brown eyes, but they can also have blue eyes. This is due to a genetic variation that requires both parents to carry the recessive gene to allow puppies to have blue eyes. However schäferhund kaufen österreich of a dog's eyes does not mean how healthy that dog is.
In general German Shepherds are healthy dogs and do not have any genetic illnesses that are related to their eye color. However, they can suffer from a myriad of health issues that are common to all dogs. This includes seizures, epilepsy, bleeding disorders, and immune-mediated disorders. 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 purebred German Shepherd. In reality, it's often a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder that adheres to strict standards of breeding and practices. It is more likely the puppy is a mix breed that has a significant amount Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.
Although it is a rare genetic mutation, it is not uncommon for German Shepherds to have a blue eye and one brown eye. Read Homepage is known as heterochromia and can sometimes be a sign that a dog is suffering from a health issue.
Another issue that is common in German Shepherds is cataracts which are characterized by a lack of transparency on the cornea's surface or deeper corneal layers. These can lead to a loss of vision or obstruct the ability to sense light. This condition can easily be prevented by limiting the amount of direct sunlight your German Shepherd is exposed to, and encouraging it to spend as much time inside as possible. You can also treat it with prescription medications or a pair of doggie glasses.
Ears
When it comes to the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are easily identifiable. Though the ear's appearance is largely determined by genetics, it can be affected by the environmental factors and the care given to it. If your puppy's ears appear to be floating around or falling down, it is typically normal while he's teething. It usually happens between 16 and 20 weeks, and at that point you'll be able to permanently stand his ears up. The ear's outer layer skin and inner cartilage are connected through muscles that allow it to move and twitch.
If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is always down it could be a sign of an ear infection or physical trauma. The ear's drooping is usually caused by ear infections. The signs include swelling, itching and discharge.
You can prevent ear infections by keeping your German Shepherd's ears healthy. Bathing him too often could remove the natural oils that help keep his ears healthy, so try to bathe him only when required. Do not use any ear cleaning liquid more than twice per week. Keep the ear of your pet hydrated by taking it out to soak in water every now and then.
If one of your German Shepherd's ears is dropping, it could be due to an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites are typically found outdoors, and they can lead to swelling, irritation, itching, and drooping in the affected ear.
Taping the ears of your German Shepherd using a small piece veterinary or medical tape will encourage them to stand. It is best 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 have taped them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog is a double-coated dog with a soft, dense undercoat and a soft, fluffy undercoat. The breed sheds all 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 longer guard hairs which can be straight or wavy. The length of guard hairs can range from two inches to four, and they may have feathering around the ears and chest, as well as the bottom line, and back of the thighs (panties). The long stock-coat resembles a wolf with tufts in the ears and feathers on the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is preferred in the show ring and it comes with a thicker and softer coat with more feathers than the stock coat.
The GSD is available in a wide variety of patterns and colors including the classic black and tan that many people are familiar with to different shades such as blues, fawns, and livers. Another style that is very popular is the sable pattern. This pattern has lighter and darker hairs that are mingled together to create a wolf-like appearance on the entire body. GSDs in solid colors are also very common, as well as GSDs with markings.
The GSD is also renowned for its agility, strength 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 large breed that is very protective of their family members, but are also calm enough to be able to get along with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund that is a form or protection exercise designed to detect and deter criminal activities.
Weight
Puppies are fragile and tiny when they are born. They are completely dependent on the mother for their sustenance. Puppy's are still small and have a low appetite, but they could double in weight at the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be alert, curious and unafraid to show affection towards anyone and everything. They might play with other littermates, but they may also select one or two of them to be the most dominant. These behaviors are typical for a well-bred pup.
Around three weeks of age At around three weeks, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food like raw ground meat. Typically, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to consume this kind of food in a short time and are generally eager to learn.
By the time your German shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid development will be finished. They will now be focused on growing bigger and developing adult teeth. Dogs who eat raw meat diet can run underweight, so it is important to ensure that they're getting enough calories.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia in the adult. They also are at risk of developing degenerative myelopathy which is a spinal cord disorder. Certain dogs may exhibit symptoms like dragging their back of their feet or refusing to jump or climb stairs. Some dogs may have more than one disease and require treatment via medication, physical therapy or surgery.
Another problem that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially the valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A veterinarian can test for these conditions by listening to the heart of the dog using a stethoscope and taking x-rays of the chest.
Health
German Shepherds are prone to certain health conditions, including hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy which can be made worse by poor genetics as well as excessive exercise and obesity. These health issues can be combated by buying your German Shepherd from an ethical breeder, following a regular feeding schedule, and avoiding foods high in salt, sugar, and fat.
The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be rich in nutrients, and should contain plenty of protein and essential fat acids. Puppies require up to 10% fats in their diets to aid in rapid growth and development. These fats are also an essential energy source, offering more than double the energy of proteins or carbohydrates. The composition of fatty acids in the diet should consist of an amalgamation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids derived from flaxseed, fish oils and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are crucial for the health of a German Shepherd puppy, especially against hepatitis and parvovirus. These vaccines safeguard your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory diseases caused by these illnesses.
A German Shepherd's immune system is sensitive, and they are susceptible to allergies, especially to flea bites and food. These can trigger stomach upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To prevent this, ensure that your dog is eating a high quality food that's easily digestible. Avoid eating table food, human food and treats high in fat or sodium.
Cancer is another common concern for German Shepherds, particularly in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an unproportionally-sized tumor that develops in blood-rich organs such as the heart and spleen. It is one commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other cancers include intestinal, lung bone cancers, and intestinal. Lymphoma is yet another disease that can affect German Shepherds, specifically multicentric lymphoma. This causes the growth of multiple lymph nodes around the body.