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German Shepherd Dog Breed Introduction
German Shepherd Or German Shephard Dogs(GSDs) are German-bred working dogs of medium size. They are also known as Alsatian. Initially bred as a herding dog for herding sheep, it has since been used for other purposes including warfare, police work, disability assistance, search-and-rescue, and companion dog. GSDs are naturally curious which makes them excellent guard dogs suitable for missions.
The GSDs have also been bred specifically for their intelligence. It was also ranked second place by Stanley Coren in a list of breeds most likely to bark as watchdogs. This breed has also been featured in a wide range of media. Some of the earliest GSDs canine film stars include Strongheart(1921), Rin Tin Tin(1922), Inspector Rex, Kántor, etc.
History
This breed was created by Max von Stephanitz, an ex-member of the Phylax Society, a former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, and an ex-cavalry captain. Max admired the ability, strength, and intelligence of the native sheepdogs in Germany. However, he could not find any one single breed that satisfied him as the perfect working dog.
While attending the show in 1899, Max was shown a dog named, Hektor Linksrhein, the product of a few generations of selective breeding. Hektor fulfilled what Max believed a working dog should be. Furthermore, he was intrigued with the strength, beauty, loyalty, and intelligence of Hektor that he purchased it.
Following its purchase, Max changed its name to Horand von Grafrath. Additionally, Horand formerly known as Hektor was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog. In addition, it fathered many pups but its most prolific was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was also inbred with another Horand’s offspring and produced Heinz Von Pilot, Beowulf, and Starkenburg who later sired a total of 84 puppies. The progeny of Beowulf was inbred and it is from these puppies that this breed draws a genetic link.
Life Expectancy
The average lifespan of a GSD(German Shepherd) is 9-13 years. According to a survey carried out in the UK, the median lifespan of GSDs is 10.95 years. However, the German Shepherd Female has a lifespan of an additional 1.4 years as compared to males making their average life expectancy to 11.1 years. On the other hand, the German Shepherd male has an average lifespan of 9.7 years.
German Shepherd Grooming
GSDs have double coats and generally shed a lot. Brush the coat on a daily basis using a Furminator or a de-shedding tool that reaches the undercoat removing loose hair safely and easily. If a Furminator is used incorrectly, it may damage the coat. Brush your pet from outside due to the amount of fur that will be released.
This breed should rarely have a bath unless when going to a conformation show or when really needed. For instance, when the dog rolls in mud or otherwise gets dirty. This sums up the number of baths once or twice a year. It has also been noted that regular bathing of GSDs leads to the stripping of skin and coat of natural oils according to Lisa Walsh of Loyalville German Shepherds. A regularly bathed GSD is susceptible to skin issues or problems. The quality of your dog’s diet plays a role in how much it will shed.
Nail trimming is determined by the kinds of surfaces your dog walks or runs on. For instance, for GSDs that routinely walk on pavement, their nails naturally wear down to the normal length. However, dogs that walk on other surfaces like grass and carpet need trimming every two to three weeks. As for the ears, use hypoallergic wipes to clean them regularly in order to remove excess wax & debris and also look out for redness and odor. When brushing your GSD’s teeth avoid using human toothpaste. Instead, utilize dog-friendly flavored toothpaste or disposable dental wipes.
Haircuts
Since shaving is not recommended for this breed, GSDs only rock in natural grooming styles with the brushing of the coat twice or thrice a day. Moreover, your dog may stand out in natural hairstyle if properly groomed and brushed keeping their coat healthy and shiny. Shaving is also discouraged since it is hard to get the coat to grow back properly.
Avoid shaving your GSDs due to the following reasons:
- It has a double coat that works to keep your dog comfortable both in summer and winter.
- The outer coat fends off the water, and guards against hairs, insect bites, and dirt.
- The undercoat is fuzzy and soft which works to insulate your GSD from cold and heat.
- Shaving takes away much of the markings and beautiful colorings.
Shedding
GSDs shed all-year round at moderate levels. Heavy shedding, however, is experienced twice a year when seasonal change kicks in, especially during spring and fall.
Shedding Solution
This breed sheds profusely during seasonal change once or twice a year. Regular brushing at least twice or thrice a week will manage the fur of balls that may be found around the house, especially on furniture. When your pet is shedding use a Furminator or a de-shedding tool to remove the loose hair. However, for a show GSD, use a slicker brush before going to the ring instead of a Furminator to prevent extra hairs to turn up when you least expect them during a show.
Coat
GSDs have a double coat made up of a top coat and an undercoat. The coat is also close and dense. The outer coat is straight and lies close to the body. However, some GSDs may have an outer coat that is slightly wavy with a wiry texture. The coat is also accepted in two variants a (medium or short-haired) and b (long-haired). The gene responsible for a long-haired coated GSD is recessive, hence the long-haired variety is rare. However, AKC considers long-haired GSDs a fault. It is rare to find a single-coated German Shepherd. Moreso, a double coat is the only required and acceptable standard.
Hypoallergenic
GSDs are not hypoallergenic and trigger allergic inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. This breed sheds all-year round which allows the spread of dander around the house. Dander, urine, mucus, and saliva have a protein that causes allergies. GSDs are also likely to drool during meal times or when around food. Drooling licks the saliva on the surface which will eventually cause inflammation.
German Shepherd Training
A well-bred GSD is highly intelligent and thrives on praising and pleasing the owner. This combination makes them easy to train. The first training that a GSD puppy undergoes is socialization. This training exposes your pooch to different people, sights, smells, sounds, situations, and other animals.
Naturally, this breed is a protective guardian, therefore, socialization is highly recommended so that your dog may learn from an early age that not all strangers are a threat. Some are friendly. Moreso, exposing your pet to different kinds of people in a non-threatening stimulus will help your GSD puppy be more confident among friendly strangers than aggressive or fearful. A well-socialized pup is confident and able to differentiate between a foe and a friend. Enrolling your GSD pup in puppy training classes will serve as a form of socialization. It also helps the owner identify and correct bad behaviors.
The best type of training for GSDs is positive reward training which allows the trainer to mark the specific behaviors your dog performs right at the nearly exact moment it does. If your dog shows undesirable behavior, use distractions when your pet is in the middle of bad behavior. Therefore, the use of praise and training treats is recommended. Avoid the use of harsh correction methods such as yelling.
Training your GSD to control impulses is one of the significant ways to curb bad behaviors. A bored GSD may be prone to inappropriate chasing, excessive barking, aggressive chewing, and digging. The key to this kind of training is getting your dog to focus on you.
Training Age
The first training goal for a GSD puppy is socialization to ensure that you raise a well-mannered and adaptable dog. Therefore, the training age for this phase is between 12 to 16 weeks ( approx. 3 to 4 months).
Training Tips
For effective training, keep the training sessions short for a period of utmost 10 minutes since dogs easily get bored. House training is attained through crate training, potty training, and creating a feeding schedule. Crate training should start when the puppy is still young from the age of 8 to 16 weeks which will acclimate your pet to going to the crate and having some me time.
This training also helps in reducing the risk of a GSD pup developing separation anxiety. The crate should be made pleasant and cozy by placing toys and treats, as well as lining it will a comfortable blanket. This should be a safe place to keep your pet safe when you are running your daily errands.
Position a crate in a room that has ongoing family activities so that the pup doesn’t feel isolated. Create positive associations with the device through the use of toys and treats. Avoid using a crate as a form of punishment. This may make your GSD defensive when you utter the command word crate.
Effective potty training is attainable by being firm, patient, and consistent. This will be achieved by taking your GSD outside immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, before bedtime, following an exciting activity such as a car ride and playtime, and after naps. Take your pooch outside in an area that is protected so as to feel comfortable. Once your dog relieves itself, give it a rub over the back or treat so that it will associate going outside with pottying.
Training Commands
Teaching your GSD pup basic obedience command word at an early age is advisable. A dog owner may begin to teach the basic puppy command words such as stay, down, sit, wait, heel, leave it, etc. Teach one command word at a time until your pooch understands before proceeding to the next command word. Enrolling your pet in a puppy obedience class is instrumental in teaching these commands. A Puppy class also serves as a form of socialization.
German Shepherd Temperament
- Obedient.
- Courageous.
- Loyal.
- Unapproachable but not aggressive.
- Intelligent.
- Explorers.
- Affectionate.
- Protective.
Behavior Problems
Common behavior problems in GSDs include separation anxiety, jumping, dominance, mouthiness, jumping, etc.
Barking
It is a watchdog that tends to bark more than some of the other large breeds of dogs. A GSD in herding and guarding environment barks a lot to fulfill this role. This breed also finds barking sounds rewarding as it burns pent-up energy. Barking is also a way of satisfying your GSD’s guarding instinct. This kind of dog also progresses into real barking when they turn four months old. Since GSDs are vocal breeds, learning a Quiet command is necessary during obedience training.
German Shepherd Size
GSDs are medium to large-sized dogs. The male German Shepherd is slightly large in size as compared to its female counterpart in terms of height and weight. A male GSD has a height of 24 to 26 inches ( approx. 60to 65 cm ) and a weight of 75 to 90 pounds ( approx. 34 to 40.8 kg). On the other hand, a female GSD has a height of 22 to 24 inches ( approx. 55 to 60 cm ) and a weight of 60 to 75 pounds ( approx. 27.2 to 34 kg).
Height
A male GSD has a height of 24 to 26 inches ( approx. 60 to 65 cm ) from the withers whereas the female German shepherd has a height of 22 to 24 inches ( approx. 55 to 60 cm ) from the shoulder blade at the base of the neck (withers).
Weight
A female German Shepherd has a weight of 60 to 75 pounds ( approx. 27.2 to 34 kg ) while a male German Shepherd has a weight of 75 to 90 pounds ( approx. 34 to 40.8 kg). However, a male GSD may even weigh 100 pounds ( approx. 45 kg).
Head
A GSD has a wedge-shaped head with a domed forehead. Additionally, this bread often tilts its head for several reasons including finding the source of noise, while communicating with its owners, to see better, a sign of ear infection, and a habit.
Paws
This breed has arched, well-closed, rounded, and short paws according to the standards. GSDs also have paw pads that offer extra cushioning protecting your dog from weather extremes and aid in walking on rough surfaces including rocky ground.
Webbed Feet
There are claims that GSDs have three types of paws; hare shaped, cat-shaped, and webbed feet. However, rarely does this breed has webbed paws. According to the American Kennel Club(AKC) pure breeds German Shepherds have no webbed feet. However, this is a possibility for non-pure breeds maybe a German Shepherd hybrid.
Short Hair
A GSD has a double coat that is accepted in two variants, long and medium. Most of the German shepherds have short hair. However, some have long hair which is gene recessive, hence long hair is rare as compared to short hair. The long-haired GSD was accepted in 2010 by FCI listing it as the variety b, while the short-haired GSD is listed as variety a. A GSD with long hair is accepted, however, it doesn’t compete against standard coated dogs under both the UK and German Kennel Clubs. AKC considers long-haired as faulty.
German Shepherd Colors
Most of the GSDs have red/black and tan/black colors. Furthermore, most of the color varieties have a black body and black mask markings which can range from a classic saddle to an overall blanket. Some of the rare color variations include silver, sable, pure black, panda, blue, pure-white, etc.
Types
- East-European Shepherd bred in the former Soviet Union to create larger and more cold-resistant GSD.
- Shiloh Shepherd was bred in the US to correct conformational and behavioral issues that have been bred into modern GSDs.
- King Shepherd was also bred in the USA hoping to correct the physical deformities that were bred in the original breed.
- White Shepherd bred in the United States that was once banned from registration in German. However, in Canada and USA, they gained a following leading to the formation of the white German Shepherds, breed club. However, UKC recognizes the White Shepherd as a separate breed.
- White Swiss Shepherd Dog that was bred in Switzerland. However, since 2003, it has been recognized as a separate breed by a number of national kennel clubs.
German Shepherd Bite Force
A GSD has a bite force of over 238PSI according to a tv show, Dangerous Encounters on National Geographic Channel. Through a 2020 literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, it was discovered that from 1971 to 2018 all pure breeds GSDs were responsible for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment.
Aggressive
An Australian report from 1999 provides statistics showing that GSDs are bred third most likely to attack a person in some Australian locales. However, once the popularity is taken into account, the percentage of attacks by this breed drop to thirty-eight. Furthermore, a German Shepherd is also considered aggressive due to its frequency of biting and bite severity.
When your pet is being aggressive, avoid punishing him which may anger him. It is also possible to reduce the level of aggressiveness in your dog through socialization and aggressive training. In order to fix the aggressiveness, stroke and relax your GSD while giving him verbal praise and the odd treat. This will make your pet start associating calm behavior with positive consequences.
This breed may also be aggressive if not socialized properly to immediate family members and friends of the dog owner, as well as to other dogs.
Biting
GSD puppies are notorious for nipping and biting. Puppies bite to explore new textures, objects, and people. Biting is also common when the puppy is teething. Although this is a common behavior, a dog owner should not accept it. Failure to address this behavior results in an adult GSD that has serious behavior issues such as biting. Dog owners are advised to train their puppies to outgrow the biting behavior through bite training inhibition and redirection.
Some of the other breeds of dogs include:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Pug.
German Shepherd Names
The most important exercise that a dog owner engages in after getting a puppy from a responsible breeder or a rescue center is getting a name for the fur baby. The names of your GSD puppy may be inspired by celebrities, colors, books, origin, characteristics, names of the cities, celebrity GSD movie stars, etc.
Remember to give your pet a name that freely rolls off your tongue. Make sure the name will not make you embarrassed once uttered out loud in public parks or malls. Names that have vowels are easy for pets to remember. Confusion may arise if you give your pet a name that rhymes with a command word. Avoid giving your GSD a name that is used by other household members or people who frequent your household to prevent confusion.
Names Male
- Max(named after the creator of German Shepherd Dogs, Max von Stephanitz).
- Jax.
- Leo.
- Bear.
- Charlie.
- Apollo.
- Rocky.
- Otis.
- Sam.
- Tyson.
- Hunter.
- Luke.
- Jake.
- Jack.
Names Female
- Bella.
- Stella.
- Lucy.
- Zoe.
- Lola.
- Emma.
- Ella.
- Winnie.
- Ivy.
- Luna.
- Nova.
- Roxy.
- Nala, etc.
German Shepherd Hair Loss
GSDs experience excessive hair loss during seasonal changes which is normal. However, a pooch may also experience hair loss due to allergies. German Shepherds are prone to environmental, contact, food, and skin allergies. These allergies cause licking, scratching, biting, and rubbing of the affected body parts such as paws, feet, and ears which may lead to sores or even hair loss. Apart from allergies and seasonal changes, other causes of hair loss in German Shepherd dogs include.
- A poor diet that has a deficiency in minerals or vitamins causes hair loss. The building block of the hair, keratin needs sulfur amino acids in order to be synthesized. Lack of these amino acids results to slow hair growth as well as coarse and brittle hair which may eventually fall out.
- Hypothyroidism – A GSD may experience hair loss since this condition makes the thyroid glands inadequately produce thyroid hormones resulting in hair loss, dry hair, and scaly dry skin.
- During the heat cycle, a female GSD is likely to experience hair loss and thinning of the coat due to the changes in hormones especially an increase in the estrogen levels.
- Stress – a stressed dog is anxious or restless. A stressed GSD may find a way to release some of that restlessness by licking its body parts and the things around it. Excessive leaking results to lick granuloma. This condition also causes hair loss in excessively licked body parts such as paws.
- Cushing’s Disease also affects this breed which occurs when there is a problem in the regulation and production of the hormone cortisol causing loss of dog fur on ears, paws, and other parts of the body.
- Mange may also cause hair loss in GSDs. This is a skin disease that is caused by mites leading to intense itching, which will cause scratching, rubbing, and licking hence your Bulldog suffers from scabs, sores, and hair loss.
Hair Loss Treatment
Use of a hypoallergenic and organic shampoo will relieve itchy skin and irritation hence your GSD will not scratch the commonly affected body parts leading to hair loss.
Engaging your GSD in exercise and not leaving it alone for long hours prevents separation anxiety which leads to stress. As earlier discussed, stress creates a habit of excessive licking causing open sores and hair loss.
Regular brushing of the coat and also wiping the coat and paws with a damp cloth will help to remove the environmental allergens that cause excessive licking, biting, and scratching leading to hair loss.
Use a hypoallergenic and organic shampoo to relieve itchy skin and irritation hence your GSD will not scratch the commonly affected body parts leading to hair loss.
Exercise
A GSD needs a minimum of at least 180 minutes( approx. 2 hours of exercise every day). Some of the exercises that your pet should indulge in include off-lead walks. You may also involve off-lead exercise in a safe area with training and extra playtime to give your dog a good variety.
Chest Size
A GSD has an average chest size of 71 to 81 cm.
German Shepherd Dog Food
They are large breeds of dogs that have a slow metabolism than dogs of small bread. Therefore, this implies that a dog owner should control the number of calories and fat that they consume to prevent unhealthy weight gain. While purchasing dog food, select large-dog recipes specifically designed for steadier and slow growth.
Some of GSD’s dog food include Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein, Royal Canin Giant Junior Dry Dog Food, Purina Beyond Grain-Free Adult Canned Dog Food, Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula, and Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog Food.
Feeding Chart By Age
An adult breed of this dog feeds 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble per day and should be fed twice a day. A GSD may also feed once a day. However, is advisable to split the daily caloric intake between smaller meals instead of feeding it all at once.
Furthermore, the puppies who have ceased weaning at the age of eight weeks should be fed four times a day with a total cup of 1 to 1.5 Dry Kibble.
A GSD puppy aged 12 weeks old should feed 1.5 to 2 cups four times a day.
Between 6 months to nine months old feed 2 to 3 cups daily three times.
Between nine to twelve months, a German shepherd pup should feed three times a day with 3 to 3.5 cups of Dry Kibble.
German Shepherd Allergies
GSDs are susceptible to allergies caused by contact, skin, food, environmental, and genetic allergens. The following are the common allergies that affect GSDs:
Skin allergies in German Shepherd may be a result of contact, food, and environmental allergies. Immunological disorders also result in skin inflammation.
Environmental allergies are caused by fleas, mites, dust, pollen, house molds, ticks, grass, dust mites, or even mosquitoes. The most common environmental allergen that causes an allergic reaction in this breed includes pollen-related allergies. This is where the immune system of the pooch thinks pollen is a threat so it fights back by causing inflammation which occurs mostly during fall or summer.
Pollen-related allergies are reduced through the use of Benadryl for dogs. Environmental allergies may manifest on various body parts including the groin, muzzle, armpits, and paws, around the eyes, between the toes, belly sides, and ears. The common symptoms that a GSD exhibits when suffering from this allergy are swollen eyes, runny nose, and also scratching of the mentioned body parts.
Food Allergies – This inflammation in GSDs is caused by an animal protein which results in gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Contact allergies manifest when the skin of the GSD comes in contact with something that causes irritation and itchiness. Some of the common contact allergens that causes allergic reactions include grooming products such as shampoos, medication, plastics, bed linens, certain fabrics, carpet cleaning detergents, and latex. This allergy mostly affects the paws which leads to excessive leaking and biting. If a dog bites and licks excessively, it may have sores and experience hair loss which may give rise to secondary infections.
German Shepherd Food Allergies
GSDs also suffer from food allergies which are commonly confused with food intolerance or food sensitivities. However, a dog that experiences true food allergies will experience an immune response that may make your pet manifest a range of symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal signs to skin conditions.
Skin symptoms due to food allergies include dermatitis, hives, facial swelling, pruritus, hives, and crusting lesions while the gastrointestinal signs may include diarrhea and/or vomiting. A GSD that suffers from food intolerance does not experience an immune response but instead a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the food for example animal protein such as beef, pork, chicken, lamb, fish, soy, corn, eggs, milk, fillers, chemicals, preservatives, flavors, and dairy products.
A GSD that is experiencing food intolerance is likely to manifest the following signs including chronic ear infections, poor coat and skin, diarrhea, vomiting, and foot infections. It is highly recommended for a pooch owner to closely work with the vet in order to determine whether the dog is suffering from a food allergy or food intolerance.
German Shepherd Skin Allergies
Skin allergies in German Shepherds may be caused by food allergies, contact allergens, or environmental allergens such as fleas and ticks. The immunological disorder also causes skin inflammation. Some of the commonly affected body parts by skin allergies include the stomach, paws, armpits, ears, face, sides, legs, groin, and hind end.
The most common symptoms exhibited by a dog that is suffering from this allergy include hair loss in patches, dry skin, dandruff, flaky skin, and sores. Untreated skin allergies may result in bacterial or yeast infection due to excessive scratching and licking which causes sores. Apart from skin allergies, other skin problems that a GSD is likely to suffer from include bacterial dermatitis, yeast dermatitis, and moist dermatitis.
Skin Allergies Treatment
To relieve symptoms of skin allergies, after a bath apply coconut oil on localized areas of dry skin and also smooth over the coat. Wiping your pet’s coat with a warm damp cloth may reduce the presence of skin allergens on fur.
The use of sulfate-free, organic, and hypoallergenic shampoos goes a long way in relieving skin allergy symptoms. When buying shampoo, look out for the one that has anti-inflammatory products like aloe vera or tree tea oil which will add to the calming effect and soothing on the skin of your German Shepherd.
A vet may also prescribe corticosteroids and antihistamines for use in addition to these remedies. You may also use organic hot sprays and topical creams that come in handy in relieving the symptoms. However, skin allergies that are caused by food allergies may be complicated in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Elimination method, blood test treatment, and medications will be utilized.
Itchy Skin
The most common cause of itchy skin in GSDs is due to allergies caused by fleas, pollen, food, shampoos, mites, molds, dust mites, etc.
Ears
This breed possesses large and stand-up erect ears that are open at the front and parallel. However, GSD’s ears are often pulled back during movement. Furthermore, the GSDs puppies are born with their ears down. However, the ears stand up on their own following the hardening of the cartilage. While teething, your pup’s ears may not stand up. At times, a GSD pup may have one upright ear and another floppy ear since one ear still needs time to go upright naturally.
German Shepherd Ear Infection
Even though GSDs have erect ears, they also suffer from ear infections as a result of allergies(skin and food allergies), excess wax, dirt, debris, yeast imbalances, ear mites, environmental elements as well as accumulation of moisture in the ears. The most common type of ear infection that GSDs suffer from is externa otitis which causes inflammation of the external ear.
Failure to treat infection in the external ear may lead to ear problems to media and interna otitis. This is the inflammation that occurs in the middle and inner ear canal respectively. If media and interna otitis are not treated, they may lead to vestibular signs, deafness, and facial paralysis. Some of the symptoms that a GSD may manifest when suffering from an ear infection include odor, head shaking, dark discharge, scratching of the affected ear, pain, scabs or crusting in the ears, and redness.
Ear Infection Treatment
If the owner notices that the GSD has exhibited the above signs, then he or she should give the vet a call to book an appointment. After getting to the Vet, you are expected to give a brief history of whether your pooch has suffered from an ear infection before, or if it has been affected by skin and food allergies which also predispose your dog to ear infections.
If your GSD is in so much pain, the Vet will sedate it before proceeding to conduct a physical examination which involves looking out for the symptoms as well as taking a swab from the affected ear. The ears will be thoroughly cleaned using a cotton ball that has been soaked in a medicated ear cleanser after the examination.
While going home, the vet may prescribe a topical medication and ear cleanser. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory and oral antibiotic medications are prescribed. The symptoms that your German Shepherd was manifesting may go away after a week or two if the case was uncomplicated. However, severe ear infections caused by underlying issues may take months to resolve.
If treatment fails, then surgery may be recommended by the vet, a Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA), which removes the ear canal getting rid of the diseased tissue. Remember to fully and keenly follow the instructions given by the vet. Continue administering the prescribed medications even if the symptoms go away to avoid additional problems such as resistant ear infections.
German Shepherd Eye Infection
A GSD may suffer from an eye infection due to a viral or bacterial infection. However, the most common culprit behind eye infections in dogs is bacteria. Dry eye disease, trauma to the eye, or viruses provide the perfect opportunity for bacteria to invade the eye since the local defenses of the eye have already been compromised.
Most bacterial infections in GSDs may be a result of an injury for instance an ulcer or scratch to the eye. The scratched eye gets infected with bacteria which prevents it from healing. As a result, the dog squints its eye due to pain. However, the dog owner won’t be able to spot the wound itself. Bacterial eye infections in German Shepherds may also be a result of foreign materials in the eye including hair, fur, plant material, dirt, dust, etc.
Some of the common symptoms exhibited by a GSD that is suffering from an eye infection include swelling of the eyelids, pawing at the eye, squinting, redness, and discharge. A thick-yellowish discharge is a result of bacterial infection while a clear discharge is a result of viral infections. A dog may experience multiple signs at once due to the inflammation caused by the immune system.
Eye Problems
A GSD has brown and medium-sized eyes. Your pet is also prone to eye problems unique to this breed including Pannus(Chronic Superficial Keratitis), a progressive change that occurs when blood vessels and scar tissue invade the cornea. Other eye problems for GSDs include corneal dystrophy and glaucoma.
Eye Discharge
The medically correct word for eye discharge is eye boogers or eye gunk. The common and normal eye discharge from GSD’s eye is clear or whitish-grey with a water consistency. However, a clear discharge may be a result of allergies or viral infection. If your dog has a cloudy or yellowish discharge, then it is likely suffering from a dry eye disease.
Harness
A harness is recommended for GSD if they are fitted correctly so that it may not affect your dog’s movement and gait. Moreover, a harness is preferred for dogs with breathing issues. Some of the best harnesses for a German Shepherd include Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness, EXPAWLORER No-Pull Vest Harness, YogaDog Dog Harness, Lifepul Dog Harness, Excellent Elite Spanker Tactical Dog Harness, etc.
Tactical Harness
Tactical Harness is important to GSDs since they eliminate neck strains and choking, enable controlling your dog, provide extra storage, and are also highly customizable.
Weak Back Legs
The critics of the German Shepherd describe it as a half frog and half dog since they have poor gait on their hind legs caused by breeding of some show strains with an extremely roached topline. Therefore, some people describe this as weak back legs.
German Shepherd Dwarfism
Some German Shepherd puppies are born with Pituitary dwarfism, an inherited condition that prevents a dog from developing as expected. Pets with dwarfism should get regular hormone therapies. Genetic testing of the parents prevents puppies from being born with this genetic disorder.
Heat Cycle
The heat cycle of a female GSD lasts between 3 to 4 weeks. This breed also experiences the first heat cycle between the age of 6 to 12 months. The heat cycle may reoccur once after every two weeks, therefore, undergoing this process at least twice a year. However, other female German Shepherds may experience the heat cycle once a year while others after every four months.
The heat cycle also involves three stages. The first stage, proestrus, the second stage, estrus, and the third stage, anestrus. Some of the symptoms that a female GSD may manifest while on heat includes a swollen vulva, increased urination, behavioral changes, bloody discharge, male dogs taking an interest, and tail flagging.
Most of the time, the female became receptive to the male later in the cycle. Before mating a dam with a stud, ensure they are both genetically tested to check for underlying health issues. Bred a dam after the age of two years. This will give the genetically linked faults time to express themselves. Remember to check the pedigree of both dogs to ensure they are not related.
Pregnancy Length
A GSD has a pregnancy length of about 58 to 63 days which may vary in some cases. Some of the pregnancy symptoms that this breed exhibits include irritability, nesting behavior, swollen belly, weight gain, more affectionate, increase in nipple size, increase in appetite, and tiring more easily.
Litter Size
The normal litter size of a GSD is 1 to 15 puppies. However, the average litter size is 8 puppies. The largest known litter size for this breed according to AKC is 17 puppies.
Neck Size
An adult GSD has a neck size and collar size of 18 to 24 inches ( approx. 46 to 60 cm). This is because the collar rests on the neck.
Speed
A German Shepherd may run up to a speed of 30 miles per hour (mph)( approx. 48 km/h).
Muzzle
A well-trained and socialized GSD knows that a stranger is not a threat. However, a muzzle may be used on this breed if the owner is not sure how the pet will respond to a new stimulus.
An injured dog that is in pain is also likely to bite. Therefore, a muzzle should be used when transporting the dog to the vet. AKC advises dog owners to create positive associations with the muzzle through the use of treats and praise. Therefore, making it easier to put on a muzzle on your pet when it is needed.
Tail
A German Shepherd has a bushy tail that hangs in a slight curve while at rest. When the dog is excited or in motion, the curve is more noticeable and the tail should be raised. Tail docking in GSDs is a disqualification for a show dog.
Teeth
An adult GSD has a total set of 42 permanent teeth. The upper jaw has 20 teeth while the lower jaw has 22 teeth. The jaws are also strongly developed and meet in a scissors bite. GSD puppies are born with no teeth. However, the teeth start growing at the age of 2 to 4 weeks until the age of 6 to 8 weeks. A pup has a total set of 28 deciduous teeth. In order to maintain dental hygiene, brush the teeth at least twice a week using dog-formulated toothpaste or dental wipes.
Teeth problems
Irregular teeth cleaning leads to tartar buildup. Excess tartar causes gum inflammation and periodontal diseases.
German Shepherd Health Issues
- Hemophilia.
- Degenerative Disc Disease.
- Hip Dysplasia.
- Epilepsy.
- Diabetes.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).
- Elbow Dysplasia.
- Cataracts.
- Arthritis.
- Degenerative myelopathy.
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
- Von Willebrand disease, etc.
German Shepherd Seizures
GSDs also suffer from seizures also known as fits or convulsions the temporary involuntary disturbance of the normal brain function that is usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. The most common type of seizure that German Shepherds suffer from is Idiopathic or primary seizures.
These seizures are inherited, however, the cause is unknown. Other types of seizures that dogs may suffer from include reactive seizures which are caused by the reaction of the brain to a metabolic problem such as a toxin, low blood sugar, and organ failure. Another seizure that this breed may suffer from is secondary seizures caused by stroke, brain tumor, or trauma.
The most common signs exhibited by a pooch that is experiencing a seizure include urination or defecation, paddling of the legs, walking in circles after the convulsion, drooling, foaming mouth, loss of consciousness, stiffening of the muscles, disorientation, tongue chewing, etc. When your GSD is experiencing a seizure avoid putting anything in its mouth since it may be dangerous to you and your pet. A seizure may last up to a period of 1 to 3 minutes.
Throwing Up
They are common causes of throwing up in this breed including poor diet, eating too quickly, overfeeding, and taking in harmful things. However, some GSDs may vomit due to conditions such as food allergies, sensitiveness, and intestinal or pancreatic disease.
Harness or Collar
A Collar is suitable for a dog that has been trained to properly walk on a leash. However, for a GSD that is prone to pulling, using a harness will help avoid neck and throat injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are German Shepherd Aggressive
Yes, if they are not socialized properly.
Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot
GSDs shed at moderate levels all year round and heavily during the seasonal change when the dogs blow off their undercoats during Spring or Fall.
What Is A German Shepherds Lifespan
A German Shepherd has an average life span of 9 to 13 years. However, a female GSD has an average life expectancy of 11.1 years while a male GSD has an average life expectancy of 9.7 years.
How To Stop A German Shepherd Barking
Distract the barking with a high-value reward. This will be effective if the treat is positioned right up to your dog’s nose and let it smell it. After the dog stops barking, give the speak command while it sniffs the treat. Thereafter, praise him and award him the treat.
How Tall Is A GSD Standing Up
When measured from the withers a male GDD has a height of 24 to 26 inches ( approx. 60 to 65cm ) while the female counterpart has a height of 22 to 24 inches ( approx. 55 to 60cm ).
Quick German Shepherd Facts
- In 1921, Adolf Hitler acquired Prinz, a German Shepherd during his years of poverty, and was forced to lodge Prinz elsewhere. However, the dog escaped and managed to return to him.
- President Biden has two German Shepherds, Major and Commander.
- They are aggressive if they are not socialized correctly.
