DOG FAQ - Do German Shepherds shed their coat a lot?

Yes. The German Shepherd is a "double-coated" dog with an undercoat and guard hairs. The guard hairs will be shed all year. The undercoat is "blown" twice a year. A bitch will shed her coat prior to coming into season and will normally be in full coat just prior to being ready for mating.

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DOG FAQ - What is the life expectancy of a German Shepherd?

Most lines of German Shepherds will live to between 10-13 years of age. 11-12 years is probably a very reasonable expectation (with the advent of higher quality foods our dogs are tending to live a longer and healthier life). A German Shepherd becomes "middle-aged" between 5-7 years old, and is generally considered "geriatric" at about 10.

Most lines of German Shepherds will live to between 10-13 years of age. 11-12 years is probably a very reasonable expectation (with the advent of higher quality foods our dogs are tending to live a longer and healthier life). A German Shepherd becomes "middle-aged" between 5-7 years old, and is generally considered "geriatric" at about 10.

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DOG FAQ - How often should I feed my puppy and how much?

Your breeder should provide you with a feeding chart of what your German Shepherd puppy has been fed and the frequency, foods recommended and not recommended for your puppy, how often you should feed your puppy and at what age to change the feeding times.

Remember that it is only a recommendation and can be varied according to how your puppy is growing. If your puppy looks like it is getting a little fat reduce the amount, if your puppy is looking a little lean increase the amount. Remember an overweight puppy can eventually have skeletal problems as the weight puts a great strain on growing bones.

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DOG FAQ - When should I switch my German Shepherd puppy to adult food?

Individual puppies will vary. You probably are best off discussing your puppy's growth and needs with both your vet and your breeder (your breeder should provide you with an appropriate feeding and diet sheet for your puppy). Many breeders and dog food manufacturers advise switching to a high quality adult food at four to six months of age.

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DOG FAQ - Should I get a male or female?

Some people will say that males are more "location" protective while females are more "pack" protective. Males are generally more territorial, so unless training steps are consistent, territory marking could be a problem. Neutering may help alleviate this problem.

Any dog or bitch not intended for a breeding program should be neutered or spayed. Besides eliminating the possibility of unwanted puppies and reducing some undesirable behaviors, it's considerably healthier for your dog since it eliminates or severely reduces the chance of testicular or mammary cancers.

A dog is virtually in season all the time and a bitch will come into season approximately twice a year. Breeding should *never* be taken lightly. The decision on whether you get a male or a female is solely up to you, but your breeder may help you in your decision.

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DOG FAQ - What traits are inherent in German Shepherd's?

German Shepherds are natural working (herding) dogs. Your German Shepherd will try to round you and your family up. Often they will lead ahead, walking in front of you and looking back to make sure you're going where you should. The breed is naturally loyal, intelligent and protective, has a very good nose and has a very calm and steady temperament when well bred. All of these traits make them excellent for police work, tracking and search work, rescue work and seeing eye dogs. They are also being used as assistance dogs for they disabled. A German Shepherd thrives on , mental stimulation (obedience training), regular exercise (at least one walk per day) and a well-balanced diet.

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DOG FAQ - Do German Shepherd’s make good pets?

Absolutely, German Shepherds can make excellent family pets if they are accepted as part of the family, but any dog just left in a backyard to fend for itself will become a socially unacceptable nuisance. They are naturally protective of their "pack". Young children should never be left unattended with a puppy or an adult dog, however, if the children learn to respect the puppy as a living being, the puppy will be a wonderful companion for the children as they all grow up together. Your dog's ranking in the "pack" should always be established as the bottom (Omega) member below all family members and all other humans.

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DOG FAQ - Will spaying or neutering change my German Shepherd's temperament?

One of the best things you can do for your German Shepherd is to spay or neuter. The basic disposition of your dog will not be changed by removing his or her reproductive capability and will not, in itself, make your dog obese or lazy.

Having a litter is not, in any way, beneficial to a bitch and can occasionally lead to problems, even death. It is a medical fact that spayed bitches are more healthy and live longer than unspayed bitches. Neutered males cannot develop testicular cancer. Neutering a male will remove his psychological need to mate and he will be more tolerant of other male dogs.

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DOG FAQ - How much training does a German Shepherd need?

Basic obedience training is an essential part of responsible German Shepherd ownership. It will make your German Shepherd a better companion and will help establish a stronger bond between the two of you. A German Shepherd Dog is a natural guard dog and does not need training for this. Protection training is very dangerous in an unstructured environment and should be avoided without obtaining the advice of a very good qualified trainer.

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DOG FAQ - What is "socializing" and why is it so important?

Socializing refers to exposing your German Shepherd puppy to a variety of experiences, including meeting lots of people of various ages, races, sizes and both sexes as well as teaching them how to acceptably interact with other dogs. Puppy kindergarten classes provide an excellent opportunity for socialization in a controlled environment. Socializing is important because it helps strengthen your dog's confidence and reduces the chance that your German Shepherd will become shy or fearful. Fearful dogs can become fear aggressive or fear biters. If your puppy is scared by something do not force your puppy to accept it, gently show the puppy that it is not dangerous.

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DOG FAQ - What can I do to get my German Shepherd puppy off to a good start?

One very important thing to produce a well rounded sound adult German Shepherd. That is socialization, this should not be taken lightly. As your German Shepherd puppy grows all efforts must be made to take your new puppy to different places where your puppy can meet people of all ages and be exposed to other dogs, small and large. He/She needs to learn different noises, this is something that needs to be done everyday. This is part of raising a puppy, any puppy. Committing to this exposure and socialization will dramatically impact his/her future life as an adult dog.

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DOG FAQ - What do I need to do to prepare for bringing my new puppy home?

Prepare a place for German Shepherd puppy own, bedding that the puppy can call their own. Each puppy will be sent home with a blanket they have been sleeping with to help him/her adjust to their new home. Purchase safe toys for your German Shepherd puppy to keep them busy, and keep their mind stimulated. A premium dog food has been fed to your puppy we recommend the same be continued throughout his/her life time. Eukanuba , Iams, ProPlan. There are more expensive natural based dogs foods that are available these are also a consideration.

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DOG FAQ - When can my new German Shepherd puppy come home with me?

Usually German Shepherd puppies leave breeder between 7 and 8 weeks old, after they’ve been wormed, and have received all necessary vaccinations according to their age.

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PUPPY SELECTION

Puppy Selection : Remember a good litter is a result of a right combination of genes. If the breeder has good bloodlines, it doesn’t mean he will produce a goods litter, because the best beach can produce the worst puppies, if not mated to the right kind of male. If you are not good at determining blood lines, you need to bank on an experienced person.


General Criterion like other health issues are to be considered before picking up the puppy. Make sure, the puppies do not have skin rashes, ears free from matter, and they are energetic. The eyes should be clear. Avoid the puppy that has a running eyes or ears.

See the movement, while choosing German Shepherd puppy. Movement of a healthy German Shepherd puppy should be effortless and the puppies should be playful. Avoid picking the one who stays away from other litter mates.

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GERMAN SHEPHERD AND CHILDREN

German Shepherds can make good indoor dogs. Their keen intelligence makes them fairly easy to house train. German Shepherds may not work well inside a home that has small children; these dogs naturally get along with all children, but young children can sometimes become rowdy and loud, which could upset the dog. While the German Shepherd is not a demanding dog, they do adore their human family and ache for human interaction.

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TRAINING

The biggest “secret” to training your German Shepard is consistency. From the moment you get your new German Shepard puppy you must start his or her training. You have to maintain consistency in your dog’s training or else you will end up with an unruly, aggressive, and unmanageable dog who could hurt someone. If you do not have the time, self-discipline, or desire to train your German Shepard then do not get one of these dogs. Instead opt for another smaller breed of dog.

Always remember that your German Shepherd needs an “Alpha dog” to give him or her the firm and consistent leadership required to keep your dog and your family happy and running smoothly. Dogs of any breed are at their happiest when this occurs. However, because German Shepherds are wired to have that dominant personality, you will want to be aware of times when he, or she, may try to test his or her boundaries. This is common during training.

Your dog may decide to misbehave or ignore commands that he or she has already learned just to test your resolve. This is normal and the best way to deal with these moments is to stiffen your resolve and remain consistent with the training to maintain your dominance. If you have children, get them involved in the dog’s training to make sure your dog understands that he or she is the “omega dog” and must also obey your children.

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FEEDING

Recommended feeding for the German Shepherd is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food,divided into two meals.

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HEALTH INFORMATION

Most of German Shepherds have serious health problem from hip and elbow, to bone diseases and cancer, to stomach disorders and skin diseases, German Shepherds are one of the riskiest of all breeds in the health department.

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TEMPERAMENT

The temperament of the German Shepherd Dog is one of self-confidence and nobility. Although a mature German Shepherd will not wear his heart on his sleeve, he should be approachable and outgoing. Strangers may be regarded with some suspicion, but the dog should be neither overly sharp and aggressive nor cringe with fear.

A sound German Shepherd makes an excellent companion. An unsound one is a disaster waiting to happen. Because of a desire to have a family protector, many GSD puppy buyers think they need a very dominant, aggressive dog -- an unwise choice for a family. Sound GSDs are naturally protective of their homes and families.

Puppies will begin to show some awareness of "their" people and "their" space at about five or six months of age and will display a desire to warn of approaching strangers. An alert dog and a few warning barks is all the protection most families require.

For those who have a true need for more serious protection, a sound, balanced dog is still the best choice. Such a dog can be trained in formal personal protection by a competent instructor. An overly aggressive or unsound dog should not be trained in protection, for it will be a danger and cannot be trusted. Anyone planning to acquire a personal protection dog should choose the dog and the trainer carefully, for a poor dog or a poor trainers can court disaster
.

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GROOMING

German Shepherd care does not require a whole lot of bathing but regular brushing is essential and with a good diet one should be able to see the nobleness and intelligence in the demeanor of the dog. The coat would shine if given a proper diet and also prevents it from contracting skin problems.


The German Shepherd grooming profile is that it requires moderate grooming which should be continued for eight to twelve weeks and maintained fortnightly. One would expect a well groomed German Shepherd to look and feel happy and for the purpose of grooming one would require tools and blades such as slicker brushes, pin brushes, natural bristle brushes, shedding blades, metal rakes, metal combs as well as a pair of scissors. Grooming Tips and Use of Tools

For German Shepherd grooming, one would need to regularly brush and comb the dog twice a week so that the double coat is well managed. One should remove wooly hairs from the undercoat as well as the outer coarse guard coat. Mostly, the German Shepherd is known to shed all year round and for this one may use shedding blades during the German Shepherd shedding season.

Using the shedding blade requires being trained in its proper use and another tool one can use is the metal rakes that can be used to take out the matted undercoat that is commonly found in the neck, chest and thigh areas. After bathing the German Shepherd, one may use a modern high velocity dryer to take away the excess water and slicker brushes are very good for this breed for hand fluff drying. One should remember to brush in the direction of the hair growth. Hair Cuts
one may also want to give groom the German Shepherd by giving him a hair cut and for this one may use a pair of scissors to cut away long hairs such as those found under the feet as well as other stray hairs around the feet. However, the German Shepherd must not be clipped for cosmetic looks since it may lead to serious faults. Instead, to make it look fluffier or fuller of coat, one may brush the hair in the opposite direction to its hair growth and follow it with light brushing in the direction of the hair growth.

In case one does want to give the German Shepherd a hair cut one can use thinning shears to make its overall appearance look neater. Also, selective thinning may help in making the German Shepherd look heavier boned. Remember to cut the nails on the feet of the German Shepherd regularly. The toenails, ears as well as teeth need your attention and one should check the nails every week while brushing and thus help avert it getting split or broken nails that may be left unattended and grow too long.

One may also groom the German Shepherd by cleaning the ear wax every week and an ear solution would do well for this purpose. Check the teeth of the German Shepherd every month as well as when it goes for its check up at the vet’s. Hard cookies may be a good idea to keep the teeth and gums in optimum health. Once the owner understands the importance of grooming, he would also need to know what you need to groom your German Shepherd.

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