15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Overlook German Shepherd Puppies
What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies
German shepherd puppies are highly intelligent They are easy to train and are natural workers. They need plenty of exercise and love adventures.

They naturally protect their owners, which is why early socialization is essential to help them learn that people and other animals are not threats. They are often afraid of unfamiliar situations.
Eyes
German Shepherds are typically brown-eyed but they also can have blue eyes. It's a genetic variation. Both parents must carry the recessive genes for their pups to have blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes is not a sign of the health of the dog.
In general German Shepherds have healthy eyes. They do not have any inherited diseases are associated with their eye color. However, they may suffer from a variety of health problems that are common to all dogs. This includes seizures, epilepsy and bleeding disorders. Preventive screening can help to avoid these conditions.
While blue eyes are commonplace in other breeds of dogs, it is rare to see them on purebred German Shepherd. In reality, it's usually a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder that adheres to strict standards of breeding and practices. Instead, it is likely that the puppy is a mixed breed that has a significant amount of Weimaraner or Siberian Husky in its ancestry.
It is not uncommon for German Shepherds, despite being an uncommon mutation having one brown and one blue eye. This is a condition known as heterochromia, and it could be a sign of a health issue in the dog.
Cataracts are another frequent issue in German Shepherds. They are characterized by opaque areas on the cornea's surface or in the deeper layers of the cornea. These can lead to loss of vision or interfere with the ability to detect light. This can be easily prevented by restricting the amount of direct sunlight your German Shepherd is exposed to and encouraging it to spend as much time inside as possible. It can also be treated using prescription medications or a specific pair of dog sunglasses.
Ears
The German Shepherd is instantly recognizable by its pointed pinna and ears that are straight. The shape of the ears is determined by genetics. However, the environment and care can also influence its appearance. If your pup's ears seem to be floating around or falling down, this is typical during the time of teething. This usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks, after which he'll have the strength to stand his ears up. The ear's outer cartilage and the skin are joined through muscles that allow it to move and move and.
If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is constantly down it could be a sign of an ear infection or physical trauma. deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz that are drooping are usually caused by ear infections. Symptoms include swelling, itching and discharge.
You can avoid ear infections by maintaining your German Shepherd's ears healthy. Bathing him too often could take away the natural oils which keep his ears healthy, so try to bathe him only when necessary. Do not use any ear cleaning liquid more than twice a week. You can keep your dog's ear moist by letting him wash his head in a bowl of water at least once a week.
A German Shepherd who has drooping ears might have an ear mite infection. These tiny parasites are found in the open and can cause itching, irritation and swelling in the affected ear.
If your German Shepherd has ears that are floppy You can get them to stand up by taping them with a small piece of medical or vet's tape. This can be done with the assistance of a professional dog trainer or veterinarian, and a lot of dogs will be able to stand up in no time at all after you tap them.
Coat
The German Shepherd Dog is a double-coated dog that has a soft, dense undercoat and a soft undercoat. This breed sheds all year round and requires regular brushing in order to keep its appearance. GSDs have a soft, thick undercoat that shields skin from the elements. It is covered by longer guard hairs, that can be straight or waving. The length of guard hairs can range from two inches to four, and they may have feathering around the ear or chest, the bottom line, and back of the thighs (panties). The long coat of stock resembles the Wolf, with tufts of hair on the ears and feathering at the feet. A plush coat is a medium length coat that is preferred in the show ring, and has a more full, softer coat with more feathering than the stock coat.
The GSD is available in a wide range of colors and patterns including the classic black and tan most people know to other shades like blues, fawns, and livers. The sable pattern, which features darker and lighter hairs that blend to create a wolf-like look throughout the body is another well-known variation. Solid-color GSDs are also very common and so are GSDs with white markings.
The GSD was also renowned for its strength, agility and stealth. This made it a great canine for military and police. Its intelligence and loyalty make it a wonderful companion for families as well. German Shepherds can be a large breed that is protective of its family, but are also calm enough to get along with other pets, cats and livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund, which is a type of protection that is designed to detect and deter criminal activities.
Weight
Puppies are tiny and fragile at birth when they are dependent on their mother for sustenance. At this point, they have a small appetite but can double their weight at the end of their neonatal phase.
A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be active, curious and able to make a fuss of anyone and all things. The dog may play with the other littermates, but may also pick one or two to dominate. These are typical of the well-bred dog.
At around three weeks, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food, such as raw ground meat. It is usually an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies are very quick to learn how to eat this food, and generally, they are enthusiastic.
When your German Shepherd is four months old, the rapid growth should be mostly over and the dog will be focusing on growing larger and developing adult teeth. Puppies on a raw meat diet could be underweight, so you must ensure that they are getting enough calories.
A German Shepherd can develop hip and elbow dysplasia when they become an adult. They are also at risk of developing degenerative myelopathy which is a spinal cord disorder. Certain dogs might exhibit signs of these diseases, such as dragging their back feet or becoming unwilling to jump or walk up stairs. Some dogs have multiple ailments and will require treatment with medications, physical therapy or surgery.
Another problem that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially heart disease that is dilated and valvular. These conditions can be evaluated by a veterinarian using a stethoscope to the dog's chest, and x-rays.
Health
German Shepherds may suffer from certain health conditions like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy or poor genetics. These problems are made worse due to excessive exercise and weight gain. These ailments can be treated by purchasing 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 nutritious, containing plenty of protein and essential fatty acids. Puppies need up to 10 percent fat in their diet to support their rapid growth and development. These fats also provide more energy than proteins or carbohydrates. The fatty acid composition of the diet should be a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that come from fish oils, flaxseed, and other vegetable sources.
Vaccinations are essential for the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true against parvovirus and hepatitis. The vaccines also protect your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory diseases that may be caused by these diseases.
A German Shepherd's immune system is senile, and they are prone to allergies, specifically to flea bites as well as food. They can trigger stomach upset, weight loss, or vomiting. To avoid this, ensure your dog is eating a high quality food that's easily digestible. Avoid table food, human food, and snacks that are high in fat or sodium.
Cancer is another common concern for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive tumor that grows in blood-rich organs like the spleen and heart, is one commonly seen type of cancer in German Shepherds. Other cancers include intestinal, lung bone cancers, and intestinal. Lymphoma is another condition that affects German Shepherds, especially multicentric lymphoma. It causes the growth of multiple lymph nodes around the body.