Tag: German Shepherd

Those who are thinking of getting this dog breed should learn everything about German Shepherd newborn puppies, from feeding and care to character, traits and education.

The German Shepherd is a widespread breed of service dog that is popular with breeders. This breed develops into a beautiful large size body with well-developed muscles giving the dog the ability to perform well in many different environments. With proper care and competent training, an owner will get a loyal and devoted friend.

Raising German Shepherd puppies is a responsible and difficult task which will require a lot of patience and love. Of course, we can easily fall for these German Shepherd newborn puppies whose photos look so cute on the Internet and in magazines but they also need competent care.

Litter size

The normal litter size for this breed is often of interest to novice dog breeders and this information is especially relevant for those who have their first experience with a young bitch. Amongst German Shepherd breed experts, there is consensus that the normal litter size is generally driven by genetics and the conditions or the timing of mating do not have a significant influence.

A shepherd dog can give birth from 1 to as much as 15 puppies but in most cases a little less than the median of this range is more typical. Basically, you can expect a litter size of five to six puppies, which is really the optimal size.

Of course, a healthy bitch is able to feed twelve babies, but it will be much more difficult for her, and the babies may not grow strong enough.

Mating

Experienced dog breeders recommend no more than one mating per year, otherwise it may affect the physical appearance and health of German Shepherd newborn puppies and the health of the mother herself.

First two weeks of the German Shepherd newborn puppies

Learning to care for the puppies during the first two weeks of their lives is particularly important. The condition of a German shepherd puppy immediately after birth, already speaks volumes to the fact that he is absolutely helpless as babies are born blind and deaf.

However, despite this obstacle, their sense of smell is already quite developed and they perfectly feel the maternal scent and look for nipples of the mother by touch. Moreover, newborns instinctively know that the rear nipples contain more milk, so a struggle begins between them for the most advantageous places.

Hearing in newborns starts functioning three to four days after birth. In the first hours after birth, babies are susceptible to various kinds of infections and they are especially vulnerable in cases when the health condition of the mother is not good.

Real life experience shows that those who were born last have a much higher survival rate than those who came out first.

Prevention & planning

To keep the litter alive and healthy, it is recommended that the bitch be examined during pregnancy and just before giving birth to prevent possible health problems. If there are more than six newborns in a litter, the owners will need a lot of strength and patience to help the mother hatch and provide the conditions necessary for their survival.

The litter will need to be divided into two areas and newborns fed in two steps. It is recommended to set up two box or containers to separate the group. Sometimes, the bitch’s milk volume is not high enough to feed a large number of babies. In that case, you will need the help of a nurse dog who could take over some of the feeding responsibilities. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead in case the need comes up.

There are certain criteria for selecting a nurse dog:

• Height at withers more than 50 cm
• Strength
• Health
• Milk availability

It is important, to pay special attention to the weak and small puppies and place them against the rear nipples.

Monitoring of German Shepherd newborn puppies

You will need to closely monitor the behavior of newborns, weigh them daily and record the results in a log book. In doing so, you can track the evolution of the babies and identify those that may have development issues. In the first week, babies suckle their mother about twelve times a day, then the frequency drops to eight and in the final days it will go down to four times.

At first, the mother stimulates the physiological functions of the puppies by licking them. Once the German Shepherd newborn puppies begin to eat a little solid food, the mother stops doing it. Keep in mind that from that point on you will have to take care of the cleanliness of the birthing area where the bitch lives with her puppies.

If you notice that the mother does not really care for the babies, you will need to massage their abdomens. You can do so with a cotton swab dipped in sunflower oil. When the babies are five days old, the dog owner should start changing the litter in the box on a daily basis.

Make sure the area where the litter is set up is warm but well ventilated and that nothing can contribute to suffocation of the puppies such as fabric, attachments, etc.

On the seventh day, trim the small claws of the front legs as they can scratch the mother while feeding. If the case she has wounds, lubricate them with synthomycin liniment. The mother’s nipples may suffer from intensive feeding and they may start to dry and crack. In that case, wash them with a weak potassium permanganate solution, rosehip oil or sea buckthorn oil and make sure that she does not lick that area.

Feeding of German Shepherd newborn puppies

You can start feeding puppies once you notice a decrease in their daily growth, despite the fact that they become restless, whine and try to crawl. Appropriate timing is crucial as rushing the process is just as dangerous as delaying it.

If you start feeding too early, the mother will have less milk production, which is a source of vitamins and antibodies to various infections. In fact, breast milk is the best whey that protects droppings from all sorts of infections. In general, feeding can start around the fourteenth day.

In cases where the shepherd mother has problems with lactation, you can start on the twelfth day. You can give milk from a cow, sheep or goat by mixing egg yolk and powdered milk into it.

A bottle with a nipple is suitable as a feeding tool and the hole should be of such a size that milk does not pour out, but drips. The frequency of feeding in case of insufficient lactation in a bitch is every three hours and three times a day with normal lactation.

 

Learning to care for Shepherd puppies

A one-month old German shepherd puppy is not much different from its younger counterparts, but it is much larger. Its weight is from two and a half to four kg and height at the withers is from 19 to 21 cm.

Once the puppy starts eating solids, the diet should be optimally balanced. The young German Shepherd is growing fast and his food intake must be nutritious!

Meals should be provided at regular intervals with 6 meals a day being the optimal frequency. Then, gradually increase the amount of servings and decrease the number of meals. The main principle is that each meal should provide the shepherd puppy with the necessary complex of vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

One serving of food is usually around 200 g. Only select premium quality food for large dog breeds and make sure they contain all the necessary nutrients.

Alternatives to processed food are natural products cottage cheese, porridge with meat broth, grated vegetables, boiled eggs, boiled or raw minced meat.

Both approaches in their pure form have their advantages and disadvantages. Get the help of a dog nutritionist, if needed. Good luck!

German Shepherds are very loyal dogs and it’s quite normal that dog owners wonder about the lifespan of their canine companion. How long do German Shepherds live for? Find the answers below as well as tips to extend the life of your dog.

The loss of a dog is a huge blow to everyone in the family. After all, our German Shepherd friend has delighted us with his presence for a long time and has won our outmost respect. Shepherd dogs are not only faithful, but also wise, intelligent, wonderful guards and rescuers of people.

A huge number of publications are devoted to the exploits of these generous dogs. Undoubtedly, everyone wants such loyal dogs to live as long as possible and never stop to bring us quality companionship.

How long do German Shepherds live for?

The average lifespan of a dog, in general, is between 12 and 15 years old. However, it all depends on the size of the dog as the larger he is, the shorter the lifespan tends to be.

Unfortunately, German Shepherds fall in the larger dog breed category. Nevertheless, the normal life span of German Shepherds is between 10 13 years and in some cases it can can go up to 20 years, although this is certainly uncommon.

As an owner, you want to ensure your German Shepherd friend will live as long as possible. This means you will have to provide him with the best and most appropriate care throughout his life and in particular offer him a quality lifestyle, excellent nutrition and timely veterinary examination and vaccination. Therefore, the life span of a German Shepherd dog directly depends on the quality of …. the owner!

We realize that this is putting a lot of pressure on the dog owner but remember this: acquiring a canine companion comes with responsibilities. If you are not prepared to look after your dog, then don’t get one!

How long do German Shepherds live for? Influencing factors

Is it possible to extend the life of your dog and if so, how should you do it? Before acquiring a German Shepherd you should evaluate your resources and capabilities.

Nutrition

Think in advance of the kind of food you have to provide to your dog and the required budget because a dog’s diet plays a large role in extending his life span.

Every dog needs a proper diet containing all the vitamins and nutrients required for the proper functioning of his body. It is important to feed your dog with food of the highest quality, full of protein and other nutrients that contribute to keep joints, bones and ligaments in healthy condition. You should avoid cheap commercial food that contribute very little to the well-being of your dog. In that respect, it’s really important to dedicate an appropriate budget for your dog’s nutrition plan.

If you choose to give your German Shepherd natural food, then 70% of it should consist of raw meat. Boiled vegetables, cottage cheese, oatmeal can also be included in your dog’s menu. Up to two years old, a dog needs to consume vitamins as well. Get the advice of your veterinarian to confirm the type and dosage required.

Physical activity

German Shepherds need a regular, active lifestyle with plenty of physical activity. In preceding paragraphs, I alluded to the need to evaluate your capabilities. I was not just referring to finacial resources but also time available.

Your German Shepherd is not a couch potatoe that can be taken outdoors just to relieve himself. If your dog lives in a small apartment, then you should pay attention to his training regimen. Quite frankly, whether you have a small or bigger home, it does not matter all that much because the genetics of a German Shepherd make him a very active and energetic dog. Therefore, you need to take him outside for walks, play, exploration, etc. on a regular basis, ideally twice a day.

Mental activity

German Shepherd males that are somewhat inactive and cannot burn the excess energy may become overly excited, anxious, nervous and even aggressive! Don’t take physical activity needs of your German Shepherd lightly. They need to burn energy and not only be stimulated physically but also mentally. Going out to explore the outdoors is the answer.

Many dog breeds are easy to train to carry out different commands, but German Shepherds dogs have distinguished themselves by their mental acuity and ingenuity, so it is worth using the physical and mental resources of the dog for appropriate purposes. Got out and ask him to carry out tasks and give him responsibilities and challenges. German Shepherds love to take charge and accomplish things. Of course, don’t forget to appropriately reward your canine friend!

How long do German Shepherds live for? More thoughts on life expectancy

It has been proven that the life expectancy of German Shepherds living in a vast indoor and outdoor environment far exceeds that of those living in a small apartment. Again, we are not saying that German Shepherds should only be living on large properties but this highlights the fact that they need to go out for long walks, to run along a bike or play ball on a daily basis. They need the level of activity that will support a longer life expectancy.

If your dog lives on a farm or similar surroundings, please remember that he needs to go out for walks anyway. The sheer fact that the dog is living on a vast property and has to perform daily tasks does not eliminate the need for such physical activity.

The fact that German Shepherds are purebred dogs compounds the importance of providing him with a quality diet with vitamins and nutrients, appropriate care and proper physical activity. This will contribute to keep your four-legged friend German Shepherd away from diseases and of course extend his lifespan.

However, the genetics of a purebred dog brings a set of potential health issues and German Shepherds are no exception to that rule. Some of the common health concerns in German Shepherds are allergic reactions and skin diseases. We bring it up because there are easy, simple and effective preventive measures to take with your German Shepherd friend.

Make sure the ongoing vaccination protocol for your dog is monitored and strictly adhered to and his nutrition plan is kept up to date. When only natural food is part of diet, there are times when volvulus is observed in mature dogs are faced with volvulus. This is something to watch for as it may develop in a serious condition, that may go as far as requiring surgical intervention. Regular check ups at the vet is really a must.

Also, do not forget that a dog is most active at a young age. As he is getting older, he will tend to be more sedentary but he nevertheless requires physical activity. As aging sets your dog will need more attention and being in a prevention mode as opposed to a reactive one is really key. A dog’s long life is a tremendous luxury that requires patience, discipline and strength. Follow the above recommendations that will help you enjoy a longer time with your German Shepherd friend.

 

The reasons German shepherds being so famous are manifolds but the most glaring reason is how German Shepherds look. Be it their graceful color, thick coats, respectable and intimidating stature, and adorable pointy ears. This all gives a majestic look to our favorite dog breed. However, owners may have to deal with a German Shepherd floppy ears condition.

This is not an uncommon problem and while floppy Ears might look highly adorable, they can also affect your German Shepherd’s overall look.

Therefore, if your dog also has floppy ears, this article is just for you as we will explain all the possible reasons for German Shepherds having floppy ears. And to further help out our valued readers, we have also included some common ways through which you can get this problem sorted out.

It is Probably Nothing

Before we start telling you all the reasons that might result in your German friend having folded ears, it is better that you be aware of the fact that having floppy ears is as natural as it gets for German Shepherds. Therefore, you shouldn’t get extremely anxious if your pup has floppy ears.

Most likely than not, his ears will naturally straighten up as he grows older. German Shepherd ears typically start standing straight when they hit five months or around 20 weeks.

The reason for this to happen is that this is the same age when German Shepherds stop teething which is further caused by the strengthening of facial muscle. This further aids in the rigidity of ears which causes them to start standing straight.

All this is why we recommend our dear readers to wait for around five months before starting to get worried about their dog’s ears.

What Causes German Shepherd Floppy Ears?

Now coming to the fundamental question of what exactly causes German shepherd floppy ears. Unfortunately, there is no single culprit towards which we can point our fingers as there are multiple reasons that can contribute to German shepherds having floppy ears. Following are 3 common reasons.

Genetics

The dog pedigree plays a vital role in what kind of physical attributes your dog will exhibit. Dog genetics can ber defined as “the study of passing down characteristics from one generation to another.” Therefore, the reason for your pooch having floppy ears could simply be genetics.

If your dog has floppy ears, then it means that either one or both of his parents had the same attribute meaning that they also had floppy ears.

Therefore, professional dog breeders put great emphasis on the genetics of dogs that they decide to breed. This minimizes the risk of unwanted traits such as a floppy ear condition.

That’s why we recommend that our dog owners only get puppies from breeders who are professional, respected, and ethical.

Physical damage or injury

Ears are sensitive and this holds true for German shepherds as well. An injury can easily affect the stiffness of your dog’s ears.

This doesn’t mean that you should start keeping your dog from being active as you can’t stop dogs from … well … being dogs. All you can do to prevent this from happening is to keep an eye on your German shepherd while they are playing.

Make sure that they are not around any blunt obstacle or any other thing that can seriously injure them. Dogs also like to bite each other while they play and therefore you need to keep them from hurting each other ears to prevent any risk of injury.

That being said, dog owners need to understand that getting hurt is just part of the game for dogs and therefore, owners need to be prepared for any medical emergency. If you have a canine.

You should have basic knowledge of first aid to prevent your dog from having any permanent damage.

Owners should never pull, tug or twist their dog’s ears even while playing with them. Ears should only be touched in the form of soft pets that do not affect the overall shape of your dog’s ears.

German Shepherd Floppy Ears: Improper Nutrition

The essential thing that you can provide your dog to ensure excellent health is a quality nutrition plan. A dog with all of its nutritional needs fulfilled will surely be more healthy and fit than a dog that suffers from nutritional deficiency. Therefore, make sure that your

German Shepherd has all of his nutritional needs satisfied; otherwise, it can lead to several complications, including physical issues such as floppy ears.

The most common cause of nutritional deficiency in dogs is the use of poor-quality dog food. Many dog food brands don’t care about the health of your dog and to drive up profits, they make their dog food products from sub-par ingredients that are unable to meet your dog’s nutritional requirements.

Dog Owners should always pick premium quality food, full of protein content. It should be made from quality protein sources such as real meat.

Dog food must be free from any allergens and should have all the required essential vitamins. Finally, it should also have the recommended fat content for the well-being of your four-legged best friend. 

Solutions to German Shepherd Floppy Ears

Now that we have discussed possible causes of a German Shepherd floppy ears condition, you must be wondering what line of action you can act upon if your dog has floppy ears.

Well, no need to worry as there is a lot that you can do to help out your lovely pooch. Some of the ways by which you can help your dog overcome this problem are described below.

Use foam rollers gently and punctually. 

Weak cartilage structure is a leading cause of dogs having floppy ears. The outer structure of the ear is known as Pinna, and it is entirely made up of cartilage. To protect your dog from having floppy ears, you must make the cartilage structure of the Pinna as strong as possible.

You can find a number of ways to do it, including offering your pooch food high in calcium content, taping the ear, or massaging the ear.

The most effective way to make the cartilage structure of the Pinna stronger is by massaging the inner side of the ears with a foam roller. This will boost the cartilage forming filaments known as Collagen.

This, in turn, increases the density of cartilage present in the ear structure, which makes them stronger and sturdier. And in this way, using foam pillars to massage your dog’s ear can help prevent him from developing floppy ears.

Provide your dog with chew toys

German Shepherd floppy ears can also be caused by to weak muscles in the face and forehead region. These muscles are responsible for providing the ears with the required strength to remain standing straight.

Therefore, if these muscles get weak, your dog becomes highly susceptible to problems such as floppy ears. Therefore, you should make sure that your pooch has good muscle density.

A straightforward way to accomplish this is to provide your German Shepherd with the proper chew toys, as chewing can be a perfect exercise for his muscles. Muscles tend to break up during exercise, and eventually, when the muscle heals, it becomes bulkier and more robust than before.

That’s how muscle development happens all over the animal kingdom and therefore, the same goes for dogs. As the dog works on his chewing toys, the facial muscles will become more robust and this will promote rigid ears in your German Shepherd.