What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies<br /><br />German Shepherd puppies are intelligent easy to train and natural workers. They require lots of exercise and are awed by adventures.<br /><br />They naturally protect their owners, and so early socialization is crucial to teach them that animals and humans aren't threats. They can be afraid in unfamiliar environments.<br /><br />Eyes<br /><br />German Shepherds are usually brown-eyed however, they can also have blue eyes. This is because of a genetic variation that requires both parents to carry the recessive gene to allow puppies to have blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes does NOT indicate the health of the dog.<br /><br />In general German Shepherds have healthy eyes and no inherited illnesses are related to their eye color. However, they may be afflicted by a variety of health problems that are common to all dogs. These include epilepsy/seizures bleeding disorders, epilepsy, and immune-mediated disorders. These conditions can be avoided by using preventive screening methods.<br /><br />Blue eyes are not uncommon in other breeds of dog However, they are uncommon in purebred German Shepherds. In reality, it's usually a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder who is a strict adherent to breeding standards and practices. It is more likely the puppy is a mix breed that has an extensive amount of Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.<br /><br />Although it is a rare genetic mutation, it is not uncommon for German Shepherds to have one blue eye and one brown eye. This is a condition referred to as heterochromia. It could be a sign of a health issue in the dog.<br /><br />Another problem that is commonly encountered in German Shepherds is cataracts, which are characterised by the presence of opaque areas on the corneal surface or in the deeper corneal layers. They can result in loss of sight or hinder the ability to detect light. This is a condition that can be avoided by limiting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight, and encouraging it to spend more time inside. It can also be treated using prescription medications or a special pair of dog sunglasses.<br /><br />Ears<br /><br />When it is time to talk about the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are easily recognized. While the appearance of the ears is determined largely by genetics, it may be influenced by the environment and care. If your pup's ears seem to be floating or falling down, this is typically normal while he's teething. This phase usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks. At that time, he'll have the strength and capability to hold his ears for the duration of time. The outer layer of skin on the ear and the inner cartilage are joined by muscles that allow it to move.<br /><br />If the ear of your German Shepherd is always droopy, this could be a sign of an ear infection. Ear infections can cause swelling of the ear, and signs include itching, redness, swelling, odor, or discharge from the affected ear.<br /><br />You can avoid ear infections by maintaining your German Shepherd's ears clean. Bathing him too often can take away the natural oils which keep his ears healthy, so make sure to bathe him only as required. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than twice every 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.<br /><br />If one of your German Shepherd's ears is dropping it could be due to an ear mite problem. These tiny parasites are usually found outdoors, and they can cause swelling, irritation, itching and drooping in the affected ear.<br /><br />Taping the ears of your German Shepherd with a tiny piece veterinary or medical tape will encourage them to stand. This can be done with the help of an experienced dog trainer or veterinarian, and a lot of dogs will have their ears swollen within a matter of minutes after taping them.<br /><br />Coat<br /><br />The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that has an undercoat that is soft and fluffy and a thick outer layer. This breed sheds year-round and requires regular brushing to keep it looking the best. GSDs have an undercoat that is thick and soft, protecting the skin against the elements. The undercoat is covered by longer guard hairs, that are curly or straight. The length of guard hairs can vary between two inches and four and may also have feathering around the ears or chest, the bottom line, and back of thighs (panties). The long stock-coat is reminiscent of a wolf with tufts in the ears and feathers on the feet. Plush coats are a medium-length coat that is preferred for the show ring. They are a thicker and softer coat, with more feathering, than the stock coat.<br /><br />The GSD comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors that range from the classic black and tan that most people are familiar with to different shades such as blues, fawns and livers. <a href="https://entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de/">schäferhund welpe kaufen</a> , which features lighter and darker hairs that mix to create a wolf-like look all over the body, is another popular variation. Solid-color GSDs are also very common, as are GSDs with white markings.<br /><br />The GSD was also renowned for its strength, agility and stealth. This made it a great canine for military and police. Its loyalty and intelligence make it a good family dog. German Shepherds can be a large breed that is protective of its family however, they are also calm enough to get along with other animals, dogs and livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund, a form of protection that is designed to detect and deter criminal activity.<br /><br />Weight<br /><br />Puppy puppies are tiny and fragile at birth. They rely completely on their mother for food. Puppy's are still small and have a limited appetite, but they could grow to a significant size by the end their neonatal period.<br /><br />A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be open, curious and willing to make advances towards everyone and all things. He or she might play with other littermates but also choose one or two of them to be the most dominant. These behaviors are typical for the well-bred dog.<br /><br />After three weeks at which point you can feed your puppy solid food, such as raw ground meat. In general, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to eat this type of food quickly and are generally eager to get started.<br /><br />When your German shepherd is four months old, his or her rapid development should be over. He or she will then be concentrating on getting bigger and developing adult teeth. Dogs on a raw meat diet could be underweight, so it is important to ensure that they're getting enough calories.<br /><br />As an adult the German Shepherd is at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Certain dogs may exhibit symptoms like dragging their back of their feet or refusing to jump or climb stairs. Some dogs may suffer from multiple diseases and require treatment through medication, physical therapy or surgery.<br /><br />Another problem that can be a problem for German Shepherds is heart disease, especially the valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A veterinarian can detect these conditions by listening to the dog's heart using an stethoscope, and taking x-rays of the chest.<br /><br />Health<br /><br />German Shepherds can suffer from certain health issues like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and poor genetics. These ailments are exacerbated due to excessive exercise and weight gain. Buying your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and following a consistent food schedule and diet that avoids foods high in salt, fat, or sugar could help combat these issues.<br /><br />The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be rich in nutrients, and should contain ample protein and essential fat acids. Puppies require 10% fat in their diet to support rapid growth and development. They are also a key energy source, providing more than twice the energy content of proteins or carbohydrates. The composition of fatty acids in the diet should consist of comprised of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that come from flaxseed, fish oils and vegetable sources.<br /><br /><br /><br />Vaccinations are essential for the health of a German Shepherd puppy, especially against parvovirus and hepatitis. These vaccines will also protect your puppy from kennel-cough and other respiratory illnesses that may be caused by these diseases.<br /><br />The immune system of the German Shepherd is very sensitive. They are prone to allergies, especially to food items or flea bites. These can lead to gastrointestinal upset vomiting, nausea or weight loss. To prevent this from happening, feed your dog a high-quality food that is easily digestible, and avoid table foods human food, as well as treats that are high in fat or sodium.<br /><br />Cancer is a different issue that is a common occurrence for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor that can develop in blood-rich tissues like the spleen and the heart. Other cancers include lung, intestinal, and bone cancers. Lymphoma is a different condition that affects German Shepherds, specifically multicentric lymphoma, which causes the enlargement of multiple lymph nodes throughout the body.<br /><br />