Guide to the German Shepherd
Brief info about your dog's breed, the German Shepherd:
Weight: Male 34-43 kg, Female 34-43 kg
Height: Male 64cm, Female 58cm
Energy level: Average
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Tendency to drool: Low
Tendency to snore: Low
Tendency to bark: Low
Tendency to dig: Low
Social needs: Medium
Intended for: herding, guard dog
Colours: Black with tan, red-brown, yellow to light grey markings. Solid black.
Health problems: Skin conditions, back and joint injuries
The German Shepherd is one of the most popular and well-known breeds. They are large, stately dogs bred to be guard and watch dogs. German Shepherds are often intelligent and easy to train, but it’s important to remember they are large, active dogs that love to be kept busy! They need daily exercise and mental stimulation to be at their best.
Grooming
The German Shepherd’s coat has a topcoat and undercoat that needs regular brushing and combing. The coat comes in two varieties: short or long. You only need to bathe or shower your dog if necessary, using a shampoo specially formulated for dogs.
Nail clipping
clipping
Of course, your dog’s nails need looking after! They should be clipped when needed, but we recommend not waiting too long – once a month might be enough. It’s better to trim a little and often than a lot and rarely. You’ll need to get your dog used to having its nails clipped from an early age. In our nail clipping course we share our best tips on how to do it!
Lameness
The German Shepherd is a large breed at risk of lameness issues. You can learn more about the different types of lameness and what to do if your dog is lame in this course. German Shepherds are also at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to both pain and mobility problems.
Skin problems
If you own a German Shepherd, you need to be aware that they’re at risk of skin conditions like allergies. Like us, dogs can be allergic to things in their environment or their food. Find out more about the different types of allergies and their symptoms here.
Weight control
The German Shepherd is a keen eater and will happily tuck into its own food as well as any leftovers from the dinner table. Try to keep an eye on what your dog eats to prevent them from becoming overweight. You can find out more in the weight control course. Being a healthy weight is important for your dog to feel its best!
Socialisation
Socialising your dog is important. Start practicing environmental training at an early age, allowing your dog to experience sounds and places they’ll encounter as adults. Find out more about socialisation and environmental training here. If you have a large dog, it’s also important to practice how they greet people without jumping up.
Lumps on Dogs
Especially as your dog gets a little older, there’s an increased risk of developing lumps, also known as neoplasms. A lump doesn’t necessarily mean your dog has cancer – there are both benign and malignant types. It’s important to detect malignant lumps early, as this often improves the chances of recovery. So, get into the habit of feeling your dog regularly. You can learn more about how to check your dog and the different types of lumps they might develop in this course.
