German Shepherd

Coat

The German Shepherd has a semi-long, well laid-back coat. Their colors can vary greatly from black with brown, golden, yellowish and grayish markings. A trademark of this breed consists of the black coat that covers the animal's back, as if it were a cape, so they are also known as Black Cape German Shepherd in Brazil. They shed a lot and throughout the year, so daily brushing is essential to remove dead hair. A vacuum cleaner around the house will also be very welcome. When it comes to shedding, German Shepherds do shed a lot especially during autumn season and "blows' their hair at least once. There is no magic solution to solve this problem apart from regular brushing. Also, if you bathe these dogs too much, it can strip of the natural oil off from their skin. So owners need not bath their German Shepherd unless it is really required

Recommended Treats for German Shepherd

Best Dog Food For German Shepherd

German Shepherds are dogs who needs a protein rich diet consisting of 18-22% protein. They can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits and vegetables. Yet, owners need to ensure that these dogs have the right balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals and fibre for optimal health. The amount of calories which German Shepherds consume depends completely upon their activity level and life stage. For newborn German Shepherd puppies, mother's milk is absolutely essential for getting their nutrients for proper growth. If by any chance mother's milk is not available, German Shepherds can be fed powdered milk every 2-3 hours of day or nearly 8 feedings a day. For puppies having an age between 2 months to 2 years, their diet should primarily consists of high protein and decent carbohydrate and fat content. This is because puppies exhibit high curiosity levels and hence they have a high energy requirement. For adults, they need a protein rich diet as they too lead an active lifestyle. Besides, their diet should contain Omega fatty acids for supporting excellent bone and joint function. As for Senior German Shepherd Dogs, it is advisable to feed them a diet having low protein and fat content as they are little exposed to obesity.

Grooming Your German Shepherd Dogs

German Shepherds are heavy shedders and possess a thick double coat that needs regular brushing and grooming. These dogs shed the most during the onset of winters as they develop new coats to stay warm. This is the time they need thorough care of their skin and coat. German Shepherd also needs a little amount of skin attention during which you will find an increased shedding and is called ‘blowing out’. They must be groomed twice weekly and have their coats raked during shedding season to eliminate tick and flea infestation. When it comes to bathing, these dog's doesn't need to bathed unlike other large breed dogs. This is mainly because they have double coat and washing them too often can lead to strip away the natural oils in their skin, which eventually will make their skin dull. Hence, they only need to bathed once every 3-4 months.