“A dog is a man’s best friend” This saying has become a reality for many with their German shepherd. Although it is true that, around the world, there are many dogs suffering from being on the street, we also have to recognize the existence of organizations dedicated to their rescue and care, until they can find a family to adopt them.
In most cases, there is a home that wants to take in one of these abandoned animals and make them part of their family. It is then that both begin to enjoy loving feedback.
It is public knowledge that, depending on the treatment you give them, dogs can become very faithful pets. In fact, many films and documentaries have been made that illustrate the above.
Some have even gone so far as to give their lives to protect their masters. As if love were what guided the animal’s instinct. It is really moving to see to what degree these beings are capable of love.
Taking this into account, it is hard to believe how many have been and are mistreated, who would be capable of doing them so much harm?
An example of those who are willing to provide love, loyalty and protection are the famous German Shepherds. In fact, in some countries they are trained to be able to help others. All thanks to his noble and altruistic character.
Do you have a German shepherd as a pet? Would you like to have one? At this point you might ask yourself, what are German Shepherds like? Is it worth taking one home? How could we take care of it? What do we need to know about them?
We will be answering these and other questions, having full confidence that everything will be for your benefit and that of your pet.
Instructions for a German shepherd – Care, information and advice
The German shepherd, as its name indicates, comes from Germany. It is a relatively new breed of dog, but it is currently one of the most popular in the world. It is also known for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, which is why it is considered a working dog.
Since he is just a puppy, he has the ability to learn from everything in his environment. Even with only 2 or 3 months they can already begin to recognize basic commands. Therefore, if you want to train him, it is best that you do it when he is very young.
It is obvious that it is a large dog; it has a height of 65 centimeters, in the case of males, and 60 centimeters, in the case of females. Therefore, if you want to have one, it is recommended that you have enough space so that he can move comfortably without causing damage.
Although the characteristic color of their fur is black with brown, we can find German Shepherds completely black and even white. These are known as albinos. However, only those with a traditional coat color are accepted to participate in competitions.
In relation to his personality, the German shepherd is loyal, balanced, self-confident and with nerves of steel. These features make it a good companion at home.
Now, keeping in mind its particular characteristics, you must be vigilant and always keep clean and fresh water for it. The German shepherd is a dog susceptible to heat, so you should avoid exposing it to the sun for a long time and never forget to put water on it.
As for food, try to feed it with a quality feed. Since he is a large dog, the food you choose should be meat -based and not grain-based. You need a good supply of protein.
It is true that the German shepherd’s coat does not require special care. However, it tends to fall off a lot. For this reason, it is recommended that you brush it daily, in order to remove dead hair.
Although, in appearance, the German shepherd is a strong and athletic dog, due to indiscriminate breeding, its health has been affected. For example, it is very common for him to suffer from diseases such as hip or elbow dysplasia. In fact, he can present these difficulties while still very young.
To avoid this in your pet, you should constantly go to the vet to check his hip. Another thing you can do for his health, both physical and mental, is to keep him fit.
For this, he will need long daily walks and, as we have already pointed out, he needs enough space so that he can run and exercise, at least once a day. On the other hand, you will keep him well stimulated if you play with him or hold training sessions.
The German shepherd, although it grows, tends to maintain its playful character. So he will always be willing to play if you propose.
Having a pet involves much more than just feeding it, as you have already seen. For that reason, what do you need for its care? Perhaps you may feel self-conscious in view of its large size. But you don’t have to hold back.
What do you need for a German shepherd – Care, information and advice?
Just as if it were a person, German Shepherds also require certain special attention for their care.
As for his diet, you need to give him the right one for his age and size and it must be rich in animal protein. If you choose to give him homemade food, you should visit the veterinarian to tell you what you should include in his diet. On the other hand, even if he cries, avoid giving him the leftovers of your food. It could have certain ingredients, or seasonings, that affect your health.
You will also need to feed it several times a day. Therefore, you can divide your food into two or three small portions daily. Of course, after each meal, you should walk him to relieve him.
You can include sweets in your diet. But, hey! We are not talking about sweets. Dog treats have to be plant-based. Choose those that are low in calories so that you do not exceed your caloric intake, which should be between 5% and 10%.
Since water is vital to your German shepherd, you must give him access to water at all times. They generally consume a lot of water. For this reason, his cup must be large and deep enough so that he can insert his snout comfortably.
Make sure to clean your container frequently, to prevent it from contracting diseases, product of the larvae that can form in stagnant water.
For your hygiene you will only need the basics. An appropriate shampoo for your coat and a brush. Remember that it is important that you brush it daily. The way you should do it is to avoid having contact with the animal’s skin to avoid causing injuries.
It is not recommended that you bathe him more than a couple of times a month, as this could damage the natural oils of his skin and fur.
Now, physical training is vital. The German shepherd is not a sedentary dog. Therefore, you will need to have enough space. Make sure the patio is totally clear, free of anything that could represent a danger to him, since running is part of his natural training.
If you don’t have a large yard, then you should take it for a walk. The intention is that he can perform his daily exercises and burn energy. Otherwise, he might become depressed or destructive.
Also, you must have different toys such as plastic bones or disks, which you can throw so that he picks them up and brings them back. He will need you to dedicate 1 or 2 hours a day to carry out this type of activity, but avoid over-exercising him.
Finally, although it may not seem important to you, you need to love and give him a lot of affection. This is vital to developing a true and lasting bond with your dog. Give daily signs of affection such as caresses or hugs.
Don’t yell at him or hit him. They are obedient. It will be enough for you to give them a firm order so that they attend to your call.
Tips for a German shepherd – Care, information and advice
Taking care of your German shepherd goes beyond giving him a bath from time to time. You must carefully monitor some areas in order to always keep it healthy.
For example, the muzzle. Get him used to using a brush and special toothpaste for dogs from a very young age. Make sure to remove all food residues from the dog’s mouth. This way you can eliminate the presence of tartar or bad breath in time. Even other diseases that could cause complications and even the loss of some teeth.
You should also take care of their eyes, make sure they don’t have secretions or are red, since this is never a symptom that everything is normal. To clean them, a damp, lint-free towel will suffice. This cleaning is only occasional; it does not have to be frequent.
Ears and ears are very important. In fact, your ability to balance, orientation and hearing depend on hearing. Therefore, you should check them daily. If you notice a bit of wax, there is nothing to worry about as it is a completely normal process.
It will be enough for you to take a damp towel and clean only the auricle itself. Finally, you must dry completely since humidity favors the reproduction of bacteria that could cause serious damage to your German shepherd.
You should not overlook checking their legs. Since they walk on different types of terrain on a daily basis, it is very easy for their feet, and especially their pads, to be damaged.
When checking his paws makes sure there isn’t a lot of dirt between his pads. You should also check for any glass or wood splinters. See if the fur on their paws is too long.
You should also look to see if the pads are cracked. Check that you do not have embedded, between your fingers, pieces of branch or seeds. Last but not least, check the length of your nails.
To determine how long your German shepherd’s nails are, you should observe him when he is standing. The nails must not have contact with the ground. If it exceeds the length, then you will have to cut them. For this, a special clamp is necessary, since their nails are not the same as ours. When cutting his nails, try to keep him quiet to avoid possible accidental injuries.
It should be noted that if you notice any abnormality in your German shepherd, it is important that you take him to the vet without delay. Much more already knowing that he is prone to suffering from the chain.
To determine when to wear it, you should observe if it begins to walk differently or with difficulty. Remember that many things can be solved in time.
Having a German shepherd as a pet is having one more member in the family. If you see him that way, you will try to attend to his needs and take care of him on a daily basis. Do not let the exhausting routine of everyday life prevent you from enjoying their company. If you follow the advice we have given you, you can enjoy it for many years.
