German Shepherd Puppyhood Lasts Longer Than You May Think
First-time German Shepherd owners are often very surprised to learn that a large breed dog like the German Shepherd can continue growing for 24 to 36 months.
An adult German Shepherd dog may weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds and stand anywhere from 22 to 26 inches tall .
That is a lot of growth that needs to get done. Growing too fast can put pressure on a GSD puppys growth plates, bones, muscles, and ligaments, causing a painful condition called panosteitis .
For this reason, genetically speaking, it is advantageous for a large breed puppy to grow in spurts, spacing it out over time.
German Shepherds that will be in the lower weight/height range as adults often these are female GSDs but not always may finish all their growing by 18 to 24 months.
But the biggest German Shepherds that will grow to 90+ pounds and stand to the full height of 26+ inches may continue growing for up to 36 months.
This is important to know because you may see your dogs coat color, texture, and consistency changing quite a bit throughout the whole growth cycle.
Most Popular German Shepherd Colors
When most people think of the German Shepherd, they bring to mind the common black and tan color. But did you know there are actually a variety of different German Shepherd colors?
The German Shepherd is one of Americas most popular dog breeds, and there are a number of reasons why. Alongside being a loyal and wonderful family companion, the German Shepherd makes an excellent working dog and has exceptional versatility. These dogs are known for being guide dogs, police and military dogs, herding dogs, search and rescue dogs and drug detection dogs!
These pups are strong and muscular and they love to stay active. They are best brought up with a family who likes to exercise so they can join in the fun, otherwise they can become bored and frustrated when not kept entertained. Their personality can be a little aloof and they can be wary of strangers, but when raised correctly this breed is extremely loving and even gets on well with children!
German Shepherds are a medium to large breed of dog. A male will weigh between 75 and 95 lbs, while a female will weigh between 50 and 75 lbs. While they can be prone to some health issues, the German Shepherd has an average life expectancy of between 10 and 14 years.
A German Shepherd has either a medium length or long coat, but did you know that this coat could come in thirteen different colors? Read on below to find out more about this wonderful breed and the different German Shepherd coat colors.
Your Black Shepherds Grooming Schedule
The amount of times you need to brush their coat depends on the length. If your Black Shepherd is sporting a long-haired look, you need to comb them once a day. If they have the medium-length, you can do it two to three times a week.
For their bath time, once every month or two is enough. Its best to bathe them only when necessary since too much will dry their skin.
This canine is also prone to ear infection, so make sure to check and clean their ears;once or twice a month.
While youre at it, trim their nails once a month to make sure none of your furniture or loved ones gets hurt.
To maintain their German Shepherd look, take them to the groomer twice or thrice a year for a haircut and general cleaning.
Do Black German Shepherds shed?
Yes, black or regular German Shepherds do shed. They are heavy shedders whatever the season. You still have to watch out for spring and fall since they blow their undercoat. Its best to have a vacuum ready to save your family from swimming in hair.
Some say long-haired German Shepherds shed less. But whichever coat they get, they are not hypoallergenic.
Aside from the shedding, these dogs can easily adapt to different environments and climates.
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Black German Shepherd Female: The Definitive Owners Guide
August 20, 2021 By Andrina Lima
Black German Shepherd female;is a;breed that is beautiful as well as intelligent. This breed is a beauty with a brain. The myth that its black color is due to a mixed-race defect is incorrect. It has proven over time that the black color is due to the recessive genes found in both parents.
Black German Shepherd female;inherits the same characteristics as a Standard German shepherd does. If you want to know the appearance, size, temperament, price, and health issues of Black German shepherd females, read below:
What Color Are German Shepherds When They Are Born
German Shepherd puppies are born black, gray, and white, though their coat will take up to eight weeks to change into its final color. Generally, a puppy that is born black will stay black. However, their coats final color will depend on what genes interact with the pigments eumelanin and phaeomelanin.27 Sept 2020
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A Great Addition To The Family
Black German Shepherds may look aggressive, but they are very loving and friendly. These loyal hounds are great family dogs and will fit in with different types of household.
They are known to be funny, which is a trait that helps them get along with children or teenagers. The Black Shepherd can also have a soft spot for cats or other pets when provided with socialization training during their puppyhood.
Look at this amusing YouTube video of a Black German Shepherd doing a head tilt at the sound of a crying baby:
However, these dogs are aloof, and because of their watchdog nature, they will be wary of people they dont know.
Like All German Shepherds They Are Prone To Health Problems
The German Shepherd breed can, unfortunately, suffer from numerous health issues. The number one concern for this breed is hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. This condition occurs when the ball and socket joint is malformed and can result in arthritis or even lameness. This can be helped by maintaining a healthy weight in your dog. Other potential health problems include:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
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Things You Didnt Know About The Black German Shepherd
The Black German Shepherd is a pure German Shepherd and doesnt qualify as a separate breed, but it stands out because of its color 100% black. The Black German Shepherds are very rare, and for that reason, their price is much higher, you can expect to find a Black Shepherd puppy around $700 to $2000.
Stay with me and find out 7 things you didnt know about this black beauty.
Read also:
Black German Shepherd Puppies:
Lets look at some questions and answers for new German Shepherd owners.
Do black German shepherd puppies stay black?;;yes. Sometimes you may see a black one that has a little brown in their color, thats known as a black and tan. If you see a dark brown that would be a black sable color.
Are all German Shepherd puppies born black?; Yes. All puppies are born black and will stay black throughout their adulthood. This is a must-have) Both parents must have the recessive gene for solid black to appear in the litter. My German shepherds females carry the solid black and Black and Tan, and my Male is Dark Black Sable. This is why we get a lot of good mix of both colors in our puppies.
5 week old Black Female puppy.
5 weeks old. Black sable male puppy.
How long does it take for a Black German shepherds ears to stand up?;;Anywhere from 10 weeks to 14 weeks of age, the ears will start to stand on their own.
How much does a German Shepherd cost?;;Anywhere from 1500.00 hundred and up. My puppies sell for 1800.00 each. Every breeder is going to charge a different price because of their dogs bloodlines. This is important for you to understand before you buy a German Shepherd Puppy or adult trained German Shepherd dog.
Is a German Shepherd a good family dog?;;Yes, only if theyre raised and trained properly, keep ready below.
Male is Dark Black Sable.
Dennis.
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Black German Shepherd Breeders
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous Black German Shepherd breeders who are in it just for the profit. This invariably means that they are less concerned about the quality of the dog, and the puppies can have health problems.
If they are a reputable breeder, they will be able to show you the history of the puppys parents and detailed information on their health.
Lucky for you I have done a bit of research myself on trustworthy Black German Shepherd breeders and am going to share the fruits of my labor.
Firstly, you can check out what puppies are available on AKC Marketplace, where you can search by breed, see pictures of the puppies and read about the breeder.
And here are some reputable German Shepherd breeders who breed Black German Shepherds, all of whom are registered with the AKC:
The Alleles And Chromosomes
Genes contain pairs of alleles, one of which descends from each parent.
Alleles are located on a chromosome.
When dogs are breeding, both mother and father randomly bestow their offspring with one allele each. This process provides a 50% chance that parent dogs could pass on each allele to a litter of puppies. The result of alleles is that one comes out dominant.
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Experience Level For Owning A Black German Shepherd
We only recommend these dogs for experienced dog owners. Preferably, you should have owned at least one dog before. It is recommended that you have some experience with more active dogs, as well. A Shih Tzu isnt going to do much to prepare you for a German Shepherd.;
These dogs are quite active and tend to be high-energy. Without the appropriate amount of exercise, they can easily become destructive. In fact, most of the destructive behavior associated with a German Shepherd is due to a lack of stimulation.;
German Shepherds require extensive training as well, so it is best if they have a handler that has previously trained dogs. They are quite easy to train, so you dont have to be an expert by any means.;
If youre interested in owning a German Shepherd, we highly recommend taking your time to consider just how much work these dogs require. They will take up a few hours a day as puppies and require as much as an hour or two of exercise alone. These arent dogs for the casual dog owner.
Male Vs Female German Shepherd/whats The Difference Between The Two
Firstly, lets look towards the similar points of a male and female german shepherd. Both genders require lots of exercise, training, guidance, and socializationthe difference between the male and female german shepherd due to its breed.
In physical appearance:
The size of the male german shepherd is bigger than a female german shepherd. Moreover, the chest of the male german shepherd is also more profound than that of a female german shepherd. In addition to this, the male german shepherd has a strong muscular body, bigger head, and bones than the female GSD.
In Characteristics:
Generally, both dogs are active, loyal, confident, and having a guarding characteristic. Moreover, the male dogs are more decadent, bold, and aggressive than a female german shepherd. On the other hand, female GSD is more reactive as compared to male german shepherd dogs. At the same time, male GSD is more possessive.
In personality:
If we compare both breeds in personality, then both sexes are groom equally. According to a survey and research male, GSD is more dominant than female black GSD.So not a big difference between the personality of the two sexes.
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What Does The German Shepherd Breed Standard Say About Coat Color
After watching the videos in the previous section here, you may be understandably curious about how the official purebred German Shepherd breed standard addresses all of this coat color variation!
This is especially the case if you are planning to breed your GSD puppy or you want to enter your German Shepherd into dog shows. But even if neither of these is of interest, it is still neat to learn more about all the purebred coat colors.
Recommended reading:
According to the American Kennel Club , these are the coat colors that are permissible for German Shepherd dogs in the show ring:
- Bi-color
- Liver
These are all approved show-ring standard coat colors in case you want to show your GSD.
But is there any way to know for sure what coat color your GSD puppy will have when they grow up? Lets find out!
Fascinating Facts About The Black German Shepherd
The black German Shepherd is more than just a gorgeous color variation of one of the worlds most coveted canines. In fact, this rare and intelligent purebred is also a loyal companion and service dog.
And while there is a lot we know about German Shepherd dogs in general, there is still much to learn about the black German Shepherd color variation.
If youre curious about this beautiful dog, youve come to the right place. We are covering 11 facts you probably didnt know about the Black German Shepherd.
Lets get started
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Black German Shepherd Personality
Despite some rumors, black German Shepherds arent considered to be an aggressive breed. While they are protective and trained to become excellent guard dogs, most are simply loyal to the core and very courageous.
If you train and socialize them from puppyhood, they can even become amazing nanny dogs. Theyll do well with children and theyll watch over them all the time. In the end, all German Shepherds consider taking care of their pack as their full-time job, and this is what theyll gladly do.
Black GSDs will take some time getting used to strangers, and theyll gladly alert you if someone new is in the house.
However, they wont be aggressive, and if they notice that the new person smells like you, then theyll probably be friendly right away. When a German Shepherd becomes your friend, hell stick with you to the end.
Unfortunately, this family-friendly temperament has its downsides. They are prone to separation anxiety, and they hate being left alone, even for a short period of time. This can make them express some destructive behaviors.
Because of this, they are not the best fit for people working long office hours.
Black German Shepherds are smart dogs that might want to do things their own way. This can make them somewhat challenging for first-time dog owners.
Not Every German Shepherd Described As Black Is All Black
If you contact a breeder to reserve an upcoming black German Shepherd puppy, you might want to stress that you mean a solid black German Shepherd. As it seems, the term black German Shepherd is not exclusively used for those with a solid black coat. Some people will speak of black German Shepherds to refer to any dog that has black fur somewhere on their coat, including all these variations:
- Black and tan coat
- Black with few patches of brown or red
- Black completely mixed with brown/red
- Black and white/grey coat
Additionally, the term black German Shepherd has been used to differentiate the type of black German Shepherds in historical lineages of the breed, even though their coats are either solid black or bi-color. Here are some of the types.
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Do Black German Shepherds Have Health Issues
A big misconception revolving around the black German Shepherd is that they have health issues because the color is seen as a fault.
This couldnt be more wrong because black German Shepherds are the same health-wise as any other species color.
While the species is known for certain health issues, the issues have nothing to do with the black color.;
Another misconception is that black German Shepherds have different temperaments. This is also another myth.
These dogs have the same temperament as the standard variety: loyal, friendly, active, alert, and intelligent.
While they can be aloof at first, they will quickly warm up to you as you bond with them.;
For a complete overview of black German Shepherds, we have an excellent article for you right here:
What Should The Black German Shepherd Be Eating
Feed your dog two cups of premium-quality dog food per day. An adult Black Shepherd needs 20 calories per pound of its weight.
For the younger ones, provide four cups of puppy food to ensure proper growth.
When looking for a brand or type, choose a dog food that contains fat and protein since its essential for the development of this breed.
Black German Shepherds need a high-protein diet to help with their muscle growth and recovery. The fat provides energy and makes their coat look healthy.
Since each dog has its own nutritional needs depending on their health, metabolism, and activity levels, theres no harm in asking your veterinarian.
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Black German Shepherd Exercise And Training
As mentioned before, black German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs. This can make them effortless to train, or it can make them nearly impossible to train.
To make sure that you can train your GSD without too much hassle, make sure you start with training while they are still puppies.
Positive reinforcement is the key to a well-trained black German Shepherd. Give them their favorite treats whenever they do as you say. If you worry about them getting obese, then give them some healthy alternatives from your kitchen such as peppers, fig newtons, or brussels sprouts.
Praise your GSD for every little thing they do right, and pet them. Tell them how good they are and be happy for them. Black German Shepherds can feel when you are happy, and theyll know to appreciate that.
Introduce them to many new things and people from an early age. If you keep them as house pets, take them to dog parks right after they get their vaccines, and call guests over so they can get used to new people. If your black GSD is a working dog, introduce him to loud machines, hats, farming animals, and other equipment.
Dont forget to introduce kids to your black German Shepherd puppies. Dogs can find kids annoying, so they need to get used to them from an early age. Dont tolerate any bad behavior, especially around children.
The same goes for crate training. Crates can be a dogs safe space, but they need to get used to them early on.