Key Components For Outside Housing:
Made from strong, sturdy material that will not be damaged in high winds.As you can imagine, weak housing could potentially collapse or break with your German Shepherd inside! Thick timber or even a metal structure is ideal.
Weather-resistant.In order for your German Shepherd to stay warm, there cant be any wind and it must be completely waterproof. If the temperatures are subzero even a slightly cold draft will make it much harder for him to remain warm.
Not too big.If the housing is too big, your GSD will find it harder to keep warm. The housing needs to be large enough for him to move around, stand up and walk in and out. Avoid high ceilings to keep the warmth lower down and closer to your GSD. Cozy is good!
Provide flooring.This may have been obvious, but over the years I have seen many outside housing units that have no flooring just straight on top of the mud. Flooring is a crucial part of keeping the warmth inside, without it, the ground will absorb any heat instantly.
Provide blankets or hay.Providing warm soft bedding for your german shepherd is a must for them to keep their body heat to themselves. Without a blanket, their body heat will be drawn out of them into the ground. Blankets or even hay both work well.
Water.Last but not least, clean fresh water must be topped up before bedtimes.
Nanny Millie Keeps Warm With A Wonderful Coat Many Seniors Need Help Keeping Warm
Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep himand his furin tip-top shape. On the other hand, indoor dogs may get less exercise in the cold months, and will need fewer calories to avoid weight gain.
When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.
Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
Though we believe your dog should be inside and part of your family, if he does live outdoors or spend long periods of time there, he needs a dry, elevated doghouse with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out. .
Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
Delilah enjoys a soft blanket and warm fire in her foster home.
The Surface Area To Volume Ratio
We mentioned this a bitbefore, but according to research, large animals have a smaller surface area tovolume ratio. This is important because it helps them retain heat for longer.Smaller dogs are opposite with a larger surface area to volume ratio. Thismeans that smaller dogs will need to raise their metabolism rate to retainheat.
Since German Shepherdsare larger dogs, they can hold onto heat better. It is not uncommon to findthese dogs growing to 26 inches and weighing 90 pounds . Somedogs of this breed can grow bigger, which helps them to better handle coldtemperatures.
Don’t Miss: Names For A German Shepherd
Black German Shepherd In Snow
July 31, 2021 By Andrina Lima
Black German Shepherd in Snow is unique in all German dogs due to their distinctive features. Their advantageous features include loyalty, excellent friendliness efficiency. They are seen or found in different colors, but the most and likable color is black.
They back are erect, and the length of hairs on the body varies from species to species. Their whole body is double-coated, so this is a beneficial aspect of multiple life tasks, especially in the winter season.
Ways To Keep Your Dog Warm In Winter
Whether your GermanShepherd has a low cold tolerance, is young, old, sick, or underweight, it isimportant to keep them warm. A few things you can do to help with this include:
- Provide them a warm place to sleep. A comfy bed,like this Furhaven Pet Dog Bed,and some blankets will work nicely.
- Provide water. Hydration is important. Petsupplements with electrolytes may help improve muscle function when it gets cold.This DoggieWatervitamin and supplement is a perfect choice.
- Provide a healthy diet.
- Groom your dog often. Try to avoid the temptationto trim the hair when it is cold.
- Provide a dog Coat. An option like this SCPET Fog Winter Coatcan add an extra layer of protection when your dog needs to be in thecold.
Don’t Miss: 1 Month German Shepherd Puppies
Can German Shepherds Live In Texas
Yes, German shepherds can live in Texas.
Texass average temperature is cold, but it varies between 86-degrees Fahrenheit to 96.8-degrees Fahrenheit, and while it is not as high as Arizona, it is still hot.
The German shepherd can fend for itself slightly however, it is wise to take additional steps to ensure your dogs well-being.
With that said, Texas is also going through a heatwave. In this heatwave, parts of Texas have seen the temperature rise to 116-degrees Fahrenheit.
Texass winter season has a temperature ranging between 46.4 to 64.4-degrees Fahrenheit, which is good for the German shepherd to play and be mischievous.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way
If you havent trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether its barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs youll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog wont listen, youll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, thats given proven results. Not to mention the fact, youll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether theyre going to be well-behaved or not, youll only have to worry about how much fun youll have with them!
And in most cases its still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether theyll be naughty or not. Instead, youll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOURE NOT.
Read Also: When Does A German Shepherd Ears Stand Up
How Cold Is Too Cold For A German Shepherd To Be Outside
Temperature tolerance will be different between individual dogs but, generally, 40°F is already too cold for German Shepherds. Although they might tolerate it, they shouldnt be left in that weather condition for too long. At temperatures below 20°F , theyll likely suffer from frostbite and hypothermia.
When you have a GSD that loves snow, its almost cruel to keep them from playing outside. Besides, they benefit tremendously from the physical and mental stimulation.
However, when your dog extremely excited and too focused on play, they might not notice theyre getting too cold or they might not let you know that theyre getting uncomfortable. So, its important to know their limits, watch out for signs of discomfort, and take them indoors before its too late.
How To Keep A German Shepherd Warm In Cold Weather
Your german shepherd is going to do pretty well at keeping themselves warm. However, if its particularly cold, or youve got an elderly, sick or very young german shepherd, you may need to help them out a little bit.
Here are some of the best ways to keep them warm!
Get Them Some Dog Boots
Okay, not all dogs like these, but if yours does, theyre going to be great for the winter months! While your pups pads can keep the cold away for some time, eventually their little paws are going to become cold.
And remember, give your german shepherd time to adjust to their dog boots. My dog didnt like her boots at first, however, after about a week shed leave them on without a problem.
If youre not sure what boots to get, Id recommend these ones!
Keep Their Paws Trimmed
You may think that letting your germans shepherd grow the fur out on their paws is a good idea. However, its actually a lot better to make sure they stay trimmed.
When the fur between their paws is too long, ice and snow can get caught. This ice and snow will bring a lot of discomfort until it melts. Its going to be freezing cold and your pup isnt going to be able to get it out.
A Nice Doggy Coat
Not every german shepherd will need a coat. However, if you have a puppy or an older german shepherd, then a coat is definitely recommended.
They are going to help your pup hold in more heat, and theyre also less likely to be hated like dog boots are.
Something like this coat will work great.
Read Also: How Much Do You Feed German Shepherd Puppy
Do German Shepherds Overheat Easily
Walking or playing in the sun can overheat a dog really quickly, especially our German shepherds whose upper half is black. That dark pigment absorbs the sunlight and can make them hot rapidly. Also be mindful of the ground temperature and avoid walks on concrete or especially blacktop during the heat of the day.
Make Sure Your Gsd Puppy Gets Its Nutrients
A lot of german shepherd owners feed their puppies commercial dry dog food, canned wet foods or a combination of both. While others may prefer feeding them a home made diet. Raw diets are also becoming popular.
Whatever are your and your puppys preferences, you have to ensure that they get the right amount of nutrients.
The amount and type of food you have to feed depends on
- Your puppys age
- Your puppys weight and size
- Your puppys conditions
- Brand or quality of food
Remember not to overfeed or underfeed your GSD puppy. It can cause problems later on. Your best bet is to check in with your vet, and ask for diet recommendations.
Don’t Miss: Keeping A German Shepherd Indoors
Do German Shepherds Need A Haircut
Unlike other single-coated dogs, German shepherds dont require a haircut. In dogs with single coats such as Poodles and Yorkshire terriers, shaving is helpful for removing mats beneath their coat.
Again shaving is an important fashion procedure important to those dogs who take part in the dogs fashion show. For such dogs, the hair grows more quickly compared to that of the double-coated dogs like the German shepherd.
So, why is a German shepherds double coat important?
German Shepherds Are Strong
German Shepherds are the second most popular dogs and are favored for their power, intelligence and strength.
They are ranked number three in the world for their intelligence and are easily trained. They are used by police and military for their speed, strength and sensitive noses to track explosives, drugs and criminals.
Dog bite force is the level of pressure in a dogs bite. Its the strength inflicted on its victim. The more pressure, the more injury or damage to something or someone. Its measured by pounds per square inch . This method is used to determine force that a dog puts forth with his bite. Its the pressure released over a square inch of a pound.
The German Shepherds psi is 238. They rank 12th in the top 20 dogs with the strongest bite.
Don’t Miss: How Many Puppies Can A German Shepherd Have First Litter
Do German Shepherds Need Haircuts
The German shepherd is a popular dog breed with lots of attributes. This dogs intelligence, high energy levels, and loyalty have seen it rise in ranks to become a popular dog breed in the military and police departments. Besides these attributes, this dog is known for its shedding abilities. During spring and fall, this dog tends to shed the winter coat. More so, youll often find most people call this dog the German shedder.
With that, most German shepherd owners who are bothered with their dogs shedding get concerned whether its right to shave these double-coated breeds to minimize this shedding. And probably that is also one of your questions.
So, do German shepherds need a haircut to make them look good and reduce the shedding rate?
Contents
How Much Do Ddr German Shepherds Cost
German Shepherd puppies generally cost between $900 and $2,500 from a reputable breeder and from about $100 to $300 when adopting.
However, given the stringent selection and breeding requirements that go into the East German Working lines, you can expect these dogs to be at the higher end of the range with some breeders collecting much, much higher for each puppy.
For example, puppies from Kraftwerk K9 are sold at $6,000 to $7,500 each.
The price of a single DDR German Shepherd depends largely on the reputation of its breeder as well as its pedigree. Responsible breeders that dedicate themselves to preserving the best traits of their bloodlines spend plenty of money on proper care and health screenings.
Physical conformation, appearance, and general temperament could also affect the price of individual puppies.
DDR German Shepherds can also be purchased as adults that are already trained for a specific purpose. These dogs are much more expensive because of the amount of specialized work it takes to get them at a certain level of training.
For example, an East German Working line GSD trained for personal protection by Harrison K9 will typically cost $45,000 to $55,000 each.
Also Check: When Do German Shepherd Ears Go Up
They Have Adorable Ears
German Shepherds have adorable and amazing ears and one of the most famous things about the breed is how their ears are pricked up and alert. One of the cutest German Shepherd poses is when they tilt their head to the side with their ears sticking up! This usually happens when they are listening to something. However, their ears are not always upright. At the start of a puppys life, it can take anything from 8 weeks to 6 months for the ears to reach their upright position. By about five months if they are not upright, you can help them on their way by using tape, but this shouldnt be done too soon.
Things That Affect Your Dogs Ability To Handle The Cold
Each German shepherd dog is unique and treats the cold differently depending on a number of factors like their furr coats.
- Coat length. The jacket should hold on when you step out the door when the temperatures drop but dont forget that your dog has a built-in coat. The coat of a short-haired GSD, provides some automatic protection from mild cold weather.Then there are some long-haired cold-weather German shepherds, such as the double coated german shepherds, which are naturally adapted to deep winters.
- Body weight. Whales, polar bears, walruses and other cold-weather mammals increase cold-tolerance with body fat. While you may not want to pack your dog on pounds for this purpose, it is still true that a heavy dog is more comfortable in the cold than the same dog that weighs less.
- Color. Dark colors generally absorb light and heat, while light colors reflect it. So dogs with a black or brown coat are a little warmer than dogs with a white or grey coat.
- Age. Older dogs may be less able to control their body temperature and may not tolerate cold weather. And dont forget to protect your puppies too!
- Size. Puppies find it very difficult to create and capture their body heat, so they can cool down more quickly than large dogs.
- Height. Small species are close to snow and cool very quickly.
Also Check: Husky German Shepherd Mix For Adoption
Do German Shepherds Get Cold
Yes. Just like any other breed, German Shepherds do get cold. But thanks to their robust bodies and double coats, they tolerate low temperatures better than most breeds. In fact, many GSDs love playing in snow.
Nevertheless, they can also get too cold and its critical that you understand how they cope with chilly weather in order to protect them and keep them from freezing.
Temperature German Shepherd In Cold Weather
Generally, a temperature below 20 degrees Fahrenheit is dangerous for every dog. So it would help if you learned the tolerance level of your germans shepherd. They are social dogs, but they dont live more than 8 hours in cold, chilly weather.
This article explains how germans shepherd tolerates a severe weather condition or which features make german shepherd warm in snowy weather.
Read Also: Best Harness For German Shepherd Puppy
Their Age And Health Is Important
Their overall health, as well as their age, will have a big say on whether or not sleeping outside is appropriate. Its not recommended for senior German Shepherds to sleep outside. As older age sets in they become more vulnerable to many health issues. Sleeping outside, especially if its cold weather isnt an old mans game so to speak. The same goes for very young puppies. Puppies are just as vulnerable, if not more vulnerable than old GSDs. Puppies will not be physically strong enough to support themselves or even each other if made to sleep outside in cold weather. Until physical maturity at around 1 year old, puppies will be better off indoors.The same rule applies when talking about existing health issues. Sleeping inside is a must.
This is original content produced and published by The Puppy Mag | www.thepuppymag.com