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Are German Shepherds Short Haired Dogs

Grooming A Long Haired German Shepherd

Long Haired German Shepherd vs. Short Haired: Fast Facts For Prospective Pet Owners

Long haired German Shepherds shed. A lot. These dogs will shed more than the short haired variety. They will also have more coat matting because of the silky texture and length of their hair. Because of this they will need a lot of grooming.

Expect to brush these dogs at least three times a week.

A long haired German Shepherd sheds so much that you will definitely need to constantly be picking up after their loose fur with a vacuum all over the house. While they shed all year long, their shedding is the heaviest during the Spring and Fall.

To start grooming, use a metal brush that has long teeth to get all the way down and untangle the knots. Make sure to work through the knots and matted hair gently. Each brushing session should last for between 10 to 15 minutes to remove all of that dead hair.

If you have a single coated German Shepherd, then be especially careful.

Some people think that because these dogs do not have an undercoat they are easier to groom. But that is actually not true. They have delicate fur as they do not have an undercoat. Brushing roughly with a metal brush could irritate their skin.

Sometimes people decide to trim their long haired German Shepherd to avoid knots and matted hair. The best places to trim their coats are behind the ears, the back of the legs and the bushy tail. Whether you should trim your dogs coat or not is up to you.

Completely shaving your German Shepherd is not recommended.

How Big Is A Full Grown German Shepherd

The long-haired German Shepherd is surprisingly very similar to its short-haired counterpart, despite looking quite different. They share the same general body shape and size, which means that you wont have to worry about making any extra space. The average height of a long-haired German Shepherd is 55-65cm and they usually weigh in at 22-40kg, making it a medium size dog that would fit well into any average size home.

Living With Pet Allergies

Around 10-20% of the population have allergies to dog hair. Specifically, the proteins that dogs secrete through their dander, which release into the atmosphere when they shed their fur. Symptoms include sneezing and coughing, a runny or congested nose, facial pressure, pain, and swelling, and eye, nose, and throat irritation.

Doctors can diagnose pet allergies through skin and blood tests. If you want to try and reduce your symptoms, try to keep your home as clean as possible with regular vacuuming and laundering of soft furnishings. You could use impermeable covers for your furniture, or invest in a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner to prevent dander from catching and sticking to things in the home.

Medical treatments for pet allergies include immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots, steroid and antihistamine nose sprays, and antihistamine pills. There are also things you can do to reduce your dogs shedding.

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What Are Double Coated Breeds

Dog breeds that are double coated include Huskies, Collies, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shiba Inus, Australian Cattle Dogs, Corgis and Beagles. This type of coat requires more maintenance than smooth and short coats to maintain the condition and you should brush your dog regularly throughout the week.

The White German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherd Puppy by Grunwald Haus #GermanShepherd ...

The white German Shepherd Dog has endured a long and difficult battle to earn its place as a purebred dog breed worldwide.

It takes a deliberate and consistent breeding strategy to reliably produce all white German Shepherd puppies.

Historically, white puppies would sometimes pop up amongst a litter of puppies bearing the more common black and earth tones.

Breeders often didnt know what to make of these white puppies, and some assumed the white coloration denoted a weaker dog.

During World War II Hitler himself decided white was not a proper German Shepherd coloration.

Efforts began to erase all traces of white coat genes, but thankfully this didnt catch on in many places outside of Germany.

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Are There Different Types Of German Shepherds

Officially there’s only the one breed. But I explained in the Temperament section that there are different lines of German Shepherds with different temperaments. Those lines can also LOOK very different from each other.

Show lines

Those of us who admired the strong, noble look of German Shepherds from decades ago are saddened at what has been done to the appearance of modern show dogs.

If you go to a German Shepherd specialty show in the United States or Canada, you’ll see tall narrow bodies, long narrow heads, and such excessive curvature of the rear legs that the dog’s back slopes downward from shoulders to tail. You could roll a ball down that back.

In my opinion, these are misshapen caricatures of a German Shepherd. To make matters worse, show lines produce more than their share of spooky and low-intelligence dogs, which is what happens when you over-focus on appearance rather than temperament and trainability.

In contrast, the West German show line has a more normal shape. Best of all, German Shepherds in West Germany cannot win show ring ribbons or be bred without passing a temperament/trainability test.

There are many West German bloodlines in the United States. So if you’re interested, you can look for show breeders who emphasize West German lines instead of American/Canadian.

Just be aware that these dogs aren’t couch potatoes: they do have plenty of energy and some working drives that will need to be exercised.

Working/protection lines

Pet lines?

White Swiss Shepherd Dog

This gorgeous breed is quite closely related to the German Shepherd. In fact, you could argue they are one in the same.

The White Swiss Shepherd dog descended from White Shepherds in the 1960s.

Because of their striking difference in appearance their variety was given a different breed name. However, they soon gained popularity in the US, Canada, and Switzerland.

While they share many of the characteristics of a German Shepherd, it is generally said the White Swiss Shepherd is a little bit better behaved. They tend to be more eager to please. However, they may also be more sensitive, and do not respond well to scolding.

Read Also: What Colors Do German Shepherds Come In

How To Groom A Long Haired German Shepherd

The long hair of this dog means that there is a lot of extra grooming that youll have to do compared to a standard German Shepherd. If youve never seen the amount of hair that a long-haired German Shepherd sheds, you may be in for a bit of a shock. After a full brushing youll be left with what looks like another dog on the floor, so be sure not to leave it too long between brushes.

Because of its length, your dogs hair can easily become matted and sticky if left uncleaned and ungroomed. This means youll need to keep on top of your poochs grooming schedule and make sure they’re brushed regularly to avoid irritation and overheating from a build-up of fur.

Long-haired German Shepherds constantly shed their fur so you may want to invest in a decent vacuum cleaner as youll be using it a lot. We all know how dog hairs have a habit of getting everywhere so make sure you have plenty of lint rollers to hand so you can de-fur your clothes before you head out.

As well as brushing your pooch its important to maintain well-trimmed nails, so regular manicures are vital. There are many health benefits to keeping your long-haired German Shepherds nails neat and trimmed. It can be an awkward task if youve never done it before so be sure to check out our guide above.

What Coat Type Do German Shepherds Have

German Shepherd Puppies – 1 month old – Working Line – Short Haired – Original Breed

German Shepherds have two coat types long-haired and short-haired. The short-haired variety is more common. Their fur tends to be around 1 inch long, whereas long-haired Shep coats can reach 2 inches or more in length. There is also a coat type known as plush coated German Shepherds, which is sort of a mix between the two, although this is not officially recognized by the AKC.

Both long and short-haired Sheps have thick double coats consisting of a soft, insulating undercoat and a coarse topcoat with straight fur. Their thick coats helped them to stay warm when guarding livestock throughout the night the job they were originally bred to do.

Short-haired German Shepherds tend to have thicker undercoats with thinner topcoats, and long-haired Sheps have it the other way around. That said, some long-haired Sheps lack an undercoat altogether.

The German Shepards appearance is instantly recognizable they are predominantly a mixture of black and tan, although they can be several different colors, including all-black, sable, and cream. Common markings include black on the muzzle, ears, neck, back, and tail. Their fur tends to be softer and feathery on the chest, legs, backend, and tail. Long-haired Sheps also have a large neck rough, and short-haired Sheps may have a slight one.

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Can Coat Type Affect Temperament

Interestingly, long-haired German Shepherds are known for having a better temperament than short-haired ones. Not to say that short-haired Sheps have a bad temperament, but long-haired ones are generally known for being gentler and friendlier.

This is due to short-haired Sheps being genetically closer to their ancestors. The original German Shepherd dogs were short-haired, which means that the genetics of long-haired Sheps have been diluted to create the long-haired gene. So, short-haired German Shepherds have more working DNA in them than long-haired Sheps, making them a little rougher around the edges.

Top Best Answers To The Question Are German Shepherds Short Haired Dogs

German Shepherds have essentially two lengths of hair Both dogs are the same breed, and while a short-hair German Shepherd is the only type of German Shepherd accepted in kennel clubs in the United States and much of the world, both short-haired and long-haired dogs can be purebred German Shepherds.

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Are german shepherds short haired dogs?» often ask the followingquestions:

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Whats The Difference Between A Short

Short-haired German shepherdLong-haired German shepherd

The major difference between the variation in these two types of shepherd is obviously the coat length. A standard German shepherd has a thick, medium-length coat that may appear slightly longer around the neck and rear legs.

Meanwhile, a long-haired German shepherds hair hangs or flows unnaturally from the body and may appear wooly or wavy in texture. There may also be a difference in the undercoat which well discuss later on.

Should You Buy A Short

Beautiful Short Haired German Shepherd Puppies

This dog breed is not for everyone. Before getting a German Shepherd with short hair, you need to have sufficient information so as not to get disappointed in the future. In fact, even the puppies can be too large to handle and can exhibit an ill-tempered demeanor. Issues like shedding, noise level, gentleness are some of the things we want to share with you to better understand one of the all-time popular dog breeds.

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Is A White German Shepherd Rare

Recessive sounds rare, right?

And to a degree, that is correct.

In the wild, recessive traits are frequently rare.

Only two white German Shepherds are certain to have a litter of all white German Shepherd puppies.

But its also possible that two non-white GSDs can produce a small proportion of white puppies is a litter, if they both carry the white gene.

And of course, GSDs are not wild dogs.

A careful breeder who understands German Shepherd coat color genetics can reliably produce a litter of white German Shepherd puppies by mating two white German Shepherd dogs.

So in reality, the availability of white German Shepherd Dogs is a matter of supply and demand, fashion, and the GSD-owning communitys preference.

How To Train A Long Haired Gsd

Training this breed is usually quite straightforward.

German Shepherds are very smart and are always eager to please their owners. Because of this they pick up on new tricks very quickly.

Positive reinforcement is always recommended for training a German Shepherd.

These pups love to make their owners happy so they will respond much better to praise than punishment. They are also very food oriented so treats will be a very helpful tool for you during training. Just make sure to not overfeed them or you may upset their sensitive stomach.

Because of their intelligence it is important that you stop your pup from getting bored.

If these dogs do not get the mental workout they need each day then they will likely chew things around your home or may dig holes in the yard.

Puzzle toys and Kongs are a great way to keep them entertained for hours.

You should also socialize these dogs from a young pup.

Whilst this Long Haired pooch is known for being more outgoing than standard German Shepherds they can sometimes be a little aloof with strangers or other dogs if they do not receive early socialization. If you introduce them to many people and dogs early on in their life then they should have no problem being kind and friendly towards everyone they meet in the future.

Read Also: How Many Babies Do German Shepherds Have

Where Can I Buy A Short Haired German Shepherd For Sale Or Adopt A Short Haired German Shepherd

You can adopt from a short haired German Shepherd from shelter or rescue centre, or buy from a breeder.

It is encouraged to adopt as a first priority because there are so many loving and sociable dogs that are looking for a caring owner and loving home.

Good breeders that care about their dogs can be hard to find, but they are out there.

Breeders that have short or medium length coat studs and dams are more likely to have short haired German Shepherds available.

But, shorter haired GSD parents can produce long haired offspring and vice versa.

When looking at buying or adopting a GSD, have a read of these guides first:

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Home » Breed Info » Short Haired German Shepherd: 7 Things You Want To Know

Do Short Haired German Shepherds Shed Much

Long Haired German Shepherd Makeover | Beautiful Dog

Compared to other breeds, German Shepherds shed a lot especially when they blow their coat between certain seasons.

Short haired GSDs also might seem like they shed a lot more than longer coat GSDs because loose hairs arent as likely to get caught in a thick outer coat.

Then again, it can depend on the dog.

Some owners will tell you their short haired GSD drops as much hair as long haired GSDs theyve had, whilst others will tell you the opposite.

Regular brushing with a good deShedding tool and slicker brush can drastically reduce the amount of hair that is dropped inside the house, and consequently the amount of vacuuming.

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Different Types Of Short

Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed’s health and wellness.

There are many different types of short-haired German Shepherds.

German Shepherds have essentially two lengths of hair. They can either be short-haired or long-haired, despite what kind of coloration pattern they have. Both dogs are the same breed, and while a short-hair German Shepherd is the only type of German Shepherd accepted in kennel clubs in the United States and much of the world, both short-haired and long-haired dogs can be purebred German Shepherds.

Are German Shepherds Easy To Train

Some are easy to train, while others are more moderate.

As we’ve seen, different lines have different temperaments. German Shepherds from working lines are typically more assertive and stronger-willed. A “tougher” German Shepherd will be more challenging to train unless you pay closer attention to building the right Leader-Follower relationship with the dog.

That doesn’t mean “softer” German Shepherds are automatically easy to train. Some dogs with soft temperaments are skittish or shy, making them just as challenging as a strong-tempered dog.

In general, though, a sound-tempered German Shepherd who is a good fit for family life should be easy to train. Just establish the right Leader-Follower relationship and the dog will be happy to work with you.

This is taught in my puppy training book, Respect Training For Puppies .

Or see my advice on dog training

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Plush Coat German Shepherd Dog Breed Information

In terms of coat length, German Shepherd dogs come in three varieties:

  • Short-hair or standard coat.
  • Medium-hair or plush coat.
  • Long-hair or long coat.

The plush coat GSDs are in-between the short-hair GSD and the long-hair GSD. Their coat is too long to be considered a short-hair and too short to be considered a long-hair.

To know the difference between plush-coated German Shepherds and short and long-haired German Shepherds, lets take a look at each coat type.

How Rare Are Long Haired German Shepherds

short haired german shepherd dog

Long haired German Shepherds are very rare. It is estimated that less than 5% of all German Shepherds are long haired. While they are rare, their hair is not caused by a mutation and it is perfectly natural.

The vast majority of GSDs have the classic short hair coat. This is because they inherit their coat through a recessive gene.

The short hair gene will always be dominant over the long hair gene. It only takes a puppy to inherit one of the short hair genes for it to have short hair. For a puppy to have long hair, it must inherit two long haired genes, one from each parent.

It is possible for long haired puppies to be born within a litter of short haired siblings. This can happen if both parents are heterozygous. This means that they carry both the short and long hair gene, but the latter is masked.

They can inherit the long coat gene due to natural variation in the population.

The long coat may be considered a genetic defect by the American Kennel Club, but the long coat gene is not a mutation. In German Shepherds this gene came about due to natural variation. Some dogs have shorter hair and some dogs have longer hair. Breeders for years have been selecting for the short hair gene, but they have not erased the long hair gene from the genetic pool.

Some breeders try to sell these dogs at a higher price because they are considered to be rare. The same is true for mini german shepherds too.

However, reputable breeders might actually sell long hair GSDs for less.

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