Beat The Heat Summer Tips To Keep Your German Shepherd Cool And Safe
Summertime is full of fun things to do, but it can also turn into a dangerous time for your pets. Dogs don’t perspire to cool themselves like people do, so their body temperature can quickly rise to critical levels in the hot weather. Here are some do’s and don’ts for summertime fun.
Do’s & Don’t Tips in Keeping Your German Shepherd Cool
- Don’t give your German shepherd a haircut.
- Do make sure you have shade available at all times.
- Do keep cool fresh water available at all times.
- Do limit your time outside.
- Do try indoor alternatives for playtime.
Don’t give your German shepherd a haircut. Seriously, don’t. It does not keep them cooler at all, in fact it makes them more susceptible to the heat and sunburn by taking away their outer coat which protects their delicate skin. Cutting their fur will also permanently damage it and it will grow back sparse, patchy, fuzzy and unmanageable. Instead, do keep them brushed and combed out. The undercoat should be brushed and combed out regularly to allow optimal air flow to the skin so they can stay comfortable and help regulate their body temperature.
With a little extra caution and care, you and your dog can have lots of wonderful summer fun together, while staying safe and happy. Hope everyone has an excellent summer!
Whats Too Cold For A Dog
If the temperature falls below 32°F , owners with small breed dogs, dogs with coats, and dogs that are old, young, and sick can be in danger.
When the temperature hits 20°F , it is the time when all breed owners should worry because it can be life-threatening to walk your dogs for a walk at this temperature.
The best way to know if the weather is too cold for your dog is to watch their behavior. If your dog is shivering, acting anxious, whining, or slowing down it is best to search for a warm location. This is to prevent hypothermia and frostbite because of the cold weather.
Signs Of Heatstroke In Dogs
- Lethargy and weakness
- Foaming or drooling from the mouth
- Increased panting and labored breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizures
Any or a combination of these symptoms is a reason to suspect heatstroke has struck your German Shepherd.
You can confirm this by consulting a vet with the symptoms your dog has.
So, the vet confirms your suspicion that your German Shepherd has heatstroke. What happens next?
Well, your vet will give you some advice on how to help your dog immediately.
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Is Having An Outside Dog Cruel
If you are really interested in doing what your dog prefers, do not force all dogs to live inside all of the time, and do not force a dog with a thin coat to spend his life at the end of a chain or rope. Both things are just as cruel as locking them in a crate at your convenience. It is okay to leave dogs outside.
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Summer Is Here And While We’re Keen To Make The Most Of The Hot Sunny Weather While It Lasts Our Dogs Can Often Struggle In The Heat Luckily Theres Lots Of Things We Can Do To Keep Them Cool And Help Them Enjoy The Summer Here Are Our Top Tips
Dogs cant cool themselves down as easily as we can as theyre unable to sweat like us. Instead, they mainly use panting to keep cool. Coupled with their thick fur, which is like wearing an insulated coat, this can make them prone to overheating. Its important to do all we can to keep our furry friends cool, to prevent serious illnesses such as heatstroke.
If the forecast is looking warm, its best to prepare to cool your dog down before they start getting hot. If you spot any signs that your dog is feeling too hot for example panting, stopping their exercise or lying stretched out, its important to monitor them closely. You should also be aware of the signs of heatstroke so you can get help quickly if they overheat. Common signs include:
- Panting heavily
- Wobbling and having trouble standing up
- Bright red gums
If your dog has symptoms of heatstroke, give first aid and contact your vet immediately.
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German Shepherds Love Children
If given proper socialization training from an early age German Shepherds love to play with children if they are trained well to do so when they are young. Proper puppy training is essential along with love, care and respect towards your pooch. Also, make sure not to allow children to play with the dog when eating or trying to remain alone.
EDIT 26/8/17: Removed section about the shedding behaviours of German Shepherds. Thanks for the comments!
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.
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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.
What Else Can You Do To Make Your Dog Comfortable Outside And Keep Them Healthy And Happy
Spending a lot of time with your dog outside can make them more comfortable living outside. Again, dogs are not just animals, they are family members.
And being alone can worsen their behavior and make them more aggressive even. So make sure to pay attention to them if you are letting them live outside.
Play fetch with your dog and even eat outside with them to give them company.
Really, though, keeping your dog out in the summer can be a big challenge. I talked about some of the challenges of leaving a dog in hot weather.
It is not advisable to leave a dog in extremely hot weather. But if you can groom your dog and get rid of some of their fur, being outside can be a more bearable experience.
So, in addition to getting them a dog house, I also recommend keeping their fur trimmed and tidy.
Brush your dog as often as you can to get rid of excess hair on them.
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Are Wild Animals Harmful To German Shepherds
Invariably you hear of dog attacks, but the picture of a dog attacking a different person or a pet is undoubtedly the scene. But this illustration may play in a mirror image if you leave your pet out. And its more than you could imagine, unfortunately.
For hunting purposes, all animals go out. You may not want to endanger your dog, but you may swap places, which can lead to an uncomfortable ending for your dog. Some animals also find dogs and other domesticated pets as a means of survival explicitly.
The animals that can cause damage to the dogs are rodents, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, snakes, coyotes, cougars, rats, and deer.
Do German Shepherds Get Cold Outside
German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldnt be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while. German Shepherds are a great breed of dog to have if you live in a place where it is cold. They are able to do well in it for a few reasons.
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What Should You Do If Your Shepherd Gets Too Cold
If you suspect your GSD has hypothermia, call a veterinarian, but you will need to start treatment immediately. Bring your dog into a warm environment and check her temperature.
The most common cause of hypothermia is prolonged exposure to the elements and wet fur. Dry your German Shepherd thoroughly, using a hairdryer if necessary. Wrap her in a warm dry blanket, even utilizing hot water bottles.
Only use heating pads if your pet is dry and under supervision. Having an accurate thermometer is crucial.
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Heat Stroke Signs In Your German Shepherd
In summer heatstroke is very common in any breed of dog. So if you are an owner of a German shepherd it is important to look out for signs of heatstroke in your dog. This will help you take swift action to prevent the unforeseeable
Heatstroke is when the body temperature of your dog exceeds 40-degree celsius. It is always accompanied by signs
It is interesting to note two types of heatstroke occur in dogs. These are Exertional Heatstroke and Non-Exertional Heat Stroke
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Can German Shepherds Live Outside Not Sure Exclusive
- Date: June 28, 2021
- Time to read: 5 min.
It is common belief of owners that because of the stature and extensive shedding, they will have the perfect combination. For example, adopting a GSD and not getting tensed about a large shedding dog in their house if they sustain it outside.
However, in the case of a naughty and unruly dog, this question can also come into owners minds.
Can German Shepherds live outside? No, you can not keep your GSD outside in an open environment. If we keep our beloved pet outside, it exposes the dog to avoidable perils. In addition, it frequently leads to a variety of behavioral issues.
This article is especially for those owners who are going to own a German Shepherd. The subject of whether or not to keep a GSD outdoors is frequently asked because, in addition to being trustworthy, robust, and curious dogs, GSDs may develop to be pretty significant and are notorious for their year-round shedding.
German Shepherds retained outside are the consequence of their owners not investing enough time and exertion into coaching and socializing their dogs, conceivably because they had false views about owning a GSD in the first position due to their failure to research the breed before purchasing one adequately.
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Can German Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather
To summarize, yes German Shepherds can tolerate hot weather. That said, prolonged exposure to extremely high temperatures can be dangerous and may lead to life-threatening conditions. So, if you live in warmer areas or it just happens to be a hot day, youd have to do your part to keep your German Shepherd cool.
But if you dont mind the effort, just follow the guidelines presented in this article, and you should have no problem.
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Cool Your Aussie Down With Wet Towels
If your Aussie needs to spend some time outside but the temperature is already getting up there, you can pat his body down with a cold damp towel to keep him cooler for longer.This may only provide temporary relief, but its a quick and easy way to cool your Aussie down quickly. Just take a large bath towel, run it under the cold tap, and pat him down for 5 minutes.
German Shepherds Are Active
German Shepherds have high energy levels. They can spend their whole days outdoor. If you love jogging, hiking and hunting, German Shepherds are one of the best companions you can have. If you have children at home, they can play with German Shepherds as long as they can because these dogs don’t get tired easily.
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How Do German Shepherds Do In Hot Weather
The German Shepherd has a versatile coat that tends to do well in all different temperatures. You can expect your German Shepherd to tolerate the hot weather just fine, as long as you make sure that you provide them with plenty of water and dont let them overexert themselves.
Never shave your German Shepherd in an attempt to cool them off. Their double coat is designed to regulate their temperature and actually keeps them cool. The exception may be with long-haired, single-coated Shepherds, who may benefit from being clipped in hot weather.
Do German Shepherds Like To Cuddle
They bond very closely with those they love, and this is the foundation of their bond, which will have them staying close and looking to cuddle. For those potential dog owners who want a smart, hard-working, and loveable dog, this breed of dog is perfect! The German Shepherd is a breed of dog that works.
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Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog
The short answer is maybe. It really depends on your family and your lifestyle. If youre looking for an active dog who can help keep your family safe the German shepherd might be the perfect family pet.
It is important that potential owners of German shepheds have a plan to ensure that their dogs have a job to do and enough space to get some exercise. While a fenced in yard is ideal, if you dont have one it doesnt automatically mean you cant keep one of these dogs successfully. Doggie daycares, dog parks/runs and even participating in sporting lessons like agility can offer plenty of exercise for your pup.
Like any other dog, German shepherds need proper training and socialization. This means exposing your dog to as many people, places and things as possible when they are young. You also want to make sure your dog is under you control. A 90 pound German Shephard dragging you around town can be downright dangerous, so leash manners are a must. A good and reliable sit, down and come will also help you keep your dog well under your control.
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Does Your Dogs Diet Affect His Heat Tolerance
You are what you eat, and what your German Shepherd eats just might a ffect how well they do when it starts getting toasty outside.
German Shepherds were bred to be working dogs and consequently spend a lot of time outdoors.
Back in their shepherding days, their diet consisted mainly of scraps from the shepherds table. Old crusts of bread, stale water, and of course bones and the odds and ends of whatever meat the shepherd happened to be eating. It was a high-fat, high protein diet and the GSD seemed to thrive off of it.
The same seems to apply today.
German Shepherd owners have seen that their dogs seem to work better in the sun if they eat a high protein diet. Protein is certainly good for your GSDs coat and a healthy coat, we have learned, is essential to keeping cool.
If your dog seems to be struggling in the heat, maybe its time to cut the vegan diet and serve up some high protein meat.
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A Quick Guide To Heat Tolerance In German Shepherds
I dont feel like sitting for hours under the sun. Does my German Shepherd feel the same? Can he tolerate the heat better than me?
It is one of the most common questions that pet owners ask while shopping for their German Shepherd. When any new parent has decided to make this German beauty a part of the clan, it becomes their duty to create conditions suitable for their dog buddy.
Right from making the food arrangements to an area to play, having or not have an attendant, etc., the new dog parent requires contemplating all impending needs. We would like to help you not miss this very small but crucial detail about your German Shepherd in this state of chaos. Yes, we want you to be acquainted with the heat tolerance of GSD.
Preventing Heat Stroke In Your German Shepherd
It is important to take the necessary steps to prevent heatstroke in your German. After a careful search here what you can do to prevent heatstroke in your German shepherd
- If you are going to leave your dog a few hours ensure you provide adequate shade and water. Never limit the intake of water as this tends to keep them cool
- Choose the cooler period of the day to exercise your dog.
- Never leave your German shepherd in a closed vehicle
- It is important you
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Exposure To Harsh Weather Conditions
When you leave your German Shepherd in the backyard, theyre more prone to harsh weather. It would be wise to consider local climate conditions before leaving the dog outdoors.
This climate tolerance might also depend on the type of German Shepherd you have.
Suppose you live in an area prone to flooding, windstorms, or other extreme phenomena.
A responsible owner shouldnt risk their dogs safety by keeping them in the backyard.
Frigid Conditions
German Shepherds have two layers of fur that allow them to tolerate colder temperatures.
However, this doesnt mean you should keep them in the backyard in an overnight blizzard.
It would be best to keep German Shepherds indoors when experiencing below-freezing conditions.
Leaving a dog outside in the cold makes them more susceptible to danger.
These conditions might include hypothermia or frostbite. If you dont monitor your dogs activity, you might not recognize any warning signs.
The dogs age also plays a part in how much weather they can tolerate. German Shepherd puppies dont have thick coats for handling cold temperatures.
On the opposite spectrum, senior dogs are more vulnerable to health issues and colder temperatures.
Hot Climate Conditions
Another weather factor you should consider is heat tolerance for seasonal or year-round temperatures.
Although German Shepherds are adaptable breeds, you shouldnt leave them out too long.
Your dog might become prone to heat stroke due to its thick coat.