Caring For Their Nails
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Many pet parents tend to ignore the nails of their dogs. But this can be dangerous as long nails can injure both your dog and the people they meet.
Trimming a dogs nails is not everybodys cup of tea. If you trim too much, it might result in bleeding.
Its just like humans. When you trim your nails more than the necessary amount, it hurts. No rocket science there.
Most importantly – dont ever try using the same nail cutter that you use for yourself, for your dog too.
Dog nail trimmers are readily available in the market. If you arent confident about doing it yourself, ask a veterinarian or a dog groomer to help you with it.
Keep an eye on your dogs nails as they may need a trim every week or so.
Shaving A German Shepherd Can Cause Major Matting
For many German Shepherds, shaving the undercoat causes it to grow faster than the topcoat. This is due to the topcoat not being meant to shed greatly, so the topcoat grows extremely slow.
This faster-growing undercoat now becomes matted in the slower-growing topcoat, giving you even more work to do with brushing and grooming!
Your dogs hair looks fuzzy and will vary in length all over their body as the fur is different lengths than normal. Most of the time with proper brushing and the next shed cycle the topcoat will grow longer as the undercoat sheds away.
In the meantime, youll be left to ensure your double-coated breed doesnt get large mats of fur that cause skin irritations and make grooming more difficult.
How Do I Care For German Shepherd Nails
When you brush and bathe your German shepherd, do a quick inspection of their nails. Some may be able to go a few weeks while other can go months. When the nails are too long, they will click on hard ground. Its important to keep their nails short because long nails can cause overall changes in the dogs health.
When their nails are long, it changesthe pattern of pressure across the dogs paw. The nails push into the hardground, lightly lifting the paw. So, all pressure is on the nail ends, ratherthan the paw. This can change their posture and walking pattern. It will alsomake their nails and toes sore. Long nails can also snag on clothing, carpets, andother surfaces. They can break, split,and get torn off which is painful for your pup.
Blood vessels grow down into thenail. This means that if you cut the nail too short then it will cause bleedingand pain. Youll want to gradually cut their nails over time to make the bloodvessels recede a bit. You want to cut so that the nail is in the shape of apoint. You dont want a jagged or bowtie end on the nail because it canexpose the blood vessel. You can buy many different types of nail clippersonline that are specifically for cutting the dogs nails appropriately.
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Should I Shave My German Shepherd
No, you shouldnt shave or clip your German Shepherd routinely for grooming or because you think theyre too hot. The coat takes too long to grow back, may grow back shorter, may grow in a lighter color, puts them at risk for bites and parasites, and provides a necessary and natural heating and cooling system in the elements which you alter when you shave them.
You should only shave for medical reasons as per your vet.
The Bathe And Comb Method
This method is a simple bathe, comb, and spray method.
Here are the steps to follow
Step One Bathe your dog in warm water with good dog shampoo.
Although my dogs have healthy skin, I use shampoo for sensitive skin. This way I know their skin is being cared for in the best way.
Step Two Once theyre done in the tub, dry them well with a towel.
Step Three Spray them liberally with ShowSheen. .
But be warned
Do this outside. ShowSheen is very slippery. If you do it in your bathroom, youll slip, fall, and break a couple of bones. I promise!
Here’s how to groom a German Shepherd for summer using ShowSheen
As you groom your dog, work from back to front, ruffling their fur down to the skin and massaging it in.
This is a great opportunity to tell your dog how wonderful they are!
Step Four Once you’re done conditioning with ShowSheen, start brushing.
Again, work from back to front and then down the body. Work in small patches with the brush.
Start with a wide-toothed comb and work your way down.
You can use a de-shedding comb to make sure that you have gotten all the undercoat out.
Step Five Brush your dog weekly, or more often if necessary.
Find out about the best shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin.
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Why You Should Consider A High
If you’re going to follow the bathe and blow method to groom your GSD for summer, you’ll need a high-velocity dryer.
Sure, you can try this method with a regular hairdryer.
But
No human hairdryer is made to dry the thick fur of an 80 lbs German Shepherd that originated in Europe!
You can try, but your efforts will fail. And youll still end up with a damp dog!
High-Velocity driers make de-shedding your dog a lot easier and quicker. The air from the dryer lifts and blows right in under the guard hairs.
This loosens and removes those millions of undercoat hairs.
But be warned, using an HV dryer might make de-shedding easier, but it’s no less messy!
Yes, de-shedding is a messy business no matter how you look at it.
Grooming A German Shepherd Basics
The German Shepherd was originally a breed used in herding sheep. And of course, today, it is a breed often used in a variety of working dog capacities. But the German Shepherd is also a very popular choice as a household pet known for its intelligence, loyalty and ease of training.
You will want your German Shepherd to look as striking as possible which usually goes hand-in-hand with optimal health.
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Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper
This 2-Speed clipper offers premium performance at an affordable price from a renowned brand. The Oster A-5 is smooth and quiet to handle, offering reliable clipping power that does not run hot. The powerful rotary motor can easily clip through thick hair.
The A5 is compatible with Osters blade and can accommodate a variety of sizes. Detaching the blade system is straightforward and quick, making it easy to change blades during a grooming session on your German Shepherd.
A proven design provides durability for years. This clipper comes with a #10 blade, blade guard, oil, and cleaning supplies.
Pros:
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Groom A German Shepherd
Edited by Mian Sheilette Ong, Lynn, Graeme, Eng and 3 others
4 Parts:
The German Shepherd is a very regal breed of dog. Created in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1899, the GSD is capable, fearless, and confident. They have that natural need to look good. If you consider getting a GSD for your companion you should make sure that you take good care of the dog’s every need, including grooming needs. GSD’s have standard medium haired, as well as longhaired varieties. Both require special attention when it comes to grooming. German Shepherds are large dogs and you should be in control whenever you groom them. They have beautiful double coats that need to be taken care of. Other issues also need to be dealt with while grooming your GSD. As a responsible dog owner, you should learn to recognize grooming issues and resolve them so that you and your GSD can have a positive experience during every grooming session.
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Facts To Know Before Grooming German Shepherds
They shed a lot faster
German shepherds change their hair twice a year. It is every spring and fall. When this happens, you must groom their hair correctly. Although, they still shed hair all year round, expect heavy shedding during those seasons.
They have a double coat
German shepherds have two layers of hair. It is the reason why they can stand extreme cold weather. Their inner hair or undercoat is short, while their topcoat consists of long hair. Their hair prevents them from getting dirty.
Use separate hairbrush for the undercoat and topcoat
Since they have a double coat, it is required to take care of both to keep them healthy and neat. You can use a plastic brush or a wire bristle to detangle the hair. Remember that good shepherds have different hair lengths. It will better that you use the right tool for it.
Bathe your dog once every four months.
German shepherds have very thick and smooth hair texture. It does not need bathing every day because it will strip the natural oil of its coat. You may bathe your dog right after doing an activity that made him or her dirty. Other than that, it would be best if you stuck with the once every four months.
Clean the teeth and ears every day.
Now that you know some general facts about your German shepherds grooming let us enumerate why you need grooming for your pets.
German Shepherd Grooming Best Brush For A German Shepherd
Finding a dog grooming brush for a German Shepherd can be quite exhausting as there are so many choices available on the market. The different styles and different names can be confusing but when choosing your German Shepherd brush your first consideration should be what type of coat your dog has. Basically there are 6 dog brush types available:
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A Shaved Dog Is Susceptible To Sunburn And Skin Damage By Ultraviolet Rays
Your double-coated dog would usually not have exposure to these rays unless you shaved them.
Sunburns are painful and put your dog at risk of skin irritation and hot spots as they lick the skin to relieve the pain. Sunburns can also cause overheating and sunstroke when your dog is left outdoors for long periods.
Your dog might experience scaling or dandruff from this irritated skin, even after the hair has fully regrown.
Did you know that a dogs skin is only 6 to 10 layers deep, while human skin is 16 to 20 layers ! Imagine the amount of damage and pain your dog will get with a sunburn now.
Dakpets Furblaster Deshedding Light Brush
- The Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool for large dogs and German Shepherds is another one of our favorites. A few minutes a day of light trimming will reduce shedding by 80%-90% and trim the non-loose undercoat while removing the loose, dead hairs from undercoat.
- The versatility of the Dakpets Furblaster deshedding brush makes it suitable for dogs with single or double coats, and it’s perfect for short- and long-haired dogs. It’s gentle on your pet’s skin yet firm enough to stimulate the natural oils in the fur resulting in a shinier topcoat and a healthy skin.
- Cleverly designed by pet grooming experts with a fast-release button for comb removal it also has a safety cover for the strong stainless steel blade. The handle is lightweight and well designed with a grip that is non-slip and comfortable to hold. Click on the link for more info and a full dakpets deshedding tool review.
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Tips For Keeping Your German Shepherd Cool
As the worry of your German Shepherd getting too hot during summer, which might lead you to wrongly get the clippers out. As weve established, the double coat breeds naturally regulate the heat around their body, as air circulates in the space between the undercoat and topcoat.
However, you could also:
- Make sure your dog is kept in a cooler place, whether it is inside where theres lots of shade or under cover outside. Supply them with enough water to drink throughout the day
- Restrict how much time they spend in direct exposure to the sunlight, particularly on very hot days. Try and take them out for walks earlier in the morning and later at night when the sun is not as bright or intense
- Encourage your dog to go for a swim, if you are near a safe body of water. Always make sure you rinse off their coat using non-salty water to prevent it from drying out.
Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit
This 5-in-1 Arco clipper from Wahl is a versatile and reliable option for pet owners who prefer a cordless clippers convenience. However, this cordless clipper is still powerful enough to use on your German Shepherd.
Owners will appreciate this lightweight clippers ease of handling, allowing you to trim difficult spots without tiring from extended use. The battery will last for 80 minutes of clipping and needs a 75-minute charge.
The five-position blade set allows you to completely customize the length of the clip you give your dog depending on the body area. Your complete kit purchase includes a clipper, storage case, charger, four guide combs, blade oil, and a cleaning brush.
Pros:
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Why Is Grooming Important For A Gsd
A GSD is a double-coated dog breed that needs to be groomed using a brush or else it might get dirty. If your GSD is very active and exercises a lot, make sure you groom it on a daily basis. However, if your GSD doesnt go out a lot or doesnt play too much, you just need to groom it twice every week.
Many GSD owners overlook routine care for their dogs and then get upset when their dogs fall ill.
A GSDs health greatly depends on its grooming.
If you do not take care of your dogs hair, coat, teeth, ears, etc., your dog is more likely to fall ill. A GSD that appears healthy is the one that is groomed frequently. If you want to keep your GSD perfectly healthy, active, and good-looking, you need to start grooming it.
Is My German Shepherd Too Hot
German Shepherd Dogs have two coats of hair. They have a thick undercoat, and they also have an outer coat. The undercoat help keeps them cool . Its basically like insulation, like you have in the attic and walls of your house. Indeed, their coat can become too hairy, but properly grooming your shepherd will keep them happy and cool.
- Properly maintained, your dogs coat protects them from the sun and keeps them cool.
- If their hair and undercoat is impacted, in doesnt vent properly and also traps the suns heat, making your dog extremely hot. Proper grooming will fix this.
- Shaved, double coated dogs may be exposed to harmful sunlight and also not be able to cool properly.
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Every Day Is A Brushing Day
Brush your German Shepherd for at least 5-10 minutes daily if possible.
Grooming your German Shepherds coat removes excess fur and redistributes your German Shepherds skin oils into its fur. This can prevent excessive shedding by moisturizing their hair and skin.
This can be achieved easily by using a Furminator that can reach the undercoat to remove loose hair easily.
Check out this video to see the real result for yourself:
Instead of letting the hair find its way around your house, this will directly minimize the amount of furball you have to pick up everywhere.
Furminator De-Shedding Tool for Large Dogs
Check out more suggestions from existing GSD owners in our: Shopping List for Shedding Dogs.
Brushing your dog could also be a way to bond with him. The touching, petting and cuddling involved can be the best way to show your love and care to your pet pal. Every owner should enjoy doing it.
German Shepherd Nail Care
The frequency of nail trimming for your GSD will depend greatly on the kinds of surfaces on which your dog runs or walks. For those dogs who routinely walk on pavement, their nails will often wear down to a normal length naturally. Walsh finds that she never has to trim the nails of her dogs who walk on pavement, but those on other surfaces need a trimming at least monthly.
Wilson recommends trimming nails whenever needed, and agrees that it will depend on environment. She has observed, for instance, that her dogs who spend time on carpet and grass need a nail trimming every two to three weeks.
Walsh says the conformation of GSDs feet is wide-ranging, with some dogs having very thick, wide nails that are more difficult to cut and others having thinner, claw-like nails that are much easier to clip. For some dogsparticularly those with thick nailsshe has to use a Dremel tool for nail grinding in addition to clippers.
Regardless of conformation or growth rate of your dogs nails, it is important to expose them to nail clippers and the process of nail trimming early in puppyhood. Walsh begins handling her puppies feet as early as three days of age. Both breeders say that nail trimming, like coat care, can be done at home, and Walsh advises not to overdo it with the clippers: If you never cut their nails too short, they wont get funny about their nails.
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How Often Can A German Shepherd Have Puppies
At least once each year, depen on how you care for them anddepen on the breed too.
From birth up to six months of age, dog will need to eat four to five times as much as an adult dog to support all that growth.
GS puppies need to gain 1 to 2 grams per pound every day.
Feed in small quantities but several times a day.
Feed your pup 4 to 5 meals every day.