Common Tail Problems Among German Shepherds
Limber Tail Syndrome
Limber Tail Syndrome is also referred to as a cold or broken tail syndrome. When a GSD spends too much time in cold water, it can damage its tail muscles. The symptoms of Limber Tail Syndrome are swollen tail muscle, having cramps, and having a painful tail. This condition heals after days, but if it is causing too much pain, you can ask your vet for a pain reliever.
Anal Furunculosis
Anal Furunculosis is a hereditary condition common among German Shepherds. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that starts under their tail and around their anus. This problem begins when the immune system of the GSD fails to respond suitably. The best way to avoid having a GSD with this hereditary disease is to ensure that your pup comes from GSD parents that are free of Anal Furunculosis genetically.
Anal Furunculosis
Anal Furunculosis is a hereditary condition common among German Shepherds. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that starts under their tail and around their anus. This problem begins when the immune system of the GSD fails to respond suitably. The best way to avoid having a GSD with this hereditary disease is to ensure that your pup comes from GSD parents that are free of Anal Furunculosis genetically.
Final Words
Why Does My German Shepherd Bite His Tail
There are lots of reasons why your German Shepherd might bite their tail. Lots of different breeds do this at different points in their lives, so most of the reasons why your German Shepherd is biting their tail might explain why any breed does this.
One of the most common reasons why German Shepherds bite their tails is because they are playing. Most people will have heard of dogs chasing their tails, and when they are doing this they often bite their tails. However, you will usually be able to tell if your dog is biting their tail playfully through their behavior.
Your German Shepherd could also be biting their tail because they have fleas or because they are suffering with allergies. German Shepherds are one of the breeds that often suffer from allergies, so if you suspect this to be the cause, then you should speak to your vet.
Get A Genetics/dna Test From Your Vet
Ask your vet about doing a DNA test for your dog to determine what breeds they have in them.
A DNA test is usually very simple the vet takes a blood sample from your dog, and it gets examined to see what dog breeds, types and varieties are in the blood sample.
Not only can you tell which breeds for sure are in your dog, but it can be a way of pre-screening your dog to determine what the chances/risks are that they develop breed related genetic diseases hip and elbow dysplasia is a common one for German Shepherds.
DNA testing along with purebred papers are probably the strongest indicator your German Shepherd puppy is purebred.
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Why German Shepherds Tail Curl
Still another inherited genetic mistake which GSDs suffer with is that the Curled tail. A German Shepherd curly tail significance its a tail that is homosexual.
Characterized by means of a tail thats carried greater than the flat degree of the trunk, curling upward, homosexual tail is a hereditary fault. As its a genetic mistake, odds of fixing its next to nothing.
Regrettably, some breeders and owners can do anything for money and fame, so that they will opt for operation. Problem is, operation will not maintain the designed show quality puppies out of inheriting homosexual tail,also.
Luckily, not all of German Shepherd dog tail curls. For A few it is only a mannerism which may be removed by instruction.
The German Shepherd Puppy Coat Is Quite Different Than The Gsd Adult Coat
Something else many first-time German Shepherd owners do not realize is that the German Shepherd puppy coat is quite different than the coat these dogs will have in adulthood.
The puppy coat is much softer and fluffier. It is also single-layer and is missing the second insulating under-layer these dogs grow as adults.
The puppy coat will start to shed out around the four to the six-month mark. The shedding out period signals the start of the adult coat growing in.
The adult German Shepherd coat is double layer. There is a longer, coarse, water-resistant outer layer that ranges from medium to long. Then there is the insulating, soft inner layer that lays close to the skin.
When the puppy coat begins to shed out, this is the time when you can expect to see your young GSDs tail getting longer and thicker as well. However, this whole process can take some time and depend in size and breed line, as we emphasized here earlier.
Every year thereafter, your German Shepherd will do something epic called blowing coat once to twice a year. This often happens at the changing of the seasons.
When the weather changes from winter to spring or fall to winter, this prompts the insulating under the layer of your dogs coat to completely shed out and regrow. This is very important for your dogs protection but can temporarily produce a very thin tail.
This is not anything to worry about. Your dogs thick, bushy tail will soon grow back as the new coat grows in.
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Are German Shepherds Coats Double
Classically, the German Shepherd breed is known to have a double coat however, some do have single coats.
German Shepherds with a single coat are considered to carry a genetic defect. Their coats still have an undercoat, just not a thick enough one to consider it a double coat.
There are many variations to this special breeds coat, including color differences, length differences, and coat thickness.
Reading A Dog With A Curly Tail
With a curly tail that is above the vertical, some tail positions may appear slightly different. However, the movements of a curly tail hold the same meaning as straight tails.
A tail position that may confuse you with a curly-tailed German Shepherd is when the tail is held up to express excitement.
When a German Shepherd with a straight tail is alert or excited, they erect their tale, holding it higher in the air.
A curly tail that is naturally held above the horizontal may appear excited or alert when this is merely the relaxed tail position.
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Why Is The Bushy Tail Important For The German Shepherd Dog Breed
As the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals points out, the bushy tail is one of the most widely recognized features of GSDs.
The tail is so important that the German Shepherd, registered with the American Kennel Club , appears prominently on the official breed standard .
The official breed standard for GSD says what a German Shepherds dog tail looks like in adulthood. Here are the main points described in the racial standard:
- The tail should be bushy.
- The tail should extend to the hawk joint .
- The tail should hang slightly curved like a saber.
- The tail should not be short or docked .
Dog owners who want to show off their German shepherd at dog shows or confirmation competitions run the risk of being disqualified or points deducted if they do not meet each performance guideline of their dog breed standard.
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German Shepherd Tail Types And Problems All You Need To Know
German Shepherd Tail: The Official German Shepherd Dog Club of America and the American Kennel Club describe this breeds tail as follows: Long, hanging low. Carried with a slight upward curve at the end, but not curled over the back.
The German Shepherd Dog has a well-groomed, natural appearance.
The correct tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers and it should be thick and tapering. It rests low and is never curled over the back nor excitedly switching side to side.
The tail is carried low and straightened, but never tightly curled over the back, more like a plume than a buggy whip.
A dog with a correctly functioning tail will hold it straight out or to the side when he is working or moving and will curl it between his legs when he is nervous or unsure of himself.
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How Can I Tell If My German Shepherd Is Long Haired
A German shepherd puppy that will grow up to be a long coat will be fluffier looking than its short or medium-length coat siblings. Look at the fur around the legs and the ears for clues. Long hair puppies will have longer, fluffier fur there.
As A Way To Communicate With You
Obvious, humans cant communicate directly with German shepherds. Thats why we always try to come up with different gestures. A prime example of these gestures is hand signals.
As previously said, German shepherds are intelligent. Thats why they developed their own way of communicating with you.
One of the ways to communicate with their owners is head tilting. Take note, however, that German shepherd head tilts can mean different things depending on the situation.
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German Shepherds Tail Problem Treatments
If you have a German Shepherd, you should follow the following tips to treat the problem of the tail:
- The first thing to do is watch your dog closely when you see the first sign regarding its tail, such as excessive hair loss or cuts, you should consult your veterinarian.
- If you notice that your dog is constantly trying to bite or scratch the anus, you should check for any skin irritation or infection.
- As part of grooming your dog, you should check that all body parts are fine. Check its tail, toes, head, etc.
The Coat Pattern And Colors Of The German Shepherd Dog
The majestic German shepherd is very recognizable. They are a gorgeous breed that has intelligent eyes that miss nothing. Their large pointy ears are even more alert and can hear the slightest sound. They are athletic, agile, and their form is easy to identify, no matter the color of their beautiful coat.
German Shepherd Coat Types
German shepherds have a double coat in medium length. Their fur is thick and sits close to the body. Some dogs may have more wiry fur, while others have a soft a wavy coat. German shepherds can also have a longer, silky coat. According to the AKC, faults in the coat include, soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly, and open coat.
Many owners are avid fan of long hair or coated German shepherds. While a standard coat is shorter, long coats have longer fur that is somewhat wavy. The fur is caused by a recessive gene and one must carry the gene to produce a long haired puppy.
Long haired German shepherds have a thicker top coat and thinner undercoat than standard coated dogs, but they do have an undercoat. They can be recognized by their longer wavy fur, thicker mane-like fur around the neck, with longer tufts of fur around their ears and legs. Some are silkier, and softer in appearance while others are bushier and have thicker tails.
You will hear long haired German Shepherds are also called plushies, coaties, coated, long coat, long stock hair, long stock coat, and long stock hair, and long stock hair with undercoat.
Solid black
Liver
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What Does My German Shepherds Tail Mean
Tail held high and straight This means the dog feels confident and in control of a situation. The dog is feeling good. Tail lowered This means the dog is relaxed. However, while the tail is lowered, it is not between the dogs legs. Tail lowered between legs This signifies that the dog is afraid.
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Caring For Your German Shepherds Tail
GermanShepherdRex shared on his YouTube video how to properly trim a German Shepherds tail. According to him.
Most breeders and owners of GSDs dont seem to know how to properly trim their dogs tail hair. It is just cutting the ends of the hair, and not the tail.
Also, caring for your GSDs tail is included in its overall maintenance. If you will brush its hair, make sure to brush its tail too.
Regularly check its anus and the skin under the tail, it is where Anal Furunculosis begins. If you notice that your German Shepherd is losing hair on its tail, and it keeps on biting it, it could be a sign of infection. Check for cuts or scrapes on the tails, it can cause infections too.
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What Is A Miniature German Shepherd Anyway
German Shepherds have a lot of appeals. Theyre loyal, easy to train, yet love to play. Their size can put off many potential owners, however. A full-size German Shepherd needs a lot of room to play and run something a lot of people just dont have.
Thats where the miniature German Shepherd comes in: all of the beauty, loyalty, and intelligence but in a smaller size.
Before you start searching for miniature German Shepherd puppies, however, make sure you know what youre getting.
There is no such thing as a purebred miniature German Shepherd.
A mini German Shepherd is usually the result of crossbreeding a German Shepherd with a smaller dog breed.
The German Shepherds dominant genes usually come out in the form of their coat colors and patterns as well as some physical characteristics like the ears. This is why mini German Shepherds often look just like small versions of their purebred mom or dad.
The type of small dog bred with the German Shepherd will impact what a miniature German Shepherd will look like.
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Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
German Shepherds are among many breeds prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Dysplasia happens when the joint is malformed and unstable. These abnormalities can happen in the socket, ball, or both. Either one of these conditions can cause premature osteoarthritis as well as laxity in the joint. About 20% of German Shepherds eventually develop hip and/or elbow dysplasia.
Hip or elbow dysplasia can be moderate to severe and it tends to be an expensive problem to treat. Anti-inflammatories, a special diet, and a heated bed may help a dog with dysplasia. Sometimes surgery is necessary which may involve hip replacement.
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German Shepherd Tail Carriage
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Lets talk a bit about German Shepherd tail carriage. Exactly how a German Shepherd Dog carries its tail is very indicative of many things such as its current social standing or its current mental state. Variations can happen, of course, depending upon how your particular GSD carries its tail normally.
For example, some German Shepherds may carry their tail higher naturally than others. Just the same way that some people may part their hair on the right and others on the left or in the center. Its just normal for this dog to carry their tail in this way.
Here are ten GSD tail positions to help you to begin to understand more about how your dog really feels and sees the world around it. It can also be quite an education to learn what the dog is really thinking or feeling just by interpreting the signals its tail is giving you – and the other dogs around it.
1 – Your GSD is carrying its tail practically horizontal away from its body, but it’s not stiff. This tells you that the dog is paying very close attention to what is going on in their surroundings.
2 – If your German Shepherds tail carriage is stiffly, straight out from its body you’ll notice that this happens anytime there is an initial challenge such as whenever they first meet a new dog.
German Shepherds
Can Pit Bulls Have Curled Tails
Do a little pitbulls possess a eyebrow. A purebred pit will Possess a direct tail. this generally signifies the tail has been held within the trunk and at a curve shape obviously. That a pitbulls tail is designed to hang down but occasionally when they perform they occasionally grip heir tail up over their back.
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German Shepherds And Limber Tail Syndrome
Limber tail syndrome is a condition common in working dogs, including the German Shepherd dog, often referred to as cold tail, water tail, or limp tail.
A limber tail syndrome is a condition caused by overworked tail muscles. The most common causes for over-exerted tail muscles are swimming in water that is too cold, exposure to hot temperatures, or intense exercise.
The most common signs of Limber tail syndrome are:
- A limp or hanging tail that could appear broken.
- Pain or aggression when touching the tail.
- Swollen tail tissue.
The condition is generally treated with anti-inflammatories, and symptoms can subside within a week or two.