Do All German Shepherds Ears Stand Up
Pointed ears are genetically encoded in a German Shepherd. They had this gene passed down from their ancestor. Wolves have pointed ears that are also floppy when theyre puppies. Just like German Shepherds, their ears start to become pointed as they grow older.
Pointed ears are likely inherited because it allows dogs to better hear their prey and each other. It also keeps their ears protected from water and infections that can occur when water is trapped in the ear.
The only German Shepherds that dont have pointed ears are those who had a genetic mutation, those who were injured, and those who have another breed mixed into their ancestry. Its possible that your dog may inherit a recessive gene or a damaged gene that inhibits the growth of cartilage in their ears.
As a result, your dog may never have pointed ears.
Some may need to help their dogs reach that pointed state because theyve been injured. Certain procedures and treatments can be performed to help keep your dogs pointed.
Finally, theres a chance that your German Shepherd may not be a fully blooded German Shepherd. Perhaps there was some Poodle or Lab parent somewhere in its ancestry. If thats the case, then the gene for floppy ears resides within your pet. Theres always a chance that it may be expressed when your dog is born.
Offer Your Dog A Rope Toy
Give him a rope toy. While your German Shepherd probably has plenty of toys to chew on , add a rope toy to the mix. The texture of the rope will help clean away anything sticking in between or to his teeth and he will have great fun chewing away his new toy. You can even squeeze a line of dog toothpaste onto the toy for further cleaning.
There Is No Breed Standard So Youll Have To Focus On What Applies To Your Unique Dog And Stay Flexible
Since there is no set breed standard for Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd hybrids, we are going to cover some information about both breeds. We will let you know what to expect from the mix in general.
Knowing what you can expect from both a German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever is helpful.
This is because no matter what combination of these two breeds your dog is made up of, youll be equipped with what you need to know to provide them with good training and care.
Some of this information may apply to your dog perfectly, and other parts may not be as applicable. The goal here is to give you an overview of what to expect with the mix so that interacting with and taking care of your dog will be easier.
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What Dog Breeds Have A Black Roof Of Mouth
- Chow Chow: The Chow Chow is one of few breeds with an entirely black mouth, including not just black gums, but also a dark blue to black tongue and a black roof of the mouth.
- Great Pyrenees : The Great Pyrenees are majestic, strong dogs that tend to be very graceful and calm until met with a threat. Their lush coat is waterproof and coldproof, well-suited to their original environment in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain.
- Estrela Mountain Dog: The bear-like Estrela Mountain Dog is a gentle giant, a useful guardian of shepherds, and a good companion for children if socialized from a young age. These dogs tend to be distrustful of strangers, but very loyal to their masters.
- Portuguese Water Dog: In addition to black gums, the Portuguese Water Dog has a black roof of the mouth and black lips.
- Komondor: The Komondor has an all-black mouth, including black gums, lips, and roof of the mouth.
- Chinese Shar-Pei: The Chinese Shar-Pei has blue-black gums, roof of mouth, and lips, like the Komondor, the Portuguese Water Dog, and the Chow Chow.
Why Do Dogs Have Black Spots On Their Tongue
Why exactly do some dogs have spotted tongues? It all comes down to extra pigmentation, which is similar to the freckles or birthmarks that you might find on your own body.
Dogs often have freckle-like spots due to extra pigmentation that is unique to them.
Dogs can develop spots as they age.
The change in pigmentation is not limited to just the tongue and may also be on other parts of the body, which go unnoticed due to your dogs coat.
If your spotted tongued pure breed dog was to undergo a DNA test, it is not likely that the results will come back as part, Chow.
That said, since the Chow is one of the oldest breeds out there, you may find that your mixed breed dog with a spotted tongue might have some traces of Chow.
Its worth repeating, though, that there are over 30 other breeds with this physical trait.
Given that information, the chances of you quickly narrowing down the genetic make-up of your dog based on the fact that they have a spotted tongue is not going to be easy.
While you will be able to narrow it down to a certain extent, with over 30 different breeds all having spotted tongues, there are plenty of combinations that could have gone into creating your dog.
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Are Black Gums Normal
Healthy gum tissue in dogs can be two different colors: a bubblegum pink color or a dark, black color.
In dogs with pink gum tissue, seeing dark spots or discoloration can signify serious lung or heart problems.
However, in dogs that naturally have darker colored gum tissue, this is totally normal.
Thats why its important to check and see if your dog breed has typically pink or black gums to ensure they have good oral health.
In fact, gum health can be a vital indicator of health in dogs.
If youve ever been to the vet, youve probably seen them open your dogs mouth and take a poke or two at their gums.
This is because gums can also be like a barometer for doggy health.
If you see gums that are red, pale white, yellow, blue, purple, or dark-colored, this can be a sign that something is seriously wrong, and you should head to the vet immediately.
German Shepherd Puppies Stop Teething At 7 To 8 Months Old
Youre now wondering when do German Shepherd puppies stop teething.
When do German Shepherds stop teething?
The teething stage will begin from month 3 to when the puppies reach 7 to 8 months old so that is a 4 to 5 months timeframe between when the teething stage to when it ends.
Its important to note that no two German Shepherd puppies are alike. Some puppies could complete the teething phase before they reach 7 to 8 months old, while other puppies could take longer.
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What Are The Dog Breeds With Black Gums
Theres a reason dogs are called mans best friend: they have a unique way of climbing into our hearts and staying there for good.
Thats why youll do anything to keep your canine best friend safe, happy, and most of all, healthy.
However, many owners neglect their pups teeth and gums, which are an important indicator of overall health.
Here are some dog breeds with black gums, and if dark-colored gum tissue is cause for worry.
German Shepherd Puppies Start Teething And Growing Adult Teeth From 12 Weeks Old Onwards
The teething phase is the next stage of your canines dental development. Surprisingly, German Shepherd puppies dont have their puppy milk teeth for that long. So, when do German Shepherds lose their puppy teeth?
Lets find that out next!
When do German Shepherds lose their baby teeth?
Nine to ten weeks after their baby teeth have grown in, their adult teeth will start to push through as well.
At this point, your German Shepherd puppies should be 12 weeks old and they should have a total of 28 puppy teeth with 32 adult teeth expected to come through next.
As they prepare for the adult teeth to grow in, the puppy milk teeth start to fall out. So at 12 weeks old, the German Shepherd puppies will begin the teething stage and the 32 adult teeth will replace their puppy milk teeth.
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How Susceptible Are German Shepherds To Dental Disease
Unfortunately, German Shepherds are more likely than many other breeds to develop dental diseases like periodontal disease.
In fact, German Shepherds are more commonly affected by dental cavities than any other breed of dog! That makes it all the more important to keep on top of their dental care.
As we will discover in the next section, poor dental health can be very dangerous for your dog!
Your Black Shepherds Grooming Schedule
The amount of times you need to brush their coat depends on the length. If your Black Shepherd is sporting a long-haired look, you need to comb them once a day. If they have the medium-length, you can do it two to three times a week.
For their bath time, once every month or two is enough. Its best to bathe them only when necessary since too much will dry their skin.
This canine is also prone to ear infection, so make sure to check and clean their ears once or twice a month.
While youre at it, trim their nails once a month to make sure none of your furniture or loved ones gets hurt.
To maintain their German Shepherd look, take them to the groomer twice or thrice a year for a haircut and general cleaning.
Do Black German Shepherds shed?
Yes, black or regular German Shepherds do shed. They are heavy shedders whatever the season. You still have to watch out for spring and fall since they blow their undercoat. Its best to have a vacuum ready to save your family from swimming in hair.
Some say long-haired German Shepherds shed less. But whichever coat they get, they are not hypoallergenic.
Aside from the shedding, these dogs can easily adapt to different environments and climates.
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How Do You Disinfect A Dogs Mouth
Canine saliva comes with its own antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria in the dogs mouth.
This natural disinfectant helps keep your pets teeth and gums clean, but sometimes they need a little extra help.
You can help nature by cleaning your pets teeth. You can also purchase a mouthwash to disinfect your dogs mouth, leaving their breath smelling fresh and clean.
Besides good dog toothpaste, mouthwashes add to your pets dental hygiene and come in different forms.
Mouthwash disinfectants are available as gels, rinses, sprays, and additives, which you can include in your dogs drinking water.
Use the teeth cleaning methods described above to disinfect your German Shepherds mouth. Then add a mouthwash to your dental hygiene regimen.
Because your pet is comfortable with teeth brushing by now, it shouldnt be too much of an issue to get them used to a mouthwash.
You can add a disinfectant mouthwash to their drinking water which is quite safe to consume. Gel mouthwashes are like using the best dog toothpaste for bad breath, but with a little extra cleaning for fresher breath.
You can apply the gel with a toothbrush or simply use your finger to spread it around your pets teeth and gums.
Some dogs dont have a problem with you spraying mouthwash into their mouths, but others may get nervous because of the sound the spray makes.
Brushing Your Dogs Teeth Is Necessary
This is perhaps the most important measure you can take to maintain teeth and gum health in dogs and humans alike. Some people might think it is silly to brush a dogs teeth, but it does make a huge difference to their general health and lifespan.
It is best to brush your German Shepherds teeth from a young age since many of these dogs do not appreciate their teeth being touched. This gives them an opportunity to become acclimated to your doing so.
A little bit of bleeding during brushing is ok, but if it is heavy or ongoing, you might be brushing too hard. However, if your German Shepherd already has serious gum disease, then you need to reassess the situation.
If bleeding is occurring even during gentle brushing, then it is important to take your dog to the vet and have her gums checked. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
When it comes to how often your German Shepherds teeth should be brushed, it is a matter of the more, the better. Ideally, you would brush your German shepherds teeth every day.
Short of that, two or three times per week will also make a massive difference to your dogs health. Its worth noting that just because your dogs teeth get brushed doesnt mean that they dont need professional dental care also.
Try to have your dogs teeth looked at once a year by a vet. As we humans experience, even with regular brushing we can still sometimes be surprised by cavities and other dental issues that our dentists may uncover your dog is no different.
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The Myths About Dogs With Black In The Roof Of Their Mouths
You may have heard many interesting facts about dogs with black on the roofs of their mouths. Some say that they are smarter, easier to train and make wonderful hunting dogs. Others say that dogs with black in the roof of their mouths instead are more aggressive. How true are all these beliefs? Turns out there’s actually no scientific evidence indicating this relationship.
What Should I Do If My German Shepherd Chews Something Inappropriate
Punishment is not the way to correct bad behavior. Physical punishment and yelling should be avoided.
Catching the dog in the act is the key to making discipline work effectively. If you scold the dog after the fact, they will not understand why they got into trouble. Quick diversion with a more appropriate chew toy works better.
One of the advantages of using diversion as a technique is because it teaches the puppy what to do, instead of only showing them what not to do. Positive training methods have a more significant overall effect on your puppy.
Picking the right chew toys makes a difference in your puppys adjustment to their teething phases. After all, you want this phase in your dogs life to go as smoothly for everyone as possible, especially for the puppy in question.
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Additional Gum Issues To Watch Out For
Younger dogs, puppies especially, can come down with papillomatosis, or warts of the gums. Signs include the appearance of solitary, clusters or even hundreds of warts. If you see one or two warts, dont worry. Carmichael says those will usually fall off in one to two months. Dogs with an abundance of warts, however, may need to have surgery to remove them.
Over time, the texture of an older dogs gums can become more cobbled looking. A cobbled texture in and of itself is nothing to fret about, he says , but cobbled gums can be a sign of cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, if the cobbled gums are accompanied by bad breath, oral pain, reluctance or difficulty chewing and oral bleeding, seek out a vet to examine your pet.
I would have folks pay more attention to the color of the gums, if theyre bleeding or look like theyre going to bleed easily, he says. That would concern me more than textural changes.
Additionally, rough or intense chewing on a toy or a bone can cause gums to bleed. Sharp pieces of the chew toy could temporarily roughen up the gum, he says, adding that this gum condition normally is not a serious issue, unless the bleeding doesnt stop.
If bleeding lasts more than 10 minutes, should seek emergency treatment, says Carmichael. My big worry would be some sort of a bleeding disease unrelated to the dental health.
Will Understanding The Teething Stages Make Life With My Gsd Easier
Knowing when the various teething stages occur in a German Shepherds life will make it easier for you to get through this time. Even though it is a phase of relatively short duration, a teething puppy can leave a lot of destruction in their wake.
However, the more you know about the teething stages, the better you can help your puppy to adjust. When you know what to expect, youll be well-prepared to guide your puppy through this awkward part of the growing-up process.
Regardless of how frustrating it can be to live with a teething puppy, knowing when and how quickly they will go through the stages makes everything easier.
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Why Is My Dogs Tongue Dark Purple
Purple tongue: unless your furry friend is a blue-tongue breed, a purple tongue in dogs is usually related to a lack of oxygen . The coloration caused by hypoxia is known as cyanosis. Heart or respiratory disease are usually the cause of hypoxia, again making it imperative you take the dog to a veterinarian.
Basic Information On Canine Tooth Health
Just like with humans, dental health has a lot to do with general health. Infections in the mouth can spread to the heart and to the rest of the body. Keeping a dogs mouth clean does not have to be time-consuming or difficult. A well-behaved German Shepherd will sit to have its teeth brushed, but as most owners know, this is not always the best way to keep his mouth clean.
Your dog should have teeth along the top and bottom length of the jaw. He should have two longer canines on the bottom jaw, and two longer canines on the top jaw. Youve probably never experienced the sheer force of being bitten by a dog, but you can see how damaging those teeth can be. When you play tug-of-war with your dog, you might get some sense of just how strong his jaw is. Shepherds were bred specifically for that bite power, which even today, is used to subdue criminals and to defend families.
A dog needs a healthy mouth because his teeth are used for far more than just eating. Here are some of the most common dental issues German Shepherds experience.
Know which dental issues to look for and how you can intervene early.
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