Ensure They Eat Just Enough Food
These dogs are prone to developing obesity despite their very active lifestyles. This is because they often get fed way more food than they actually need. For an adult long-haired German shepherd, 3 to 4 cups of dry kibble every day should be more than enough. Puppies under one year may only need 1 cup while older ones can start taking 2 cups per day.
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How Big Do Long Haired German Shepherds Get
Long haired German Shepherds are structurally the same as short haired German Shepherds, therefore they can both grow to similar sizes.
- Males: 24-26 inches tall, 65-90 pounds
- Females: 22-24 inches tall, 50-70 pounds
Since both German Shepherds are physiologically the same, they also have the same temperaments: loyal, intelligent, energetic, courageous and protective. German Shepherds are ranked #2 on the AKC Breed Popularity list and make for wonderful family companions and working dogs.
German Shepherd Puppies And Adult Dogs
Von der Otto German Shepherd will share photos of our Long Coat Puppies and Long Coat Adult Dogs we have for sale or have sold throughout the years. Many people asked us what is a long coat German shepherd puppy or dog look like. The picture below will show you how they look as a puppy and then as an adult. Our long coats have a gorgeous thick mane around their neck and the hair flows down their side. Many times the coat is not much longer than the standard show coat with exception of more hair around the ears. We even have plush coats, which is a cross between a standard coat and a long coat. The long coats handle heat as well as the standard coats. Any dog you need to be very careful, especially in Texas, the weather can reach over 100 degrees, do not to leave any dog in extreme heat. Heat is much harder on any dog then cold. Long coats are now allowed in German shows in a separate class and more are being shown every day. They perform very well in the show and in protection work.
Kars von der Otto, Parents are Karson von der Otto and Xena von der Otto 2014 litter owned by the Merchant Family
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Training A Long Haired German Shepherd
German Shepherds are intelligent and easy to train with the consistent use of dog training commands. With positive reinforcement training, they can quickly learn whatever you teach them.
Dont punish them for bad behavior, however. That often leads to aggression.
Speaking of training, Long Coat German Shepherds thrive when they have a job to do. Consider training them to be a therapy dog or to participate in a dog sport like agility or dock diving. Not only will your dog appreciate the extra exercise, but its an excellent bonding opportunity.
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Long Haired German Shepherd Dogs Are Highly Intelligent And Require Lots Of Mental Stimulation
Because these dogs are so energetic and intelligent, they do best with experienced dog owners.
Just as exercise is important for the long haired German Shepherd, so is mental stimulation. Because this breed is so intelligent and work oriented, he can be prone to serious anxiety, stress, depression and even aggressive tendencies if his mental needs are not routinely met.
You can reduce these issues of this by teaching your long haired German Shepherd new tricks and cues often, and even teaching him how to help out with chores around the house. In fact, many owners work with their long haired German Shepherds to help sort the laundry, bring in the mail, and even load the dishwasher!
You can also include mental stimulation into daily exercise routines with your long haired German Shepherd, as well as invest in puzzle toys or KONG toys to help keep him busy while youre away.
If youre concerned about your long haired German Shepherd when it comes to training and mental stimulation, its never a bad idea to speak with a positive reinforcement trainer and get even more ideas on how to keep your German Shepherd stay happy, healthy, and mentally sound.
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Only True Long Coat King Size German Shepherds In North America
Long Coat vs Short Coat German Shepherd ?
Long Coat German Shepherds differ in their breeding from regular German shepherds in being more laid back, calmer, less energy and easy going. In general these gentle giants have better temperaments than what is encountered in the typical Short Coat German Shepherd as they are not aggressive and yet still very protective.
Curiously, a Long Coat is considered to be a “fault” when judging dogs in the show ring. As a result, most breeders and including Best Shepherds, breed for good “temperament”, a nice personality, large size and soft coats. Probably as the result of their history of less inbreeding, the Long Hair Shepherds tend to have straighter backs and are less likely to develop “hip displacement” problems.
The Long Coat German Shepherd represents what the Old World Shepherds looked like, unlike “the modern dog show version”. Believe it or not, the Long Coat Shepherds actually shed a lot less, except when Spring comes and they “blow off their coatsâ.
How To Tell If A Puppy Will Have Long Hair Ultimate Guide
Any good breeder, dog trainer, or self-proclaimed dog expert will tell you not to choose your puppy based on appearance. Yes, there are more important qualities to look for, such as behavior, temperament, and energy.
Still, we all have certain physical qualities we prefer in our dogs. For breeds that come in both long and short coats, hair length is often an important factor for prospective dog owners.
But since all puppies have baby fur to begin with, how can you tell if a puppy will have short or long hair?
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Long Haired German Shepherd Temperament
Long Coat German Shepherds are intelligent and easy to train. They are devoted to their family but wary of strangers. If theyre socialized properly as puppies, Long Haired German Shepherds can even get along with cats.
German Shepherds can be guarded around human strangers and may be inclined to chase anything smaller than themselves. However, they are gentle with children and make great family pets.
Reviews From Happy Owners
Here are a few pics of Koda at the cottage he is such a good pup! We love him a ton!!! He is extremely protective of Seb he is always by his side and just cries and worries whenever we are swimming. He is our fluffy goofball!!
– Gen from Ottawa
Sam’s ears are up today! I love him so much and can’t get over how smart he is! He is really becoming a very handsome boy. We have become extremely close in a relatively short period of time.Thanks for everything!
– John
We received Apollo from you about 2 years ago. He is doing wonderful and is a beautiful dog with a great personality. We are looking into getting another puppy, Thank you so much!
– Chelsa from Lethbridge, alberta
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German Shepherd Coat: Types Colors Patterns And Care
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When you become interested in getting a German Shepherd, you realize that the task of simply acquiring one is tougher than it seems. You have to pick the right coat type, color, and pattern: factors most outsiders dont even know exist. Heres what they mean.
- German Shepherd Coat Type This refers to the dogs coat length and quantity. This is mainly divided into lengths: short-haired, medium-haired, and long-haired and in quantity: single coat and double coat.
- German Shepherd Coat Color This describes the color of a German Shepherds topcoat. It is significant because some colors dictate price, and others are indicative of the dogs chances of entering or winning a dog show.
- German Shepherd Coat Pattern The term refers to how the color of a German Shepherds topcoat is distributed. Since German Shepherds are rarely a solid color, they almost always have a patterned topcoat. It also includes facial patterns.
In this article, I will briefly cover each of the above, so you have a decent idea about the variations. That way, when you go to your local breeder, you will understand the lingo and will be able to articulate what you truly want when getting a German Shepherd.
Contents
Breeding German Shepherds Since 1985
AKC Inspected & Approved!Available In All Colors & All CoatsWe Are Now Offering Shipping For As Long as I have been breeding dogs we have been given 10% Discount to Military, Veterans, Police and all other first responders.
Breeder of all popular and rare colors black and red, black and tan, sable, solid black, solid white, silver, silver sable, black sable, liver, panda and blue German Shepherds with standard, plush, and long coat.We also import European German Shepherds.We offer a 10% discount to all military, veterans, police, and first responders.941-321-2305Ruskin House of Shepherds provides basic training classes with a certified trainer at no additional charge for you and your new furry friend.
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Long Haired German Shepherd Lifespan And Health Issues
Unfortunately, the Long Haired German Shepherd is prone to a variety of health problems. Their lifespan is only 7-10 years. Thats a sadly short lifespan, even for a large breed dog.
Here are a few health problems your Long Haired GSD might need to deal with:
- Hip or elbow dysplasia a painful condition where the joint doesnt form properly
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus a life-threatening condition where the dogs stomach fills with air and may rotate on its axis, cutting off blood supply to the intestines
- Degenerative myelopathy a progressive spinal cord condition that leads to paralysis
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency a genetic problem where digestive enzymes are destroyed, and the dog cant properly digest food
- Allergies environmental or food allergies can cause a lot of skin and other problems
Not all German Shepherds will have any of these health problems. However, you should budget for potentially expensive surgeries to help your dog maintain their quality of life.
German Shepherd Long Haircoat
Taking care of the GermanShepherd includes constant combing.
Choose a comb that will becomfortable for you and not traumatic for the dog. Otherwise, the undercoatwill become confused and the sheepdog will lose its luxurious appearance.
During molting, this must be done daily. For more read How to Groom a Dog from A to Z?
They often do not need to be bathed: the natural smell of the dog still does not go away and the more frequent water procedures can damage the natural protective film.
When the animal dries, using a piece of deer and a comb, you must give the coat a beautiful appearance.
The long-haired German Shepherd behavior
The long-haired German Shepherd dog is different with a unique spirit and ingenuity. Its consistency, balance, and fast learning ability are used in all industries where a four-legged friend is needed. First of all, it is the security services, the border units of the army and the police.
However, the German a true friend of the family: a soft, faithful, loves children and sympathizes with all pets. But he does not like doing anything, so if your work schedule involves a long absence, its best to find another Shepherd host.
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Essential Grooming And Brushing Tools For A Belgian Malinois Long Hair
Whether your Belgian Malinois has a true long hair coat, a medium-length coat, a short coat, or a rough coat, you will need the same basic set of grooming tools to help keep your dogs coat healthy and protective.
According to Vetstreet, you will want to make time at least once per week to groom and brush your long-haired Belgian Malinois.
And you may want to do this as often as daily during the coat blows.
Food & Diet Requirements
The Long Haired GSD is an active and large dog that will need high-quality dry dog food. Once you decide upon the kind of food you want to feed your dog, you can follow the instructions provided on the food bag to help you determine how much and how often you should feed your GSD. If youre ever worried about your dogs weight, always speak to your vet.
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Bathing Is Only Required When Necessary
If dirt or debris from the outdoors is caught in the hair, it is wise to brush it out little by little before bathing. Beware that the long haired German Shepherds coat does not contain enough natural oils to be frequently bathed. Their ears require precise cleaning since ear wax can stick to the hair located close to the ear opening.
Nail care is essential and should be done on a regular basis. Nail trimming should be done by the dog owner or a professional groomer. In addition to the nail trimming, dog owners can take their dog running or walking on concrete surfaces that will help file down the nails. Whether dog owners plan to do the grooming at home or at a groomer, they will want to get their pup or dog familiar with having their paws handled by gently touching their paws from a young age. This will reduce the risk of grooming anxiety for the dog.
How Rare Are Long Haired German Shepherds
Genetically in German Shepherds, the short hair gene is dominant and the long hair gene is recessive. This means if two short haired German Shepherds are mated, but neither carries the recessive long hair gene, then no long haired puppies can be produced. However, if two short haired German Shepherds are mated and both carry the recessive gene, then long haired puppies can be produced.
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German Shepherd Coats Lengths How Many Are There And What Are They
This is where you have to be a bit careful, because if you dont use the words officially and unofficially, you can get German Shepherd and dog experts offside!
Officially, a dog expert might tell you that there are two stock coats or designated coats for German Shepherds:
a medium/plush coat which is the favoured coat for dog shows
a long haired coat
Both of these coats have an outer coat and an undercoat.
However, if you look at the range of German Shepherd coat lengths you are realistically going to see, these two descriptions or coat lengths are not enough.
Unofficially, the range of coat lengths on a German Shepherd you might use to identify each might be:
Short length coat with an undercoat
Medium length coat with undercoat, often referred to as a plush coat. This is the most common coat and is the desired type of coat for dog shows
Long length coat with undercoat
Long length coat without an undercoat
German Shepherds without an undercoat are more susceptible to cold weather because this is the coat that insulates them from the weather .
Is A Long Haired German Shepherd Right For You
If youre looking for an energetic dog who is intelligent, lovable, and easy to train, the Long Haired German Shepherd may be the breed for you.
Plan on brushing your dog a lot and keeping lint rollers around. Also, know that the long coat will bring lots of dirt and debris into your home.
If you have the time and energy, a Long Coat German Shepherd might be the perfect addition to your family.
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Who Should Get A German Shepherd
If you have a large yard and teenagers or children who will play with and train the dog, then you are an ideal match to get a German shepherd. Owners should have enough available time to go running with the dog, and owners should enjoy the daily task of grooming and caring for their dog. Active people in their early 20s to 40s are ideal matches for these energetic dogs.
Its Important To Go Through Reputable Sources To Obtain A Long Haired German Shepherd Puppy Or Rescue Dog
Take time when looking for a long haired GSD to ensure you get the healthiest puppy or rescue possible.
Although the long haired German Shepherd is more rare than the short haired German Shepherd, he actually costs less to obtain through a breeder. This is due to the fact that his coat is considered a genetic flaw, which makes him ineligible for show or competitions.
On average, a long haired German Shepherd puppy costs around $500 to $1,000 when going through a breeder. If you choose to go through a rescue to adopt your long haired German Shepherd, the fee will be between $250 to $500.
There are pros and cons of going through both a breeder and a rescue to obtain any dog, so the most important thing you can do as a responsible pet parent is your research and choose the most reputable source you can.
Avoid backyard breeders, online sellers, or those just giving dogs away for nothing. Also avoid sellers who do not have a history or understanding of responsible breeding practices, or those who are selling long haired German Shepherd puppies for an astronomical price.
When you go through irresponsible sources to obtain a dog, you are putting yourself at risk of winding up with a sick puppy or a puppy that will grow up with serious behavioral issues. To avoid these sometimes devastating and costly problems, its best to choose a breeder or shelter you trust.
When Going Through A Breeder:
When Going Through A Rescue:
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