How Big Does The Shollie Get
Border Collie German Shepherds are a large dog breed. However, because they are a mixed breed, their sizes and weights can be hard to predict. We can give you some average sizes so you can get a rough idea of what size your Shollie may grow to.
Commonly, Shollies will weigh anywhere from 70 80lbs and have an average height of 21 29 inches. It is also usual for female Border Collie German Shepherds to come in a little smaller than their male counterparts.
There are no breed standards for the Shollie as it isnt an AKC recognized breed so your dog could fall either side of these averages. Due to its size, this kind of dog isnt likely to be an apartment friendly pooch. Unless you spend a lot of time outdoors.
German Shepherd Training Tips
We mentioned the importance of training a dog to get rid of unpredictable temperaments and bad habits. This is especially true for the GSD.
It is vital that obedience training and early socialization is introduced. This will
- Build confidence
- Get her used to being around strangers and other dogs
- Challenge her intelligence
- Stop boredom and destructive behavior, such as chewing
German Shepherds were bred to work, so nothing makes her happier than being given a job to do.
She thrives on the agility course or in a dog competition, looking to her owner for the next challenge. She is sharp as a tack and learns quickly, eager to impress.
How Can A Homemade Diet Help German Shepherds With All Of This
Home-cooked food for German Shepherd ensures that your pup always eats fresh, wholesome, and allergen-free foods as no chemicals, additives, or fillers are used when cooking at home, hence preventing allergies.
More importantly, home cooking for your GSD allows you to pick only those ingredients that you know wont cause an allergic reaction to your German Shepherd. If you dont know what foods can trigger allergies in your GSD, we strongly suggest doing an At-Home Food Dog Allergy Test before choosing ingredients for your German Shepherds next meal. Plus, it could save you a trip to the vet.
Homemade dog food is easier to digest than kibble more easily digestible food means more efficient absorption of nutrients. Dogs with homemade diets absorb nutrients more efficiently thus, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids act more quickly on the skins inflammatory response, preventing or relieving symptoms of skin allergies, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and/or a potential case of Perianal Fistulas.
A condition like EPI in GSDs requires a low-fat diet and highly digestible food. Homemade cooking allows you to create the low-fat diet needed to feed your dog, plus research confirms that fresh diets are, in fact, more digestible than even a seemingly nutrient-rich kibble10.
Remember each dog is different, and always consult with your vet before making any changes to your GSDs diet.
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The Us Military Prefers The German Shepherds On Their Roster
Due to its aggressiveness, athleticism, loyalty, and intelligence, the U.S. military prefers the German Shepherd breeds on their roster. This unique combination of dog traits is suitable for military duties. The Belgian Malinois and the Dutch Shepherd breeds are the best options as well after the German Shepherd.
How Shepherd Breeds Have Become The Most Popular Pet Dogs
How would you describe a shepherd dog if someone ever asked you? Would it be a classic German Shepherd or a similar breed? What about an Aussie or a Caucasian Shepherd?
The technical definition of a shepherd regarding dogs is any breed that humans have employed to help control livestock and move them from one place to another.
According to the strictest definitions, most dogs in that Herding Group are shepherd breeds. But how close is the relationship between what you typically think of as a shepherd, the GSD, and other herding breeds like the Border Collie?
And how would you classify dogs like the Rottweiler and Bernese Mountain Dog who moved livestock but did not make the cut into the Herding Class? Finally, where do LGDs, or livestock guardian dogs like the Kuvasz and Anatolian Shepherd factor?
We explore the herding dog background and different shepherd breeds that are popular in the USA and then delve into others that have great status in their native countries.
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German Shepherds Can Live Up To Over 13 Years With Proper Care
In general, the lifespan of a German Shepherd is around 9 to 13 years. However, the longest a German Shepherd has ever lived is 18 years. There are many ways to enhance the health of the German Shepherd such as regular veterinary care, weight maintenance, high quality of food, dog supplements, exercise, and good oral hygiene.
Different Types Of German Shepherd Temperament
There are many cases where a German shepherds traits differ. For example, your dog may have different traits than your friends.
To give you a better idea, take a look at the following comparisons of German shepherd temperament.
- Breed Line: In the past, German shepherds were only used as a working dog. However, as they became more and more popular, people saw them as potential high-quality materials for show events.In response, breeders created German shepherds in two ways. The first type is the usual, working dogs, while the latest type is what we call show dogs.
- Working Line: Those in the working line are fierce and intense. They possess the basic personality, but they are more hard-headed. They are loyal to a fault. This is the reason why they often become destructive when you leave them alone for some time.
- Show Line: German shepherds belonging in the show line are much more soft-tempered than those in the working line.They are more family-oriented and elegant than working dogs. However, they may be too sophisticated to owners that want simple dogs.Since they are solely for dog shows, the German shepherds physical traits in this breed line is more refined.
These factors affect a German shepherds temperament. While some may assume that they cant do anything about it, you actually can.
For example, as show dogs, German shepherds may be trained by a professional to act like one. This training occurs before their adoption.
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Best Homemade German Shepherd Dog Food Recipes
Weve compiled our favorite German Shepherd homemade dog food recipes to share with you.
Weve also added a special treat recipe for German Shepherds that is not only tasty but its packed with impressive health benefits. We kid you not, this recipe can do a lot for your GSDs health and wellness. It has our favorite secret ingredient, dog CBD oil.
For even more German Shepherd food recipes and cooking options, cookbooks can come in handy to have an array of dog food recipes at your disposal. We love Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog.
Note: Please consult with your pets veterinarian & use personal judgment when applying this information to your dogs diet. The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and the health of your dog. A common recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble BUT check with your vet to be certain.
CBD Dog Treat | Turkey Veggie Mix | Chicken Quinoa Mix | Chicken Casserole | Scoobys Organic Stew
Gsd Vs Shiloh Shepherd
The Shiloh Shepherd is the result of breeding from a select group of German Shepherds to keep certain traits within the group.
If you like the Dire Wolf from Game of Thrones, the Shiloh is a dream come true.
This Shepherd is BIG, weighing up to 120 lbs. They have a long, shaggy coat that only adds to their size and also differentiates them from the standard GSD.
When it comes to temperament, you wont find much difference except that the Shiloh is said to be the gentler of the two.
This Shepherd is often used for therapy work because of her calm, patient and friendly nature.
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Best Training Techniques For A Gsd
Establishing a training routine should definitely be on the to-do list. Remember to start her young and stay consistent to reap the full benefits.
1. Crate training
When your German Shepherd is a puppy, crate training is the perfect way to housetrain and reduce stress. This is especially useful to combat separation anxiety displayed by this breed.
Crate training sometimes gets a negative nod as being too harsh since a dog is caged for hours at a time. In fact, crate training creates a den-like environment that dogs crave. The den, with its familiar smell, is their space to relax and feel safe.
Your puppy will also learn to use the toilet outside, since dogs naturally do not like to relieve themselves where they sleep and hang out.
2. Obedience training
Obedience training will not only stimulate the sharp mind of the GSD, but also serve as the foundation for her good behavior. That means no pulling on the leash, following your commands seamlessly, and learning to remain calm in unfamiliar places.
You can hire a professional dog trainer to work with your pup, or go for it yourself. If you decide to undertake training, here are some helpful tips.
- You must be consistent with training.
- Be calm, confident and assertive. Losing patience will get you ignored.
- Training doesnt stop after a lesson. Always acknowledge when your GSD follows commands daily, rewarding with praise.
- Never blame the dog YOU are the master!
3. Socialization
Physical Aspects Of The German Shepherd
His majestic appearance, incomparable character, and great intelligence have led the German Shepherd to be possibly the most popular dog of all time.
They stand out for having a wide, wedge-shaped head, their most distinctive feature and the one that attracts the most attention. On the top of the head are its medium-sized, erect and pointed ears, which give the German Shepherd that famous wolf-like appearance. His eyes, set obliquely over the skull, express security and confidence, and they are always dark.
Its strong, healthy teeth allow the German Shepherd to have a strong scissor bite.
The body of the German Shepherd is longer than it is tall and the upper line is sloping, descending slightly from a raised withers to the lower rump. The back is broad and muscular, and the croup is long and slightly sloping.
According to the official standard of the German Shepherd, the coat corresponds to a double coat with undercoat. The length of the coat varies slightly in different parts of the body, but the German Shepherd is not a long-haired dog.
The German Shepherd standard accepts various colors for the breed. Among the colors of the German shepherd we find dark black, brown and tan, yellowish and even gray in various shades. The nose must be black.
Its height at the withers is 60 to 65 centimeters for males and 55 to 60 centimeters for females males weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms. Females weigh between 22 and 32 kilograms.
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The German Shepherds Temperament: Fiercely Loyal & Highly Intelligent
The GSD is one of the most talented breeds out there. She is confident, easy to train, and affectionate.
Loyalty is one of the defining features of this breed. In fact, it isnt uncommon for the GSD to choose one family member over the others in its human pack.
You can count on her to never leave your side. You wont have to worry about having a pesky escape artist that always keeps you stressed about closed doors.
Her loyalty means that shell be on alert at all times. German Shepherds are highly protective, with unwavering bravery that will have her barking at the window or out the door in no time to keep her family and territory safe.
This quality makes the GSD an excellent guard dog. Unfortunately, she has also fostered a reputation as an aggressive breed.
Complete and utter devotion to her owner means that can be a problem. Long hours spent apart will make her eye those shoes or leather sofa with drool dripping from her hungry teeth.
Breeding For Size Aesthetics And Performance
In principle, the German Shepherd has got bigger and bulkier as the breed has developed. Critics complain that this form no longer has much in common with the original type, which was slightly lighter and less muscular though more agile. This conflict amongst breeders ultimately led to there being a differentiation between two different breeding lines nowadays: on the one hand, breeding for size or aesthetics with a somewhat bulkier body and a sloped back, and on the other hand performance breeding, which favours a lighter type and primarily values good utility dog qualities.
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Monitor Weight & Health
Its important you monitor your German Shepherds weight as you transition to a homemade food diet.
Follow your GSDs weight and health closely for about a month to ensure that she is not adversely affected by this new diet.
An unbalanced diet can lead to excessive energy, skin or coat disorders, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, or obesity. If you notice these symptoms, stop feeding your GSD this food immediately and consult with a professional dog nutritionist.
Its important to work alongside your vet to ensure the diet maintains nutritional adequacy.
German Shepherd Popularity After Wwi
With the end of World War I came a new appreciation for the breed. The German Army had made good use of the breed as a war dog. Tales told by returning U.S. fighting men, some bringing shepherds with them, and the intelligence and striking appearance of the dogs caught the attention of the general public. Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, whose movies played on variations of the “boy and his dog” theme, shot the popularity of the breed sky-high. Puppy factories flourished to meet the demand, gutting the American market with poor quality “German police dogs”, resulting in a down-turn in popularity of the breed.
Serious breeding did continue such as by Mrs. Harrison Eustis, of Fortunate Fields Kennels, in Switzerland. Her approach was completely scientific with exhaustive research of breedings undertaken. The most widely known usefulness to which her dogs were put was as guide dogs for the blind at the famous Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey.
In 1922 Germany introduced a system of regular breed surveys – a criticism of each dog, with a graded description and recommendation for breeding. This type of system never caught on in America due largely to the cultural differences inherent in American society. However, good dogs were still produced as German dogs were easily available for American dollars highly sought after in inflationary Germany.
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Closely Related Or Not Shepherd Breeds Share Common Traits
With few exceptions, Shepherd breeds are the athletes of the dog world, often more so than gundogs. The herding class possesses significant speed with even the short-legged Corgi able to reach 23 miles per hour and the GSD and Border Collie 30 to 32 miles per hour.
Although not quite as fast as the sighthounds, herding dogs make up for it with boundless energy and tremendous stamina.
People continue to covet shepherd breeds because of their high intelligence, drive, and unique, attractive appearance. Moreover, herding dogs seem to transform when at work, mesmerizing with their agility and intensity.
East German Ddr Working Lines
This type of German Shepherd has continued to be developed and maintained after the end of WWII.
The establishment of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik meant strict government-controlled pedigree registration.
And 40 years of closed breeding.
From this developed a distinctive looking dog. With dark pigment, a big head, deep chest, athletic body, supreme intellect, and stamina to boot.
This type of German Shepherd has a sound temperament and a high work drive .
They must have plenty of mental and physical stimulation and an experienced handler.
Check out this infographic and learn some fun facts about the German Shepherd Breed!
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds
Because German Shepherd Dogs can weigh more than 50 pounds at maturity, opt for a large-breed dog food to support joint health and mobility and maintain their ideal body condition. You may also want to consider foods formulated for active and energetic dogs, which offer an ideal protein-to-fat ratio to maintain lean muscles.
These foods include:
Skeletal Health And Supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
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