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How To Stop Your German Shepherd From Shedding

How To Get A Ton Of Dog Hair Out

German Shepherd Shedding Remove Hair Without a Furminator

German Shepherds are a double-coated breed. Meaning there is two layers of coat: the surface coat , and a thicker under-layer called the undercoat – and it’s the undercoat that is responsible for most of the hair around your home or car.

As a groomer I use a few different techniques for deshedding your dog:

The best bang for your buck is the amazing Undercoat Rake – it’s simply a soft-pinned comb that effectively loosens up all that undercoat hair .

We’ll also use deshedding shampoos and treatments.

And finally, a high velocity dryer to literally blow the remaining coat off. This usually leaves your dog shed-free for at least a few weeks.

Include Omega Fatty Acids In Your Gsds Diet

I already mentioned ways you can change your German Shepherds diet to reduce his shedding. Still, you can also add Omega fatty acids to your daily routine to reduce the amount of shedding that occurs year-round.

You can do this by selecting specific foods with Omega 3 fatty acids. Still, you can also achieve it by providing your German Shepherd with a daily supplement that includes these nutrients. Take a look at Zesty Paws Omega Bites from Amazon. They come in bacon and chicken flavor and get thousands of positive reviews. Always consult your vet first before giving supplements.

My German Shepherds cold-pressed dog food already contains fish oils and vegetable oil which keeps her skin and coat in tip-top condition, so I dont need to worry about this. You can find out what I feed her here.

If your dog food choice doesnt contain sufficient oils, you can try adding a little olive oil to his food. Olive oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to improve the skin and coat. Check with your vet on how much to give your dog.

Tip! I also often add a little tinned tuna or mackerel in oil to my German Shepherds food and she wont be far away whenever we have salmon for dinner!

Including Omega fatty acids in your dogs diet will mean much less shedding in the long-term, and your German Shepherd will be healthier at the same time!

Do German Shepherds Need To Be Groomed

German Shepherds have such beautifully thick coats that they without a doubt need to be well groomed regularly. Not only this, the German Shepherd is a double coated breed which means thats double the layers to take care of. The undercoat, plush layer of their fur is a thick layer, whilst the outer layer is harsher to keep them protected from all of the elements.

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How Do I Stop My German Shepherd From Shedding So Much

To reduce German Shepherd shedding, brush your dog daily, bathe 3-4 times a year, change his food to one that targets a healthy coat and skin, make sure he is always hydrated, and control parasites. You cant avoid your GSD blowing his coat twice a year, but all these methods will help to reduce shedding.

What Should I Do If My German Shepherd Puppy Is Not Growing

Every German Shepherd needs a Shed Defender :)

If you have any doubt that your puppy is not changing according to the above German Shepherd growth chart, the best thing to do would be to contact your trusted vet. If you are providing adequate exercise and quality dog food, your German Shepherds dog growth should be normal and she will have no trouble reaching her full potential.

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It’ll Save You Green Backs

It’s a definite money-saver over the life span of your dog. German Shepherd’s can live to the ripe old age of 15.

And although there is an upfront investment for grooming equipment, it won’t be long before you win that money back.

Grooming costs are based on how much fur your dog has. You have a German Shepherd and that equals A LOT of fur.

Here’s an example for 2019:

For a German Shepherd with a double coat that needs regular grooming from an experienced, professional groomer who knows their stuff the prices go something like this

Bath: $40

Extra Brush Out: $16

That’s a whopping $164 per visit to the groomer per month!

And with a high maintenance coat like the German Shepherd’s, your GSD will need a minimum of 2 visits per month from the start of Spring to the end of Summer. That’s roughly 5 months.

If you have one dog, that adds up to $1620 per year!

So, you see, home-grooming makes a lot of financial sense!

What Is A German Shepherds Coat Like

German Shepherds have thick, luxurious, double-layer coats. The fur you see at first glance is the coarse outer coat, which is often the signature black and tan colors.

However, the AKC outlines that German Shepherds can also be white, black, gray, blue, liver, sable, or a variety of bi-color options. These colored outer guard hairs protect your dog from cuts, sunburn, and so on.

Less obvious is their fluffy white inner coat, which is only visible when you part your German Shepherds fur with your hands or a brush. This coat serves as an insulator, growing in thick in the winter to keep your German Shepherd warm and then being replaced by a thinner coat in the summer to provide a natural cooling mechanism.

Historically this was critical since German Shepherds were outside much of the time herding livestock.

Their outer coat is medium to long, and can either be straight or a bit wavy. Most German Shepherds have medium length coats, but theres actually a recessive gene that can cause longer, fluffier hair. In some cases , long-haired German Shepherds have only a single layer coat.

Although the AKC accepts the long-haired variation, its considered a defect but shh, dont tell your extra-floofy German Shepherds that. Hes perfect just the way he is!

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Why Does My German Shepherd Stink

There are a number of possible reasons why your German Shepherd could smell. It could be that it has health problems such as bad breath, diseased teeth or gums, ear infections or excessive flatulence or problems with the anal sacs. It could also be due to rolling in smelly things, a bad diet or having been in water.

German Shepherd Shedding Season: How Oftendo German Shepherds Shed

Frequently Asked Friday – German Shepherd Shedding!

Most German Shepherds shed daily.

And youll notice traces of hair on your floor, bed, andfurniture. However, the shedding is moderate compared to certain times of theyear.

Normally, German Shepherds shed their undercoat twicea year during spring and fall to pave the way for new hair.

They shed heavily during summer and least duringwinter.

Summertime is hot, and their thick coat makes thempant, so they have no option but to remove it.

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German Shepherd Shedding And How To Prevent It

Shedding is something all dogs do. At some point in their lives, dogs shed some of their fur. This could be natural or caused by other factors. Many dogs dont shed so much fur, but as a dog owner, you have to be prepared for all that comes with your dog, including shedding.

German Shepherd Dogs are really smart and agile. Many people love those things about them. But what about their shedding? Do German Shepherds shed? Do they shed a lot? How do you deal with a German Shepherd thats shedding? How long do German Shepherds shed?

We understand you may have questions, and weve written this article that would definitely help you out with your dog.

Why You Should Consider A High

If youre going to follow the bathe and blow method to groom your GSD for summer, youll need a high-velocity dryer.

Sure, you can try this method with a regular hairdryer.

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 its no less messy!

Yes, de-shedding is a messy business no matter how you look at it.

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Allow Your Gsd More Access To Fresh Water

You might not even realize it, but allowing your German Shepherd to drink more water daily can greatly reduce the amount of shedding! Thats because dogs tend to shed a little bit more when theyre dehydrated.

If youre having trouble keeping up with your dogs water regimen, I recommend using an automatic dog water dispenser. This device allows you to fill up a big tub of water all at once, so you wont have to keep remembering to add more water to the bowl throughout the day.

Ive never had to use one of these however, Ive heard good things about them, and I think they can really do the trick. If I were choosing one from Amazon, I like the look of the Petsafe Drinkwell as its ideal for German Shepherds with its two-tiered design.

Tip! You can give your German Shepherd ice-cubes in the summer to keep him hydrated. You can also try frozen fruits such as raspberries or strawberries as an alternative healthy treat to help quench his thirst.

Do German Shepherds Shed And How Much Can You Stop It

How To Keep Your German Shepherd Entertained
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The German shepherd ranks as one of Americas most popular breeds, and there are plenty of reasons why.

Both female and male dogs are known for being courageous, confident, intelligent, and loyal above all. They possess a fearless stance and a noble bearing.

They are muscular and agile, and their bodies are outlined with smooth, graceful curves.

Since they are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, they can be trained to do almost anything, making them leaders of the pack when it comes to all sorts of service work.

From police and military work, search and rescue, drug detection, protection, and being a guide dog, they fulfill every role to perfection.

Now, when it comes to their coats, they can be long or short, but they are almost always double-coated.

This might give you a hint in figuring out whether German shepherds shed or not, but if you own one of these majestic dogs, you already know the answer.

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Underlying Health Conditions Or Skin Irritants

There are also a whole host of health conditions, pests, and irritants that can cause abnormal shedding. These might include external factors like allergies, mites, fleas, lice, ticks, sunburn, or other topical irritants.

Internal conditions that may cause hair loss include kidney disease, liver conditions, side effects from medication, immune conditions, hypothyroidism, adrenal issues, and follicular dysplasia. Bacterial and fungal skin infections can cause localized hair loss, especially if the infection is itchy and your dog relentlessly scratches the area.

German Shepherds generally have pretty sensitive skin, and it can get irritated from being bathed too frequently or with harsh soaps, which strip the natural oils. This makes their skin dry out, which can cause extra shedding.

How To Reduce German Shepherd Shedding

There are a few things we can do so that our German Shepherd dogs will shed less and at a slower rate, its good to practice proper grooming for our dogs. You should practice brushing your dogs fur on a daily basis, this will get rid of the dead furs on the dog, a good and well-recommended brush would be the bristle brush and the pet grooming de-sheddingbrush these are just about perfect for the height of the hair on the German Shepherd dogs.

Your German Shepherd dog should be bath at least 3-5 times per year with the proper shampoo to keep your dog sheen alive and well as well as treat the skin. The best dog shampoo thats on the market today is the Legger USDA Certified Organic Dog Shampoo if you are not familiar with it you should definitely give it a try you will see results.

A very important thing to do is to get your dog on the right diet, putting him/her on a high-quality diet. Its common for us to feed our dogs on cheap food and the cheap dog food will contain a lot of corn and grains. What many people will not know is that those are hard to digest for the dogs.

The best dog food to buy is the ones that contain mostly meat as their main ingredients, its going to be a little bit pricier than the norman but its better for your dog in the long run. It is even said that we should treat our dogs with human foods from time to time from a variety of meats to fruits.

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What Happens To German Shepherds Legs As They Get Older

12-year-old German Shepherd As your German Shepherd gets older, their ability to use their hind legs diminishes rapidly, eventually leading to total loss of ability to move their rear legs. This is commonly due to arthritis or hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is more likely to occur the older your dog gets.

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Benefits Of Managing A German Shepherd Losing Hair

German Shepherd shedding…what to do with GSM

If your German Shepherd is losing hair, then you need to take immediate action to manage the issue.

When your German Shepherd loses too much hair it can become a nuisance since it seems itll never stop.

But spending time grooming your GSD has benefits beyond reducing the amount of hair loss in your home. Taking the time to brush and groom your dog is fun and gives you time to bond together.

Its also a great chance to check your dogs skin and fur for:

  • New bumps
  • Hot spots
  • or dry skin

The result of managing your German Shepherds hair loss is a happy, healthy dog and much less shedding around the house.

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Reduce Shedding Through Proper Grooming

German Shepherds are fairly easy to groom. Brushing several times per week, along with the occasional bath, is usually enough to maintain their coat.

However, they are a double coated breed that sheds a lot. So if you want to keep as much fur out of your home as possible, it may be worth brushing him daily, especially during shedding season.

Brushing can help in a couple of ways.

First, it removes the loose hair from his coat before it falls out and onto your furniture. So daily brushing, even for 10 minutes or so, can make a big difference and significantly reduce the amount of time youll need to spend vacuuming. And second, brushing can help spread his natural coat oils, which in turn can help promote a healthier coat.

What sort of brush should you use?

Well, like any dog, the sort of brush you use really depends on what sort of coat they have. As in, how long the coat is and the texture of the hair.

According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, German Shepherds have a medium length double coat. The outer coat is made up of dense, straight, coarse, and close lying fur which comes in a variety of colors. And the undercoat is thick and dense.

What I have found is that, for dogs with thick coats like the GSD, a combination of a slicker brush and metal comb works well. A slicker brush is a type of dog brush made up of fine wire bristles with plastic tips on the ends. And a simple metal comb with wider teeth on one end and narrower teeth on the other, is ideal.

How Often Should A German Shepherd Be Groomed

Your German Shepherd should be brushed 3-4 times a week, eradicating any loose, dead hairs and keeping the fur soft and shiny. Like other breeds, you should be careful of overbathing your German Shepherd, too many baths can cause dry, irritated skin which leaves them exposed to other health issues. With the German Shepherd breed you should also be checking their toenails at least once a week, otherwise you could be leaving your pup prone to injury.

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Massage For Stress And Shedding Reduction

  • Sit next to your dog on the floor in a quiet, comfortable room.
  • Using very light hands, stroke your dog softly from head to tail for 15 minutes.
  • Do this every week.
  • Not only is this relaxing for your dog, but petting a dog is shown to decrease your blood pressure and increases bonding.
  • Its also a great time to notice any health concerns in their body, like lumps or bumps, sore areas, or unusual smells.

Use these double-duty grooming gloves for extra hair removal. The innovative design features the perfect combination of rubber nodules on the fingers and palm, which feels like a massage, and helps to promote bonding.

But

Theres even more to these practical grooming gloves!

They work specifically as a heavy-duty de-shedder to capture hard to reach hair. And, the hair wont stick to the gloves whether used wet or dry.

Plus, its a useful tool to have since it is so gentle even puppies enjoy being brushed!

While this seems like a simple shedding solution, proving a massage with the right type of grooming tool reduces stress in your German Shepherd and goes a long way to keep them healthy.

Why Do German Shepherds Shed

Do German Shepherds Shed? All You Need to Know

The coats of German Shepherds can vary in length and color. There are German Shepherds with a short coat and an undercoat, medium coat with an undercoat, long coat with an undercoat, and a long coat without an undercoat. This dog breed has two layers of coat: a topcoat or guard coat and an undercoat. Its topcoat is usually thick, straight, flat, and coarse and lies close to the body. It can also be wavy and wiry in texture. On the other hand, the undercoat is soft and thicker than the topcoat.

Just like many other dog breeds, German Shepherds also experience shedding. There are a number of reasons why their hair falls off but the most common reason is to protect them from the changing seasons. Their coat serves as protection from the harsh weather, be it the cold or the heat of the sun. It acts as a regulator for their body temperature.

Another reason for their shedding is their overall health. There might be times when your German Shepherd can experience excessive shedding and this might be because of an underlying health reason such as stress, allergies, pain, hormonal changes, or fleas, parasites, or ticks. If your dogs excessive shedding is caused by one of these reasons, you should already consult your vet for a proper consultation and medication.

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