How To Brush Your German Shepherds
For short-haired German Shepherds, you would want to use a bristle brush;as for a medium to long-haired German Shepherds you would want to get a pin brush.
Start by brushing your dog from the back and go forward to remove loose hair and any debris from the outer coat. Then use an undercoat rake to remove any dead hair or tangles from the undercoat.
Remember when using brush, comb, or undercoat rake, you must never use them against the direction of the coat growth.
If there are stubborn mats in the inner or outer coat, you can use a de-shedder comb or detangler sprays to get rid of them.
So How To Bathe A German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd dogs usually do not like the water very much, and sometimes they do not want to bathe.
Bathing is essential to take your dog clean, so follow these steps to bathe your German Shepherd dog efficiently.
How To Groom Your German Shepherd
Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed’s health and wellness.
Grooming Your German Shepard is Critical to Their Health
Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that having a bath and sitting still long enough to be thoroughly brushed are not two of a dogs favorite things to do. For a German Shepherd, however, both of those things are extremely necessary, whether he is a show dog, a working dog, or a family pet.
Heres your complete guide to German Shepherd grooming. Take care of your dog and find a way to help him enjoy being brushed, cleaned, and bathed.
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How Do I Know If My German Shepherd Is Shedding Too Much
How much do german shepherds shed? A lot! But even then, there is such a thing as shedding too much! Since there are skin conditions that can cause your dog to shed more than normal its important to know what to look for. While entire patches of missing fur is obvious, there are some other signs that may not be as plain to see. Here are some things to watch for:
- ; ; Skin that is inflamed and red
- ; ; Skin that is flaky and dry
- ; ; Any wounds on your dogs skin
- ; ; Discharge coming from the skin
- ; ; Missing patches of fur
- ; ; Excessive shaking and scratching
If you notice any of these symptoms, or suspect that your dog may have an underlying condition call your vet and make an appointment. Its always better to err on the side of caution where your dogs health is concerned.
Where To Wash Your German Shepherd Dog
It will depend on the size of your German Shepherd Dog, its behaviour , your home and the season.
It is up to you to see what will be the most practical according to your possibilities or constraints: in your garden in summer, in your bathtub, in your shower or in a special German Shepherd Dog wash .
But, whether outdoors or indoors, it will be better if your German Shepherd Dog is immobilized, that it cannot move so that you can wash it properly.
- If you are outside, I advise you to attach it to a tree, a pylon or a fence.
- If you are in your bathroom and your bathtub is large enough, I advise you to put it inside and close the room door in case it manages to get out of the bathtub.
- If you are in the shower, you may need to strap it if necessary to prevent it from turning your bathroom into a battlefield.
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Grooming Requirements Of A German Shepherd
Grooming is not always about bathing your GSD. German Shepherds do not need frequent baths to stay clean and tidy. However, they require frequent grooming that makes them shine. Your GSDs coat needs special attention as it is double-coated and sheds throughout the year, and if groomed well, your dog will not shed a lot of fur.
There are certain grooming requirements for this breed of dogs.
Get Your German Shepherd Used To The Tub
Do not start your dog bathing straight away. In the beginning, let him see the bathroom and the tub as a regular space like any other part of the house.
Take your dog regularly to the bath and put it in the tub without filling in the water.
;Every time you put the dog in the tub give him a treat. In this way, it will know if he goes into the tub, he will get a treat.
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How To Tell When To Wash Your German Shepherd
If your German shepherd begins to genuinely smell, you might want to bathe them. Or other circumstances, like if they went swimming in the ocean, a river, or even a pool, you might want to clean them. Maybe they got deep in a mud puddle. That is fine to give them a good scrub down.
Situations like this are perfectly fine to wash your dog. However, do not overdo it. Sometimes a rinse is all that your dog needs to get clean enough to be healthy and not spread mud all over your house.
If your dog begins to emit that wet dog odor, that is a sign that you should give them a deep cleaning. When your German shepherd begins to smell, it means that the sweat, moisture, and bacteria in their fur have been reacting chemically to the oxygen in the air, which causes the stink.
When they smell, wash them with a gentle dog shampoo. Do not forget to get down to their skin below their furry coat. German shepherds, in particular, have a ton of fur. It can be easy to not get your fingers deep enough into their fur to wash the stink-causing bacteria out.
Make sure that you are not scratching your German shepherd when you are scrubbing him. Small scratches beneath the fur coat can get infected, causing your dog stress, pain, discomfort, and anxiety. These will eventually cost you a trip to the vet and probably some money out of your pocket.
Pin And Bristle Brushes
Pin and bristle brushers are double-sided, featuring a soft-bristle brush on one side and a mat of plastic-tipped pins on the other.
These are handy, and they save you the expense of buying a separate soft-bristled brush.
You can use the pin brush to get rid of loose undercoat, debris, and dirt. The soft brush side can then be used to pick up any loose hair from the top of the coat, leaving it with a lovely shine.
The Safari Pin & Bristle Brush for Dogs* is a best-seller on Amazon.
This well-made brush has round-ended pins that are designed to be easy on your dogs skin, and soft bristles to slide smoothly over the coat.
Another pin and bristle brush we like is the best-selling HaloVa Professional Double Sided Pin & Bristle Bamboo Brush*.
The HaloVa is a superior-quality brush that does an excellent job.
The brushs round-ended pins are made from durable plastic, and its bristles are manufactured from all-natural material.
Whats more, its back and handle are made from responsibly-sourced wood.
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How Much Exercise Does A German Shepherd Need
Just like with any other dog, exercise is an important part of keeping your long-haired German Shepherd fit and healthy. They are full of energy and love to get outside and run around, which means youll need to have plenty of space or time for walks if you plan on adopting one.
If youre a fitness buff and you go on regular walks or runs, a long-haired German Shepherd will make a perfect exercise buddy. They love relaxing with their human family but they are naturally energetic so will always jump at the chance to get outside. This can be a problem if youre a single home owner as you may struggle to find time to walk them regularly. As long as you’re prepared and willing to put the time into giving them exercise you’ll love welcoming a long-haired German Shepherd into your family.
They are extremely clever dogs which means theyre perfect for playing games like fetch and Frisbee at the park. They can be easily trained to retrieve things if youre willing to put the time in.
You Dont Need To Give Your German Shepherd A Full Bath When Theyre Dirty
And lastly, as you can probably guess by now, a lot of the times you dont need to give your german shepherd a full bath when theyre dirty. In fact, this can often be a waste of time.
Another alternative is hosing them down . Once theyve been hosed down, let them shake the water off and then back brush their fur.
This gets rid of a lot of muck and grime they may have picked up. And then finally, give them a good dry with a towel. If they still have a dog odor you can even try using doggy deodorant to mask it.
If there is something worse than mud on them, then, of course, youre going to have to give them a bath. However, dog wet wipes are also an alternative you can consider as well.
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Why Does A German Shepherd Only Need To Bathe Once Every 4
German Shepherds have glands which naturally produce oils to help keep their skin clean and healthy. Over bathing with shampoo can strip away these oils. This can cause your German Shepherds skin to dry out.
German Shepherds are already prone to skin allergies and dry skin increases their chances of getting allergies and skin conditions even further.
German Shepherds have a double coat. An undercoat which helps them to maintain a comfortable temperature by keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer and a denser outer-coat which protects them from rain, snow and dirt.
These same oils which keep their skin clean and healthy also play an important role in making their outer coat water and dirt repellant. When these oils are stripped away it can take a very long time for your German Shepherds double coat to dry out which in cold conditions could give them a chill. It also means dirt will be more likely to get trapped close to their skin which again can cause skin conditions.
It is only recommended you bathe your German Shepherd twice a year as it helps to loosen their undercoat which gets shed entirely once in the fall and once in the spring to make way for their new winter/ summer coat.
This helps to speed up the switch process between these two coats. It is important to note that German Shepherds malt 365 day per year however, anyone who has owned a German Shepherd will know exactly what time of the year these second coat shed baths are due.
What To Do If German Shepherd Has One Ear Up And One Ear Down
Another step to help prevent and treat ear mites is to clean out the dark debris in the ears which will help eliminate the mites from the inside of your dogs ears. You can warm water and gently clean the ears with a rag. There are times that some german shepherd puppies while growing will have one ear up and one ear down.
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Consider Your German Shepherds Food/diet
A dogs diet can affect stomach gas and mouth odors.
A poor diet with not enough nutrients and high in processed ingredients can also contribute to poor body odor and coat smell.
Its worth seeing your dogs vet to see whether a higher quality more natural diet would suit your dog and test whether it decreases bad body and coat odors.
Intolerances and other diet incompatibilities can also contribute to things like gas.
How To Look After A Long Haired German Shepherd
The iconic long-haired German Shepherd is loved by dog owners and breeders all over the world thanks to its gorgeous long coat and dashing good looks. Despite popular beliefs, long hair on German Shepherds is not a product of selective breeding and is in fact the result of a genetic fault.
The specific gene is an unpredictable trait and theres no real way of telling whether or not pups will be born with long hair. Even with selective breeding it’s often down to luck because even two parent dogs with short hair could still produce a long-haired German Shepherd if their DNA contains the necessary gene.
Although it’s down to personal preference and not everyone likes fluffy, long-haired dogs, this particular breed has become very popular with dog owners looking for a furry friend to adopt.
If youre lucky enough to have one of these beautiful canines or youre thinking of adopting one, make sure you know a lot about them in advance so youre prepared and equipped to look after them. This guide will provide you with a quick profile of the long-haired German Shepherd and outline some of the common concerns, issues or potential problems youll need to consider.
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Long Haired German Shepherd Temperament
You may be surprised to know that the long-haired German Shepherd retains all of the intelligence and obedience that the breed is known for, while maintaining a much better general temperament than a standard German Shepherd. This makes them much more diverse in terms of compatibility as they will be suited to all different types of people and home environments.
Along with a much more playful and calm temperament, the long-haired German Shepherd is very affectionate and sociable. They enjoy the company of humans and are always looking to be in contact, which makes them ideal house dogs for families. They’re extremely loyal and still retain the protective instinct that German Shepherds are known for. Their soft and playful nature means that they get along well with children so you wont have to worry if you plan on bringing one into the family.
Just like any other herding breed of dog its important that the long-haired German Shepherd gets enough room to grow. They’re naturally full of energy so they need to be taken on plenty of walks and given the chance to get a lot of exercise. Due to their playful nature you may find that their energy will be used to chew up your favourite shoes if you dont give them enough exercise.
Best Brush For German Shepherds: Easy Owners Guide
Luckily, you only need a handful of grooming tools to brush your GSD.
The Shepherds fur generally doesnt mat and tangle.
The hair can clump, but combs out easily and doesnt need harsh tools to maintain a healthy coat. However, there is a rare occasion you might find a tangle from a seed, stick, or other items that need special attention with a comb to remove.
While theyre known as a high shedding breed, their coats are low odor and are easily maintained through a brushing routine that you can start when theyre puppies
Right at home!
Use this guide to check that you have the best brushes for grooming your German Shepherd.
| Tool Name | |
|---|---|
| Makes brushing easier for puppies | Simply brush your puppy with the glove and they think youre petting them |
Here are the best brushes for German Shepherds, even puppies.
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How To Wash Your German Shepherd Dog Properly
The most effective way will be to wash it with water and a good shampoo for German Shepherd Dog. To choose the best shampoo for your German Shepherd Dog, I advise you to read our study: Best shampoos for German Shepherd Dog.
- First of all, you will have to reassure him by caressing him and talking to him gently. This will allow you to start getting his head a little wet.
- Then start by washing his head.
- Put warm water over his head, avoiding his eyes and nose.
- Put a little shampoo on and rub up to the neck.
- Rinse his head with a shower head, preferably, or with a bucket of warm water prepared in advance.
- Continue with the body by applying the shampoo especially on the undercoat and around his tail.
- As soon as it is well rubbed, rinse it properly.
- To dry it, you will need to take a large, dry towel. Some German Shepherd Dog will withstand being dried in addition to a hair dryer, others will not.