Key Milestones: 4 Months
Its time for teething, obedience training, and more.
9. Teach your dog whats acceptable to chew .
Starting at around four months, GSPs begin teething.
Venner recommends being ready to redirect your dog away from chewing on the furniture and other off-limit items to teething on appropriate items like chew toys, such as Nylabones or Kongs.
10. Enroll your GSP in puppy classes.
At this age, you can find competition and household pet obedience classes as well as puppy agility classes. These will allow your dog to interact with other dogs in a controlled environment, with fewer problems likely to arise.
Whatever classes you enroll your puppy in, make sure theyre tailored to puppy participants, since your dog is still growing and GSP growth plates are not yet fused at this stage. That means you dont want your puppy to be jumping too high.
What Is A German Shepherds Lifespan
Generally, German Shepherds live between 9 and 13 years. In respect to other dog breeds, this is not a long lifespan, given that some breeds can reach up to 16 to 17 years.
However, there are several determinants that affect the overall well-being of your GSD and improve its lifespan. The first is quality food. Always make sure you feed your canine with the best dog food for German Shepherds.
This maintains their health within the preferred standards, and it also improves their overall performance.
Also, make sure the puppy gets enough activity during the day. Lazy, couch potato German Shepherds are not happy, and their overall health is endangered.
Lastly, visit your veterinarian timely. Make sure the puppy does not suffer from hidden health issues, and that it gets timely treatments if it does.
Are Short Haired German Shepherds Aggressive
One of the most common questions is: Are short haired German Shepherds aggressive? This is due to their vigilant nature and watchdog traits. But, the answer is: No! The breed is not aggressive if trained properly.
However, German Shepherds, as watchdogs, are put in the category of aggressive dog breeds basically because of the fact that they tend to roar, or howl when faced with potential threats.
This mostly relates to outside GSDs that serve as guardian dogs and dont spend enough time around people.
There might be times when the breed shows extensive aggression, though. This is usually in two cases. First, they are aggressive towards unknown people who dont know how to approach them, or simply show insecurity in the dogs presence.
Dogs understand this behavior as hostile, and they act in a protective manner.
Second, German Shepherds can show signs of aggression if they are suffering from severe anxiety. The root of this health issue lies in separation from their owner.
The breed does not stand separation well, and it is not recommended to leave puppies on their own for more than a few hours.
Other reasons for anxiety can be found in the fact that some dog owners have a bully attitude towards their puppy and lack positive reinforcement.
This is where the German Shepherds response is directly proportional, as the breed perceives bullying as a potential threat.
Also Check: Do German Shepherds Need A Big Yard
How Big Are German Shepherds
Males stand about 24-26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 75-110 pounds.
Females stand about 22-24 inches and weigh 65-90 pounds.
Some German Shepherds are considerably larger than that, but shouldn’t be. This breed is supposed to be athletic and agile, not giant-sized and ponderous. Larger dogs can have more joint problems and a shorter lifespan.
Short Haired German Shepherd Dog: Common Colors Of German Shepherd Coat
The color of the German Shepherd coat could be black and tan, sable, bicolor, black, or white.
- Black and tan is the most common color for this breed.
- Sable can range from light gray, tan, darker red, grey, dark brown, to black.
- Bicolor is a variation of the color black and tan. This is a phenomenon where the dogs entire body is black except for a few areas that are brown or tan.
- Black German Shepherds are completely black with little brown hair on their toes and a white spot on their chest.
- White German Shepherds have a masking gene that masks the German Shepherd colors making them appear white.
A Short haired German Shepherd can have any of the common colors that are found in the German Shepherd breed.
However, their color mainly depends on factors such as coat length genes, coat color genes, and coat pattern genes. Depending on their parents, they will be predisposed toward certain colors.
Read Also: Dog Toys For German Shepherd
Coat Color And Grooming
The German Shepherd was originally bred to herd flocks in harsh climates, and their medium-length double coat fits the job perfectly, acting as protection the dog from rain and snow and resistant to picking up burrs and dirt.
The coat types of the German Shepherd are as varied as their color. Some German Shepherds are longhaired. However, the “ideal” German Shepherd has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat is dense with straight hair that lies close to the body, and is sometimes wavy and wiry.
The coat comes in variety of colors and patterns including black black and cream black and red black and silver black and tan blue gray liver sable and white. The American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize white as a color for this breed, however, and won’t let white German Shepherds compete in conformation shows, although they’re allowed in other competitions.
Sometimes jokingly called “German shedders,” the breed sheds year-round, and generally “blows”sheds a lot of hair at once, like a snowstormtwice a year. If you want a German Shepherd, be prepared for hair on your black pants, on your white couch, and pretty much all over the house.
There’s no magic solution to shedding, and we just have to accept it. However, brushing two to three times a week will help more of the hair come out in a brush, rather than on your furnishings. And a sturdy vacuum cleaner doesn’t hurt either.
How To Care For A Short Haired Gsd
German Shepherds are quite undemanding. To keep your dog healthy and comfortable adhere to the following care recommendations.
Hair
A short haired Shepherd has a fairly stiff coat, and during shedding, it covers the entire environment, including the furniture and the carpet. To prevent this from happening, brush your pet twice a week with a special brush.
Bathing
Two to three baths per year, excluding fall and winter, is the optimal number of water treatments for this breed. Washing more often will cause its coat to lose its natural shine.
Teeth
Shepherds often suffer from tartar, so once a week they should be given a special chew stick. Once every six months, the dog should be examined at the vet, where the specialist can pay attention to the condition of the dogs mouth. While your Shepherd dog is still small, dont play tug-of-war with him, and dont snatch toys from his mouth. This could cause its bite to become deformed.
Walking
A German Shepherd needs to get both mental and physical exercise every day. The best way to do it all at once is to train outside. If you keep your dog in an apartment, take at least two hours of daily walks.
Also Check: What Is A Good Elbow Score For A German Shepherd
How To Groom A Long Haired German Shepherd
The long hair of this dog means that there is a lot of extra grooming that youll have to do compared to a standard German Shepherd. If youve never seen the amount of hair that a long-haired German Shepherd sheds, you may be in for a bit of a shock. After a full brushing youll be left with what looks like another dog on the floor, so be sure not to leave it too long between brushes.
Because of its length, your dogs hair can easily become matted and sticky if left uncleaned and ungroomed. This means youll need to keep on top of your poochs grooming schedule and make sure theyre brushed regularly to avoid irritation and overheating from a build-up of fur.
Long-haired German Shepherds constantly shed their fur so you may want to invest in a decent vacuum cleaner as youll be using it a lot. We all know how dog hairs have a habit of getting everywhere so make sure you have plenty of lint rollers to hand so you can de-fur your clothes before you head out.
As well as brushing your pooch its important to maintain well-trimmed nails, so regular manicures are vital. There are many health benefits to keeping your long-haired German Shepherds nails neat and trimmed. It can be an awkward task if youve never done it before so be sure to check out our guide above.
Do Short Haired German Shepherds Shed A Lot
Do German Shepherds shed, you ask? Well, you might not like the answer. Yes! Short haired German Shepherds shed, too!
They might have a tendency of shedding less than long-haired GSDs, given their coat length, but the puppy still needs grooming two to three times a week. This is by default a high-shedding breed, and it leaves trails everywhere it goes.
Thats why you need to think carefully about having one of these puppies inside your house. You will definitely have a lot of work to do, especially if your short-haired GSD loves spending time on the couch!
A puppy bed is a great option if your GS is an indoor dog. It provides comfort to your canine, and at the same time, the cleaning space is narrowed down.
Generally, German Shepherds that live indoors require crate training and socialization training at an early age.
Otherwise, you will have a long-term problem that cannot be solved within a week or two.
Don’t Miss: How Often Bathe German Shepherd
The Coat And The Club
The primary difference between a short-haired GSD and a long-haired GSD is obviously the coat. But the difference in fur covering is much more complex than merely one dog having shorter hair than the other. In a way, its the engine that drives public perception of the breed.
The Long-haired German Shepherd, also known as the Coated German Shepherd or Long Coated German Shepherd, has longer hairs around their tails, faces, ears, bellies, hindquarters, and behind their legs. These hairs are soft and silky.
What most of them dont have, however, is the undercoat like a Short-haired GSD. This creates a bit of an interesting anomaly. Long-hairs have longer hair than Short-hairs, but Short-hairs have more actual hair than Long-hairs.
This discrepancy makes a huge world of difference, particularly in the world of competitive dog shows. Long-hair GSDs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club , because according to them, their coat is a fault and therefore does not meet the breed standard. As such, they arent permitted to participate in dog shows.
To further complicate things, there are some Long-haired GSDs that do have a double coat, just like the breed standard Short-haired version. Despite this, they are also not recognized by the AKC and therefore cannot participate in dog shows.
What Is A Short Haired German Shepherd
A double-coated standard German Shepherd is a short haired German Shepherd. It is also known as a regular coat or a short stock coat. This name is used only in contrast to the long-haired variation since this kinds topcoat is often less than one inch in length. Short haired German Shepherds are considered standard because this characteristic is preferred.
Also Check: German Shepherd Rescue Of Orange County Newport Beach Ca
Do Short Haired German Shepherds Get Cold
Short haired GSDs do not become cold because of their thick undercoat, which serves as an insulating layer and keeps their body heat from escaping, keeping them relatively warm in colder weather. If taught and introduced from a young age, the breed is completely capable of sleeping and living outside.
Notable Individual German Shepherds
- The dog on which the breed was founded
- Horand von Grafrath , considered the first German Shepherd and the genetic basis for modern German Shepherds
Read Also: What Kinds Of German Shepherds Are There
They Are Loyal And Obedient
Short-haired shepherd breeds are extremely loyal to their owners.
Thats why the first thing youll notice is their willingness to do any job for you. But as usual, too much is bad.
Youll find their loyalty a bit troublesome since they can be anxious when left alone for a long period of time.
Theres no need to worry because thats not the only good thing about their personality.
Short Haired German Shepherd Lifespan And Health
Normally, short haired German Shepherds can live 10-13 years. They may suffer from such health issues as hip dysplasia, heart and eye conditions, and generative myelopathy. That is why it is important that you request a full history of its parents health if you want to take a puppy from a breeder. Be sure that the breeder will also provide you with information about the puppys hip scores and clear eye tests. Getting insurance is a good idea, too.
You May Like: German Shepherd Mutts For Sale
The Good German Shepherd
German shepherds can either be very short, short, medium, or long-haired. Regardless of their coat length, they are loving, workaholic, and loyal dogs.
A German shepherd is said to be Short haired GSD due to his coat length compared to other GSDs. The short-haired gene is dominant while the long-haired gene is not dominant. The most common German shepherds have a medium coat length. The AKC does not favor short-haired GSDs as they term a standard breed as the one with a medium coat length, but they are accepted in show rings. Very short-haired German shepherds are termed as a fault.
In this article, we will dive deeper into everything you need to know about the short-haired GSDs i.e. their origin, physical appearance, temperament, exercise, health issues, lifespan, and trainability.
Contents
Short Haired German Shepherds: Their Personality
Regardless of the coat length, German shepherds are intelligent and loyal.
But, you still have to remember that their personalities arent completely the same. After all, different breeds tend to have unique personalities.
Short-haired shepherd breeds are no exception. Lets start with the traits dogs are best known for.
Recommended Reading: How Much Food Do German Shepherd Puppies Eat
Final Thoughts: Short Haired German Shepherds
Its no surprise that the German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. and indeed, the world. Their loyalty, intelligence, and versatility are almost unmatched by any other breed, evidenced by their use in so many ways. They are most popular as dedicated pets, though, and youd be hard-pressed to find a more protective yet loving family dog!
Featured Image Credit: Goran Horvat, Pixabay
Contents
Books By Michele Welton
“Respect Training for Puppies” is a step by step guide to help you bring out the best in your pup so you can enjoy a calm and well-behaved dog, no matter what his age. Get your book today.
“11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy” is a comprehensive guide to keeping your dog mentally, physically, and emotionally happy and healthy so you can enjoy a longer lifetime of companionship. A healthy dog is a happy dog, so buy your copy today.
Read Also: What Does A Husky German Shepherd Look Like
Pros And Cons Of German Shepherds
The Good
- Thrives on challenging activities and exercise
- Loyal to his own family
- Looks imposing and has a reputation that bad guys don’t want to fool with, so makes an effective deterrent
- Highly intelligent and versatile can learn almost anything
The Bad
- Can be hard to find one with a family-oriented temperament and a decent chance of staying healthy
- Needs plenty of exercise and interesting things to do
- Needs careful socialization
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Potential aggression toward other animals
- Constant shedding 365 days a year
- Legal liabilities
- High risk of serious health problems
Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.
Is A White German Shepherd Rare
Recessive sounds rare, right?
And to a degree, that is correct.
In the wild, recessive traits are frequently rare.
Only two white German Shepherds are certain to have a litter of all white German Shepherd puppies.
But its also possible that two non-white GSDs can produce a small proportion of white puppies is a litter, if they both carry the white gene.
And of course, GSDs are not wild dogs.
A careful breeder who understands German Shepherd coat color genetics can reliably produce a litter of white German Shepherd puppies by mating two white German Shepherd dogs.
So in reality, the availability of white German Shepherd Dogs is a matter of supply and demand, fashion, and the GSD-owning communitys preference.
Don’t Miss: German Shepherd And Golden Retriever Mix For Sale