German Shepherd Personality Differences
With their family, the German Shepherd Dog is silly, playful and lively. This breed is known to stick closely to their person, which can turn into possessiveness if not corrected early.
Having different family members use positive training and taking turns working with your dog can help prevent this issue.
How Easy Is The King Shepherd To Train
We know by now that this is a super smart canine, but despite this, initial training will require a lot of patience, consistency, and persistence, as is with any other dog.
However, as King Shepherds are so eager to please you, training will be really fun and your new canine companion will get the hang of it pretty quickly.
Once trained, your King Shepherd retains the lessons taught. As long as you also remember and implement what you learned in obedience classes, then you are in for years of loyal companionship.
Follow the training progress of this five-and-a-half-month-old King Shepherd
Four Stages Of The German Shepherd Heat Cycle
Your female German Shepherd is not fertile during the first days of the proestrus stage. However, do keep in mind that male sperm can live for several days inside of the female. It is important to watch her closely. You may want to consider buying some appropriately sized dog diapers or dog pants to protect her from mating with unwanted suitors. Unwanted pregnancies can compromise your Shepherds health and the genetics of the puppies.
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Changes In The Behavior
You will notice some changes in the behavior of the German Shepherd. It is prevalent when a dog is in heat.
Due to the hormonal changes, her behavior can drastically change. So if your dogs behavior has changed recently, she can be in heat.
Your dog can be more active, jump, and run. Every dogs behavior changes in a different way.
The Proestrus Stage For Shepherds
This phase of the female Shepherds heat cycle usually lasts 4 to 20 days. The average being 7 to 10 days. During this stage there are four common signs for your Shepherd being in heat:
A swollen vulva:
One of the easiest ways to identify the start of a German Shepherds cycle. Their vulva will grow to 3-4 times its natural size. You see that this swelling is a considerable difference from the typical appearance of the vulva. Its nipples may also swell somewhat, but this proves to be tough to spot.
Discharge:
A German Shepherd may put in a lot of her day licking and cleaning themselves. German shepherds are great at keeping clean. If uncertain about the discharge, draw a tissue and clean its vulva.
If you see a red discharge and a swell in her vulva, this is a reliable indicator that shes obviously going into heat. This is necessary to verify, as timing is important for pregnancies. The first day you might notice a more bloody discharge. Mark it in your calendar as DAY ONE and sure you remember it.
More suitors:
A Shepherd in heat presents pheromones. This material that attracts males. This is the third sign your Shepherd is in heat, this sign is not coming from your dog but from others, Your neighbor dogs may want to visit your home. Because of its extraordinary sense of smell, any male can sniff out your Shepherds heat cycle from miles away.
Changes of behavior:
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Dental & Health Problems
If your dog already has dental problems, you might want to consider a senior dog food that is easy on the teeth.
Wet dog food is a popular choice, but smaller kibble pieces sometimes work as well.
As your dog ages, it is likely that he will experience a variety of health problems.
For many disorders, there are special diets that can prevent the disease from progressing and lessen symptoms.
It is likely that your dog will need to be switched over to one of these specialty diets eventually.
However, it is important to always speak with your vet beforehand to ensure that it is the right choice for your dog.
Which Is Better A Male Or Female German Shepherd
The girl German shepherd is often a better pick overall for families with young children. The female GSD is considered less apt to become territorial in the presence of strangers. The female German shepherd dog may be a better pick for first-time dog owners, families with young children, or individuals/families primarily desiring a pet dog.
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Duration Of Heat In The Dog
A female dog generally has her heat twice a year, with 6 month intervals between each heat on average.
However, the interval between two periods of heat called interestrus can be longer or shorter depending on:
- the breed of the dog. Certain breeds of dogs are known to have close heat to the average of other dogs. This is the case with some females belonging to the Rottweiler or German Shepherd breeds for which it is normal to experience heat every 4.5 to 5 months. Conversely, other breeds of dogs have heat that is normally more spaced out: every 8 to 9 months for some female Labradors or Colleys or even every 12 months for females belonging to so-called primitive dog breeds
- the climate and/or the season. Unlike the wolf which reproduces seasonally, the dog is able to reproduce year-round. However, the climate can influence the onset of heat and it seems that in temperate climates, the majority of dogs have their heat at the very beginning of spring
- the use of certain medications. Certain medications can disrupt the rhythm of heat or even stop it completely. This is particularly the case with drugs containing steroids and antifungal drugs
- or even the presence of other dogs in her entourage. When several dogs live together, two phenomena can occur: their heat may synchronize or some dogs may stop having heat. In the latter case, taking the dog out of the pack is sometimes enough to re-express her heat.
How Old Does A German Shepherd Need To Be To Breed
When I bred my first female German Shepherd, I did not breed her before she had her third season. After talking to the Breeder that I purchased my dog from, he told me to wait until your dog has had her fourth season before you breed her, but she should be three years old or older before she is bred. He has experience breeding a female too young and its a risk because some female will not want to take care of her puppies because shes too immature and then he would have to bottle feed all the pups to save the letter, and thats a lot of work and time youll spend taking care of puppies.
Just in case youre wondering
Male German Shepherds can be bred at 18 months up throughout their lives, but its not being bred they can become sterile as they ages.
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Care Of A Female In Heat
The question of what to do with your pet depends on whether you want your dog to have puppies. If thats not the case, the best thing to do is to keep an eye on your pup every time you let it outside. Dont leave your pet outdoors unwatched. Females are just as determined as males when it comes to mating. If you take your dog on walks, keep your pup on a short leash.
We suggest erring on the side of caution and adhering to these restrictions for the entire 21 days. Youll notice that things are back to normal when your pet acts like it usually does. The discharge and swelling both will have stopped.
How To Deal With A Bitch In Heat
If you do not want your dog to have a litter then it will be necessary to take some precautions throughout her heat:
- When walking, keep your dog on a leash. Even if your bitch usually shows an excellent recall, her heat may well cause her to disobey you exceptionally to meet a nearby male, especially during her fertile period.
- If you have a yard, make sure it is secure so that your dog does not run away during her heat and that nearby male dogs cannot physically come to visit her. Otherwise, the risks are numerous: road accident, fine, impoundment, neighborhood problems in the event of a runaway or unwanted litter in the event of an impromptu visit by a male dog.
You will also need to resort to the use of hygienic protections for your dog so that she does not soil your interior when she loses blood. There are protective dog panties in which you can add sanitary napkins or disposable dog diapers. Even though blood loss is usually minimal, it can still stain textiles very heavily.
It is preferable to accustom your dog gradually and positively to the wearing of these protections and well before these heat periods so that she accepts them more easily the day when she will need them.
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How To Stop A Bitch From Coming Into Heat
Only means of contraception prevent the onset of ovulation and those of heat. This contraception can be temporary or irreversible . If you do not want your dog to reproduce, it is the second solution that is to be preferred because it cancels the risk of developing a pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus, and when it is carried out before the first heat, it is known to reduce the risk of breast tumor occurrence.
Keep Your Pet Indoors
When your German shepherd is in heat, the idea is that you keep her indoors until the end of the stage. If you dont want your pet to get pregnant with another dog of a different breed, keep it protected. You may need to live indoors for the next four weeks until your dog loses interest in mating.
You may take drastic measures to prevent your pet from mating and waxing her at home. At this time, your female GSD will be very restless and will want to run away from home, so you must take care of her.
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Does A Dog Bleed The Whole Time In Heat
However, the most obvious recognizable sign of heat in dogs is vaginal bleeding. This may not become apparent until a few days after the female has come into estrus. Some female dogs experience heavy vaginal bleeding during estrus, while other dogs have minimal bleeding. If you are concerned, consult your veterinarian.
What About Male German Shepherds During The Heat
As promised, we will talk about how to care for a male German Shepherd dog during a heat cycle. Now you know that male dogs dont go into heat.
They can be quite strange when a female dog is in heat. How can you help your male dogs survive heat cycles? Its actually quite simple.
If your male German Shepherds body is intact, he will smell a female in the heat quite far away. Its not like hes sensing her from that far away.
He may have followed her from further away. For example, her scent may have attracted her owner to go for a walk by herself.
No matter what, if a female is in heat, your male dog will know.
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Things To Pack When Planning Your Road Trip
Once your German Shepherd is crate trained and has basic training it may be time for your puppys road first trip. If you have children, youll already know how much baggage you have to take in the car with you! Your puppy is no different and you should take:
- Crate
- Health certificates if you are traveling out-of-state.
So How Often Does The Heat Cycle Last
The main stage of the heat cycle, as in when she is fertile and ready to mate, usually lasts around 5-14 days. However, the entire cycle lasts up to 6 months. Remember that the final stage of this cycle is the dormant stage of fertility, so youll only need to be on high alert for around 3 weeks.
It all varies from dog to dog. Small dogs are more likely to go into heat twice a year, while large breeds like German Shepherds might only go into heat once a year. This is completely normal and purely due to the size of the animal.
After all, thats a large body for estrogen to travel around!Whether youre a new dog owner to a German Shepherd or if youre looking to breed from your dog, figuring out how the dogs heat cycle works can be quite stressful. Its not like a regular human menstrual cycle, after all.
Youve got the blood to deal with, the hormones, and male dogs sniffing her from afar. It might seem a little daunting to take care of her if youre choosing not to spay her just yet.
Luckily for you, weve got you covered. We know how important it is to understand how the heat cycle works and how to care for your pooch during this time. Here is the ultimate care guide to German Shepherds in heat!
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The Estrus Stage For Shepherds
The estrus part of the heat cycle normally lasts from 5 to 14 days. At this time, your German Shepherd will be fertile .
During this phase, the discharge can change from a red to a paler yellow. For most shepherds, its even a little pink, but owners should notice a change in color at the start of the Proestro stage. The difference usually occurs after days 8-9.
A female will likewise be ready to mate at this stage. They will move their tails to the side, warning they are bracing for action. She might make whimpers and try to get free more. Your shepherd is following their natural breeding instinct, making it more urgent to watch her closely.
Shepherds can be difficult during this phase end up pregnant even while in a kennel I have known male dogs to get a bitch pregnant through chain-link fence, holes.
Be careful, you could end up spending money on DNA test kits to establish the validity of your purebred puppies. You can use a pregnancy calendar to help determine dogs due date.
German Shepherds can be very creative at this stage. If you notice any males around in your garden, keep your female away from them. Bring your dog in and wait for the male dogs to leave. When males are eager to breed, they are much more prone to biting. Dont bring your dog to the park or pet store as you can unwittingly cause problems you dont want to. It is best to just keep them at home.
Male Vs Female Size Comparison
While there are exceptions to every rule, the male German Shepherd is generally larger than the female German Shepherd.
Males also tend to have larger muscles, while females tend to have sleeker muscles. Both males and females should have an athletic form and should not be overweight.
A male has a height of 24 to 26 inches at the withers , while females are about 22 to 24 inches tall at the withers.
The male can weigh up to 95 pounds, while the female typically is lower anywhere from 75 to 85 pounds.
Males may exhibit more protectiveness due to their muscular build and larger size.
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How Many Times Will My German Shepherd Get Into Heat
Its impossible to predict the future, but these averages are good enough. The average dog will enter heat about once every six months.
There is, however, a lot of variation in nature.
Larger breeds like Great Danes will experience delayed starts and longer heat cycles.
Because German Shepherds can be large dogs, it is possible to only see one heat cycle per year.
You may not see one in 18 months.
But dont get your calendar out yet. Mother Nature doesnt want to stop you!
It takes practice
Although Mother Nature has done a great job in creating systems that keep our dogs happy, there will always be mistakes and hiccups.
Sometimes it takes a while for your dogs cycle to become predictable. Youll notice that we used the term relatively predictable. We will see this term shortly.
It can take dogs up to two years to discover their unique pattern after their first heat cycle. This cycle can also be disrupted by pregnancy, so dont let it get in the way of your life.
Most dogs will adjust to hormone fluctuations by the age of four or five.
Its OK to attempt to predict the timing of each cycle and plan accordingly. Its OK not to set it in stone.
Take Care Of The Dogs Feeding
Due to a lot of hormonal changes, the appetite in dogs can change a lot.
German Shepherds can refuse to eat because they do not have an appetite. Usually, there is nothing to worry.
If they do not feel hungry, they will not eat. What we suggest is try to feed her something that she will like.
MostGerman Shepherds will eat the chicken while in heat.
My dog usually refused everything while in the heat, but when I gave her some chicken, she always accepted it.
All dogs are different. You will need to find out what your dog likes to eat.
So pay extra attention to her feeding, always give her high-quality food for her excellent health.
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