Why Do German Shepherds Have Different Colors
The different colors of the German Shepherd Dog are dependent on genetics. German Shepherds were originally bred as working dogs.
Over time, they were selectively bred for the show ring.
Breeding for show entailed breeding dogs of a specific color and physical traits. Over the years, German Shepherds evolved in color and physical characteristics depending on the purpose they were bred to accomplish.
Show dogs have a heavier coat and vibrant colors. In comparison, working line German Shepherds have darker colors and shorter coats.
How Often Do German Shepherds Shed
There are two main times that a german shepherd will shed , however, they will also shed a little bit throughout the year.
The two big coat blowouts occur around fall when they shed their summer coat for thicker, warmer fur, and in summer when they need fur thats thinner to keep them cool.
But remember, as their fur gets replaced there always going to be shedding out their old coat, at a slower rate.
What To Do When Your German Shepherd Blows His Coat
German Shepherds have two coats: a longer, firm outer coat with coarse hairs that usually shed out as single hairs and a softer, fluffier undercoat that sheds in big clumps. The German Shepherd loses or blows his ample undercoat twice a year .
GSDs need regular grooming year-round, but the grooming that takes place during the time a German Shepherd blows his coat needs to be more intensive than usual.
Youll notice your German Shepherd is blowing his coat when you start to see clumps of light-colored undercoat coming out when you brush him or her.
This is a good time to give your dog a once-over with the brush and run a warm bath. Warm water, as well as the skin massage that comes with a bath, helps to loosen the dead hair so it will fall out more easily. Use a large rubber grooming brush in a circular motion to both shampoo and rinse during the bath .
After the bath, towel your GSD thoroughly to remove excess water from her coat. If your pup will tolerate blow-drying, use a high-powered dryer or a hair dryer on the cool setting along with a pin brush or comb to blow out the loose hair as your dog dries. An easy way to clean up after the brushing process is to groom your dog while hes standing on an old bedsheet when youre finished, simply pick up the sheet and dump the hair in the trash. Shake the sheet outside and it is ready to put in the washing machine.
Photo Credit: spencerdax via Compfightcc
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German Shepherd Puppyhood Lasts Longer Than You May Think
First-time German Shepherd owners are often very surprised to learn that a large breed dog like the German Shepherd can continue growing for 24 to 36 months.
An adult German Shepherd dog may weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds and stand anywhere from 22 to 26 inches tall .
That is a lot of growth that needs to get done. Growing too fast can put pressure on a GSD puppys growth plates, bones, muscles, and ligaments, causing a painful condition called panosteitis .
For this reason, genetically speaking, it is advantageous for a large breed puppy to grow in spurts, spacing it out over time.
German Shepherds that will be in the lower weight/height range as adults often these are female GSDs but not always may finish all their growing by 18 to 24 months.
But the biggest German Shepherds that will grow to 90+ pounds and stand to the full height of 26+ inches may continue growing for up to 36 months.
This is important to know because you may see your dogs coat color, texture, and consistency changing quite a bit throughout the whole growth cycle.
Easy German Shepherd Shedding Solutions To Reduce Hair Loss
Did a pile of dog hair just whirl past your feet like a tumbleweed from the Wild West?
Are you struggling to find a German Shepherd shedding solution that works?
Youre in luck!
Ill show you exactly how to use these easy shedding tips to take back your house, clothing, furniture, and sanity.
Excessive shedding might be a fact of life, but you can learn how to help control a German Shepherd losing its hair while keeping your dogs skin and coat healthy.
Lets get started with these helpful, quick tips for German Shepherd hair loss to make both of your lives easier.
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How To Control And Reduce The Amount Of Fur Your German Shepherd Sheds
Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce the amount of fur your german shepherd is going to shed.
If you follow the advice below, then youre going to make your life a lot easier. And youre also going to make your german shepherd a lot happier as well.
Brush Them Daily
One of the best ways to control your german shepherds shedding is to brush them every day. When you wake up in the morning, take them outside and give them a good brush.
This is going to remove most of the fur so you wont have to worry too much about it covering your home.
Just make sure when youre brushing them youre not being too rigorous. When a dog is brushed too much, the hair follicles can become weak causing the fur to fall out easier.
Lastly, when brushing start by going against the line of growth and end by brushing with the line of growth.
Make Sure Youre Brushing Their Undercoat
As well as brushing your german shepherd normally, make sure youre brushing their undercoat too.
When you brush your german shepherd, most of the time youre only going to be brushing the topcoat not the undercoat. However, a lot of the time its the undercoat thats going to be the cause of most of the fur.
So make sure youre using an undercoat rake, to help get the loose fur from the undercoat.
Improve Their Diet
If you arent feeding your german shepherd high-quality food, nows the perfect time to start. As previously mentioned, opt for food thats rich in nutrients, especially fatty acids and protein.
Do German Shepherds Shed Too Much
How much shedding is too much?
Only you can decide.
Some German Shepherds will shed more than others, but all will shed.
They will shed profusely about twice a year when the seasons change and their undercoat blows.
The rest of the time, their outer hairs will shed on and off.
If youre fastidious about your clothes and home, or dont have time for regular dog grooming, the amount the German Shepherd sheds might be overwhelming for you.
However, keep in mind that all breeds shed somewhat.
For dog lovers, dealing with shedding fur is just a part of being a dog owner you must accept.
Have you found a way to help control your German Shepherds shedding?
Let us know in the comments below.
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Is There A Permanent German Shepherd Shedding Solution
While theres no permanent German Shepherd shedding solution there are tips to decrease hair fall.
No, unfortunately, theres not a permanent shedding solution for your German Shepherd since they lose hair every day, all year round. However, many of the shedding solutions listed give you the steps you need to understand how to stop German Shepherd hair fall in huge amounts.
Weather, season, your dogs health, and even your home environment play a significant role in how much your dog sheds, but these tips provide a German Shepherd shedding solution that decreases hair loss.
Brush Thoroughly And Frequently
Brushing more frequently can trap hairs on your brushing tool, instead of your couch
Brush your German Shepherds coat thoroughly to remove loose and excess fur and distribute natural skin oils. This means that fur winds up on your brush, which you can throw away, as opposed to your clothing, floors, and furniture which is harder to clean.
Use a grooming tool that is designed specifically to remove shedding undercoats on a German Shepherd called a rake brush.
Theyre made for dog breeds with longer hair and thick undercoats prone to shedding. Buy a rake brush with rounded tips that wont scratch your dogs skin and is gentle for daily use.
The Conair Pro Undercoat Rake Brush removes dead hair from the undercoat and spreads healthy skin oils, resulting in a glossy coat.
Be sure to focus on the thicker parts of a German Shepherds coat:
- Around the scruff
- The longer hair on the back of the legs
- Feathers on the tail
- Long guard hairs on the underside
To reduce your German Shepherd losing hair, spend more time brushing their coats each day completely, and not just sliding the brush through without much thought .
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Do German Shepherds Shed Constantly
Unfortunately yes German Shepherds shed constantly, year around. While their shedding is especially intense during the spring and fall, they can and will lose their undercoat during the remainder of the year as well.
Managing your dogs shedding will be an everyday task just like feeding and walking your dog. By making it a routine, it will be easy for you and your dog to keep up with it.
When Do German Shepherds Shed
German Shepherds tend to shed their coats all-year-round. This is the reason why they are sometimes called German Shedders. Their coat responds naturally to daylight so when days start to get shorter and winter is fast approaching, German Shepherds will shed their summer coat and grow a new winter coat. You should get ready for a massive shedding during the fall.
Similarly, you need to be also prepared when your German Shepherd blows its coat during spring since, during this time, days will become longer and it will have to get rid of its winter coat. How long do German Shepherds shed?
German Shepherds shed their coats all year long but they blow their coats twice a year. During these times, it will take 10 days or more to shed their undercoat.
How much do German Shepherds shed?
If you do not look forward to dealing with shedding, getting a German Shepherd might not be a good choice. This breed sheds a lot of its fur so when shedding season comes, expect your home to be filled with dog hair. It can be overwhelming and it will take a lot of patience and determination to manage a German Shepherds coat shedding.
However, if you really want to have a German Shepherd, you can anticipate their shedding and take steps to prepare for it. While you cannot completely stop your dog from shedding, there are several ways you can reduce it.
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Why Do German Shepherds Shed
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.
Combine Fish Oil Into Their Daily Diet
If your dog is lacking in fatty acids, then adding fish oil may help be a simple solution to reduce their shedding.
Fish oil contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which significantly decreases hair shedding. Fish oil also contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA that help promote skin and coat health.
Given daily fish oils can help aid in excessive shedding. Look for a natural supplement that also contains other proven skin-healthy oils, like flaxseed oil.
Zesty Paws contains both salmon and hemp seed oil and is great for a healthy coat. Moreover, a blend of wild Alaskan salmon and refined virgin hemp seed oils work together to pack a powerful punch of nutrients and omega fatty acids. These ingredients may improve coat health, joint mobility, heart health, stress levels, and immunity.
A strong coat starts with supple skin that prevents excessive hair loss and protects your GSD from irritations. If youre seeing excessive hair loss try the blend of fish and hemp oil.
Keep in mind that positive effects take a few months to notice. So stay consistent with daily use for the best results.
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Deshedding Once A Week
Deshedding a dog involves removing those loose undercoat hairs using a tool designed to do just that. This will help you get rid of the hair that might otherwise end up on the carpet, furniture, and clothes.
It helps your dog feel comfortable and can be a relaxing experience for you and your German Shepherd as well. The FURminator is a great tool, but be warned – lots of hair comes as a result of using this, so it may be useful to do this outdoors.
You should use a deshedding tool once a week to keep shedding under control. Also, you will get the best results by bathing your dog once a month and deshedding him before and after the bath. Remember to use a high-quality dog shampoo to prevent damage to the coat and stripping it from its natural oils.
How Do I Get My German Shepherd To Stop Shedding
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.
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How Cold Is Too Cold For German Shepherd
It always depends on how you raise your dog. It will depend on its health condition and diet.
German Shepherd Dogs have a thick coat, and it can help them to stay warm.
A healthy german shepherd Dog can easily tolerate a temperature above 0 or -5. You should take extra care if the temperature starts going down then 5.
If you see that your German shepherd dog feels cold on 0, then put a good coat on it.
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How Do I Know What Too Much Shedding Is
Namely, various skin conditions could be behind the heavy shedding. Sometimes they can make your dog shed so much he or she loses entire patches of hair. So, if you notice any of the signs below its time to take you shepherd to the vet.
- Bald spots
- Dry and flaky skin
- Wounds on the skin
Besides, if you dont notice any of these signs, but still consider the shedding to be a bit too heavy, take your dog to the vet and check it out. Nothing wrong with being on the safe side!
Now you know all the facts German shepherds are heavy shedders, but it can still be kept under control. However, if you dont want your dog to shed much, this breed might not be right for you. To sum it up, weve put together a list of qualities German shepherds have which can help you determine if thats the right breed for you!
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Add Olive Oil Or Flaxseed Oil To Your German Shepherds Food
Start out by giving 1 tsp. per 10 pounds of body weight. Olive oils contain Omega-3 fatty acids that help calm inflamed skin, decrease dandruff, and improve overall coat texture.
Other ways to increase yourGerman Shepherds Omega-3 intake:
- Adding Omega-3-rich fish in the diet: Tuna or salmon are rich in Omega-3
- Using Omega-3 dietary supplements: They can come in different shapes and sizes . Ask your vet to figure out the best choice for your German Shepherd.
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German Shepherd Coat Colors
German Shepherds can have a variety of different coat colors. The most common coat color is black and tan, followed by black, and then sable. White German Shepherds have a controversial coat color, where some people argue its not even an actual member of the breed. They can also have blue coats, which are more accepted, but also rarer.
Regardless of their coat color, there is no difference in shedding frequency amongst the breed. What matters more is the length of their coat. Both Long Coats and Short Coats will shed the same amount, but longer or fluffier coats will definitely show more around your home due to the length of their coat. This is important to keep in mind when adopting a puppy. Look for a medium-length coat thats less fluffy, and the fur will be less likely to show around your home.
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