How To Weigh Your German Shepherd Puppy
Weighing your German Shepherd is essential because it helps you to monitor their weight and ensure that they are in the right German Shepherd weight category for their age.
Generally, you should weigh your puppy once a year but weighing them twice per year will help you find any potential health issues at an early age.
However, if your puppy has a serious health condition, consider weighing them more frequently with the help of your vet.
You can use your bathroom scale to weigh your puppy. Ensure that the weighing machine reads zero and is placed on a hard, flat surface. First, weigh yourself and write down your weight. Then, pick up your German Shepherd puppy, step on the scale and record the weight.
To determine the weight of your puppy, subtract your weight from the combined weight of your puppy and you.;;
Ask An Expert For Help What Age Do German Shepherds Mature
Do you have a lot of lesser days? Or do you constantly get stuck at the same point, after which no development is possible? Do not think twice to ask for assistance from an expert. There are a big number of dog schools where training and guidance are offered. Get acquainted and have a great discussion before you make a choice.
Remember that every pet owner has needed to go through this phase. Everybody once had to discover. If one technique does not interest the owner and the pet, then possibly the other one does. It is specifically then that it is important to request assistance because aggravation starts where knowledge ends. You need to see some things when prior to you can do something with them. What Age Do German Shepherds Mature
The Difference Between Male And Female German Shepherds
Male German shepherds are taller and bigger than female German shepherds. They also tend to be more emotionally stable and stronger than their female counterparts. However, female German shepherds are more affectionate, obedient, and easier to train. They are the perfect candidate for family protection, while male GSDs are best for personal protection.
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What Is Gsds Temperament
Since GSDs are used as working dogs, they can be courageous, alert and fearless. They are also considered to be cheerful and very much eager to learn. They also display tranquility, confidence, seriousness and bright. Though they can be wary of strangers, German Shepherds love to be close to their families. Be careful though in handling them because they can be aggressive when poorly trained or managed. Also, be careful not to allow your dog believe he is the leader of the pack. Most German shepherds do not listen to their owner if they sense that they are much stronger than their owner. This breed of dog is highly intelligent that is why owners or handlers need to be very careful while training them. Or else, they might be overwhelmed by their dogs skills and abilities.
There you have it. I hope this information will help you a lot in considering a German shepherd in the future. If you already have one, I hope it helped you in dealing with your dogs behavior as well as their growth change.
Do you have something to share about your German shepherd dog? We would love to hear your story. Write your comment below.
German Shepherd Growth By Age
At about a month, German Shepherd puppies will weigh 4.5-9 lbs.; females weigh less, and males will be at the top of the range.
At two months, you can expect them to weigh in at 11-20 lbs.
When they reach three months, your pup should be about 17.5-31 lbs. depending on gender.
At four months, your German Shepherd puppy will weight somewhere between 28.5-39.5 lbs. Thats pretty big! Its about half of the adult weight your dog will eventually reach.
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Large growth spurts will take place between 2-5 months, so keep a close eye on your puppys weight during this period especially.
At six months, the average male is 53 lbs., and the average female weighs about 46 lbs.
German Shepherd puppies generally stop growing significantly in height by nine months for males, eight months for females; males may get an extra inch by 15 months and females slightly less than that by 12-15 months. They reach their adult weight at 36 months.
German Shepherds, like many larger breeds, are considered fully grown by about 18 months, when they have reached 98 percent of their growth.
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How Big Do German Shepherds Grow
German Shepherds are generally medium-sized dogs, but depending on individual dogs, they can also grow quite large. A male German Shepherd will weigh between 65 to 90 pounds, while a female German Shepherd will weigh around 45 to 70 pounds by full maturity. German Shepherds are longer than they are tall and can grow to around 24 to 26 inches in males, and 22 to 24 inches among females.
Of course, these measurements are the average numbers and individual German Shepherds may not meet these criteria perfectly. As long as you have a healthy, strong, and energetic dog, you have nothing to worry about. Just give them the right nutrition and intervene with training at the right time, and you will have a happy household with the loyal pooch.
German Shepherds are extremely athletic dogs so they usually have a slim and lean body. If you find that your German Shepherd is putting on an undue amount of weight, you should try regulating its exercise and diet. If nothing changes, consult a vet. Having said that, they should also not be so thin that their ribs show. You will know you have a healthy German Shepherd when you see one.
Different Gsds May Show Affection Differently
In addition to the general contributing factors that were mentioned here earlier oxytocin, puppyhood experience, training methods, and health there are some dog-specific factors that can influence how your particular GSD displays affection.
Just like some people are more likely to hug friends while other people may smile or shake hands or even give a kiss on both cheeks, some German Shepherds may be more inclined to whine and wriggle while others will lick or lean instead.
There isnt one better way for your GSD to show you affection.
Just because your friends German Shepherd likes to show affection by kissing her hands and your GSD likes to cuddle up with you on the couch doesnt mean anything except that the two dogs have different love languages. And perhaps you do too!
Your German Shepherd will surely notice what you respond to most and will probably adjust their behavior accordingly to give you more of that.
Similarly, if your habit is to sit and watch television at night with your dog while cuddling and giving pats, then your dog is more likely to cuddle with you and seek pats as a show of affection.
Like the German Shepherd Dog Club of America highlights, German Shepherds as a breed were developed to live and work closely with people.
The breeds founder, an ex-calvary officer in German named Captain Max von Stephanitz, set out with a vision to create the perfect working dog a dog of unparalleled work ethic and intelligence.
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German Shepherd Body Types
Just like with humans, there are various body types for German Shepherds. The ideal type is based on what humans decide is preferred and healthier for a German Shepherds needs.
To begin with, it is important to remember that German Shepherds are considered working breeds and need bodies that can perform their jobs well. A balanced frame will have a straight, flat spine with bones that are balanced between the front and back of the dog.
Dogs should be able to run and jump without any issue, which is true of most dog breeds.
For a German Shepherd, they need to be ready to hunt, guard, herd, and track. Their bodies need to help them complete their jobs without any physical limitations.
Show dogs will not be looked at for their work capabilities but based on the show standards. Unfortunately, often these standards of body types will not help your dog as active and healthy as he needs to be.
German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia as well as a roached back, which means a curved spine. Both of these conditions will affect the movement of your dog as he ages, making it difficult to run and walk well, let alone completing a job that they might attempt to do.
One Dog Different Jobs
Black Shepherds have traits that would make them fit;to do work for the police, military, and search & rescue teams. Today, they are ranked the second most popular dog in the US.
In fact, you would often see German Shepherds being used by the army and the police as their K9 unit. These dogs are fearless, intelligent, and obedient, which makes them great candidates for these positions.;
Even if this canine fits in the guns and the criminal world, they can also be trained to become a service dog.
The Black German Shepherd has a stable temperament, which means they can stand intense situations without panicking. It allows them to become a guardian, a blind leader, and a companion who assists people who have disabilities.
With their wolf-like appearance and protective nature, this is a breed you can rely on to be amazing guard dogs. Their courage and alertness allow them to look after their loved ones while being an excellent family companion.
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Taking Care Of A Female German Shepherd In Heat
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- May 5, 2020
There are many ways of caring for a female German shepherd in heat. With what you learned in the previous topics, you should already have an idea of what to do.
Practice Good Hygiene: As previously mentioned, one of the signs that a German shepherd is in heat is bleeding.
So, to avoid stains in your house, you should keep your female German shepherd clean at all times. She may also clean herself by licking.
In this case, you can simply cover your furniture since your female GSD are likely to rub against them. That way, you can leave your dog be and let her clean lick herself as a dog should.
Attend to Your Dogs Needs: A female German shepherd in heat is likely to undergo some personality changes. Thats why you should always pay attention to what your dog is doing.
For example, if shes being restless, you can play with her, brush her hair, or anything that involves activity.
Keep Your Dog Inside: If you dont want your female dog to be pregnant, Id suggest leaving the doors closed every time you go out. Why?
During the heat cycle, male dogs will be hanging out in your place waiting for your female pet to go outside. So to minimize the risks of an accidental mating, its only natural to avoid these male dogs.
If youre able to do all these, you dont have to worry about any problems coming your way with a German shepherd in heat.
Sexual Maturity Period: 6 Months 16 Months
A German Shepherd puppy between the ages of 6 months and 16 months will reach sexual maturity. If you have no intention of breeding your German Shepherd, it is during this phase that you will want to have your dog spayed or neutered.
Talk to your vet about what the right timing is for spaying and neutering as well as what the risk is of your dog inadvertently mating. It is dangerous for a puppy to get pregnant, because her bones will not have fully developed.
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Factors That Influence German Shepherds Growth
If youve reached this part of the article, then youve most certainly learned a lot about the ending phase of a GSDs growth as well as how you can discover the potential adult size of your own pup. Indeed, there are some factors that could affect the development of your German Shepherd; so without further ado, below is a quick list of some of the most common influences of your GSDs growth:;
How Much Should A Young German Shepherd Puppy Eat
How many cups of food you should feed a young German Shepherd puppy is dependent on factors such as the dogs weight, growth rate, age and recommendations from your vet.
However, the generally accepted guidelines for feeding young German Shepherd puppies are:
- From 8 weeks old to 12 weeks old 1 to 1½ cup of food per meal
- From 12 weeks old to 6 months old 1½ to 2 cups of food per meal
- From 6 months old to 12 months old 2 to 3 cups of food per meal
- 12 months old and above 3 to 3½ cups of food per meal
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Training And Discipline Methods
Yet another factor that can enhance or detract from your bond with your German Shepherd is the type of training and discipline methods you choose to use with your dog.
There are two main schools of thought in dog training today: positive and negative.
Positive training sessions involve rewards for desired behaviors.
Negative training, similarly, involves punishments for undesirable behaviors.
The general school of thought today is that positive training methods do a great deal more to facilitate the owner-dog bond than do negative training methods.
The more praise, pats, gaze holding, treats, playtime, toys, and overall positive interactions you can have with your dog, the more affectionate and loving you are likely to feel towards one another.
Find The Best Reward What Age Do German Shepherds Mature
Every animal has something for which it is willing to work. We call this the motivation. The proper education of your canine will depend on how much you have made him associate the praise with the respective situation. The pet dog needs to immediately understand if he has actually done something right or incorrect and can only learn it in this way. One approach to be exact is reward-based training. This might sound cumbersome or complex, however can be extremely simple. You have most likely seen using a tasty snack in pet dog training as a reward. The desired reward can vary considerably per pet dog. What Age Do German Shepherds Mature
The general design may also vary. Not every dog is food-oriented. One person might believe the very best reward is by giving him snacks, and the other is going to be crazy with a preferred toy. On the contrary, a satiated pet is unlikely to be corrupted by a snack. Be careful to discover the right time.
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When Your German Shepherd Wont Stay Calm Because Of Health Issues
There may be times when all the training, behavioral reconditioning or teething aids in the world do not seem to successfully resolve your German Shepherds over-activity.
This is always the right time to consider whether there may be a medical health issue at the root of your dogs behavior.
As the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue organization points out, German Shepherds can develop any number of health conditions that may cause your dog to become over-active.
Often, as with teething problems, your dogs discomfort is at the root of hyperactive or destructive behavior patterns.
This is always the right time to take your dog to the veterinarian for a health checkup. In fact, sometimes it makes sense to do this first before you look at possible behavioral or boredom issues.
This way, you can at least rule out any underlying health issues that may be triggering inappropriate or destructive behaviors in your dog.
Here are examples of health conditions MAGSR gives that are known to plague German Shepherds that may cause your dog to act out:
How Long Are German Shepherds Pregnant
German Shepherds are pregnant around 63 days on average, measuring from the time of conception to the time of birth. Since German Shepherds are a large breed, sometimes, their gestation will take a little bit longer than other breeds, but it depends on the dog.
You should be able to keep track of conception as long as you have knowingly bred your dog, so have an exact date of conception to work from to get a better idea of the due date.
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When Does A German Shepherd Leave The Puppy Phase
Technically, a German Shepherd doesnt fully leave the puppy stage until theyre 2 years old. However, just like theres a difference between an infant and a 14-year-old human, theres a big difference between a puppy and an adolescent dog.
German Shepherds leave their first puppy stage at around the 6-month mark, when they reach adolescence. They start to pick up more of their natural instincts at this point and dont display many of the tendencies that youd notice in a typical puppy.
Why Does A German Shepherd Stop Growing
For German Shepherd puppies, growth is determined by the bones. Just like an infant, the growth rate is determined by the growth plate. The growth plates are located at the end of each long bone.
They contain cartilaginous regions where new tissue, which is flexible and pliable, can be created. As your German Shepherd grows, the growth plates create new tissues that harden to become bone once the German shepherd reaches maturity.;
These growth plates start closing by the time 18 months elapse and fully close by the third year of the German Shepherds life. At this point, you can confidently state that your German Shepherd stopped growing because the bones are no longer being created.;
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