The German Shepherds Coat:
The German Shepherd has an amazing double coat of fur that consists of two layers that are medium length. According to breed standards, the coat should be dense, harsh, straight and lying close to the body. A partially wavy outer coat that has a wiry texture is allowable. The head, legs and paws have short hair while the neck and backs of the legs have somewhat longer hair.
The top layer of their coat, or top coat, is sometimes referred to as the Guard Coat. It is a little more rough and wiry than the undercoat. The undercoat is quite a bit softer and lighter in color than the top coat. The two layers work together to keep the body temperature regulated during the summer and winter months. They also protect the German Shepherds skin from any harmful elements such as UV rays or water.
Single coated German Shepherds do exist but are very rare and considered a fault by the American Kennel Club. They are referred to as Smooth Coated Shepherds or Smoothies for short in dog shows. Their coat is technically still two layers but the undercoat is so thin, they are treated as a single coat.
How Do You Stop A German Shepherd From Shedding So Much
The best way Ive discovered with, my German Shepherds, how to reduce shedding so much is to keep them bathed and brushed regularly for getting the best results. I also use ;mink oil conditioner that helps keep my dog skin nice and gives them a;shiny coat, it helps with keeping my dogs hair healthy.
Heres a picture of my German Shepherd after bruising her out and using mink oil conditioner.
How many times a year does a German shepherd Shed?
German Shepherds shed all year round. If you do not like brushing and Grooming non-shedding breed dog may be a better choice for you. If shedding and grooming are not an issue for you then a German Shepherd is a good choice.
Heres a video with my German Shepherd princess. Before writing this article. I wanted to let her undercoat grow out some, I didnt brush her for 5 days. Now you can get a good idea of how much German Shepherds will shed when blowing their winter undercoat.
Obtain A Brush & Use It Regularly
Your dog brush is going to be seeing a lot of action, so we advise investing in a high-quality product.;And for double-coated dogs, I suggest going with the Furminator.
Plenty of German Shepherd owners swear by this product. Plus, I use this with both my dogs, a Corgi and an Australian Shepherd. Both of which, are double-coated dogs that shed just as much.
Now that you have a dog brush, be prepared to use it at least once a week. Brushing is going to be your main defense against keeping their topcoat healthy. However, you may want to brush them twice a week during coat blowing season.
Also, it helps prevent skin problems from developing while removing potential tangles or matted fur. If you dont brush your German Shepherd for a long enough time, the matting can become extremely painful for them.
When brushing, follow these four tips to ensure the whole experience goes well every time.
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Dealing With Your German Shepherds Coat Shedding Cycle
While there are some breeds of dog that have single layered, short fine fur that barely sheds, and others that have a so-called non-shedding coat that doesnt really lose its loose fur at all, the German shepherd is not one of them! When it comes to shedding fur, the German shepherd is one of the biggest fluff-balls of them all, and keeping things in check without losing your sanity can be a challenge.
In this article, we will look at some of the best ways to handle your GSDs coat shedding, minimise the mess, and keep everything under control! Read on to learn more about dealing with your German shepherds coat shedding cycle.
What Time Of Year Do German Shepherds Shed
Your German Shepherd will shed in the late fall when the days get shorter. They will be losing their summer coat which is a finer hair. In the spring, your German Shepherd will have their “blow out” shedding. It will be the clumpy, thick hair from the thick winter coat. In addition, they will also shed all year round because of their double coat.
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The German Shepherd Coat
The German Shepherd is most commonly seen with a short coat or medium-length coat, but there are also longhaired varieties.
Some longhaired types dont have an undercoat, but most German Shepherds do.
For this reason theyre known as a double-coated breed, which means there are two coat layers.
The outer coat is straight, coarse, and dense and lies close to the body.
Their coat is thicker and longer around the neck.
The undercoat is thick, soft, and white and shows when you part their fur.
Next Use The Pin Brush On Thicker Areas Of Hair
Thick hair areas, such as around the neck, back of the legs, and belly areas, are where you need to pay close attention because the hair tends to get easily overlooked since its thicker. Use light pressure to avoid any scratching.
Be careful not to scratch your dogs skin when using the pin brush, especially when introducing the brush to your puppy. Avoid using this brush on their stomachs and bellies unless you have a soft touch.
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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.
Your Guide To German Shepherd Shedding
Intelligent and easily trained, a German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds among dog lovers. German Shepherds are active, courageous, and excel in almost all activities. If you already own one, you will already know how protective they are. You may also know how much they tend to shed.;
If you plan on becoming a German Shepherd owner, you should be prepared for your dogs shedding. In this article, we will discuss how to deal with your German Shepherd shedding and how it should not be a big problem.
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When Should I Start Training A German Shepherd Puppy
You can start training your German Shepherd puppies as early as they are 8 weeks old.
Crate training and potty training are the very basic skills you and your puppy will need once she gets home. You can start right away when she comes home.
In fact, its so easy to train them you have to remember that youre always trainingwhether you think you are or not.;
How To Brush A German Shepherd
Do you want to learn how to brush a German Shepherd so professionally that compliments rain down on your skills?
Ill let you in on the easiest brushing tips and show you the simple tools to ensure your German Shepherd looks like hes show quality ready and picture-perfect
Even if you own a German Shepherd puppy!
All without breaking your bank or stressing either of you out.
Lets get right into the only brushing how-to guide youll ever need for your German Shepherds grooming.
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Easy German Shepherd Shedding Solutions
You can start using these shedding solutions right away with your German Shepherd.
Its impossible to remove and clean every bit of hair from your home, but you can drastically reduce the amount of hair you have to deal with using these natural shedding solutions.
You can use all of these hair fall tips right away to help get your German Shepherds hair in better shape and reduce your stress.
Best of all?
Theyre so easy youll wonder why you didnt think of them before!
Finally Groom The Hair With A Soft Bristle Brush
The bristle brush distributes the natural oils while being gentle on the skin. It also has rounded tips to avoid any scratching on delicate fur on one side, and on the other has smooth bristles.
Use both sides of the brush. The pin side separates hair and any tangles, while the softer side smooths out the fur and gives the coat a glossy luster when used regularly.
Use the bristle brush after the rake brush and pin brush to give your GSDs coat a final shine to the coat and get rid of the last bits of loose hair.
You can step back and admire your show-stopping brushing work. Get ready to receive compliments as you walk your dog through your neighborhood and town.
Next, read about what brushes work best for your German Shepherd.
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German Shepherd Coat Maintenance
Youve accepted that your German Shepherd will shed like crazy no matter what. Great! But, now what?;How do you deal with the insane amount of shedding?
All there is to it is to get started on maintaining that coat. Its no small task, but it does come with several benefits. Your home will be cleaner, for one. And your German Shepherd will be healthier.
Heres our guide to keeping your German Shepherds coat healthy and under control.
Do Australian Shepherds Shed
Australian Shepherds are working dogs with European, Australian and American heritage, all rolled into one. Theyre smart, energetic, loyal and love keeping you on your toes.
How much do they shed? The Australian Shepherd is an average shedding breed that, given its double coat, tends to shed more during seasonal changes like spring and fall. Theyre fairly low maintenance with respect to grooming, but should be brushed regularly to keep their coat in good shape and reduce shedding.
In this article, well be taking a closer look at how Aussies shed, what theye like to groom and what makes them such a special breed!
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Blowing Out Their Coat With A High Velocity Dryer
Many professional dog groomers have a secret weapon to completely deshed and dry your dog quickly. It’s the high velocity dryer, and it’s amazing. ;
Think of a Leaf-blower designed to blow dog hair out. It’s perfectly safe and extremely effective!
The result: your dog will shed 80% less for about 2 or 3 weeks. And during peak shedding season it’s absolutely worth it!
Great example I found on YouTube, skip to 1:20 to see how much hair this gets off!
Please ensure you receive proper instruction on how to properly use a high velocity dryer on a dog to avoid any possible injuries.
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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Hair And Skin Problems In German Shepherds
- Hair loss in patches
- Bald spots or thinning of the coat that doesnt resolve shortly
- Constant foot licking or face rubbing, especially to the point bald spots or hot spots appear
- Symmetrical hair loss on certain parts of the body for unknown reasons
- Hair loss thats accompanied by skin irritation, including redness, bumps, rashes, open sores, or scabs
- Dull, dry hair that pulls out easily in large clumps
- Scratching and itching constantly;to the point the skin bleeds
Take your dog to the vet if you notice more hair loss than usual, inflamed skin, brittle fur thats dry, excessive or intense scratching, or bald patches .;
A Simple Metal Comb: Best For Delicate Debris Removal
This metal comb ensures you can remove twigs, seeds, or other debris thats lodged in your dogs fur.
The metal comb is great for clumped hair and providing fine debris removal.
Use this inexpensive, durable Andis metal comb because it glides through the fur without harming the skin. Heres how to remove debris or clumps from your dogs fur:
- Start at the tip of the fur and work upward to the base of the hair through areas that are more delicate, such as behind the ears, on the legs and paws, and the inside of the legs and belly.
- Dont take the comb and start pulling at the base of the fur near the skin because this is painful to your dog if they have a clump of hair.
- Use the metal comb to make a once-over of your dog to ensure youve gotten all the clumped hair out.
And professional groomers know that a comb doesnt lie.
What do I mean?
If youve left any clumps of twigs behind, the comb wont make it through the fur easily, as it should.
Dont believe me?
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A Little About German Shepherds
German Shepherds are classed as medium to large-sized dogs with the standard height at the shoulder being between 60-65 cm in height. Females will be slightly smaller at between 55-60cm.
The breed has a black nose and strong jaws. The forehead is domed, and the muzzle is square shaped.
Ears are large and erect although when the dog is running the ears tend to lie flatter. The tail is bushy.
You may also know the breed as Alsatian, and this is because they used to be known this way in the UK during the First World War until around 1977.
It was then changed to the German Shepherd. The breed is relatively modern dating back to 1899.
Why A German Shepherd Is Shedding Excessively
Excessive shedding in German shepherds can be a signal indicating multiple medical conditions and disorders:
- Bad Diet
- Low hydration: Leads to dry skin, dry skin stimulates hair loss
- Stress: increases hormone imbalances and consequently shedding
- Exercise level and time spent indoor/outdoor: low activity level increases hair loss
- Hormonal change
- Kidney, liver, thyroid related diseases
- Pregnancy/lactation
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Why The German Shepherds Shed
The German shepherds as compared to other dogs Shed more throughout the year. German Shepherd Shedding is simply awesome.
The owners of these dogs must know why and how they do shed, this will enable them to identify the abnormality levels of shedding if any, and this information can be used in medical problems.
The owners of these dogs must know why and how they do shed, this will enable them to identify the abnormality levels of shedding if any, and this information can be used in medical problems.
Mainly there are two reasons behind German shepherds shedding
Double coat:
The German shepherds have two coats:
Outer layer: the outer lining of fur which mostly contains long hairs and works as protector of inner coat from dirt and matting. This coat continuously shed throughout the year.
This coat must be brushed regularly, and the dog must be bathed under suitable conditions if not bathed for long it gets smelly.
Inner coat: inner coat consists of fine hairs which naturally molt and grow with changing the weather.
Times of the year:
The German Shepherd use to Shed the old coat for new twice a year. The shedding inner lighter coat occurs when summer is over leaving room for the new thick coat to grow for winter.
This thick skin which protects the German shepherd Shedding from cold and when the winter is gone this coat is molted for a new lighter coat for summer. This exchanging of linings goes on continuously for the whole lifecycle.
When Is Shedding A Problem
Its perfectly normal for german shepherds to shed, however, if you notice theyre shedding a little bit too much then there could be a problem.
If you notice any of the following then there could be a problem with your german shepherd.
- Bald spots
- Wounds
- Discharge
When any of the following occur, there can be a whole range of causes, so its best to take them to the vets to figure it out.
Normally these sorts of problems come about due to various skin conditions and parasites, however, they can almost always be treated.
And even if you dont notice any of them, if you notice that your german shepherd is shedding more than they should be you should still take them to the vets to figure out why.
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