Which Is Better German Shepherd Or Mudhol Hound
- Owner Experience – Both the German Shepherd and the Mudhol Hound are good for new owners, but the German Shepherd is a slightly better choice. Children – Both breeds are child friendly, but the Mudhol Hound is the most friendly between the breeds. Grooming – The Mudhol Hound is very easy to groom. The German Shepherd has high grooming requirements.
German shepherds and golden retrievers are generally good with children and other pets. If you’re looking for a working dog, a German shepherd probably has more endurance and agility than a golden retriever They’re just as loyal as golden retrievers, but they may be more protective of their owners.
How Often Should I Bathe A German Shepherd
Luckily for us German Shepherd owners, the breed doesnt need regular bathing. Theyre naturally low odor dogs that dont get all that smelly in-between bathing sessions. The recommended infrequent bathing schedule is one of the reasons people put up with the grooming requirements of the breed.
The American Kennel Club recommends that you only bathe your pooch once every 4 to 5 months at most. Bathing them more regularly than this can strip the essential oils that are naturally produced by your pooch from their coat. As these oils are responsible for keeping your dogs skin in tip-top condition removing them by over washing can lead to skin irritations, rashes, and itchiness.
Grooming & Living Conditions
Long haired Shepherds shed a lot all year round. Molting will also occur three weeks before fall or three weeks before spring. They are notoriously nightmares to groom as their coats tend to clump and mat a lot of patience is needed to groom these dogs. Youll need the perfect brush, a metal brush with lengthy teeth is preferred to get deep into the coat, and a pin brush is recommended to keep your pups coat shiny and clean.
Brushing daily for several minutes will prevent knots in the future. Be prepared to vacuum frequently to keep your surroundings clean, and always have a lint roller nearby to clean yourself before leaving the house. Due to German Shepherds being large, powerful and possess strong guarding instincts, great care should be exercised when purchasing them. Poorly bred dogs are more likely to exhibit anxiety and nervousness.
To prevent over guarding behavior, its best to socialize them at an early age as well as have extensive obedience classes. While with the family, they should be exposed to different elements, including loud noises and children. They like to be active and can get bored easily, so ample exercise is necessary to keep them engaged.
Long haired German Shepherds should be kept indoors due to their large coat that can be matted easily. Theyre best kept inside to prevent overheating in the summer and frostbite in the winter.
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But How Much Will One Cost
Long Haired German Shepherd Price
At the time of publication, we looked at the prices of both short and long haired German Shepherd puppies.
We found long haired puppies ranging from $275 to $1800.
In contrast, short haired puppies ranged from $250 to $4495.
So, while the starting price of both types are similar, the top price for a long haired German Shepherd puppy is much more reasonable.
Are There Any Products That Help With German Shepherd Hair Growth
You may be surprised to find out that there are quite a few products available that can help with your german shepherd hair growth.
While its not a good idea to use most human hair products on your dog, there are many dog-friendly options on the market today.
Remember, the best way to help your dogs hair grow out strong and healthy will be to feed them a healthy diet.
Apart from your dogs diet, products that you can purchase to help grow out your German Shepherds coat include topical oils and grooming tools.
Many topical products exist that can help expedite your dogs hair growth and improve their fur health.
For example, you can use flaxseed oil, grape-seed, horsetail, and evening primrose oil on your dogs coat. This will improve coat shine, moisturize your dogs skin, and stimulate hair follicle circulation.
Tea tree oil and oatmeal shampoos can also help with hair growth. These are moisturizing options that can reduce breakage and dryness in your dogs coat. Leave-in conditioners may also help with this.
There are a few grooming tools that can also be helpful. For instance, opting for a brush specifically tailored toward dogs with a dense undercoat can save you time and reduce shedding. Certain combs for long-haired dog breeds may also be useful.
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What If Your German Shepherd Is Not Within Breed Standards
The official standards for 163 recognized breeds are maintained by The American Kennel Club .
An example of another organization that recognizes and adheres to standards of the German Shepherd Dog is The United Schutzhund Clubs of America .
If youre not planning on being the next Westminster Kennel Club Dog Champion or breeding your dog, does it matter if your German Shepherd is not within Breed Standards?
Maybe it does aesthetically to some people, but remember that breed standards are guidelines.
A GSD that is too small, too big, has a white toenail or a floppy ear, doesnt make them any less healthy, loving, loyal, or devoted.
Invest In Quality Equipment
As weve just learned in the tip above, grooming is going to be part of your life whenever you own a German Shepherd. As such, youre going to be getting up close and personal with your tools of choice on a regular basis and so is your pooch.
While we always recommend getting the best value product when you own a German Shepherd we recommend you splash out on your grooming gear a little more than you perhaps otherwise would.
Better quality equipment will get your grooming sessions over quicker, theyll irritate your pooch as little as possible, and theyre easier for you to use too.
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Short Coat Or Medium Haired German Shepherd
The length of coat can vary among German Shepherds.
If your German Shepherd dog has a short coat you can usually expect a double coat and a length of approximately 1 inch, or about 2.5 cm.
If your Shepherd has a medium length coat then it will have an undercoat and you will be looking at a length of about 1 to 2 inches or approximately 2.5 to 5 cm. This is the more common coat length among this breed and certainly what you will tend to find in show dogs.
Anything longer would be classified as a long haired German Shepherd and these can be either double or single coated dogs.
German Shepherds Are Known As A Mouthy Breed
They tend to use their mouths as an appendage thanks to their herding heritage. Its even right there in their name, ShepHERD. This mouthing behavior is natural, so expect your GSD to mouth you and chew anything that will fit inside their mouth. However, that doesnt mean you should allow it. What might be cute in your small puppy will get more powerful as your dog grows up. Training your dog not to bite your hand or the chew on the furniture is essential with this breed. Teach your German Shepherd to channel those instincts safely and appropriately.
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What Is The Rarest Color Of German Shepherd
blue German ShepherdThe blue German Shepherd is one of the rarest variations of the breed and may cost up to five times as much as traditional black and tan variations. This color is declared a serious fault and therefore these dogs are not allow to compete in shows, although they are recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Removing Long Coats From Breeding
The Breed Survey Scheme in Germany 1922 removed the rough coated and shaggy-coated Shepherds out of the breeding pool due to specific instructions form von Stephanitz. However, long coats with an undercoat were still allowed to be surveyed and exhibited at shows.
A specific date for when they were banned entirely from showing isnt written down but, they were actively being bred out and determined unacceptable for breeding around the 1970s. This ban continued until recently. There are other breeds that also have this recessive trait, and its also bred out of these breeding lines as well.
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Different Types Of German Shepherds
August 28, 2020Lifestyle141028
If you were looking to adopt an intelligent and cute puppy that you could play with, go on walks together, and who would also protect you & your home by being the most vigilant guard, then you must look no further than the German Shepherd.
German Shepherd is perhaps the most widely recognized and loved dog breeds in the world. They are one of the best guard dogs that are so good at it that almost all of the police dogs in the USA are German Shepherds.
German Shepherd Dog Price: German Shepherd cost around Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000 in India. On average, the cost of a German Shepherd ranges from $500-$1,500 in the USA.
Gsds Are Super Active
Therefore, so are you. Thinking of lounging on the couch? No way! German Shepherd owners know that wont happen until youve walked your dog, gone to the park, or provided some sort of exercise. This breed only thrives with enough regular exercise to burn off all that excess energy. If you dont give your GSD daily workouts, watch out. Your dog will get that energy out somehow, and most likely in ways you dont want. To be sure your German Shepherd is happy and a pleasure to live with, you will definitely get all the exercise you need too.
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How To Improve German Shepherd Coat And Skin
A German Shepherd Dog can suffer from a dull, thin coat that sheds too much if they arent in healthy shape and getting the right amount of nutrients.
If your dogs health is poor then their coat and skin will suffer.
Your German Shepherd could show signs of:
- itching
- fur that falls out in clumps
- excessive shedding
You should always seek your vets advice when dealing with a German Shepherd that is unhealthy or doing poorly.
But, there are many ways to improve your German Shepherds coat to make their coat shiny and full.
Here are the best ways to not only improve your dogs coat but
Give them a shiny, full coat that you cant stop running your fingers through!
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog
Bathing your German Shepherd can remove 20% more fur. If you brush only when your dog is slightly damp, it will help to remove more hair. Do not bathe your dog too often, as this will remove natural oils, making your dog coat easier to mat and less shiny. It is best not to bathe the German Shepherd every 4-5 months.
German shepherds that do not have undercoats require less grooming during the spring-fall and fall months, but that doesnt make any big difference in terms of looks.
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Two Brushes Two Passes
You need a minimum of two brushes to get the job done properly. Firstly, you should go over your dog with a dedicated rake brush that has been specifically designed to remove long hair on high shedding breeds. This is the toughest part of the job and will untangle any matting or knotting and remove most of the detached hair on your pooch. You need to be reasonably firm when doing this, but be careful not to scratch or scrape your dogs skin. After youve used the rake brush, give your pooch a quick once over with a standard dog hair brush and youre all done!
German Shepherd Dog Care
German Shepherds can be a handle to care for. They have large grooming needs, a hungry appetite and need a lot of exercise to keep them entertained. However, its always worth it!
You should ensure that you are exercising your German Shepherd for 60 to 90 minutes a day. This includes walks, playing and mental games. Your doggie will want a big back yard to run around in too, so they will not be getting the exercise they need if you live in a small apartment. Without adequate exercise, they can develop unwanted and destructive behaviors due to frustration and boredom.
The German Shepherd is a very intelligent dog and is therefore very easy to train. Their ease of training means that they make a great family dog as well as a dog for couples or individuals. However, they can be a little stubborn, so you should never punish them or scold them.
If youre lucky and have a medium coated German Shepherd dog, you may be able to get away with brushing them twice a week. However, if your dog has long hair, then youre going to need to brush them daily to prevent knots and tangles forming. They can shed a lot too, so their grooming needs can be difficult.
Because the Shepherd is a large dog, their diet should also be large. It is recommended that you feed them a diet specially formulated for large dog breeds and you should always check the back of the dog food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
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How Often Should You Bathe Your Dogs
Bathing your German Shepherd can or may remove 20% more hair. If you only brush when your dog is slightly damp, it will help remove more hair. Dont usually bathe your dog too often, as this will remove the natural oils, making your coat duller and less shiny. It is best not to bathe your German Shepherd every 4-5 months.
German Shepherds that do not have an undercoat require less care during the spring and fall months, but this does not make any big difference in appearance.
Skeletal Health And Supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
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German Shepherd Colors: A Complete List Of All 13 Recognized Coat Colors
Loyal, obedient, protective, hard-working, intelligent, and oh-so-loving these are all great adjectives for a German Shepherd dog.
But, what about their appearance?
You have probably seen the stereotypical German Shepherd coat color of black and tan this is the most popular and easy to identify variation.
Did you know that there are 13 German Shepherd Colors?
From white to black, to blue to red, the German Shepherd coat color variation is a long list. The best part of which is that color actually plays no part in any health conditions, behavioral, or temperament.
Each coat color gives useful information into a Shepherds history, so relax and enjoy as we explain each color for the German Shepherd in detail.
Contents and Quick Navigation
Long Haired German Shepherd Health
The health of your long haired German Shepherd will be no different to a German Shepherd with any other length coat.And within this breed, there are some health concerns which need to be discussed.
Its important to consider these while making the decision whether or not to buy a long haired German Shepherd.
Any reputable breeder will be more than happy to talk you through the health conditions that are common in the German Shepherd, but heres a brief summary.
This breed is known to suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. Breeding dogs should have been given a score for this. The higher the score the better. So when looking at puppies, ask to see the scores of both parent dogs.
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Many German Shepherds have now been bred to have an extreme slope to their backs. This can have a negative impact on their health and welfare.
The most common health issues which affect German Shepherds are:
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Von Willebrands disease
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Long Haired German Shepherds
The rarity of the long hair arises from the recessive gene that was meant to be bred out of the bread entirely. Previously considered as an unfortunate consequence to inbreeding, the coat can now be found from selective mating and attention to parenting. The origins of the long-haired variant march in line with their typical, short-haired cousins.
Von Stephanitz stated that long silky hair was often associated with a refined head and often had no undercoat. This would cause the part along the back of the breed to form pockets of moisture when it rained, which let to drenched skin. The long silky or shaggy hair was also likely to mat, get frozen during winter, and get hard with dirt if not properly taken care of.
He viewed long hair too much trouble for what its worth. If it was possible to breed long hair out of the Shepherd or to actively breed their short to medium hair counter-part this would be preferred as long hair lacked the density and protection from all elements.
A balance would be necessary for the coat of the average Shepherd, as coats must be judged simply from the point of view of serviceability because otherwise such dogs are not of importance for the breed. The focus was more on the undercoats protection and the length as the medium haired German Shepherds were easier to take care of and therefore made better working dogs. These pups are not to be confused with GSD mixes like the GSD/Husky.