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Why Do German Shepherds Pant

Reasons Why Dogs Pant

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Dogs pant to cool themselves, Dr. Wooten told The Dodo. Pain from anywhere in the body, nausea and stress are three common medical reasons why dogs will pant. Other medical conditions that can cause increased panting include Cushings syndrome respiratory problems, such as laryngeal paralysis or pneumonia poisoning heart disease and eclampsia .

Here are some more details on why your dog might be panting.

Why Does My German Shepherd Pant So Much

If your German Shepherd pants a lot then you might want to know why and what you can do about it.

This post will show you why your German Shepherd pants a lot and what can be done about it.

So, why does my German Shepherd pant so much? German Shepherds are large dogs so they naturally pant more than others. However, it could also be too hot, frightened, sick or have a health problem. If it started suddenly you should take it to a vet.

There are actually a number of things that can cause your German Shepherd to pant a lot and there are a number of things you can do about it.

What Is Considered Abnormal Breathing With Australian Shepherds

First things first, what is considered panting for Australian Shepherds?

You have to remember that, on average, your Australian Shepherd may breathe faster than you. Most humans will take between 12 to 16 breaths a minute. Your dog, on the other hand, may breathe at a rate of around 15 to 30 breaths per minute.

So, your pooch will only pant if they are breathing faster than what is normal.

In many instances, your dogs panting may be accompanied by a hanging tongue.

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Are There Any Behavioral Problems With German Shepherds

First off, they are very large dogs and can come off very intimidating. Second, their instinct to protect their family or property is strong and can lead untrained German shepherds to becoming very protective, aggressive, and scary dogs. The keyword here is untrained, as any untrained dogregardless of breedcan have the same problems.

Is It Normal For A German Shepherd To Smell

Why does my German Shepherd pant so much?

Having a German Shepherd in your life can be wonderful, but we cant deny their occasional stench every now and then. Even the most well-kept pups can have the occasional a run-in with foul odor. While some smelly issues have a quick fix, there are some issues that will require medical attention to resolve.

Add in the fact that German Shepherds have double coats and it becomes easy to see that they will get hot very easily. When dogs get hot they will naturally pant more than usual as a way to cool off. Another reason that a dog might pant more than usual is that it has heatstroke.

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Investigate The Environment Monitor Meals

Panting can be a sign that your dog has consumed something they do not agree with. Equally, they may have rubbed against something they are allergic to.

Check all the foods in which you dog has eaten, and check up on areas your dog has been to ensure there is not something that has caused the panting.

Theyre Suffering From Heatstroke

While heatstroke ties into the being too hot aspect of panting, its serious enough that it should be talked about separately. Heatstroke occurs when your pet has been active in extremely hot temperatures and can happen to any dog breed, but due to their thick coats and large size, German Shepherds are at greater risk.

How can you tell if your dog is suffering from heatstroke? The first sign youll likely notice is your dog panting for far longer than is typical after being out in the heat. Other signs of heatstroke can include lethargy, thick sticky saliva, vomiting, and a bright red tongue. If you notice any of these, take your pet to a cooler, shaded area and give them water. After theyve cooled off a bit, follow up by taking them to the vet.

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The Root Of The Behavior

German Shepherds are a breed known for their loyalty and intelligence. German Shepherds are great at completing tasks and are committed to their jobs. They are full of energy and often work as police dogs or people with disabilities. Their strong noses, determination, and desire for exercise and mental stimulation give them excellent qualities for these roles.

However, German Shepherds werent always helping humans solve crimes or safely guiding them across the street. Your German Shepherd can be following you for a few reasons. He might be trying to herd you and your family members since German Shepherds were bred to herd livestock. These dogs know how to round up sheep and other animals by simply chasing, circling, and staring them down. If he has nothing else to herd, the two-legged creatures standing in different rooms of the house are the only targets he has, and his instinct tells him to round you up.

Dogs are also pack animals and respond well to the alpha, or the one in charge. Dogs will follow the alphas command and respect the hierarchy in the pack. Your pup might identify you as the alpha, which is a good thing because it means youre in charge. But with power comes responsibility and you are now in charge of where he goes and what he does. His need to be part of the pack and follow you is intuitive and your German Shepherd knows he wants to be part of yours.

What Is The Personality Of A German Shepherd

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German Shepherd Temperament and Personality Courageous, Fearless and Focused. The German Shepherd is known for its courage. Alert, Intelligent and Trainable. The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent breed. Well-built, Strong and Energetic. German Shepherds are big dogs. Loyal and Protective. The German Shepherd Temperament with Children 7 Tips for Success.

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What To Do When Your German Shepherd Is Panting

Panting is usually nothing to worry about, but it still indicates your dog is attempting to regulate their body temperature. It usually means that they are too hot, and their trying to cool down.

The following are practical ways that you can support your dog and help them feel more comfortable during bouts of panting.

Theyre Having An Allergic Reaction

Dogs can have allergies too! While they may end up with digestive issues or reddened skin because of them, your German Shepherd may also start panting in a wheezing manner. Their allergies range from dietary-related, pollen-related, laundry detergents, and dust. If your pet starts panting and wheezing out of nowhere, check what theyve eaten recently or where theyve been hanging out to discover if it could be an allergic reaction. Other signs of a reaction include itchiness and paw chewing.

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Is Panting An Indication Of Happiness Too

Originally Posted By: HistorianPanting can mean a lot of different things: being hot, tired, stressed, and yes, happy. There was an article a while back about how a shelter in Washington State is using a tape of panting dogs to help calm the dogs in the shelter. I Googled it and came up with this article – – about the use of the panting dog tape. It has a link at the end that goes to the website that has the full research paper available for people to read.

Causes Of A German Shepherd Panting A Lot

Why does my German Shepherd pant so much?

German shepherds are big dogs so it is to be expected that they will pant more than most other dogs.

However, there are a number of things that will cause them to pant more than usual. Some of them will be a cause for concern and others will be less troubling.

It is too hot

The most likely reason that it pants a lot is because it is too hot. Dogs dont sweat like humans do so it is difficult for them to regulate their temperature. Add in the fact that German Shepherds have double coats and it becomes easy to see that they will get hot very easily.

When dogs get hot they will naturally pant more than usual as a way to cool off.

It has heatstroke

Another reason that a dog might pant more than usual is that it has heatstroke. This would be caused by doing too much activity, outside, while it is hot.

If you notice that your German Shepherd continues to pant after having been out in the heat for some time it would help to give it access to water and to give it access to a cool and shaded area immediately. If it does seem to have heatstroke then it would be important to take it to a vet as soon as you have helped it cool down.

Fear

German Shepherds may also start to pant a lot more than usual when they are frightened. This could be due to thunderstorms, a low flying jet, fireworks or it could be because you started to seem frightened yourself.

Related post: Why is my German Shepherd afraid?

It has a heart-problem

Allergic reaction to something

Exercise

Excitement

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Whining Because Of Excitement

As we mentioned earlier, a German Shepherd whine as a way of communicating. When a German Shepherd is excited, it may also whine to express its joy and happiness.

Some instance where a German Shepherd whines from excitement include:

  • When someone comes home
  • When it is about to go for a walk
  • When playing with you, or other dogs
  • When it is being served food

Side Effects Of Medication

There are some medications such as steroids that can cause excessive panting.

If your pup is on any kind of medication, it is a good idea to check the side effects that may accompany them. Even though this may be normal, it is a good idea to speak to your vet about what can be done.

Your vet may want to lower the dosage or try a different medication. So, you shouldnt ignore this issue.

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What Does It Mean When A German Shepherd Looks In A Different Direction

Any dog that is giving this signal is on the cusp of feeling overwhelmed, and a dog that feels overwhelmed can change very quickly from timid to aggressive. Its the classic fight or flight scenario. Youll notice this when a German Shepherd is looking in a different direction than his head is pointed.

Why Does My German Shepherd Breathe So Fast

Why Do German Shepherd Grow So Fast #shorts

If your German Shepherd is breathing fast, it is probably quite concerning for you. This post will try to help you figure out why it might be doing it and what you should do about it.

So, why does my German Shepherd breathe so fast? German Shepherds tend to be large and active so it is normal for them to pant more than other breeds. However, it could also be that it isnt getting enough exercise, its ill or injured, it has just been running around, it has heatstroke or its a side effect of medication.

There are a number of things to consider when trying to figure out why your German Shepherd has been doing it. Depending on the cause, there are also a number of things that you should do about it.

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Do German Shepherds Drool And Is It Normal

German Shepherds like most dogs can and will drool from time to time and there are many reasons for this. Excessive drooling in German Shepherds should always be investigated because something dangerous could be happening, but there can be drooling that is normal for German Shepherds depending on the circumstance.

Why Is My Dog Panting Louder Than Normal

Sounds raspier, louder, or harsher than normal Occurs with more exertion than normal Listed below are some of the more common causes of abnormal panting: 1. Anxiety, stress or fear Panting is one of the primary behaviors exhibited by anxious, stressed, or fearful dogs.

Abnormal panting. Panting is considered abnormal when it occurs for reasons other than heat dissipation, and can be recognized by one or more of the following characteristics: Appears excessive compared to the dogs normal panting pattern. Occurs at inappropriate times

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Your Aussie Is Reacting With Excitement

Yes, Australian Shepherds may pant when they are excited as well.

This will often be in direct response to something. Maybe you have used one of their favorite words, they are happy to see you, or something enjoyable is taking place.

Here, the panting may be rapid and shallow. It may also be accompanied by whining or other behaviors such as leaping.

They Were Raised In A Poor Environment

Why does my German Shepherd pant so much? in 2020

In some cases, the excessive nipping may be an indication of a puppy raised in a very poor breeding environment, where the puppy didn’t get a chance to learn the ABCs of bite inhibition with his littermates and mom and the breeders did little about it.

Some of the worst cases of poor bite inhibition are often seen in puppies removed too early from the litter or singletons. In some cases, the biting may be genetic, due to a poor temperament and weak nerves.

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Why Does My Australian Shepherd Pant So Much

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  • What To Do If Australian Shpeherd Panting Sounds Odd
  • If you have noticed that your Australian Shepherd pants often, you may be concerned. Or, you may simply be curious about why this is. Well, regardless, here is your explanation for why your pooch is panting so much as well as what you can do about it.

    You Cant Pinpoint The Stressful Stimuli

    In some cases, it is easy to figure out what is scaring your dog. Then, you can remove the stimuli or your dog from that environment and help them to calm down.

    If you arent entirely sure what the stimuli is, you may not be able to help your dog.

    As you are aware, a dogs sense of smell and hearing i superior to that of humans. As a result, they could potentially be reacting to something that you cant see, hear, or smell.

    It is also not unusual for some dogs to develop certain types of anxiety disorders. In this case, completely random stimuli may make your dog uncomfortable.

    If this is the case, your vet will have to start treating them with anti-anxiety medication to help them deal with their environment or fears better.

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    How To Stop A German Shepherd Puppy From Biting

    Adrienne is a certified dog trainer and former veterinarian assistant who partners with some of the best veterinarians worldwide.

    Is your German Shepherd puppy’s biting driving you nuts?

    If you are blessed with a German Shepherd puppy, you may at times feel at your wits’ end when it comes to those constant nipping behaviors. Don’t feel badyou are not alone. This breed is indeed notorious for nipping, and those sharp puppy teeth hurt! If your arms are covered with bruises, scratches and teeth marks, you surely are upset about it and are looking for a way to decrease the nipping and finally allow those wounds to heal.

    Your Aussie Is Overheated

    Why do my dogs ears do thisð?¾ #shortsâ #germanshepherd

    Yes, one of the top reasons your pup may be panting is because they are trying to cool down.

    You may have realized that dogs dont sweat. As a result, their body has to find another way to regulate their temperature and this is through panting.

    When your dog is overheated, the blood vessels in their skin and tongue will dilate. This brings hot blood to the surface.

    Simultaneously, your dog begins to breathe more rapidly. This causes air outside of his body to pass through wet tissue such as the nose and pick up moisture.

    As this moisture makes its way through the body, it picks up the heat that has been generated. This hot air is then exhaled through the mouth.

    The hotter a dog is, the more rapidly it will begin to pant.

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    Give Your Dog Access To Water And Cool Areas

    Giving your German Shepherd water allows them to naturally cool down, stay hydrated and reduce the possibility of them getting heatstroke.

    You should also ensure your dog can access an area of shade or somewhere cool when theyre hot.

    Always make sure that they can do this on their own accord and never leave them outside in the heat of the day without the ability to cool off.

    If youre on a walk take a break and be careful of the times you are looking to go. Be cognizant of any steep hills or challenging landscapes too.

    Why Do German Shepherds Pant

    The most likely reason that it pants a lot is because it is too hot. Dogs dont sweat like humans do so it is difficult for them to regulate their temperature. Add in the fact that German Shepherds have double coats and it becomes easy to see that they will get hot very easily.

    Why do German Shepherds have a double coat? German shepherds, just as malamutes and huskies, have a double coat. This kind of coat includes a soft and woolly undercoat and an outer coat made of thin and long protective hairs. The coats purpose is to defend the dog from disease, infection and injury. This is the reason why you shouldnt shave your German shepherd. Year-round shedding.

    Why does my German Shepherd have diarrhea? If you suspect that you German Shepherd may be suffering from dog diarrhea due to a viral infection, it is important that you contact your vet immediately. Fortunately, viral infections usually show more signs than just diarrhea. Some other signs of a possible viral infection include

    What are the problems with German Shepherds? This leads to one of the first common problems for German shepherds, which revolves around aggression and the need to protect. Its very possible that an untrained German shepherd would be likely to bark or lunge at other dogs or people, especially on his own property.

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