Average German Shepherd Weight By Age
The most reliable numbers when it comes to a German shepherds measurements come from German Shepherd Dog FCI. It will also be the ones that well be using in this section.
Its also important to understand that males and females typically have different weights. This is a chart that shows the average weight of a German shepherd with 1-month intervals.
However, this German shepherd size chart will skip some months to show you how a full-grown German shepherd should weigh normally.
How Do You Stop German Shepherd Whining
It can be difficult to determine whether a German Shepherd whines for a good reason or not. Pay attention to the specific situation to better understand why your dog may be whining. If the situation is addressed, the whining will likely stop immediately. However, if your German Shepherd is whining too much, learning how to stop the behavior is important.
There are several techniques available depending on the situation. Additionally, the Book Training your German Shepherd on provides added information on how you can train your German Shepherd to stop excessively whining.
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How Tall Should A 6
A 6-month-old German Shepherd should be between 16-18 inches tall for males and 15-17 inches tall for females. This is derived from measuring 70% of the adult height of the dog as German Shepherds reach this percentage mark in both height and weight by the sixth month.
The common misconception among those who have never had a German Shepherd or a big dog is that the dog will grow consistently. German Shepherds go through uneven growth spurts that are uniform across the species but inconsistent across the years.
Compare the example of an 18-inch tall male GSD at 6 months. The same dog would be 16 inches the month before. But if he were to continue growing at this pace, he would be an impossible 38 inches by adulthood, and that doesnt happen.
German Shepherds grow only 30% more from the 6-month mark to the three-year mark.
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Be Mindful Of Your Gsds Prepuce
Your GSDs prepuce serves as a protective sleeve for your German Shepherd red rocket and can become infected more easily than the organ it protects. If you notice any rashes or abnormal discharge coming from this area, try washing it with mild soap and cool water this will help if allergens or irritants are present. If the rashes are severe, the discharge persists for longer than a few days, or if you notice bleeding, head to the vet immediately.
As much as possible, keep your GSD from laying down in dirty, wet or dusty areas.
How Big Is Too Big
Siren Wrangler
Administrator & Alpha Bitch of the Wild Bunch
Originally Posted By: doggiedadwhat’s in the Shiloh and King Shepherds that makes them so big?
Originally Posted By: k9sarnekoI laugh at SAR handlers who have a hugh shepherd because at some point I know they will have to put that dog over a fence or into an attic ect. I would much rather boost my 75lb dog than a 110lbder. Plus my lean mean 75lb dog can pretty much clear a 6ft fence with little help from me, lets see the hugh dogs do that.
Siren Wrangler
Quote:Breeders intentionally breeding oversized dogs are not breeding out of respect for or a desire to improve or preserve the GSD breed but rather for their own ego, money and to feed a market that does believe “bigger is better”.
breeding
Quote:All joking aside I hate the idea of people breeding these huge gsd’s its not good for the breed in general, and definately can’t be good for the dogs themselves. An accidental oversized dog is one thing, intentionally contaminating their breeding program to breed dogs who are grossly out of the breed standards is irrisponsible.
deliberately
Quote:Every breeder I’ve come across who ignores large size or even promotes it are the ones who give you a blank stare when you ask about titles, training, OFAs, etc.
dogsto meignoreignoreignore
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German Shepherd Dogs Are Protective Of Their Loved Ones
They are known for being fearless and self-confident. GSDs will assertively stand their ground and are suited to be either watchdog or guardian, whichever the situation demands. They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile. This natural protective instinct is reassuring to the German Shepherd owner. But it also comes with a certain responsibility. You should be committed to spending time socializing and training your dog to ensure your companion feels comfortable around strangers and other dogs. If you do, you will benefit from all this dog has to offer.
How Big Is A 6
Puppies undergo massive growth spurts before five months. By the time they reach six months, their growth has slowed down considerably. The average male will weigh about 53 pounds, while females weigh 46 pounds. They have not reached their full adult weight yet, but they are very close. Because their growth has slowed down so much, though, they will continue to grow for a long time to come. It just wont be as fast as it has been.
At this point, your dogs body is mostly focusing on the looming sexual maturity, which can hit anywhere between 6 months to 16 months. Because they arent growing quite as quickly, you may find that they put on more muscle and fat in the coming months. This is normal. It is also normal if your dog retains their somewhat skinny appearance for a few more months to come.
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What Kind Of House Do You Live In
German shepherds are big dogs, so it should be no surprise that they donât thrive in small spaces. An apartment probably wonât give a dog of such a large size enough space to feel comfortable.
These dogs are also very active, so they will do best if they have a bit of outdoors to call their own that lets them run around a little, dig, and play. Just be sure your yard is properly and securely fenced in!
Other Names Of Giant German Shepherd
I wouldnt be surprised if you are already familiar with the breed names King Shepherd and Shiloh Shepherd after scouring the web for info on the Giant GSDs.
These terms are just another name for the giant breed of German Shepherds. To be more specific, their size falls under the Giant German Shepherd category.
Both of these result from crossbreeding purebred German Shepherds into other large dog breeds to acquire a bigger physique and better health condition.
In the case of Shiloh Shepherd, a purebred German Shepherd was crossbred with an Alaskan Malamute and some other breeds to achieve a larger body composition and healthier hips.
On the other hand, King Shepherd has the ancestral foundation of a purebred German Shepherd and a Shilo Shepherd.
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Basically speaking, King Shepherds and Giant German Shepherds are one and the same.
They are real giants in the sense that they are the biggest variety of the German Shepherd that exists. Their height often ranges from 25 to 29 inches tall thats why they are called Kings!
This dog breed was developed by American dog breeders Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer. The King Shepherd has the foundation of a German Shepherd and a Shiloh Shepherd .
The crossbreeding was done with the aim of producing a dog breed with the appearance and characteristics of a German Shepherd but larger in size and has fewer health issues.
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How To Increase A German Shepherds Weight
You must cross-reference your dogs size with the growth chart. If both size and weight are greater than what the growth chart indicates as the standard, then your dog is simply the bigger kind, and you can chalk up the additional weight to natural body size.
However, if your German Shepherd is the size that GSDs his age are supposed to be but is overweight, then chances are that hes putting on unhealthy weight that needs to be worked off.
In short, the healthy weight adds to the height and overall size, whereas unhealthy weight doesnt affect your dogs size. The key is to discover this sooner than later. If your GSD looks like Danny Devito, you dont need to be a canine biologist to know that he isnt predisposed to being a big dog he just needs to be in better shape.
Discovering early that your German Shepherd needs more exercise and better diet management means you have to go easy on him during physical training.
German Shepherds have growth plates made of soft tissue that leaves room for limb bone growth. And if your dog runs or even goes on enthusiastic long walks outdoors, his growth plates might be at risk. Thats why you need to be careful how you exercise your GSD puppy.
I have a post covering exercises for younger GSDs in detail but below are some principles that will help you decide your own exercises for German Shepherds whose growth plates are open.
Tail Wrapped Over Its Nose
This position is not as common. A sleeping German Shepherd will want to protect the most exposed part of its body, being the nose, from any injuries or flying elements. You will find a German Shepherd sleeping in this position during seasons where the weather is harsh, for instance when it raining, snowing, or windy.
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What Kind Of Physique Will A German Shepherd Greyhound Have
The Shephound will probably be taller than a German Shepherd, but shorter than a Greyhound. The main discrepancy will be in build and weight.
The pup may have a leaner build with the classic protruding chest and tiny waist of the Greyhound. Or, the Shephound may be more muscular in this case, they will naturally be on the heavier end.
Will German Shepherd Bulldogs Have A Short Coat
This mixed breed may have a single or double coat and the fur may be short or medium-length. A shorter coat will often be fine and smooth. Dogs with double coats may have longer, wavier hair on top. The coat underneath will be thick and dense.
This pups coat can be a wide variety of colors. This includes white, fawn, red, black, brown, grey, sable, liver, tan, and blue. A solid color is unlikely, but you may notice piebald patches or a brindle pattern.
The German Shepherd Bulldog mix is likely to have a darker snout. They may have the classic German Shepherd mask as well.
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German Shepherd Health Risks
German shepherds have a life expectancy of a little over 10 years. This is normal for dogs of their size, and larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds.
Many of the common health ailments that affect German shepherds are the result of inbreeding early in the breedâs development.
You should not expect a sable German shepherd to be immune from these, especially since further inbreeding is often required to produce the sable color.
It is common for these dogs to develop hip and elbow dysplasia, which is a developmental abnormality of the joints that can restrict movement and cause pain.
This is often the result of different elements of the body growing at different speeds. The best way to prevent this is to ensure good nutrition and the right level of exercise during their crucial growing period.
Even if the development of hip and elbow dysplasia does not affect the dog at a younger age, it can make them more susceptible to arthritis and other forms of joint pain when they are older.
Older German shepherds often benefit from an orthopedic bed to take pressure off their joints.
The breed also appears to be predisposed to degenerative myelopathy. This is a degenerative spinal cord disease that generally shows up in older dogs after about the age of seven years.
What Are The Predicted Aspects Of The German Shepherd Bulldog
- Height: 15 21 inches
- Coat: Single or double coat, short to medium-length fur
- Level of Affection: High
- Dog Friendly: Yes, if socialized properly
- Cat Friendly: Yes, if socialized properly
- Preferred Climate: Moderate
- Shedding Levels: Moderate to High
- Trainability: Moderate
- Potential to Bark/Howl: High
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Reasons Why Your German Shepherd Doesnt Come When Called
Tired of chasing your German Shepherd around because they dont come when called and you run frantically calling to them while your neighbors have a good laugh?
Yeah, I was embarrassed of my dogs poor recall too.
That is
Until I learned why my German Shepherd does not come when called.
And heres how you can learn to do the same, too.
How To Correct Missed Training
You must start with my post that gives you step-by-step of all the basics of the come command training for your German Shepherd.
Do not pass GO.
Do not collect $200
Until you work through the step-by-step instructions for a reliable come command.
You probably knew that I was going to tell you to train your dog, but I bet you didnt know theres an easy system to teach it that you can start right away at home. Theres even a handy table for a quick reference to the step in the post see for yourself.
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How Can You Get German Shepherd Bulldogs To Respond To Training
German Shepherd Bulldogs can be moderately easy to train. You will require some patience, though, as these pups may not learn tricks or commands right off the back. They require consistent training and you will need to work with them until they get things right.
The good news is that once this pup has learned a trick or command, they are unlikely to forget it. Your hard work will pay off.
These pups respond best to positive reinforcement so always reward good behavior and dont punish them when they get things wrong. Some pups may be especially motivated by treats and this can be an effective training tool.
Drawbacks Of Their Size
If you arent looking for a large dog made to work, this dog may not be the one for you. For example, if you live in an apartment and a big dog just isnt logical, then a shepherd might not be the best fit for you.
But, you love their look and personality and you feel the German Shepherd is your perfect soulmate then theres good news! There are GS breed mixes that come in different sizes and still have the charm of full sized shepherds.
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Spend At Least One Hour A Day With Them
Not everyone has all day to spend around with their dogs.
Youve got work, house chores, errands. And you also have to take care of the kids .
Totally understandable! But remember
You have all those things. While your dog only has you.
Yes, you may be overwhelmed by all those things. But the highlight of your dogs day is the one they get to spend time with you.
They depend on you for their everything.
If your German Shepherd constantly whines for your attention, maybe they just really miss you.
Believe me, keeping that in mind makes me stop from whatever that Im doing and spend quality time with my pooch.
It doesnt have to be a few hours. Sometimes, even an hour is enough.
And if youre not around, you can still keep them entertained.
Give them toys and puzzles that will stimulate their mind and keep them busy at the same time.
Most Common German Shepherd Behavioral Problems
Before we dive into the most common behavioral problems associated with German shepherds, I think its important to look at where the breed has actually come from.
Over the last century, German shepherds have been used for tracking, search and rescueespecially for the police and protection and guarding. So, its no surprise that a lot of the issues are in this exact area.
They have been intentionally bred for traits such as fierce loyalty, intelligence, and strength.
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.
Its not at all that this type of dog is being mean or nasty. In fact, from the dogs point of view, he believes hes just doing his job of protecting his family or territory.
Its a very, very common problem, and, at the end of the day, it is what the German shepherd has been bred to do a lot of the time.
The good newsthis behavior can be untrained. Or even better yet, if youre working with a German shepherd puppy or a young German shepherd, you can easily avoid this behavioral problem. And in case you are wondering, this does not automatically mean, that if you ever really do need help, that they wont rise to the occasion!
Once again, with some basic training and a good sturdy harness, this behavior can be easily prevented.
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