How to Care for a German Shepherd

According to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the profile of a good German shepherd is that of a strong, agile, well-muscled animal, alert and full of life. Follow these steps to care for your German shepherd.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Bones
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Hand Vacuum Cleaners
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Reduced-calorie Dog Food
• Dog Shampoo

1. Keep your shepherd's weight down. Overweight dogs will have more health problems, including heart trouble and arthritis.

2. Learn what health problems are associated with this breed: Von Willebrand's disease (a blood disorder), glaucoma, torsion (stomach bloat, a very serious emergency), cataracts, calcium gout, chronic pancreatitis, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, hemophilia, slipped discs and retinal atrophy.

3. Brush your German shepherd daily if possible. This breed sheds year-round and heavily twice a year when the undercoat comes out.

4. Bathe the dog infrequently; shepherds don't require special grooming and can be washed at home.

5. Make sure to trim this dog's nails regularly - every two weeks - to prevent foot problems.

6. Remember that German shepherds are eager to please and very intelligent. You must be consistent and firm while training them.

7. Keep your shepherd indoors or out. Remember that she'll be much happier indoors with the family, since these dogs prefer to be with their pack.

8. Be prepared to enjoy a good 10 to 13 years with your shepherd, as this is the average life expectancy for a German shepherd.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a portable vacuum if you plan to keep your shepherd inside. They shed constantly.
• Keep your shepherd in a secure yard.
• Make sure you or someone in your home is willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with and exercising the dog.
• Note that shepherds shed a lot. The No. 1 reason people give up their German shepherds is because the animal sheds too much. (The No. 2 reason is that the dog got bigger than expected.)

[adolfo45]

on 8/7/2009 MY GERMAN SHEPHERD 8 MONTHS OLD HAS BEEN HAVING THE RUNS BAD GREEN AND WONT EAT PLEASE HELP

[ikelue123]

on 12/12/2008 i have a all white german shepherd he is two years old but im having trouble keeping wieght on i wanted to know the best food to be giving him and he is really skittish mostly when it comes to his hears is there a way to help these problems?

[Icesha]

on 8/11/2008 I recently acquired a 6 yr old german shepherd who has been in a kennel quite a while. She is not the greatest on the leash and is now in heat. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[debalina22]

on 1/8/2008 I've got a German Shepherd just 3 days back.
He's amazing little puppy of 2 months.
Gave him Pedigree (rice and chicken mildly cooked) he got indigestion.
Now, He's on a special diet and doing fine.
Vet told me that its too early to give him such high protein diet.
But I'm having trouble trying to train him. Since 6-12weeks is the perfect age of training them, I've just 4 more weeks.
How do I go about ?
I tried to teach him not to chew my fingers and toe but it seems that he finds it tastier than bone.
How do I make him not chew shoes or lick the floor ?
Please help.
Oh, he's such a sweetheart, when I cried last night because he had bitten me badly, he licked tears off my cheeks.

[MaheshG]

on 9/25/2007 My GSD is 8 mnths old i should give him puppy food or adult one?
currently its Pedigree(milk,rice,Vege.) for puppy