Long Haired German Shepherd: Shedding Truths, Care & Facts

Unsure if you can provide enough exercise for a German Shepherd? Here are my favorite toys and games for German Shepherd Dogs. In this article, you will learn about all the different types of dogs toys and games you can try with your fluffy GSD. Regular walks or hikes in the woods or fields are an excellent way to get your dog moving and enjoying itself while getting its daily dose of right-brain stimulation.

Long Haired German Shepherd Lifespan and Health

They will do best spending time in the house with the family. Persistent training and a loving relationship with their family will give you a well-adjusted and happy dog. The long-haired GSD is an active and large dog that will need high-quality dry dog food. If you’re ever worried about your dog’s weight, always speak to your vet. There is a common belief that the long-haired German Shepherd does not have an undercoat, but this is not true.

Finding a Reputable Breeder

Grooming regularly prevents knots and tangles and removes loose hair. Finding the appropriate diet for a dog with digestive issues requires lateral thinking and patience. There are many foods available currently for dogs with allergies. If your long-haired German Shepherd is showing digestive and skin symptoms, they are probably allergic or intolerant to an ingredient in the food. German Shepherds, both long and short-haired, are known for having digestive issues causing upset stomachs. A decade ago, researchers thought that high protein was a problem for large-breed puppies, but recent research has shown that high-protein diets for puppies prevent many joint problems.

Long Haired German Shepherd Care Guide

If you have a single coated German Shepherd, then be especially careful. A long haired German Shepherd sheds so much that you will definitely need to constantly be picking up after their loose fur with a vacuum all over the house. While they shed all year long, their shedding is the heaviest during the Spring and Fall. High quality kibble that is designed for larger working breeds, and has joint supplements, is a good way to help reduce the risk of developing bone and joint diseases like dysplasia. Testing for diseases such as elbow and hip dysplasia, pituitary dwarfism, Von Willebrand’s disease and degenerative myelopathy are available.

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Additionally, mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise and will tire your dog out as much as if they went for a jog around the block. Owing to the fact that they have long tufts of hair around their ears, their ears can trap dirt and become infected fairly easily. If the coat is left to tangle and mat, it will pull on the skin, which will lead to sores, irritation, and infection. The coat can trap water down the back and cause skin irritation that leads to infection. Even though von Stephanitz tried to get rid of the long-hair gene from the population, it persisted. The long-hair gene occasionally cropped up, and von Stephanitz was not a huge fan.

5 Best Dog Brushes for German Shepherds - iHeartDogs.com

5 Best Dog Brushes for German Shepherds.

Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Infrequent bathing suits a dog that doesn’t venture into mud or swimming locations. It’s preferable to use a gentle shampoo that doesn’t strip the skin of oil and leaves the hair soft. Your specific dog determines the amount and frequency of brushing. The breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, eczema, and digestive problems. They are an active breed that does well in a family that enjoys activities and outdoors with their dog.

The undercoat is designed to provide these dogs with insulation. It keeps them warm in the winter and protects them from the heat in the summer. Training can be a bit more challenging than some other breeds. Because they are so intelligent, they tend to be a bit defiant at first. With positive reinforcement and patience, they will pick up commands relatively quickly. The key is to be positive at all times and avoid any forms of punishment or negative reinforcement.

If you frequently leave for extended periods of time you’ll need to hire good friends or family members to help out. If you’re a physical fitness enthusiast and you go on regular strolls or runs, a long haired German Shepherd will certainly make an ideal workout pal. They love unwinding with their human household but they are normally energized so will constantly leap at the possibility to get outside.

Dogs with moderate energy levels need one hour of exercise daily for an adult dog. These dogs are intelligent enough to figure out ways to open doors and gates, so escaping is not too much of a challenge for them. A well-bred long-haired German Shepherd that is socialized early is an excellent dog with children.

German Shepherd colors range from solid black or cream to sable or black and tan with white markings; whichever hue you choose will make your pup stand out! These beautiful dogs are unlike any other, from their beautiful coats to their loyal temperaments. The long-haired German Shepherd have long hair on their backs, shoulders, legs, and stomachs that covers them in a thick layer of silky fur. Similarly, breeders that bred occasional long-haired puppies were not usually that ambitious in the show ring or producing working dogs. Some breeders choose to breed with long-haired German Shepherds because the dogs have a softer temperament, better suited to pet homes. If you are looking for a pet, remember that having a long-haired German Shepherd without an undercoat will not affect the dog’s health or temperament in any way.

Another great way to exercise your dog is to play outdoor games. Coupled with obedience training, you’ll help burn energy and keep your dog healthy and happy. For brushing your dog’s long top coat, we prefer a simple grooming glove. We also really like this brush because, unlike many others, it does not dig into your dogs delicate skin underneath their double coats. The long-haired German Shepherd has a large cult following due to their unique look and fantastic personality.

However, these colors are not accepted by the breed standard. Single coats cannot tolerate cold weather because they are not as well protected from the weather. This has made some believe that they are less protective, gentler and friendlier than the classic GSD used today as working dogs. This means that they should have an undercoat and a longer overcoat.