Shepherds are one of the most famous and popular breeds, which have many subspecies and are characterized by their devotion and hard work. The name of the breed comes from the functional purpose of the first representatives of the breed – herding sheep. Even now, many farmers in all corners of the world owe their herd discipline to shepherds. They are intelligent and hardy, which is of great importance in livestock grazing.
Currently, many breeds of sheepdogs have been bred, which differ among themselves in size, color and type of wool, character and origin. Among the representatives can be named: German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd (Aussie), Belgian Shepherd (Malinois, Tervuren, Lakenuy and Grünendal), Dutch Shepherd, Scottish Shepherd (Collie), English Shepherd, Irish Shepherd, Central Asian Shepherd (Alabai), Caucasian Shepherd, Greek shepherd, etc. This list is inexhaustible.
Features of the shepherd dog
Many owners choose shepherd dogs because of their character. They are loyal, form a strong bond with their owner, and have strong protective instincts. You can be sure that in the event of a threat to your life, the dog will protect you to the last.
Since this breed was bred specifically for herding, they are hardworking and energetic. Thanks to these traits, shepherd dogs demonstrate impressive skills in the police, army, security, search and rescue operations. In order to carry out such important tasks and be a faithful assistant, they must be smart and quickly learn new skills throughout their lives – and they succeed in this perfectly. Also, shepherd dogs are quite strong-willed, so they have the potential for leadership and can show independence in completing tasks.
Although Shepherd breeds are strong and determined, they can also be gentle and loving family dogs. It is important to train and socialize them accordingly from a young age to ensure harmonious character development and safe interaction with children.
Diseases characteristic of shepherds
Shepherds, like other dog breeds, can face various health problems, so here is a list of the most common diseases that owners can face:
- Dysplasia of the joints. It is a genetically determined problem where a dog’s joints do not form or function properly, which can lead to pain and limited mobility.
- Cardiovascular diseases (mitral insufficiency, cardiomyopathy).
- Skin diseases (allergies, dermatitis, inflammation).
- Gastrointestinal problems (gastroenteritis, diseases of the intestinal pathogenic flora).
- Problems with teeth (rapid tartar formation, periodontitis).
- Excessive activity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism).
These diseases can be hereditary, develop due to unfavorable conditions of care or the influence of external factors. It is important to regularly visit the veterinarian for timely diagnosis and treatment of any problems, provide the dog with a balanced diet, sufficient physical activity and appropriate care for the coat and skin.
Caring for shepherd dogs
In order for the shepherd dog to grow up healthy and happy, it is necessary to give it enough attention and strength. Representatives of this breed need regular physical activity (games, training and long walks). Having taken a shepherd puppy, it is necessary to immediately socialize the animal so that in the future it obeys you and does not cause trouble to the people around it. If you are not a fan of an active life or live in an apartment and constantly work, it is better to consider other dogs as life companions.
Shepherds need a balanced diet with the right amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It’s a good idea to check with your vet about your pet’s diet from time to time to make sure it’s getting enough nutrients and that it’s not suffering from malnutrition.
Grooming is an equally important aspect of full-fledged care for a shepherd dog. You can take care of your pet’s appearance at home or visit a grooming salon – it doesn’t matter if you have the skills, time, tools and space to carry out grooming procedures. If there are problems with this, trust the professionals, because the groomers will do everything faster than you and you will not need to do general cleaning at home after bath procedures and ventilate the premises.
A set of hygienic procedures for a shepherd dog
The wool of sheepdogs has a characteristic feature – a double type, which consists of a short dense undercoat and a long spine, which performs the functions of thermoregulation and protection. Therefore, the main purpose of grooming is the care of the coat of the German shepherd, in particular combing. It helps not only to improve the appearance of the animal, but also to get rid of excess undercoat, to give the dog’s skin the opportunity to breathe, and to remove dander that can provoke dermatitis and other skin diseases. It is worth paying attention to the fact that combing should be regular, and not only during periods of seasonal shedding. When you brush your pet’s coat, you thereby massage the skin and improve blood circulation, which contributes to the cyclic growth of the coat and its quality structure.
In addition to combing, the following procedures should also be performed regularly:
Claw trimming. Regular trimming of the claws helps to avoid their overgrowth and discomfort when walking.
Cleaning the ears and the area around the eyes. Shepherds tend to produce excessive amounts of earwax, so it is important to clean their ears regularly. To avoid infections and irritations, rub the area around the eyes with special lotions.
Brushing teeth. In addition to the annual ultrasound cleaning at the veterinarian, take care of the oral cavity of the shepherd dog at home. Use special pastes and gels with brushes for ease of application, and you can also purchase a variety of functional treats, bones and teeth strips in pet stores, which will be both useful and will bring pleasure to your pet.
Bathing. Shepherd dogs should be bathed as needed. Frequent washing should be avoided due to the risk of washing off the protective film and drying out the skin. With good combing, the coat will clean itself and you can bathe the Tail once every few months. For this procedure, you should choose moisturizing shampoos and conditioners and apply them with massaging movements, because the wool can get tangled in tangles when rubbed. Avoid getting water or shampoo in the dog’s eyes and ears, and remember that when using any cosmetics, it is necessary to thoroughly wash off its residues from the coat. Failure to follow this rule can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Express molting. During seasonal shedding, you can go to a grooming salon, where with the help of special cosmetics, a specialist can speed up the shedding of dead hair and facilitate subsequent combing at home.
Drying wool. After bathing, make sure to dry the sheepdog’s coat well, because the unpleasant smell appears precisely because of the long high humidity of the coat. First, remove excess water with a towel, avoiding excessive friction. And then use a hair dryer. A plus of salon care in this case is the use of boosters by groomers, which significantly speed up the drying of the coat without harming the dog. At the same time, the wool is actively combed with the help of various tools in order to align the hairs, prevent swallowing and achieve the best aesthetic effect.
German shepherd haircut
Haircut dogs can be a stage of grooming, but it has its own characteristics. In general, taking good care of your dog’s coat helps to ensure a healthy and shiny coat, as well as to maintain overall health. However, the owners may think that brushing is not enough for their pet, because the fur sheds a lot, the dog is hot in the summer, he breathes hard, and there are always swallows. Therefore, a request for a haircut appears.
A conscientious groomer for sheepdogs will definitely refuse you such a request, because it is not possible to shave sheepdogs or cut them, leaving a short coat.
Let’s consider the main points of such categoricalness.
- As mentioned above, shepherd dogs have a double type of wool that performs the function of thermoregulation. That is, the dog has a natural protection against cold in winter and against heat in summer. Shearing can strip them of this protection, which can affect their ability to regulate their body temperature and lead to hypothermia or heat stroke, burns and skin pigmentation.
- A haircut can lead to a violation of the natural balance of the skin, in particular, to an increased risk of irritation, rashes or dryness. This is especially true for German Shepherds with sensitive or problematic skin.
- The long coat helps protect the skin from damage that can occur as a result of various activities. And in its absence, the shepherd becomes vulnerable.
- If the main request for a haircut is triggered by heavy shedding, then you are not solving the problem. The pet will continue shedding in the same way even after the haircut, just because of the length of the coat it may not be so noticeable right away. It is better to register your pet in the salon for express shedding.
If you still decide to cut a shepherd dog, then in grooming salons you may be offered to do an edging haircut, taking into account the harmlessness for the dog’s health.
It consists in clipping the hairs on the legs, which can collect burdock root and other debris during walks. Also, the groomer can round the breast to achieve an aesthetic effect and adjust the skirt on the stomach. The fur on the pads of the paws must be shaved to avoid the development of fungus and the entry of small debris into the delicate area. Excess fur in the area of the tummy, bottom and genitals is removed to simplify the hygienic care of the animal.
We recommend using the services of an experienced groomer to cut a German Shepherd. A specialist knows how to cut the fur correctly to ensure optimal comfort and take care of your pet’s health.
Peculiarities of caring for sheepdogs at different times of the year
Caring for and meeting your dog’s needs is extremely important, so pay special attention to a few things as the seasons change.
In the spring, the shedding season begins, and the shepherd needs to be combed more intensively and more often to prevent the wool from becoming matted and to speed up the growth of new ones. Do not forget about anti-parasitic treatment, as the temperature rises and ticks become more active.
In the summer, the number of walks and swimming in rivers or other bodies of water increases, so be sure to dry the wool, monitor the water balance of the shepherd and do not abuse walks under the scorching sun. Buy a cooling mat or special ammunition to help your pet’s thermoregulation.
In the fall, the shedding season begins again in dogs, so active regular brushing is our main goal. When preparing for the cold weather, make sure that the sheepdog’s coat is sufficiently moisturized, thick, and the skin is free of signs of dryness and inflammation.
In winter, you should pay special attention to your paws. Snow, salt, sand and other substances sprinkled on slippery paths can cause skin irritation and cracking of pads. Be sure to use sprays and waxes before and after walks, regularly shave the fur on the pads of the paws to avoid the accumulation of small debris.
In the network of “V.O.G DOG” grooming salons in Kyiv, we understand that each shepherd dog has its own unique needs and characteristics. Therefore, we guarantee a personalized approach to each client and his pet, ensuring the highest level of comfort and satisfaction.
Do not put off caring for your pet for later. Sign up for procedures in our salons right now, and we will be happy to help the shepherd look and feel better, especially since the active molting season is currently underway.
