The German Shepherd is renowned for its long, shaggy coat. Its appearance is one of the main reasons many German Shepherd owners fall in love with this intelligent and loyal breed.
For first-time GSD owners, it can be difficult to know how to approach grooming a German Shepherd’s fur, so let’s take a look at some tips that will make grooming your dog’s coat at home that much easier.
German Shepherds have a thick double coat which may require a little trimming, but it’s important not to go overboard – a GSD’s coat is important to maintaining their health.
You can trim along their back, their legs, and footpads, but trim less than an inch and always with scissors and not clippers.
Not cutting your dog’s coat is especially important during the winter months when their thick coat is crucial to maintaining a comfortable temperature.
It’s poorly advised to style the hair of a German Shepherd in any way. The natural appearance of a German Shepherd’s coat is the way it is to provide valuable protection to its skin and maintains its temperature.
German Shepherd fur can come in different natural lengths, so if you’re looking for a specific look in a German Shepherd coat, you’re best off buying one with a natural short or medium, also known as a plush, coat.
The thickness of their double coat means that German Shepherds shed at a higher rate than most dogs. Bathing is an essential part of the grooming routine and will not only help remove dead hair but using an anti-shedding shampoo can also reduce their shedding.
It’s important to use a shampoo with a PH balance suited to their skin which promotes healthy distribution of natural oils on their hair and skin, reducing irritation in your dog’s skin.
A good anti-shedding shampoo should have ingredients like Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids to encourage a shiny, healthy coat. Aloe vera and oatmeal are also useful ingredients for soothing any inflammation.
Brushing shouldn’t just be seen as a chore but as a wonderful opportunity to tighten your physical bond with your dog during your German Shepherd grooming sessions.
You can brush your German Shepherd once a day, which is recommended during spring and autumn as they begin their coat-blowing-out season. Daily brushing will make each session easier and quicker as you’re not allowing a build-up of hair to occur.
Make sure to use grooming tools like a good slicker brush, pin brush, bristle brush or anti-shedding brush to make removing loose hair easier. A de-shedding tool will also help remove debris from your German Shepherd’s coat and remove any tangles from your dog’s fur.
The dental health of your German Shepherd is just as important as your own for preventing a host of oral difficulties.
Poor dental health can lead to plaque buildup, resulting in poor breath, abscesses and infections, tooth loss, and difficulty eating.
Luckily there are lots of ways to keep their teeth clean beyond daily toothbrushing. The crunch of hard kibble can go a long way toward strengthening their teeth and jaws and limiting plaque buildup.
Dental chews are a treat that can help with bad breath and clean your dog’s teeth in the process.
There are some specific dog foods made for German Shepherds and the preservation of their large teeth that contain plaque defence compounds, so maintaining the oral health of a German Shepherd can be done passively if you are consistent.
It’s important to regularly check your dog’s ears to keep on top of any debris or moisture build-up, which can lead to painful ear infections. Over-cleaning can also lead to infections, so you should be sparing and responsible, only cleaning when necessary.
If their ears have a slight smell or obvious debris or wax buildups, then it might be time to clean them. Use a vet-approved inner ear cleanser and cotton wool balls, avoiding the use of invasive cotton buds to gently remove any dirt.
If you suspect their ears may already be infected, then take them to a vet before you attempt cleaning them at home, as this could cause pain and distress to your German Shepherd.
When you start cutting your puppy’s nails, you’ll be able to use scissors, but as their nails harden, you may need to switch to dog nail cutters to do an effective job.
Start with gentle snips, removing a fraction of an inch at a time, making sure the inside of the nail is still white. When the nail begins to darken on the inside, you should stop to avoid damaging any sensitive nerves at the root of the nail, which can be extremely painful for your dog.
Find a well-lit spot and get yourself behind your dog with their body in your lap so you can keep good control of them if they try to get away. Make sure you have good control over their leg while you trim their nails, as most dogs are sensitive about people touching their paws.
Regular walking should help maintain the length of your GSD’s nails, but you should inspect them once every 6-10 weeks to trim them down and make sure their paws are in good condition.
The sooner you start grooming your German Shepherd, the easier it will be once they are fully grown. GSD puppies can be easy to groom, but adults can be more stubborn. The sooner they are used to the routine, the better for you both.
You should bathe them once every 2-3 months, this may not seem like much, but over-bathing can disturb their PH balance, leading to irritated, dry skin.
Grooming your German Shepherd at home is a straightforward task, and there’s no need to use a groomer unless you don’t have the time and would sooner have a professional do the job.
Some dog owners would rather have a professional trim their dog nails to avoid cutting them uncomfortably short.
On hot days you may find your dog feeling the heat more than usual and think trimming their outer coat is a good solution. However, this can lead to further complications.
Their outer guard hairs provide valuable protection from UV rays, so while you might trim their hair to keep them cool, it’s actually counterintuitive to take their first line of protection away.
If your dog is suffering in hot weather, it’s best just to keep them cool in your own home and not take them for walks.
Why this is or isn’t a good idea for this breed? If not, touch on some alternative ways to keep your pet cool.
The German Shepherd’s thick double coat is one of its defining features but also one that requires regular brushing and maintenance if you want to maintain its handsome sheen.
You’ll need to be ready to clean up plenty of hair around the house even when it’s not coat-blowing season, and it will take some determination to keep a big dog like this hygienic, but with the right routine, these striking dogs have a commanding presence.
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