Updated: September 1st 2016 Every dog has particular grooming requirements that need to be met. A happy dog is one that is being groomed on a weekly basis.
Many German Shepherd owners adopt the wrong techniques to keep their dogs clean.
To get a clearer picture, keep on reading.
Contents
Why Is Grooming Important For A GSD
A GSD is a double-coated (usually) dog breed that needs to be groomed using a brush or else it might get dirty. If your GSD is very active and exercises a lot, make sure you groom it on a daily basis. However, if your GSD doesn’t go out a lot or doesn’t play too much, you just need to groom it twice every week.
Many GSD owners overlook routine care for their dogs and then get upset when their dogs fall ill.
A GSD’s health greatly depends on its grooming.
If you do not take care of your dog’s hair, coat, teeth, ears, etc., your dog is more likely to fall ill. A GSD that appears healthy is the one that is groomed frequently. If you want to keep your GSD perfectly healthy, active, and good-looking, you need to start grooming it.
Grooming Tips For Amateurs
- Place your GSD on a flat table or surface.
- Choose a quiet and traffic-free place for grooming your GSD as your dog will not be comfortable around people.
- Gently touch your puppy to make it feel comfortable.
- If your GSD struggles while you are trying to groom it, train it to stay calm and offer treats to keep it still.
- Look closely into your dog’s ears, mouth, and paws.
- Do not get angry at your GS while grooming it.
- Use a soft brush and gently brush your dog’s hair.
- Keep talking to your dog as it will keep it calm.
- Gradually move the brush from your dog’s back to the neck and other areas of its body.
- Do not let your GS play with the grooming tools. You don’t want your dog to assume that the tools are toys.
- Start grooming your GS at an early age as it will help keep it calm when it has grown into a huge dog.
- Use a slicker brush to remove loose hair of your GSD.
- Make the grooming experience enjoyable for your dog.
Grooming Requirements Of A German Shepherd
Grooming is not always about bathing your GSD. German Shepherds do not need frequent baths to stay clean and tidy. However, they require frequent grooming that makes them shine. Your GSD’s coat needs special attention as it is double-coated and sheds throughout the year, and if groomed well, your dog will not shed a lot of fur.
There are certain grooming requirements for this breed of dogs.
1. Brushing
A GSD has two coats and a heavy fur on its body. Its hair and coat needs a lot of grooming.
A GSD should usually be brushed 3-4 times every week. This will keep its fur shiny and loose hair free. Brushing is a must for your GSD as it sheds hair throughout the year and its undercoat is blown twice a year. GSD hair is a common problem for owners, as they do tend to find fur balls stuck in their vacuum cleaners.
German shepherds have a similar coat like golden retrievers. So basically you can use any brush that is recomended for a retriver on your GSD’s coat.
Our friends at DigDoggy did a great job on researching the best brush for a retriever.
Lear how to choose the best brush for golden retriever.
If you have the right grooming tools, you can start brushing your GSD today and keep your house fur-free and your dog shining.
Top 4 Brushing Tools For Your German Shepherd Dog
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2. Bathing
Excessive bathing is not for GSDs. If you bathe your GSD too often, it will make its skin dry, flaky, and irritated. You can bathe your GSD after long exercising sessions or once every month.
If your GSD has developed fleas, you can bathe it more often using an anti-flea shampoo or spray. Don’t use harsh shampoos on your dog’s skin as it might be harmful to is health.
Top 4 Bathing Products For Your German Shepherd Dog
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3. Teeth
Your dog’s teeth need to be checked frequently as they develop tartar and plaque due to the food they eat. Your GSD’s teeth need to be cleaned regularly with the help of a brush.
Use dog-friendly toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth and gums. Another way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean is to feed hard cookies or kibbles to your dog. Do not brush your GSD’s teeth harshly as it will harm its gums and teeth.
Top 3 Teeth Care Products For Your German Shepherd Dog
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4. Toenails
Trimming toenails is an essential part of your GSD’s grooming.
Toenails that are left to grow too long can cause injuries to you and your dog. Check your dog’s toenails once every week. Trim its toenails if they have grown too long. If you are having trouble trimming your dog’s nails on your own, take help from a vet or a dog groomer.
Use a commercial dog nail trimmer that is easily available in the market or a pet shop. Be very careful while trimming your dog’s toenails. If you cut too deep, your dog might get injured and bleed. Apply styptic powder on the bleeding area.
5. Ears
Check your GSD’s ears regularly and clean them once every week. A dog’s ears will develop excess wax and debris, which is a sign of poor grooming. You can clean your dog’s ears using ear-drops. After pouring a little solution into each ear, massage the base of the ear gently. Take a soft cloth or a cotton pad to clean off the debris and wax.
Do not use water to clean your dog’s ears as it will deposit in its ear canal and cause infection. Be very careful while cleaning your GSD’s ears and make sure you are in a quiet and crowd-free area.
Grooming Tools For A German Shepherd Dog
There are certain tools that you will need to properly groom your dog. These tools are readily available at pet stores and supermarkets.
You can check out a complete list of grooming tools by clicking here.
If you want to know more about GSDs and how to keep them healthy and happy, make sure you sign-up for our amazing newsletter.
You have helped me a lot.Thanks a lot.
kind regards
Johannes Mnguni
Good advice! When bathing your dog, if he/she will allow it, place cotton wool balls in the ears (don’t ram them down!) to help prevent water and/or soap entering. If your dog will not permit such a thing, try and be very careful when washing the head!
How do you deal with a shepherd who has a very sensitive back and hip dysplacia
It is interesting for me to learn how to groom a german shepherd. We are thinking about getting one. This article shows me a lot of really great ideas that I can not wait to try.
Best breed alive. Hope you went and purchased one. You won’t be disappointed..
Please also remember that there are rescues specifically dedicated to certain breeds, such as GSD’s. We found ours at our local SPCA. We had him DNA tested, and he’s a purebred American Working Line GSD (which means he’s useless in working situations. Lol, darn American lines!)
You are more than likely able to find puppies just as young as you would from a breeder, and they’ll be a heck of a lot cheaper.
Not sure if you have experience buying any breed from a breeder, but if you do choose to take that route, please be very aware of the person you’re buying them from. Ask them lots of questions about the history of their dogs, why they started breeding, and about the parents of the litter you’re buying from.
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DO NOT GET THE FURMINATOR! it gives split ends and will eventually destroy the dogs coat!
I love the Furminator. It was recommended by people at the dog park. Works wonders for the past 5 years!
I have a long haired black gsd. Hair is a nightmare but would not swap her. She is a diva and LOVES being brushed
We use the Paws Pamper Undercoat Rake and it works great, I definitely recommend it over the furminator if you don’t want to cause damage to your shepherd’s coat. It has rounded ends and is great for getting out that thick undercoat without pulling and cutting the actual coat. Our clients love the results from this undercoat rake!
Great advice. Thanks for sharing
Hi,
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