German Shepherd Grooming Tips and Guide

The German Shepherd is deceptive as many might think that the heavy double layered coat needs additional care. In actual fact, less grooming is needed than expected. The external coat of the dog is thick with medium long hairs while the undercoat is far denser and softer. The undercoat does double duty by keeping the dog safe from UV rays during the hot summer months and keeps the dog warm during colder seasons.

One principal to adhere to when making sure your German Shepherd is well taken care of is to ascertain that he is getting the right diet and nutrients. The German Shepherd is, after all, a strong carnivore and you need to make sure that the food he is getting is high in protein and vitamins. The dog requires a high-protein, high-fat diet. Chicken, lamb or beef are excellent choices. If you decide to concoct food for your dog, ascertain that it has the correct proportions of all the basic dietary requirements the dog needs to stay in tip-top condition.

Vegetables are more difficult for dogs to eat. Rather than the curved stomach like a human, dogs have a straight stomach. This can cause them to have problems while digesting their vegetables. Wheat, corn and other plant-like materials can be tough for the animal and they should only make up a small portion of the dog's overall digestive diet. Once you are sure that the dog is getting an excellent diet, you can move on to the grooming needs.

It is generally recommended that you brush your dog's hair at least twice a week. You want to be sure that the oil in the fur is evenly distributed to prevent matting and tangles. You can also be sure to remove the dead skin cells and loose hair clogging the coat. A basic metallic brush or slicker will do an excellent job if used correctly. You must be careful not to cut or scratch your dog's skin while brushing.

When you start to brush, take the brush in the same direction as the coat hair. To ensure you tackle all parts of the dog's fur, do use a combination of different brushes with various sizes of brush heads.

Based on the dog's normal schedule, you wold probably have to bath your dog at least once or twice a month. The bathing will depend on where you live and what your dog loves to do. For example, if your dog loves to be outside in the dirt and dust, he will require a bath more frequently than an animals that loves to be indoors. If the dog is an indoor dog, taking a bath every few months will be sufficient.

If you stroke your dog and dust you can see dust waft up, that's a clear signal it's time for a bath. Also, if he is starting to smell, a bath will quickly solve that problem and make him more enjoyable during cuddle time. If the coat is oily, it can be a signal that it is time for a bath.

Proper shampoo can be important to the dog's coat hygiene. German Shepherds can be very sensitive to wheat and other allergic reactions, so the right shampoo can be important. For instance, oatmeal shampoo can be calming for your dog but they also cause material to collect on the coat far more easily, so you might have to bathe your dog more often. An aloe shampoo might be a good solution if you are not worried about fleas. In any case, with constant grooming, your German Shepherd is sure to look well-groomed all the time.