How to Groom a German Shepherd?

November 26, 2021
Rakesh Reddy

Getting a dog is a full-time responsibility. It’s like having a baby.

You need to teach them, feed them, bathe them – all while ensuring that they don’t hurt themselves! It’s an even greater task to get a big breed like a German Shepherd or a Golden Retriever home.

Generally speaking, the bigger the dog, the greater the responsibility!

One of the primary responsibilities of people with large breed dogs like German Shepherds is to groom them regularly.

One needs to keep track of when to bathe them, trim their nails, clean their ears, etc. It can get expensive/time-consuming if you overdo it, but can’t wait too long either!

Many times, German Shepherd owners tend to use incorrect grooming techniques that end up harming their dogs. Some dogs may also have various allergies. Is your pup one of them? It would be best if you read this.

If you are a German Shepherd parent or are planning to become one, here are a few pointers that will come in handy when it’s grooming time.

Caring for Their Skin and Coat

Just like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds have voluminous fur. While that makes them look extraordinarily royal and attractive, caring for their coat is a project in itself.

Did you know that they have two coats? As a result, their fur needs regular brushing and just the right amount of nutrients in their diet to keep up the shine and luster.

Like every other dog, German Shepherds have many dead, loose hairs hidden in their coats. They shed considerably, too (if you already own a GSD, we don’t need to remind you)! If your dog sheds more than usual, here’s an article that might help you.

Anyway, regular grooming helps to keep everything in check. The following are some quick things to keep in mind:

Brush your German Shepherd every alternate day to retain their coat’s shine and remove dead/loose fur.
Don’t bathe your dog too much as it can lead to a loss of natural oils, thereby resulting in dry and flaky skin. A bath once a month is good enough. Remember to use only dog shampoo on your dog. Using human shampoos can irritate their skin.
Nutritional supplements are always a good idea. They contain essential vitamins that won’t just boost your dog’s immunity but will also improve the health of their coat. VetGen Pharmaceuticals’ Maximum Skin & Coat – Beef Flavored Supplement is a highly recommended skin and coat supplement option.
Using a slicker brush for your German Shepherd will easily do the trick by efficiently reaching the undercoat.

If you are following all the guidelines, but your dog still seems to have some issues that make him a compulsive scratcher, read this.

Caring for Their Nails

Many pet parents tend to ignore the nails of their dogs. But this can be dangerous as long nails can injure both your dog and the people they meet.

Trimming a dog’s nails is not everybody’s cup of tea. If you trim too much, it might result in bleeding.

It’s just like humans. When you trim your nails more than the necessary amount, it hurts. No rocket science there.

Most importantly – don’t ever try using the same nail cutter that you use for yourself, for your dog too.

Dog nail trimmers are readily available in the market. If you aren’t confident about doing it yourself, ask a veterinarian or a dog groomer to help you with it.

Keep an eye on your dog’s nails as they may need a trim every week or so.

Caring for Their Ears

Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears is just as important as bathing. If you see dirt anywhere on your dog’s skin, you clean it right away.

But ears are a part that gets looked at once in a while. Dirt, debris, and wax accumulate in them. Hence, they are extremely vulnerable to infections. If you spot a change in color, excessive scratching, or anything unnatural in your dog’s ears, rush to the veterinarian for professional help.

It’s essential to clean your German Shepherd’s ears every week.

The easiest and sure-shot way of doing this is with ear-drops. Put a few drops in your dog’s ear and massage the base for a couple of minutes. It will help collect the excess wax and dirt, making it easy to clean it using cotton balls or tissues.

Some people also use baby wipes for the same. Heads up – don’t try to clean your dog’s ears using water. It is tough to drain the water and can actually cause infections instead of preventing them!

Caring for Their Teeth

If you are a new parent of a German Shepherd, or any dog for that matter, make it a point to be regular with your dog’s dental hygiene routine.

Make sure you use dog toothpaste on your dog’s teeth with a gentle brush or a brush specifically made for dogs.

DO NOT use human toothpaste. In addition, several treats are specially curated to help keep your dogs’ teeth and gums healthy.

You should consult your veterinarian for recommendations on the best dog treats for clean teeth!

Lastly, keep checking your dog’s teeth for tartar and plaque regularly, as they can result in long-term problems.

Conclusion

In addition to all the guidelines mentioned above, your dog needs to eat healthy and nutritious meals along with additional nutritional supplements if their food doesn’t get them all of the nutrients they need.

Some immunity-building supplements also help improve the health of your dog’s skin and coat. Keep your eyes and ears open for any issues that your dog can develop due to poor grooming. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Here at VetGen Pharamaceuticals, we strive to provide optimal care to raising a healthy, active, and happy dog. That is why we go the extra mile to create the best dog supplements for dry skin as well as other supplements, to prevent and treat various conditions. All of our products adhere to the highest industry standards and practices. Do not hesitate to contact us for all your queries.