Useful Tips about Long Coat Shepherds
The Long Coat Shepherd is a breed of dog often mistaken for German Shepherds. They are intelligent, loyal, and active dogs that require plenty of exercises. Here are useful tips on how to care for these beautiful animals!
A Long Haired German Shepherd is a dog with long hair. It is from Germany and has a recessive gene.
Just like Labs can have puppies that are any color, German Shepherds can also have puppies that are long-haired or have short hair.
German Shepherds can have long hair puppies if the parents carry a recessive gene. If a parent doesn’t carry the gene, no puppies will have long hair. Long-haired German Shepherds are rare and worth more money because they’re hard to find.
The American Kennel Club doesn’t like it when German Shepherds have long fur. This means they can’t be shown, and they shouldn’t be bred. As a result, the recessive gene that makes German Shepherds have thick and long hair isn’t widespread.
There are two types of German Shepherds. Some breeds have long hair, while others have short hair. Some people will charge more for dogs with long hair, but they can be hard to find.
Long Haired German Shepherd Physical Appearance
The Long Haired German Shepherd dog is huge. It has hair that is at least 2” long all over his body (except on the ears). The hair is longest on the butt, belly, tail, and back legs.
Long Haired Shepherds are taller than they are long. They have a pointy nose with long ears. Puppies have large feet and ears, but they grow into them.
Long-haired German Shepherds come in a variety of colors. These include:
-Bi-color
-Black and tan
-Blue
-Black
-Gray
-Black and red -Sable -Black and cream -White -Black and silver
How Big Do Long-Haired German Shepherds Get?
Male German Shepherds are about 2 ft tall. Female German Shepherds are about 2 ft tall. Some kennels that don’t follow AKC guidelines breed dogs that are bigger than this.
Long-Haired German Shepherd vs. Short-Haired German Shepherd
The hair on a German Shepherd is different. They have long hair and short hair. Both shed fur, but more in the summer and winter.
The two varieties of German Shepherds are different because the long-haired one needs more brushing. Their fur can tangle and make mats, but it is not safe to brush them out if they get too bad. This means that they might need to cut their hair off with a groomer who will leave some spots bald.
The longer fur on a German Shepherd can pick up dirt and other things you do not want to have in your house. It will then spread around your home. If you are a neat freak, keep this in mind when picking a dog or cat.
German Shepherd History
Long-haired German Shepherds share a history with the German Shepherd Dog. In the late 1800s, Captain Max von Stephanitz wanted to create the best herding dog in Germany. Today, Germans Shepherds are still commonly used for military and police work.
Rin Tin Tin was a dog from the War. Rin Tin Tin was from Germany. He liked being in America. Rin Tin Tin became a star because he was popular with people and popularized the German Shephard breed. He was good at acting, so people liked him more and more.
After World War II, many people would not say that they were German. The breed was changed to Alsatian because of this. Many Brits still call the dog Alsatian instead of German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd is the second most famous dog in the United States. The Labrador Retriever is more common than any other kind of family pet.
Long Haired German Shepherd Temperament
Long Coat German Shepherds are easy to train and clever. They love their family and can be wary of strangers. If they are socialized as puppies, they can even get along with cats.
German Shepherds can be mean to people they don’t know. They might try to attack something smaller than them. But they are gentle with children and make good family pets.
Long-Haired German Shepherd Lifespan and Health Issues
Unfortunately, the Long-Haired German Shepherd is prone to a variety of health problems. This means that they will have a shorter life, 7-10 years. That is a very short time for a large breed dog.
Here are a few health issues your Long Haired GSD might need to deal with:
- Hip or elbow dysplasia – A condition where the joint doesn’t form correctly. It is harrowing.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (bloat) – A life-threatening condition in dogs is when their stomach fills with air and rotates. This cuts the blood supply to the intestines.
- Degenerative myelopathy – A progressive condition that affects the spinal cord – it is a disease that makes it so you can’t walk.
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – A dog can’t digest food if it has a genetic problem. The digestive enzymes are not there, so the food is not fully digested.
- Allergies – If you have environmental or food allergies, your skin and other parts of your body may get sick.
Not all German Shepherds will have these health issues, but you should always be prepared for the possibility that they might. You should also plan for expensive surgeries to help your dog maintain their quality of life.
Long Haired German Shepherd Diet
German Shepherds are more likely to have joint problems and food allergies. Finding the right food can be challenging.
When your dog is a puppy, make sure you feed him food that is not too high in protein. That way, he can grow at an appropriate pace without getting joint problems.
There are several ways to keep your joints healthy. For the Long-Haired German Shepherd, find a food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin. If they seem to be suffering from allergies, look for hypoallergenic food with fewer ingredients.
Common food allergies include:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Soy
- Dairy
- Egg
- Beef
- Chicken
- Pork
- Lamb
- Fish
- Rabbit
Exercise Requirements
German Shepherds were built to work all day. They have a lot of energy, so they need to go outside and get exercise every day. Long Coat German Shepherds are not suitable for people who do not want to walk their dog every day.
The best home for a long-haired German Shepherd is one that has kids. Kids are fun, and the dog can play with the kids.
Long Coat German Shepherds do not always need a yard. If you’re residing in an apartment or near a dog park, they can do well without one. But if you give them exercise, they will be nicer to other people and not chew things up all the time.
Training a Long-Haired German Shepherd
German Shepherds are smart and trainable, with the use of dog training commands. You can teach them to do things quickly with positive reinforcement training.
Don’t always punish people for bad behavior. Sometimes that leads to aggression.
About the training, German Shepherds like jobs. They like jobs that they can do by themselves or with other dogs. For example, they might be good at therapy dog work or in sports like agility and dock diving.
Ideal Living Conditions
Long-haired German Shepherds are inside dogs. They get attached to their humans and don’t do well left outside for long periods. If you do leave your German Shepherd outside, make sure they have a warm, dry place to stay at night.
Long Haired German Shepherd Grooming
The coat of a Long-Haired German Shepherd needs to be brushed more than once a week. When the seasons change, the shedding increases, and you may need to brush it every day for some time.
It is best to brush your dog’s hair using a slicker brush and then comb through to check for tangles.
It is an excellent idea to brush a long-haired dog before bathing it. This will help the water go through the hair and not make it knot up.
Fault or Friend?
The AKC says a long coat is a fault for German Shepherds. But the personality of a Long Coat German Shepherd is good. They have no problems being shown, too. Long Coat German Shepherds are perfect family pets like the short-haired variety if you buy from a reputable breeder.
Some people only breed dogs with long hair because there is a market for them. This can be bad if they are breeding dogs for their looks instead of personality, health, and behavioral issues.
Do not buy a Long-Haired German Shepherd from a breeder who advertises themselves as specializing in them. They might have an occasional Long-Haired German Shepherd. You can find Short Haired German Shepherds at kennels or shelters or breed rescues.
How Much Do Long-Haired German Shepherd Puppies Cost?
The cost of Long-Haired German Shepherds varies. You could get one for $250 or less in a shelter or rescue, or you could pay $2000 for the best breeder.
When looking for a Long Haired German Shepherd puppy, the biggest thing to do is to avoid getting one from a store or mill. Most stores get their puppies from mills.
What’s the disadvantage of getting a dog from a puppy mill?
If you get a dog from a puppy mill, they will be in cages that are not cleaned. They will be in the barn where they never see the sun or feel the grass. They don’t know what love feels like and could have diseases.
Do not buy a pet from a company that breeds animals. They are bad because they torture the mother. Do not get an animal from Craigslist or Petco because they might be bad, too.
Is a Long-Haired German Shepherd Right for You?
If you’re looking for an energetic, intelligent dog and easy to train, the Long-haired German Shepherd might be the dog for you. You need to brush them often and have lint rollers nearby. If you have time, energy, and space in your home, then this breed might be best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Both German shepherds have a lot of hair. The short-haired one will shed more in the spring and fall because it has a thicker coat. But the long-haired one sheds the same amount all year round.
Short hair cats and dogs leave more hair around your furniture, carpets, and clothes. Long hair cats and dogs keep the fur that they have shed trapped in their coat.
The coat that is correct for a GSD is pretty short, and it has an undercoat. It is also entirely waterproof. Dogs can be born with long coats as well as an undercoat, but this isn’t always the case.
These dogs are excellent family pets. They get along well with kids, and they are obedient to their owners. But you should never leave a child alone with a dog, even if the dog is well-trained. The aggressive behavior can happen, even if the child just grabs the dog’s tail or gets in its face.