Raising dogs, in particular taking care of the east-european shepherd, is nothing new for people. Zoologists theorize dogs were domesticated sometime between 12,000 and 25,000 years ago—and that all dogs evolved from the wolf. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of tallest canine. However, the most preferred pooches are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The east-european shepherd is another favorite choice among canine owners. Many owners are uninformed, however, of many of the most critical east-european shepherd care tips.
General cost of care for the east-european shepherd
The yearly cost of caring for the east-european shepherd—to include everything from nutrition, to doctor bills, toys and license—could vary between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even include capital costs for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, dog carrier and a dog crate. Tip: Be positive you have obtained all the necessary items before you get your east-european shepherd home for the 1st time.
Basic east-european shepherd Care
How To Feed your east-european shepherd
- east-european shepherd pups between 8 and 12 weeks need 4 meals every 24 hours.
- Feed east-european shepherd puppies 3 to 6 months old 3 meals in a 24 hour period.
- Feed pups 6 months old to 1 year old two times in a day.
- By the time your east-european shepherd hits his or her first birthday, 1 bowl daily is usually all that’s required.
- Many times east-european shepherds, however, do better with 2 lighter bowls. It’s your responsibility to learn your east-european shepherd’s eating tendencies.
High-quality dry dogfood provides balanced nutrition for full-grown east-european shepherds and may be mixed with water, canned food, or broth. Your east-european shepherd may like cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these additions should not total more than 10 percent of her daily food allowance. east-european shepherd pups should probably be given excellent-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should try to cut down on “people food”, however, because it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth problems, and might create some very finicky food choices and obesity. Clean, potable water should be available exclusively, and make sure to clean food and water dishes often.
east-european shepherd Care Tips: Make sure to give your east-european shepherd some daily physical activity
east-european shepherds must get physical activity in order to stay fit, stimulate their brains, and stay healthy. Daily physical activity also really helps east-european shepherds avoid boredom, which often leads to naughty behavior. Outside playtime would satisfy most of your east-european shepherd’s desires to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Individual exercise needs can depend on your east-european shepherd’s age and his level of health—but 10 minutes in back of the house and just a walk down the street every day probably won’t be sufficient. If your east-european shepherd is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will probably be much higher.
east-european shepherd Grooming
You can help keep your east-european shepherd clean and reduce shedding with frequent brushing. Check for fleas and ticks every day during warm weather. Many east-european shepherds don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Before bathing, comb or cut out all mats from the east-european shepherd’s hair. Rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your east-european shepherd
Pups are clearly easier to manage. While carrying your east-european shepherd puppy, put 1 hand beneath the dog’s chest, either with the forearm or your other hand supporting his or her hind legs and rump. Never attempt to grab or lift your pup by the front legs, tail or nape. If you need to pick up a larger, full-grown east-european shepherd, pick it up from underneath, bracing his chest with 1 arm and rear end with your other arm.
How to House the east-european shepherd
east-european shepherds need a comfortable quiet place in order to relax apart from all drafts and off the floor or ground. You may want to purchase a doggie bed, or feel like making one from a wood box. Put a clean sheet, comforter, blanket, or pillow inside the bed as cushioning. Wash your east-european shepherd’s bed covering frequently. If your east-european shepherd will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure she has shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a covered, warm, dry shelter in the cold.
east-european shepherd Licensing
Be certain to heed the community’s licensing regulations. Be certain to connect the license to your east-european shepherd’s collar. The license, together with an ID tag or tattoo, can help you recover your east-european shepherd should he go missing.
Facts on east-european shepherd Temperament
Training the east-european shepherd
Well-mannered, companion east-european shepherds are truly a joy to own. But when left untrained, your east-european shepherd can possibly be a lot of trouble. Teaching your east-european shepherd the standards—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—bolsters the relationship with both the east-european shepherd and your company. If you have a puppy, start training him on manners quickly! Doggie snacks can be used as incentive and recognition. Puppies should join obedience classes when they have been adequately immunized. Contact your community SPCA or humane society for details about obedience classes. It is best to walk your east-european shepherd on a leash while in public, even while a puppy. Just be positive your doggie will come back to you whenever you call her. A disobedient or aggressive east-european shepherd can’t be allowed to play with kids.
About your east-european shepherd’s Health
east-european shepherds should visit the veterinarian for a full screening, immunizations and a heartworm blood exam annualy, and promptly when she is injured or sick.
east-european shepherd Dental Health
Although we might simply dislike our east-european shepherd’s bad breath, we must pay attention to what it might be a symptom of. Bad breath usually means that your east-european shepherd should get a dental screening. Dental plaque caused by germs causes a terrible stench that requires treatment by a professional. Once you have given your east-european shepherd a cleaning from a professional, his gums and teeth can be kept up by brushing regularly, feeding a special diet focused on dental health, and eliminating table food. Your vet can supply you with additional info on eradicating oral diseases and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your east-european shepherd’s teeth. Brush them with a nylon stocking stretched over the finger, a gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects east-european shepherds. Sometimes, teeth loss happens due to gum infection. Diseases can sometimes also spread to other areas of your east-european shepherd’s body. The vet should clean your dog’s teeth at a routine checkup.
Bad Breath in east-european shepherds
Although oral disease by itself is not critical if detected early, halitosis may also be indicative of serious, chronic problems. A pleasant, even sweet smell can sometimes be a sign of diabetes, while diseases of the intestines or liver may cause foul breath. Kidney disease may be the reason if your east-european shepherd’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your east-european shepherd has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
east-european shepherd Tick and Flea Issues
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform daily inspections of your east-european shepherd for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to remove and find fleas. There are numerous new technologies of tick management. Get advice from your veterinarian about her recommendations.
east-european shepherds With Heartworm Issues
Your east-european shepherd is at risk of contracting heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. The insect transports the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations can be potentially fatal. Your east-european shepherd should have a heartworm screen each and every spring—this is required to stop infestations from the earlier year. A once-a-month tablet taken in the warm, wet time of the year will help to protect your east-european shepherd. Your east-european shepherd should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some warmer climates, vets recommend preemptive heartworm medication be taken continually.
Medicines and Poisons
If you’re contemplating giving your east-european shepherd medicine that was not prescribed for him by his vet, don’t do it. Just one ibuprofen tablet can possibly create stomach ulcers in east-european shepherds. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your east-european shepherd. Make sure to immediately call your east-european shepherd’s veterinarian if you have reason to suspect your east-european shepherd has eaten poison. You may also notify the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hr. help.
Spaying and Neutering east-european shepherds
It is recommended that female east-european shepherds be spayed—which is the extraction of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—extraction of the testicles—by 6 months of age. You will usually greatly reduce your female east-european shepherd’s chance of breast cancer by spaying before maturity. Spaying also eliminates the chance of a diseased uterus, a traumatic problem in older females that requires surgery. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, some hernias and certain types of aggressions are all preventable by neutering male east-european shepherds.
east-european shepherd Vaccinating
- The combination vaccine (also called the “five-in-one shot”) should be given to your east-european shepherd at two, 3, and four months old and again once yearly. This immunization immunizes your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your east-european shepherd puppy’s innoculation program cannot be completed before 4 months of age.
- If your east-european shepherd has not been immunized and is older than four months, he will need two immunizations immediately, two to 3 weeks apart. Then you must innoculate every year.
- Your east-european shepherd pup’s vaccinations should coincide with her socialization program. Most vets recommend that new owners bring their east-european shepherd puppies to socialization courses, beginning at eight or nine weeks old. They should have already received their first vaccinations by then.
Rules vary so much between different areas, the best thing is to contact your local vet about rabies immunization details. For example, in NYC, the regulation requires any pets older than three months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. The initial rabies shot must be followed by another vaccination the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are many immunizations that might effective for your east-european shepherd. Your veterinarian can tell you about them. You should be aware, if your east-european shepherd happens to get sick because she is not properly immunized, the immunization ought to be taken after your companion animal is better.
Worms in east-european shepherds
east-european shepherds are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both urban and rural. Tiny eggs made by roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through an infested dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of east-european shepherd puppies carry intestinal worms. Getting an accurate, early detection is the secret to treatment. This will ensure that the medicine is effective against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your vet can best identify the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
east-european shepherd Care Tips: Additional Info
east-european shepherd Supply Checklist
- High-quality dog food and treats designed for east-european shepherds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb & brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with quilt or towel
- Dog toothbrush
The no-no list
Do not feed your east-european shepherd the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Grapes and raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, chives or garlic
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in area, always keep your east-european shepherd on a leash. When your east-european shepherd does #2 on your neighbor’s yard, on the sidewalk or any other public location, please remove and dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about east-european shepherds
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