Raising dogs, especially providing care for the english shepherd, is old hat for people across the world. Some historians believe dogs were first domesticated between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all dogs evolved from the wolf. Since then, people have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, which range in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the title of tallest dog. But the most popular dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The english shepherd is also a favorite choice among dog owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of many of the most crucial english shepherd care tips.
General health care cost of the english shepherd
The yearly budget for caring for the english shepherd—including everything from food, to vet bills, toys and license—can range between four hundred twenty and $780. This doesn’t even include capital costs for spay/neuter operations, dog collar and leash, carrier and dog crate. Tip: Be positive you have all of your supplies before you get your english shepherd home for the 1st time.
General english shepherd Care
Feeding your english shepherd
- english shepherd pups between eight and twelve weeks need four meals daily.
- english shepherd puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals in a day.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to one year 2 bowls of food each day.
- When the english shepherd makes his 1st birthday, 1 meal each day is typically sufficient.
- Many times adult english shepherds might prefer 2 lighter helpings. It is your job to learn your english shepherd’s eating habits.
Premium-quality dry food provides a well-rounded diet for adult english shepherds and can mix with canned food, broth, or water. Your english shepherd may have a taste for fruits and vegetables, cooked eggs, and cottage cheese, but these should be less than ten percent of his daily food allowance. english shepherd puppies need to be given high-quality, name brand puppy food. Please cut down on “people food”, though, because it can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, tooth and bone issues, and might result in some extremely finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give clean, fresh water at all times, and make certain to clean food and water dishes very frequently.
english shepherd Care Tips: Your english shepherd needs physical activity daily
english shepherds must have some exercise so they can stay in shape, stimulate their brains, and maintain their health. Daily physical activity also really helps english shepherds avoid boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. Playing outside can curb most of your english shepherd’s instinctual urges to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Activity needs will depend on your english shepherd’s level of health and his or her age—but just a walk down the street every day and 10 minutes outside probably won’t cut it. If your english shepherd is a six to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be much more.
english shepherd Grooming
Frequent brushing will help keep your english shepherd clean and reduce shedding. Check for ticks and fleas every day during the summer or other warm weather. Most english shepherds don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Before the bath, comb or cut out any mats from the english shepherd’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
english shepherd Handling
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to handle. While carrying the english shepherd puppy, take 1 hand and place it under your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting her hind legs and rear. Never try to grab or lift your puppy by his or her front legs, nape or tail. When you have to lift a larger, adult english shepherd, lift from the underside, supporting his or her chest with one arm and rump with your other.
How to House the english shepherd
english shepherds need a warm peaceful spot in order to relax apart from all the breezes and off the ground. You may want to purchase a dog bed, or think about making one from a wood box. Place a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow inside the bed as cushioning. Wash the english shepherd’s bed covering often. If your english shepherd will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure she has covering and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a dry, covered, warm area in the cold.
english shepherd Licensing
There are licensing regulations to heed in your town. Make certain you attach the license to your english shepherd’s collar. This, together with an identification tag or tattoo, may help secure your english shepherd’s return if he happens to go missing.
Facts on english shepherd Temperament
Thoughts on Training Your english shepherd
A well-behaved, companion english shepherd can be a blessing to have. But left untrained, your english shepherd could be a big headache. Teaching your english shepherd the standards—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—will improve your relationship both with the english shepherd as well as your relatives. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start teaching her the right behavior quickly! Doggie treats should be utilized as a lure and a reward. Puppies can start obedience courses when they have been adequately immunized. Call your local humane society or SPCA for training schools. It is wise to walk your english shepherd on a leash when, even while a pup. Just be positive your dog will come back to you at all times whenever you tell him. A disobedient or aggressive english shepherd should not play with others.
The Health of Your english shepherd
english shepherds should see the vet for a thorough diagnosis, shots and heartworm exam annualy, and as soon as possible when he is ill or hurt.
Your english shepherd’s Dental Health
While many of us might simply dislike our english shepherd’s halitosis, it’s important to be aware of what it might be a sign of. Foul breath usually means that your english shepherd requires an oral exam. Dental plaque triggered by germs creates a terrible odor that can only be cured by the help of a professional. Once you have given your english shepherd a cleaning from a professional, the teeth and gums can be maintained in a healthy state by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. The veterinarian can provide you with additional information on mitigating oral ailments and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your english shepherd’s teeth. Clean them with a sterile gauze pad, a piece of nylon pantyhose wrapped around your finger, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Some english shepherds have periodontal disease, frequently referred to as gum disease. This troublesome condition can possibly cause loss of your english shepherd’s teeth and also cause disease to his body. Your vet will sometimes brush your english shepherd’s teeth while performing her routine health exam.
english shepherd Halitosis
Although oral disease by itself is not life-threatening when caught early enough, halitosis may also indicate more serious, chronic causes for concern. A pleasant, even fruity smell may be indicative of diabetes, while diseases of the liver or intestines may cause foul breath. When your english shepherd’s breath smells of ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you determine your english shepherd has halitosis accompanied by other signs of disease, like loss of appetite, nausea, loss of weight, bad mood, increasing drinking or urination, set up a trip to his or her veterinarian.
english shepherd Flea and Tick Issues
Throughout the summer, it’s crucial for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your english shepherd for fleas and ticks. Find and remove fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new procedures of flea and tick control. Talk to your vet about his recommendations.
Heartworm problems in english shepherds
Your english shepherd is at risk of contracting heartworms if he is exposed to mosquitoes often. The insect transports heartworms from dog to dog. Several english shepherds die each year from heartworms. It is wise to give your english shepherd a heartworm screen each spring—this is critical for catching infestations from the previous year. It’s also wise to give your english shepherd a monthly tablet in mosquito season to help you protect her from heartworms. Your english shepherd should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some of the warmer climates, vets recommend preventative heartworm medication be taken all year.
Medications and Poisons
Never give your english shepherd medication that has not been prescribed by his vet. Did you know that just 1 ibuprofen capsule causes stomach ulcers in some dogs Make sure your english shepherd is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. If you think that your dog has been exposed to a poisonous substance, immediately call your doctor or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 twenty-four hrs. a day for assistance.
english shepherd Reproductive Operations
It is recommended that male english shepherds should be neutered – the removal of the testicles – and females spayed – the extraction of the uterus and ovaries – by six months of age. You usually will significantly diminish your female’s breast cancer risk by spaying before adulthood. Spaying also eliminates the risk of a diseased uterus, a very serious issue in older females that necessitates surgery and intensive medical care. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggressions are all preventable by neutering male english shepherds.
english shepherd Immunizations
- Your english shepherd pup should be immunized with a combination innoculation (called a “5-in-one”) at 2, three and four months of age, and then once yearly. This vaccine protects your english shepherd puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. The english shepherd must be innoculated for at least the first 4 months of her life.
- If your english shepherd has not been immunized and is older than four months, he will need to be given two immunizations immediately, two or three weeks apart. After that you must innoculate yearly.
- Your english shepherd pup’s socialization should coincide with her immunization program. Many veterinarians recommend that new owners bring their english shepherd pups to socialization classes, as early as eight to nine weeks old. They should have received their first innoculations by then.
Because laws vary between different areas, contact a local veterinarian to get information about rabies shots. In NYC, for instance, the regulation requires any pets older than three months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial shot, she must have a second immunization the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are many immunizations, many of which are appropriate for your english shepherd. Others, however, are not. Ask your english shepherd’s vet for her opinion. Take note, if your english shepherd happens to get ill because she is not innoculated, the shot should be administered once your dog recovers.
Roundworms in english shepherds
english shepherds are commonly exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through a dog’s stool. Even the healthiest of english shepherd puppies carry hookworms or roundworms. The key to treatment is early detection. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medication will be effective against your english shepherd’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best define the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Miscellaneous english shepherd Care Tips
english shepherd Supply Checklist
- Premium-quality dog food and snacks designed for english shepherds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog box or bed with warm comforter or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to english shepherds:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins and grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, chives and garlic
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured space, always keep your english shepherd on a leash. Whenever your english shepherd does number 2 on your neighbor’s yard, his sidewalk or any other public spot, please remove it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about english shepherds
Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
Follow