Well, they blow their undercoat once a year, like the northern breeds do (husky, malamute, etc…) and it looks like somebody blew up a dog in the yard. This is usually in the Spring to Early Summer time period depending on local climate. In the fall they drop their guard hairs and grow new ones…this isn’t a very major shed, and you might not notice it as much. There should be minimal shedding during the rest of the year.

As far as feeding goes, if I feed strictly a high quality kibble, with my 3 dogs (115 lbs, and two 90 lb growing dogs) I go through 50 lbs every 1 ½ to 2 weeks…they tend to eat a little less in the heat of the summer. It usually equals out to 4 or 5 cups a day, each. If you buy cheap stuff (like Walmart’s “Ol’ Roy”), you’ll have to feed them as much as twice the amount you’d feed with a high quality kibble, because it’s mostly non-digestible bulk. I like Diamond Hi-Protein, because it has no soy, my Pharlap has soy allergies. It does have some corn in it though, so if your dog has corn allergies, that wouldn’t be a good choice. Now if you feed a raw diet or a combination raw/ kibble diet, it’s a whole ‘nother ballgame.

As for water, my two pure GSD's are not fans of swimming...they can, but they sure don't like it...the one time I tried to make them swim (thinking "once they get used to it, I know they'll like it!") was a total and complete disaster and they nearly drowned me! Pharlap, my GSD/Husky/Mal, on the otherhand, enjoys swimming, as long as it's on him terms. Chewey, my younger GSD does enjoy wading in the creek up to his knees, but not all out swimming. I think its just an individual trait...some like it, some don't. Alot of it probably has to do with how young they are when you start trying to acclimate them to water. I started a lot younger with Pharlap, and he's the only one who seems to enjoy it.

-Erin


Originally posted by mkgwolf:
<STRONG>German Shepherds blow their coat twice a year? I thought they just shed constantly. I have a husky and when he does blow his undercoat it looks like a dog blew up in my yard. What about water, some breeds like the water more than others (Labs) but it depends on the dog. How much do you feed one of your GSD's a day?~</STRONG>


[ July 05, 2001: Message edited by: Ewoodward ]

[ July 05, 2001: Message edited by: Ewoodward ]