German Shepherds are considered to be heavy shedders due to their thick and dense double coats. As such, these dogs really benefit from being groomed as often as possible and ideally this should be done daily because once a week would not be enough to keep a dog's coat looking good and free of any loose hair.
However, they don't need bathing that often and overdoing this could result in altering the natural PH balance which could lead to a dog developing skin allergies. One thing to bear in mind is that long haired German Shepherds need a lot more in the way of grooming than shorter haired dogs and they tend to be heavier shedders too.
German Shepherds are high maintenance dogs in the exercise department and ideally need to be taken out for a walk a minimum of twice a day for a good hour each time. However, they also need to be given a tremendous amount of mental stimulation or they can quickly start showing signs of boredom and dominance.
These dogs thrive on learning new things and as previously mentioned are one of the smartest dogs on the planet which in short means they can also pick up some bad habits if not handled and trained correctly both at an early age and throughout their lives. They are a great choice for people who like to be out and about in the great outdoors as often as they can with a canine companion in tow. German Shepherds are not a good choice of pet for anyone who leads a more sedentary life.
It is also wise to take into account the feeding cost for a German Shepherd if you are thinking about sharing your home with one of these loyal and large dogs because it would work out quite a bit more expensive than other smaller breeds. Being high energy dogs, German Shepherds need to be fed a good quality, nutritious diet that has a higher protein content to meet their needs and the different stages of their lives.
If you've decided to get a puppy, they would need to be fed a diet specifically formulated for puppies because it contains all the extra vitamins, minerals and other nutrients a puppy need to grow and develop properly. German Shepherd puppies need to be fed at least 3 to 4 times a day to begin with all the while teaching them to go outside to do their "business" so they learn the ropes and are house trained. However, a responsible breeder would recommend you feed a puppy the same diet they are used to before gradually changing it over a few weeks to avoid them suffering any stomach upsets.
Adult dogs are not known to be fussy eaters, but it is recommended they not be fed a rich and fatty diet because of the fact they have a tendency to suffer from pancreatic issues. It is also very important to feed a GSD at specific times and a good hour before and after they are given any exercise because of their predisposition to developing bloat (gastric torsion).
Older German Shepherds need to be fed a diet to suit their ages too and this may mean feeding them smaller amounts more frequently throughout the day. This would mean feeding a dog 3 to 4 times a day so they find it easier to digest their food. It is also very important to avoid giving a German Shepherd any fatty foods when they are in their golden years. Just like any other breed, they need to have free access to fresh, clean water at all times.
