The next question that might raise your canine-related curiosity is as to why they are named so. You might also ponder on whether to have them removed and the implications of doing so. Do they have any functionality or not, and why is there such a fuss around the issue?

In today’s era where animal rights have acquired a newfound dimension of ethics and empathy, all veterinary advice has to be dispensed in deference to the above parameters. However, practicality has to be kept in the play too.

 Let’s get you a 360-degree view of this controversy around the claws.

What are Dewclaws?

They are an equivalent of the human thumb, although not as important functionally. Dewclaws are toenails on the upper inner leg of almost all dogs.

They are believed to have been named based on the fact that they are high up in the legs to brush the dew of the leaves while running on the grass. Full points to the earlier dog breeders for this discreet observation and visualization!

Dewclaws are of two types: the ones present on the front legs and the ones present on the hind legs.

Dewclaws in the front

Almost all dogs have dewclaws present in their front legs. In fact, it is connected by two major tendons and has its own nerve supply and blood supply.

The dewclaws on the front legs are believed to provide postural balance to dogs, especially when they are running at a high speed. It is also used by them for climbing and providing that necessary friction on an extra slippery surface.

There stems the first part of our controversy. For a long time, dog experts believed that dewclaws were essentially useless! While the view has largely become redundant now, there are still dog breeders who hold the old-fashioned view towards dewclaws.

Dewclaws in the hind legs

The hind legs may also have dewclaws, but they are present only rarely and not in all German shepherd breeds. Their functionality is also not up to the level as that of the front leg dewclaws.

In fact, unlike the front leg dewclaws, the dewclaws in the hind leg are merely attached by a skin flap and tissues. It’s like God wanted to make them useful, but changed His mind at the last minute!

There might also be double dewclaws or even triple dewclaws in the hind leg, which are to be necessarily removed.

How do predict the dewclaws on your dog’s hind leg? All you can manage is, vague guesswork based on Genetics.

Dewclaws: Front leg Vs the Hind Leg

The Dewclaws in the Front leg are the ones in debate. The ones at the back are a lost cause for most breeds in general and the German shepherds specifically.

We didn’t say it. The American Kennel Club did! It advises that the dewclaws in the front leg may be removed but only when necessary. In the case of the dewclaws in the hind legs, it assumes an air of nonchalance and advises for their removal.

Controversy around the removal of Dewclaw

This brings us to the center of the dewclaws controversy. This is one where the metaphorical swords are easily drawn by believers of both sides of the spectrum and the debate is often emotionally charged.

If you don’t have a stake in the game, we caution you to stay away from it when the debate heats up!

You see like we pointed out, earlier breeders believed that the dewclaws were useless. They also believed that removing them will add to the dog’s aesthetic appeal while performing shows.

The trend caught up with the general public and removing the dewclaws became the in-thing, without any rhyme or reason on their part( yes, the blind following was a disease long before social media brought about the pandemic!)

In present times, the knowledge that dewclaws may indeed be useful for the dog has brought the practice back into the spotlight. The argument for and against the removal of dewclaws goes like this:

Argument for the removal

The basic premise of the argument, apart from aesthetic, is that dewclaws often suffer an injury while the dog is running or even walking in rough terrain and hence gets easily fractured.

Often, it can tear up even by getting entangled with the home furniture. Removal in this case becomes even more painful.

It is also true that since the dewclaw does not touch the surface often, it has a tendency to outgrow. Many times, the dog owners are not careful and do no trim it properly, the bear claws can outgrow and then break, which also leads to severe infection.

Also, it is believed that dewclaws left untended can invite cancerous growth.

Argument against the removal

Veterinary experts and some dog breeders today believe that dewclaws in the front help the dog in maintaining balance and provides agility to its movements.

Also, it is believed that the removal of dewclaws can lead to arthritis in dogs in later life, especially in carpal tunnel joints.

Some breeding standards also require certain breeds of dogs to have dewclaws in front legs.

And backing up to square one, in this day and age of enlightenment towards animal rights, a section of breeders believe that merely aesthetics is not a good enough reason for the cruel practice of depriving a poor German shepherd of his dewclaws.

Some countries like Australia have made removal of dewclaws illegal unless it is medical reasons. Others, like the United States of America, have left it to individual states to decide.

You might need to check the breeding standards of German shepherd breed in your area before making your decision. It is best to make sure that the law is on your side, no matter which side of the fence you are sitting on.

How are the dewclaws removed?

It is preferable to remove the claws in the first three days of the birth. In this case, local anesthesia will be enough to remove the claw as the muscles are still tender.

Some breeders also prefer to get this done when their German shepherds are under General anesthesia to get neutered or spayed. However, removing the dewclaws in later life is not advisable as your dog may have to face the emotional trauma of losing a claw. Also, he may face initial issues in maintaining his gait without the claws.

Your dog may also have to wear the Elizabethan Collar so that it does not interfere with the bandages and fester the wound. The healing may take three weeks to a month.

Summing up,

The presence of Dewclaws in German shepherds has divided veterinary experts on whether they should be removed or retained. Laws in this area are also ambiguous.

While some breeders claim that the removal of the dewclaws improves the showmanship of the dog, others call it an outdated and cruel practice. Dewclaws in German shepherd is thus an emotionally charged issue that has still not been sorted.

 As we leave you in this hot mess, let us lighten your mood by throwing light on how the police train German shepherds.

The post Do German Shepherds Have Dewclaws? -The Controversy around the claws appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

To adopt any breed one has to factor in a lot of things from caring, providing upbringing to maintenance and space, everything should be kept in account. Let’s get started with three of the popular breed who are adorable, protective, playful, and overall a great companion.

German Shepherd vs Labrador vs Pitbull

To know more about each breed we need to take a dig at their origin. All of them are pure breed and as the name states GSD has originated from Germany, whereas Labrador is from Great Britain and Pitbull comes from the USA.

GSD is known as herding dogs and they were bred to protect people and property, and Pitbulls are trained to be hunting dogs by keeping in mind their strength and fighting instinct. Whereas, Labradors are trained to become excellent gundogs due to their excellent retrieving capacity. But overall, these three breeds can be excellent family dogs and can be affectionate companions.

Well three of them are quite different in physical traits and also exhibit a varied personality but quite popular in case of adoption.

According to a study made by petfinder.com, labradors are considered to be the most popular breed for adoption across North America, followed by Pitbull and German Shepherd. 

Let’s get to know more about each breed in depth.

1. Life span

There are a lot of factors involved to determine the life expectancy of any breed. Three important factors like nutrition, exercise, and weight play a vital role to create an overall life expectancy. With advances in modern veterinary science and medicines, life expectancy has increased so far.

The average life span of each breed is more or less the same. Pit-bull leading the other two species with an average life span of 12 – 16 years followed by a German shepherd with a life expectancy of 12 – 14 years. While Labradors are lagging behind with a life span of 10- 12 years

German Shepherd: 4/5 , Pit-bull:  4.5/5, Labrador: 3.5/5

2. Appearance:

What we first notice in any breed is its external appearance. Some prefer a huge strong dog while others prefer a smaller and cuter one. To get to know these breeds we should have some basic idea about their external appearance. Folded downturn ears, with a handsome look and mid athletic build is what a Labrador is all about.

A GSD on the other hand is a magnificent creature with alert and erect ears, beautiful almond eyes coupled with a strong large muscular body. Whereas a Pitbull is both powerful and athletic with a lean long body. They are of medium size with great strength and well built muscular body along  with cute round eyes. But more or less all three breeds are very handsome and uniquely stand out.

German shepherd: 4.5/5 , Pit-bull:  4/5 , Labrador: 4.5/5

 3. Coat

Each breed can be distinguished pretty well with the appearance of the coat. GSD is the furry baby among all with long and dense hair and a dense coat. They have the thickest of the fur in the lot.

Labs have relatively shorter and very dense coats covering their body. Pitbull is less furry among the three with short and medium dense hair and a short coat.

German shepherd: 4.5/5 , Pit-bull:  3/5 , Labrador: 4/5

 4. Size

It is very important to have a good idea of the height and weight of any full-grown adult breed before adopting. Both German shepherd and Labrador is a larger breed compared to pit-bull.

The average weight of a male Lab is 67.5 pounds and female is 62.5 pounds and the average height for a male is 23 inches and for a female is 22 inches. Whereas GSD is a bit larger than Lab with an average weight of 77 pounds for males and 60 pounds for females and has an average height of 25 inches for males and 23 inches for females.

However, pit-bull is a comparatively small breed with an average weight of 50 pounds and height of 19 inches making them a comparatively smaller breed.

German shepherd: 4.5/5 , Pitbull:  3.5/5 , Labrador: 4/5

5. Personality

Three of them are extremely intelligent, loyal, and obedient. But each of them shows special characteristics features that make each individual very unique.

Labrador: Some of the characteristics that set them apart are ,they are lively, cheerful, and friendly, which makes them extremely adorable. Besides they are always energetic and very responsive towards human emotions.

GSD: These breed needs no introduction, with their alert upright ears and extremely protective and courageous nature makes them a suitable guard dog. They are always confident and watchful but not so social as Labrador.

Pitbull: Pit bulls are the most graceful and agile creatures. Due to their affectionate nature, they can be excellent family dogs and are even good with kids under supervision.  The high level of intelligence makes them good performing dogs but they need to be properly socialized.

German shepherd: 4/5, Pit-bull:  4/5, Labrador: 4.5/5

 6. Intelligence

Dogs are intelligent creatures; they learn and adopt tricks and commands easily. But whenever we are comparing the intelligence level among breeds we need to keep into consideration some facts like trainability and loyalty.

All three of the above-mentioned breeds are highly intelligent. The common fact among Labrador and German shepherds is that, they are easily trainable, while Pitbull and GSD are extremely loyal.

 German shepherd: 5/5 , Pit-bull:  4/5 , Labrador: 5/5

 7. Trainability

Another important fact to keep in mind before buying or adopting any breed is their ability to train and learn. An intelligent breed can be easily trained and can easily understand and learn commands as a result are very easy to keep.

Labrador shows the highest level of trainability while Pitbull and GSD respond equally to any amount of training.

German shepherd and Pit-bull = 4 /5,Labrador: 5/5

8. Watchdog Ability

 If you are looking for a dog who will be watchful towards your home and kids then you can blindly go for GSD as this breed score the highest rank in this particular trait. Whereas both Labrador and Pitbull show a moderate level of watchdog tendencies

German Shepherd: 5/5, Pitbull and Labrador= 3.5/5

9. Territorial

A lot of people need a dog that will be protective towards their territory or their home and family,  and will be extremely loyal.

All dogs are loyal but in this case, they can go for a Pitbull or GSD. These two breeds are extremely possessive towards their master and home which makes them extremely territorial.  

German shepherd: 5/5, Pit-bull 5/5, Labrador= 3.5/5

10.  Prey Drive

It is the instinctive impulse due to which a dog chases or catches smaller breeds other than dogs as prey. Every canine shows more or less predatory drive.  

In this case, GSD shows the maximum level of prey drive followed by Pitbull which also shows a very high level of prey drive whereas; Labrador shows a low level of prey drive

German shepherd: 4.5/5, Pit-bull 4/5, Labrador= 3/5

11.  Separation Anxiety

Dogs are social animals and love to stay with humans and it’s a reason why they show behavioral issues like anxiety when left alone.

Labrador bonds very closely with human so they show the maximum level of separation anxiety when left alone and tends to cry and bark.

GSD also shows separation anxiety and starts to bark and panic when left alone but it is more noticeable as a puppy than an adult dog.

Pitbull behave excellent with their owners around but tends to panic a bit when left alone.

German shepherd and Pit-bull = 3 /5, Labrador: 4.5/5

 12. Health Issue

To adopt any breed one should be aware of the potential health risks and general health issues that are associated with him. Apparently, a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise keep any dog healthy but still, there are certain health issues that are associated and inherent with every individual breed.

Labrador: Naturally healthy but prone to diseases like Acute Moist Dermatitis, Bloat, Elbow Dysplasia, Cataracts, etc. Regular health check-up along with a good diet is necessary to combat these diseases.

 Pitbull: They are generally healthy but prone to certain health issues like Démodé tic Mange, Hip Dysplasia, certain Skin Allergies, etc. than the rest of the two breeds.

German shepherd: They are the healthiest among the three breeds with some general health issues like Elbow Dysplasia, Hip Dysplasia, etc

German shepherd: 4/5  Pit-bull:  3/5  Labrador:  3.5/5

 13. Exercise requirements

More or less like humans every breed needs a certain level of exercise every day to keep healthy and active. Although Labrador needs it most as they tend to get obese. They need around 3 to 4 hours of exercise( Running and walking included) per day for healthy functioning.

Followed by GSD, who needs around 2 to 3 hours of daily exercise. Whereas, Pitbull being a terrier breed are naturally very active and needs a good amount of exercise to channelize the energy else they will be obese. Around 30 minutes of vigorous exercise or a combination of moderate exercise of 1 – 2 hours is necessary.

German shepherd: 4/5, Pit-bull:  4/5,  Labrador:  4.5/5

14. Maintenance

A very important and major factor that needs enough consideration before adoption. Each breed requires a different level of maintenance, so if you are looking for a low-maintenance dog then Pitbull should be your first consideration. As they require very less bathing and a low level of grooming. Also due to less hair, they shed a lot lesser than other breeds. But they can’t tolerate cold as much as the other two breeds.

A Labrador requires average maintenance as they need to have a bathed or brushing at least once every week depending on weather conditions and they also shed a lot more than the other two breeds. But are well tolerant to both cold and heat.

A GSD are very easy to maintain, although they shed higher than a Pit-bull they require occasional bath and average grooming. They are very resistant to heat and cold.

But in general, the food expenditure of each breed is average to high, so the rating can be sum up as

German shepherd: 4/5 , Pit-bull:  4.5/5 , Labrador: 3.5/5

15. Breeding

Whether you want to breed them or not that’s up to you, but one should be aware of their reproductive health and issues in relation to it.

None of the breeds shows any major dysfunction in reproduction. All of them are having the same gestation length around 60 – 64 days and litter once per year. But the litter sizes vary from breed to breed. A GSD produces the highest number of puppies around 6- 10 while a pitbull and Lab produce 5-10 puppies.

German shepherd: 5/5, Pitbull  and Labrador= 4.5/5

Our Verdict

Each individual can have their own perspective on how they see a particular breed. Every breed has its own set of capabilities. Some can run faster while some can protect better. So, it’s hard to choose one to be the best breed. However, we can recommend which breed might suits you the best. If you want a watchdog or a dog who will be protective towards you and your family then you should go for a GSD,  and if you are looking for a family dog yet protective enough to your territory then Pitbull will be the best pick. Or if you want a lively and smiling furry creature all around you and your home to light up your mood always then a lab might be a good choice. With all that being said, better knowledge is required before owning a dog to give them a loving home and get unconditional love in return.

Wrapping up,

Dogs are very much known for their loyalty. They are known to create bonds with humans and live within communities in harmony. Most of the time a dog gets aggressive due to a lack of proper training or socializing. Whether you want to adopt any of the above-mentioned breed or any other breed you must remember that every dog is amazing in their own way and need proper care and attention. They can be excellent companions of you and your family if treated properly.

Hope this article will help you to learn about each breed so that you can compare and choose your preferred one. With all that being said, better knowledge is required before owning a dog to give them a loving home and get unconditional love in return.

The post German shepherd vs Pitbull vs Labrador: Which breed is the best? appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

What is the Golden Shepherd?

The Golden German Shepherd goes by the names Golden Shepherd, German Retriever, or German Shepherd Golden Retriever. 

This breed is a cross between two purebreds—the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd. Because of selective cross-breeding between these two parent pedigrees, the Golden shepherd is considered a designer breed.

The resultant puppy may inherit the large body build, high energy levels, and stamina from both its parent breeds. No wonder the Golden Shepherd makes for a spunky, but devoted pet.

History of Golden Shepherd

It is likely that the Golden Shepherd has existed naturally in the past, due to mating between purebred German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. The hybrid was not preferred by breeders in the past, because of the high demand for purebred pedigrees only, so many of these Golden Shepherds ended up in shelters or rescue homes.

In recent years, a greater awareness as to the health problems plaguing purebreds led to breeders selectively cultivating hybrids. Further, a need was felt to create the ultimate family companion and watchdog. The specific mix of the Golden shepherd was noted as late as 2009.  This makes it a relatively new designer breed.

Golden Shepherds are recognized by:

• Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
• American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
• Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
• International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)

Characteristics of Golden Shepherd

Since the Golden Shepherd is a mix-breed, it may be difficult to predict its actual characteristics, especially in the case of first-generation pups. If you are considering getting this dog from a reliable breeder, you can be assured of his characteristics based on past Golden Shepherd litters. Let us have a look at these characteristic features!

1. Lifespan: The Golden shepherd may live for about 10 to 14 years.

2. Color: Don’t be misled by the “Golden” in his name! Golden Shepherds come in a wide array of colors, including black, tan, red, cream, and blue, which may be solid or mixed colors. This is explained by the genetic makeup of the parent breed’s characteristics.

3. Coat: The Golden Shepherd coat inherits the long, double coat of both the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd. There is a slight chance that your Golden Shepherd has inherited the short hair coat from the GSD, so be prepared for this surprise.

4. Size: As a hybrid of German Shepherd and Golden Retriever parents, the Golden Shepherd may be expected to be a heavyset, large dog. Its weight may range anywhere between 60 to 95 pounds and measure between 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder.  That said, many such breeds can either be smaller or larger than the average.

5. Temperament: Golden shepherds are protective in nature, and like the suspicious German Shepherd, they are alert or aloof around strangers. They are purposeful, and in absence of productive activity, they tend to easily become bored, restless, and gloomy.

6. Trainability: Just like his parent lineage, the Golden Shepherd is highly trainable. This makes him an excellent addition to family dogs and as service dogs. He can be well trained to happily accompany children (of course under supervision!). He can also thrive with other pets, like other dogs and cats, provided they have had ample exposure in their past.

Taking Good Care of Your Golden Shepherd

1. Diet:

Golden Shepherds have high energy levels, and as such, their diet should be formulated accordingly. Make sure you do not overfeed him because he tends to get overweight. Strictly maintain a regular feeding schedule and limit access to treats.

2. Activities and playtime

2. This breed, we have already discussed, tends to get bored easily and has high stamina. Channel his pent-up energy in suitable, high-stamina activities, such as hiking, fetch, frisbee, walks, jogging, running and swimming. If you choose to adopt a Golden shepherd, it’s important that you spend plenty of time with them in exercise and play. 
3. A household with an open yard is the most suitable for this type of dog. Restraining them in an apartment or small enclosure is not good for their temperament. He should get at least an hour of physical activity per day. 
4. Just like his parent breeds, the Golden Shepherd is mouthy and loves chewing. You should keep plenty of sturdy chewable toys around him, to prevent aggressive chewing. This naturally means that you also need to regularly check his dental and oral health.

3. Health Concerns

• The breed is prone to dental tartar and gum decay. Brush his teeth and gums properly to avoid dental issues.

• Other major health concerns are those that are passed down through the genetics of the parent pedigrees. While most have generally good health, some may suffer from skeletal disorders like Degenerative Myelopathy, hip and elbow dysplasia, or digestive issues such as bloat and diarrhea. Golden shepherds, being a large breed, are more susceptible to bloat. In this potentially fatal disorder, the stomach twists and fills with gas. Feed smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the risk of bloat.
• Always make regular visits to the vet to detect health problems early on!

4. Grooming

• The Golden shepherd, as mentioned earlier, is a long-haired breed with a double coat. This means that the dog will shed heavily throughout its life cycle. Like its parent bloodlines, you will observe two cycles of blowout, wherein there is a heavier shedding than usual. 
• Regular grooming, nail trimming, and bathing once a week are enough to keep your pooch fresh and happy. 
• Also, make sure you clean his ears of wax or other pests regularly.

5. Cost :

Many mix-breed dogs are as costly as their purebred counterparts. In the case of the golden shepherd, 

• The Average cost of a new Puppy ranges between $200 to $500.
• Expect Average Annual Medical Expenses to the tune of $500 to $600.
• Average Annual Non-Medical Expenses, such as toys, food, grooming kits, etc. are as high as $920 – $1050.

Should you get a Golden German shepherd for your home?

Golden Shepherds are the perfect match for an owner who loves as much physical activity as this furball of energy. While he is not an ideal choice for novice pet owners, if you’re ready to put in enough attention, love, and time in upbringing this adorable dog, you have got a friend for life. He makes for an excellent watchdog and all-around family companion.

He is a highly sensitive dog and may become overprotective and easily attached to his owner. Thus, it’s essential he finds a household filled with people, as he does not like being alone. 

For his playful, carefree behavior, open yards or play areas are needed, but it doesn’t mean you can’t upbring them in your apartment.  Make sure you give them a lot of physical movement through the day. 

If you face any allergies or respiratory issues, avoid getting this dog, since his moderately high shedding tendency will create health issues for you as well. 

Currently, the Golden German Shepherd is considered as a designer breed, due to which there are a lot of inconsistencies in the breed. You will not find a single standard or authority for the breed. However, in general, this hybrid is pliable, and given the right training, you can see him grow to be an inseparable part of your household.  

The post Everything you need to know about Golden German Shepherd – ‘THE GOLDEN SHEPHERD’ appeared first on Purrfect Paws.