A widely acclaimed attribute of German Shepherd, that forms an important part of this praise, is its ability to withstand very high temperatures. In fact, it is believed that German Shepherds can withstand temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees Celsius.

This leads to their preference as sheep rearing dogs in high mountainous terrains as well as security aide to our defense forces at high altitude zones.

They also end up as pretend wolves in motion pictures filmed at high-altitude locations because of their ability to withstand cold temperatures and their general behavioral affinity towards humans. Remember the Winterfell wolves from the Game of Thrones? They actually are crossbreeds of German shepherd dogs.

Now that we have you intrigued, what makes our German shepherd dogs ready for action when the winter is coming.

Bio-adaptability to minus temperatures

The Dual Coating

The first mechanism of bio-adaptability to cold for German Shepherds is the natural armor bestowed on them that is formed out of a double coat on their bodies.

The inner layer of the coat is much thicker than the outer layer that allows the entrapment of heat. The outer layer, on the other hand, contains water repellant coarse hairs that help the animal keep warm at extreme temperatures.

Tip: Constant grooming is a commitment you make for the dog’s life when you acquire a German shepherd. However, in extremely cold climatic conditions and especially when your dog prefers to remain outdoor a log, do not trim the body hair! This is because they are a part of the acclimatization mechanism of this dog.

Also, it is advisable to give it an extra man-made coating of a wool jacket, if the temperature dips below minus 4 or even if your dog is aged or simply, not in the best of health. We will go so far as to say that certain German shepherd dogs, especially the aged ones, may even require boots as extra padding.

The Muscle Metabolism

The German shepherds have been bred to have a high muscle mass that in turn aids in maintaining a high metabolic rate. A high metabolic rate thus allows the body to maintain a high body temperature and thus keep the body warm.

Tip: A high protein diet can go a long way in helping the German shepherd dogs maintain a sound body and muscle mass. Thus, German shepherd dogs with comparatively low body weight and mass may lose this natural advantage against combat with cold external temperature.

An important point to note in this undertaking is that if your German shepherd dog is not the outdoor kind and prefers to stay indoors, an excessive diet may be counterproductive as it may make it sluggish. Thus the diet has to be adjusted according to the specific energy needs of the dog.

The Behavioral Modifications

German shepherds, just like all living creatures on the path of evolution, develop behavioral modifications against adverse externalities.

German shepherds curl up their bodies and place their bushy tails on their noses to reduce their overall surface area to volume ratio which allows them to retain more heat.

Tips: It ia always a healthy sign to treat a pet as a part of a family. However, if your dog prefers to stay outdoors, it is best to construct an economical dog house, complete with dry blankets, which he can curl into anytime he gets bored with the running around.

Also, it is then important to keep checking on the bowl of water you place outside to quench his thirst, as it may freeze outside in the cold temperature. It is important to keep in mind is that dogs may die of dehydration in the winter season as well. It is, hence, not a phenomena limited to summers only. And no, snow is not an alternative to water.

The Paw Blood Circulation

The paws of German Shepherds are heavily padded and have a heavy blood circulation that develops a counter heat exchange system. This allows the dogs to jolt through the snow while we struggle to tie the knots of our snow boots.

German shepherds have been evolved and bred to naturally adapt to cold climatic conditions. However, a Do and Don’t guide for the human friends of the canine is also essential to help this dog maintain a perfect ecological balance with its surroundings.

Points To Remember For German Shepherd Owners:

• German shepherds often lose their olfactory sense or sense of smell in snowstorms. Hence they may not be able to retain their ability to find their way back home. It is important that they should be kept on a leash as well as tagged with ID cards so that they may not be thus lost in such scenarios.

• As we know, often salt and antifreeze chemicals are sprayed on the snow to allow faster clearance of pathways. However, what we may not anticipate is that German shepherds, as well as other dogs, may retain these chemicals on their paws. They may also ingest them while licking their paws. These antifreeze chemicals can prove poisonous for our canine friends. Thus, it is of utmost importance to clean their paws and legs after every walk outdoors.

• Snow and ice structures have sharpened edges that may physically damage their paws. Hence it is important to be on the lookout for bleeding cuts and clots in the cold, snow-ridden season.
• It is to be also kept in mind that puppies and aged dogs are more susceptible to cold weather conditions as they have reduced muscle mass. Puppies do not have fully formed coats and full hair growth. Also, German shepherds tend to shed a lot of hair throughout their lifetime. Hence, aged dogs have far lesser hair on their body surface. This makes it necessary to pay higher attention to them. It is, thus, preferable that they should be allowed to stay indoors in extreme weather conditions.

German Shepherds are the epitome of cold weather resistance, both in popular fan fiction and reality. They have been bred into these qualities and with a little human assistance; they will hopefully continue to dominate snow-capped mountains for decades to come.

The post A quick guide to cold temperature tolerance in German Shepherds appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

It is one of the most common questions that pet owners ask while shopping for their German Shepherd. When any new parent has decided to make this German beauty a part of the clan, it becomes their duty to create conditions suitable for their dog buddy.

Right from making the food arrangements to an area to play, having or not have an attendant, etc., the new dog parent requires contemplating all impending needs. We would like to help you not miss this very small but crucial detail about your German Shepherd in this state of chaos. Yes, we want you to be acquainted with the heat tolerance of GSD.

GSD and heat tolerance; may have something to do with the coat!

Experts say GSD’s coat work as a fantastic insulator. It protects this herding dog species from excessive heat and cold, apart from giving him an impressive appearance.

So, your furry companion will thrive in hot conditions well. Remember, GSD was native to Germany who was brought to England and then to America. These changes in places and need to survive in these countries made them adequately capable of withstanding reasonably hot conditions.

A lot of heat tolerance is attributed to the coat. If you look closely, GSD has multiple layers of coat. This make-up of coat helps him keep cool air trapped, allowing him to feel comfortable irrespective of hot temperatures.

A quick tip: Don’t overbrush or shave your GSD in hot weather; you are simply robbing him off of the cool air he needs to fight the heat!

How hot will be too hot?

Though the coat has a design that helps regulate the heat, there is a limit to tolerating the heat. The coat’s insulation abilities may lose strength if GSD is kept under direct sunlight for extended hours. After a point, he will also need a shed or other cooling solutions to prevent heat build-up.

Beyond  35 degrees Celsius, the weather is too hot for the GSD!

Hence, when your thermostat in the garden reads 35 degrees or more than that, you need to bring your furry companion inside a cooler place.

This information helps designing the dwelling space for the pet. Keeping with the fact that GSD does need some time outdoors, you can do better if you have a shed in the area you have planned for your pet. GSD can stay outdoors, or play in the garden when the weather permits and can have the choice of sneaking into the shed as the temperature soars.

If you have put your loving companion outdoors for long, you ought to keep a watch. Though he will make your task easier by barking if something is not right outdoors, staying attentive is a must.

Let’s investigate the signs that this German beast might display when the heat gets too much for him.

Signs of heat exhaustion in GSD

This canine friend of yours sends clear distress signals when the heat becomes overbearing. A few usual signs may include:

1.) Unusual panting

The dog will pant more than usual. Panting helps him release heat and makes up for the absence of sweat glands in his body. The obvious outcome will be a little irritated or worn-out dog. Panting does demand labor, remember that!

2.)  Saliva denser than normal

Heat does lead to dehydration. A dehydrated dog’s saliva becomes thicker than usual showing a lack of water in the body.

3.)  May show loss of stamina

German Shepherds do feel exhausted after prolonged hours in bright sun-kissed places. Thus, they may not show expected readiness towards games or exercises due to hyperthermia.

Depending upon the distress level, the GSD may show more severe signs. These symptoms may require an emergency visit to a vet. Some of the serious symptoms of heat-induced discomfort are – disoriented walking, vomiting, diarrhea, and collapsing.

A tip: In no case, GSD can be kept outdoors unattended and for long if the day at hand is brighter than usual.

What to do to keep GSD safe in hot weather?          

Living in a region that observes sunny weather most part of the year and skeptical about GSD’s ability to survive hot weather? Rest assured, there is nothing to worry about. With little arrangements, you can make your sun-kissed home GSD-friendly. Plan and act on the tips below:

Despite all care and concern, if the heat got over GSD, you must know how to rectify the situation at home. It can save a vet visit or those precious minutes that may help avoid an unwanted situation.

Immediate things to do if the dog has suffered heat stroke

If the dog has suffered a heat stroke, the very first thing to do is put on the air conditioner in the room. Give him an adequately low temperature to help cool down.

Secondly, you can direct him to the water bowl. If the dog shows readiness to drink, quenching thirst can offer a primary aid. Out of exhaustion, your pooch may not show interest; avoid coaxing or forcing in this case.

Let him rest. The biggest service to offer to him will be to help him conserve his bodily energy. Sometimes, the rest solves many problems including heat-induced distress. So, allow him to rest in a cool place.

Summing up,

Heat tolerance in German Shepherds is moderate to good. Still, leaving him outdoors for long under the bright sun is not a good idea. If the dog is persistent in staying outdoors, plan as suggested above. It can help you both sail through the hot weather part of the year comfortably.

The post A Quick Guide to Heat Tolerance in German Shepherds appeared first on Purrfect Paws.