This blog post will talk about the topic “six Weeks Old German Shepherd Puppy”. It will also talk about the process of growth of a German Shepherd.
The Six-Week Old German Shepherd Puppy
A versatile, athletic and fearless working dog, the Shepherd has done just about every job a dog can do, from leading the blind and detecting illicit drugs to bringing down fleeing criminals and serving in the armed forces. An energetic, loyal and devoted companion, the GSD isn’t a breed but a lifestyle.
The abilities of this breed go far beyond its origin as a herding dog. The GSD has made a name for himself as a police and military dog, guide and assistance dog, search and rescue dog, and detector dog. German shepherd ears are among the best in the canine world.
He has excelled in every canine sport including agility, obedience, rally, tracking and, of course, herding. GSDs still work livestock on farms and ranches around the world, including the United States. If you have horses, they will trot alongside you while you ride and help you put the horses back in the barn when you’re done.
It takes some dedication to live with a GSD. Be prepared to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A half-hour walk twice a day, plus a vigorous play or training session, is a good start.
The protective but loving GSD is a great choice for families with children, but singles and couples who love the outdoors also match up well with this breed. With sufficient exercise and opportunities to use their considerable athleticism and brains, these versatile companions can handle anything from a small city apartment to a vast ranch. They’re not suited for life in the backyard or a doghouse but need to live indoors as a member of the family.
How German Shepherds grow
German Shepherds are born deaf, blind immobile, and completely dependent on their moms, just like typical mammals. After this, they will start to gain weight and develop physically and mentally very rapidly.
They will be ready to leave their mamas only after 8 weeks since their birth. At this age, they are expected to already weigh 13 to 15 pounds on average. They are also expected to already have learned lots of important social skills from mama German Shepherd.
Baby German Shepherds
German Shepherds are easily one of the most popular dog breeds out there. They have a huge number of devoted fans and some people would even save their money just so they could purchase a German Shepherd.
When they become adults, they can be large and imposing, but despite this, they still have a cute puppy phase that most people will really fall in love with.
However, most dogs are not sold in pet stores until after 8 to 12 weeks since their birth. This magical time of their lives is an absolutely lovely sight!
The Birth of a German Shepherd
A litter of a German Shepherd usually consists of around 4 to 8 puppies. When a German Shepherd is born, they will have an umbilical cord that is attached and may even be covered in amniotic fluid. Most of the time, the mama German Shepherd will chew off the umbilical cord. The mama German Shepherd will also spend the first few hours cleaning their pups by endlessly licking their faces.
The mom will also try to keep her newborn pups warm but also will try to allow them to nurse. The baby German Shepherds at this stage will just sleep and avoid spending their energy. Instead of running around the house like when they do when they are already adults, they will still frequently nurse from their mother.
They are completely dependent on their mother when they are first born. Their eyes and ears will both be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. This is their mama’s job, and the mama will try its best to keep the little German Shepherds warm.
Of course they will lack teeth and will rely on their mother’s milk, which, during that time, should be their only source of nutrition. A newly born German Shepherd should have a coat and the color depends on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common color scheme for this dog breed.
Furthermore, newly born German Shepherds are relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. So to move around, they will have to crawl on their stomach, and not use their legs.
They are also not expected to do tasks like urinating and defecating because at this stage, they are still incapable of urinating or defecating on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet.
A one-week old baby German Shepherd
In the first week of a German Shepherd since its birth, they should bulk up significantly and have their weight almost doubled. Although, there will not be much change in their behavior as they will still be focused on nursing and sleeping which is a job mostly performed by their mamas.
They also need to keep themselves warm so they will endlessly cuddle close to each other, except for when they are already in a warm, and even hot environment.
During their first week as dogs, they will still be blind and deaf.
A two-week old baby German Shepherd
During their second week of life, the eyes of German Shepherd puppies will begin to open for the very first time. While they are still not expected to see very well because they are still basically blind, having their eyes open is already a big step in their growth.
Eyes should open for the first time between the tenth or the fourteenth day. These eyes will appear blue in color but this will change into brown as they continue to grow and develop.
They may become a little more inquisitive and curious about their surroundings with their new found eyesight. They may also begin to crawl around a little more. A five to 10 percent increase in body weight is expected during the second week, because they are continuously and rapidly growing and developing their bodies.
A three-week old baby German Shepherd
At three weeks of age, we enter a period of rapid change within the baby German Shepherds. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage.
Firstly, at around 14-18 days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly.
Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. It’s worth noting that this is around the time their eyes will begin to transition from the cloudy blue color to brown.
They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly.
You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food.
They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own.
The growth of a German Shepherd is further elaborated by The Happy Puppy Site in this article.
Nurturing your German Shepherd
A big part of raising your puppy is raising it. Your puppy will need to have a dog bed, as well as a designated area to be during most of the day. This could be a whole section of your house or even just a room. You will likely need to buy a crate for your pup.
When it comes to dog food, you can raise a German Shepherd on high-quality puppy food. Let me reiterate; normal dog food isn’t ideal for raising a puppy. You must feed it the proper German Shepherd puppy food so that it will receive the nutrients necessary to promote healthy growth and development. Weigh out the benefits of dry food versus canned food. Both have their merits.
Conclusion
This blog post talked about the topic “six Weeks Old German Shepherd Puppy”. It also talked about the process of growth of a German Shepherd.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): The Six-Week Old German Shepherd Puppy
How long do German Shepherds carry their babies?
The normal gestation period in dogs is approximately 63 days from conception, although this can vary by several days.
When should German Shepherd puppies be weaned?
As a general guideline, most German Shepherd breeders wean their puppies gradually onto solid foods over a period of about 3 weeks, beginning when the German Shepherd puppies are around 3 1/2 – 4 weeks of age.
How many puppies do German Shepherds usually have?
Their usual litter size is around 8 puppies. The majority of German Shepherd puppies born, the first pup will be a male (typical male always impatient). Puppies start to be weaned around 3-4 weeks of age.
How will I know when my dog is ready to have her puppies?
You should begin to take your dog’s rectal temperature once or twice a day as her due date approaches. Normal body temperature is about 100-102°F. When the rectal temperature drops below 100°F this is a good sign that labor will begin within about 24 hours.
How do I know when my German Shepherd is ready to give birth?
Many pregnant dogs start to pant heavily, and her temperature will drop from a normal temperature (100-to-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit) to 99 degrees or even lower shortly before going into labor. Approximately 24 hours after this temperature drop, she will whelp, and you will be the proud owner of a new litter of puppies.
When can you separate puppies from mom?
While some breeders feel that it is all right to release a pup from its mother at eight weeks, most professional breeders strongly recommend that a puppy should be separated from its dam and litter at 12 weeks of age. By this time, a puppy will have been accustomed to feeding and grooming itself.
Can I give milk to my German Shepherd puppy?
The veterinarian should set the appropriate feed intake, quantity and type of feed for the German Shepherd puppy. Milk should be removed from your diet, as it will cause diarrhea. It is vital that puppies have clean water and enough to drink at all times.
Is it better to get a male or female German shepherd?
Male German shepherds, like most male dogs, are more dominant than females, with females normally being gentler and much friendlier towards both their families and outsiders. Commonly male GSDs tend to be more aloof and proud than females, but still just as curious and enthusiastic about play and learning.
How long can German Shepherds hold their pee?
At 8 to 16 weeks your pup can only hold her pee for approximately 2 hours. Take her out every hour to be safe. By the time your pup is 16 weeks, she’ll be able to hold her pee for at least 4 hours. From 6 months she’ll hold her pee for up to 4 hours.
What age does a German shepherd become aggressive?
German Shepherds can start becoming aggressive about six weeks of age, one of the most critical ages in a German Shepherd puppy’s life. To avoid aggressive behavior dilemmas, it’s imperative not to separate him from his mother and littermates before eight weeks of age.
References
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