Donoma’s Long Coat German Shepherds FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When will my puppies ears stand up?

    Puppies ears will usually stand up between 4-5 months. To help them stand do not let people touch puppies ears. Puppies ears do not have bones so they can be easily broken, they have 18 muscle’s in each ear. To build strength in ears provide plenty of things to chew on.

  • What food do I feed?

    I feed my puppies “Holistic Select”  for Large Breed Puppies….Lamb and Oatmeal Meal. 

  • How long do I feed my puppy Large Breed puppy food?

    You want to feed your puppy large breed puppy food until they are fully grown, usually until they are 18-24 months old. It is important to keep them on this puppy food made for large breed puppies because you want to control their growth rate.

  • At what age do I spay/neuter my German Shepherd puppy?

    For Large Breed’s it is recommended to spay a female after 1 – 1 1/2 years of age and a male after 24 months of age. 

  • Is hip/elbow dysplasia just genetic?

    NO, hip/elbow dysplasia is not only caused from genetics. Hip/elbow dysplasia can also be caused from environmental factors such as: climbing stairs, jumping off beds/couches, jumping in air for balls/frisbee’s, jumping out of car, excessive exercise, long walks/jogs when still puppy, being over weight.

  • How much will my dog weigh at mature age?

    My females average around 70-75 lbs and my males average around 90-95 lbs. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, overweight can cause hip issues.

  • How much do German Shepherds shed?

    German Shepherds “Blow” their coats 2 times a year. I recommend regular brushing using a “Rake” type comb.

  • Do I recommend one sex over the other?

    No I do not Every dog is different, they have their own personality and temperament. The things to consider is females have heat cycles and males have a tendency to mark their territory and if you have other dogs and are looking to add another which sex you think they would be more combatible with.

  • Why do I have to socialize my puppy/dog?

    Socialization builds confidence and a more stable temperament. It is very important to keep your puppy/dog  socialized throughout life.

  • Do I recommend using "raised" feeding bowls?

    NO I do not. Raised bowls cause a unnatural way of swallowing, causing them to inhale a lot of air as they swallow. This can cause BLOAT which German Shepherds are suspectable to getting and can cause death.