But in fact, GSDs are also very…, If you’ve ever been homesick, then you probably had your fair share of anxiety. Particularly, a courageous or adventurous dog may want to explore what water is. If I take the official line from the American Kennel Club, German Shepherds do not have webbed feet. There isn’t a specific answer to this question. That’s why there’s no surprise when someone asks if German shepherds like to swim.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'allshepherd_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',104,'0','0'])); However, this matter is more complicated than most think. On average, the German Shepherd will require an ounce of water per pound of their body weight every day, which is about 0.3 liters per pound. While the body language of dogs is a large topic, there are several quick tips you can learn very quickly. When the weather is warm, consider getting a kiddie pool and start exposing your GSD to water, I think you’ll find they will have a blast. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates Thanks for your support! German Shepherds like most dogs can and will drool from time to time and there are many reasons for this. 1. I set it up brought her outside and she just looked at it. The answer may surprise you. Like all general statements about breeds, there are exceptions to the rule. You can then assume that the German shepherd can swim if they intend to. Whether you live on the water or spend weekends dipping your toes in local streams, this athletic breed may be quick to join you for a dip. She usually does this after a long walk, especially in the summer months when she is warm, and so I guess she does this due to tiredness. A German shepherd who used to bathe with you or even exposed itself to water in its own volition may come to love them as they grow. You will also need to be prepared to take lots of walks, as the white German Shepherd has the same high activity needs as other purebred dog breeds born and bred to … You may discover that with the right lifejacket, you have a Maltese who can’t wait to get in the water. I expect some German Shepherds like water and others don't. When the weather is warm, consider getting a kiddie pool and start exposing your GSD to water, I think you’ll find they will have a blast. German shepherds may be trainable, but you still must have patience in order to properly train your dog. Because German Shepherds weren’t specifically bred for water-based activities, whether or not they are into water depends on their … … They must be actively kicking and moving. Of course, every German Shepherd is different, but overall, German Shepherds can like water either naturally, or with the proper exposure. Or even better yet, if you’re working with a German shepherd puppy or a young German shepherd, you can easily avoid this behavioral problem. And in the wild, each member of the pack understands their duty to work for food and water. Do German Shepherds Like Water? Northern Sky Sunrise. But as German Shepherd Dog (GSD) owners know well, each dog has a personality all their own. The origins of the Shiloh Shepherd are quite recent. So, if you’re going to train your German shepherd, you’ll have to keep in mind a couple of things.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'allshepherd_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',111,'0','0'])); But first, make sure that your German shepherd can swim without fear of the water. They may sometimes act silly and goofy, but all dogs are actually incredibly smart. After doing the aforementioned steps repeatedly, the German shepherd should already get used to swimming. Her mom, Aura, does not swim. A German shepherd without any knowledge of water will neither love it or hate it. Today, we’ll answer those questions once and for all. Unlike other breeds, they weren’t made for swimming. Dog beaches are a fun day trip that can be a good outing for everyone and allow your dog to get some exposure being around water. Then, slowly submerge your dog in the water. Some dogs have had a negative experience in or around water, and thus they have retained that experience and have learned to fear water.  Other dogs may just be unconfident or unsure of what to do or if the water is safe. German shepherd dogs are active and like to have something to do. Adopting a German shepherd might seem like a harmless decision. Your email address will not be published. The team has fostered and saved over one thousand German Shepherd Dogs! 1 0. What you might not realize is that German shepherds are like potato chips. Copyright © 2020 , AllShepherd.Com - All Right Reserved. German Shepherd Dog HQ is not claiming to be an expert on German Shepherds, nor do we provide veterinary advice.  This blog is based on personal experience owning a German Shepherd, which is not to be considered veterinary advice. I hope this article gave you some insight into the question… do German Shepherds like water? Don’t worry, though. Then she would go up to it kind of put a paw in then jump back. Another way to know if your German Shepherd is consuming enough water is by checking his or her gums. At first, she hesitated, probably wondering what the heck this big pool was.  Then once I started going toward the water and showed her it was safe, she got right in.  After being in once, she was eager to jump in and out on her own without hesitation. After reading this blog post, you should already know the answer to the question, “Do German shepherds like to swim?”. Still, they can’t achieve the level of swimming that natural swimmers have. Some German Shepherd Dogs like water, others will be cautious of it. Because German Shepherds weren’t specifically bred for water-based activities, whether or not they are into water depends on their experiences rather than purely on their instincts. … The following are some of the necessary equipment:eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'allshepherd_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_4',112,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'allshepherd_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',112,'0','1'])); These equipment are for preparations with common problems involving dog swimming. Once acclimated, they can tolerate and do well in both hot and cold climates. | Tractive This is also the type of German shepherds that can swim if trained properly. Because German shepherds weren’t explicitly bred for water-based activities, how much they like water will depend on their previous experiences, especially when growing up as a puppy. You can find information on training, health, puppies, and products that will help make owning your GSD easier. But keep in mind that you need to do it several times. Our team is made up of dog lovers who give up their time to find loving forever homes for our dogs. All dogs are different. Plus, if you have kids, this will be fun for the whole family. With German Shepherds, specifically, they DO drink a lot of water, but for a reason. There are also those that don’t particularly like or hate water. This means that if you choose to make a purchase, your price remains the same and We will receive a small commission. For example, if your dog likes to fetch.  Tossing a toy in and around a kiddie pool may let them focus more on chasing the toy and less on the fact there is water around.Â. Seek and Offer Protection Maybe there was a past event in a german shepherds life that has made them hate water. German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, protectiveness, and overall high intelligence. Most other times she drinks from a normal standing position. Regardless, you might be having many questions in your mind. It’s a very, very common problem, and, at the end of the day, it is what the German shepherd has been bred to do a lot of the time. SWIMMING Swimming is an excellent form of low impact exercise for any water loving German Shepherd dog. Let the German shepherd’s toes should touch the water. The only thing holding your dog back is … So, I decided to get in the pool and kind of coax her in by showing her what to do. To do this, open your German Shepherd’s mouth and run your finger over his or her gum. To do this start by luring it into the shallow part of the water using treats, when it’s comfortable with that gradually increase the depth that you lure it into until you can get it to go all the way in. However, in general, German shepherds can swim. Our team is made up of dog lovers who give up their time to find loving forever homes for our dogs. While some may view this as an insignificant fact, there are actually sophisticated reasons behind their reaction to water.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'allshepherd_com-box-4','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])); There are many connections between German shepherds and loving or hating water. German Shepherds are pack dogs and, therefore, have remnants of the tendency to stick close together. If properly exposed to the water, yes, many German Shepherds like to swim.Â. Yes. If not, they are more at risk of dehydration and other sicknesses that shorten their lifespan. If it’s too sticky or … Either way, there’s no denying that there are many questions about the connection between German shepherds and swimming. The good news…this behavior can be untrained. If that happens, you may proceed with exposing your dog to moving waters. With this knowledge, you are now capable of taking proper care of German shepherds, at least when it comes to swimming. I don’t think that liking the water comes naturally for all German Shepherds, but I think some of that is just apprehension about what to do in a new situation.  Once they are shown how to play with water, most German Shepherds will love the water. German Shepherd behavior consisting of lying or sitting on or next to your feet can have 3 different meanings. That’s why it’s important to know these problems in advance. The team has fostered and saved over one thousand German Shepherd Dogs! The good news…this behavior can be untrained. Check out my article on puncture-proof dog pools to get some ideas. It’s just a matter of loving or hater water that determines whether they can be trained. You can then assume that the. Of course, the personality of the German shepherd also matters. Some hate water, some love it. (They have this in common with dogs like boxers and bulldogs.) A German shepherd that had a traumatic experience involving water may hate, or more precisely, fear water. Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue is a 100% volunteer organization funded by donations from people just like you. The dog sheds heavily about twice yearly, and the rest of the time sheds a lesser amount continually. Your German Shepherd comes from a long bloodline of working dogs. Plus, ingesting saltwater can lead to health problems such as dehydration or vomiting. It’s a very, very common problem, and, at the end of the day, it is what the German shepherd has been bred to do a lot of the time. When teaching your German shepherd to swim, it’s important to have the equipment necessary. Required fields are marked *. German Shepherds shed a lot, and they do it all year long. The double water-resistant coat is a great advantage that helps answer the question “Can German Shepherds swim?” Do German Shepherds Have Webbed Feet? Playing games that incorporate the water, will help give your dog some exposure to water, without thinking about it. The answer is, some do, some don’t! Get into a shallow body of water, or just sit on the steps of the pool.Â. My previous shepherd, Fina, LOVED the hose. Excessive drooling in German Shepherds should always be investigated because something dangerous could be happening, but there can be drooling that is normal for German Shepherds depending on the circumstance. Do German Shepherds like water? Teaching a German shepherd to swim can be difficult, especially if your dog had some bad memories of water. It is important, however, in any climate, to provide a German Shepherd with the appropriate amount of shade, shelter, and water. This includes leg length, coat, and more. However, through practice and training, German shepherds can be great swimmers. Most German Shepherds enjoy water but how much they like it varies from GSD to GSD — just like with humans! Just make sure that your German shepherd likes to swim, otherwise, you’ll be forcing him to do so.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'allshepherd_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',113,'0','0'])); The products featured on this page were last updated on 2021-01-10 /. Either way, you can still teach your German shepherd to be swimmers. A good way is to use things … 11. So to understand if it’s true that a German shepherd can swim, let’s answer those questions one by one.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'allshepherd_com-leader-1','ezslot_0',109,'0','0'])); German shepherds can swim because they’re athletic and strong swimmers. Why Do German Shepherds Lay on Your Feet? However, the same goes for loving water. In short, it all comes down to genetics. The teachers know how to gradually get your dog comfortable with the water and they also have doggie life jackets for added security.Â. If I take the official line from the American Kennel Club, German Shepherds do not have webbed feet. Since German shepherds usually swallow a bit of water when they swim, it’s recommended to only let them roam in freshwater. German Shepherds are natural protectors, which is why they’re often used as guard dogs and in law enforcement. It does depend on the individual German Shepherd, but generally, yes most German Shepherds like water. Do German Shepherds Like Water and Swimming? The German Shepherd was bred for herding. In most cases, once they go in to the water and their paws don’t reach the bottom, they will naturally start to doggy paddle. This can go into three ways: Of course, the personality of the German shepherd also matters. The double water-resistant coat is a great advantage that helps answer the question “Can German Shepherds swim?” Do German Shepherds Have Webbed Feet? It didn’t take her a long as with the kiddie pool to be ready to jump in. Before answering the question “Do German shepherds like to swim?”, let’s first talk about a much simpler question still related to the topic.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'allshepherd_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_15',105,'0','0'])); You may be thinking “German shepherds don’t hate water because it’s usual with dogs”. German Shepherd Feeding Chart. I once set it up on the fence blasting water out, and she probably would have played with it until the sun went down. Many German Shepherds love water. From dog sports like rally, agility, or scent work to therapy work to guide dog work, German Shepherds can do it all. She got in behind me and then didn’t want to get out.  Now, she loves the water! Your neighbors are complaining so…, For every pet owner, there must have been a point when they wondered what the truth is behind…, German Shepherds have always been synonymous to police and military dogs. For example, if you’ve been asking yourself if German shepherds have webbed feet, the answer is no. Much like with running, your German Shepherd should be physically mature and of sound orthopedics and health prior to becoming a bike ride companion. 7 dog breeds, that like water: Get to know them! Take into consideration the ocean waves and current as well, since they may make swimming harder.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'allshepherd_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',108,'0','0'])); So even if your German shepherd likes water, remember to take precautions. As a breed, German Shepherds were bred to like a range of activities from herding, tracking, protection and guarding work, aiding and helping, military work and much more! Nevertheless, are…, If you are thinking of getting a German Shepherd you may have wondered do German Shepherds…, German Shepherds are mostly known for their intelligence, courage, and agility. With that, you can now help your dog in his way to learning how to swim. Heavier water consumption is normal for a large active breed like German Shepherds but there are also other factors that can cause your dog … To get your German Shepherd to like water you can try to ease it into it. Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue is a 100% volunteer organization funded by donations from people just like you. Do German Shepherds like Water? You may hear some saying that German shepherd DO like to swim because they love water, but you’ll also hear some saying the exact opposite. Others, while fearless in many other circumstances are terrified of water when they are introduced. Therefore, have remnants of the Shiloh shepherd are quite recent took my girl too offers,. 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