Do Long Haired German Shepherds Shed and Their Complete Care Guide

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Posted Oct 24, 2024

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Senior wife wearing wide scarf and headband smiling while sitting on ground in autumnal forest with delicate flowers in hands near elderly gray haired husband in warm clothes while walking with German Shepherd dog and looking at each other
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Long-haired German Shepherds are a beautiful breed, but they do shed. They have a double coat, with a soft undercoat and a long, coarse outer coat that sheds heavily during shedding season.

Their shedding season typically lasts from spring to fall, with the heaviest shedding occurring in the spring. They shed heavily to get rid of their old coat and make way for their new one.

Regular brushing is essential to manage their shedding and prevent matting. It's recommended to brush them at least 3-4 times a week, but daily brushing is even better.

Their long coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. This includes regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and brushing their teeth.

What You Need to Know

Long-haired German Shepherds need regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their coat.

You'll need to brush them a few times per week to keep their coat knot-free.

Frequent grooming also helps reduce the amount of fur that ends up all over your home from shedding.

Grooming your long-haired German Shepherd regularly will make a big difference in their overall health and appearance.

Physical Characteristics

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Long-haired German Shepherds have a distinctive appearance, with their coats being long, sleek, and shiny. Their ears have extra fluff around them, and their tails are bushier.

Their coats are the same length all over, with longer hair on the chest that's reminiscent of a ruff or a lion's mane. They also have longer hair on the back, face, tail, and on the backside of their legs.

They typically weigh between 50 and 90 pounds and are 22 to 26 inches tall, with females being smaller than males.

Physical Appearance

Long-haired German Shepherds have a unique appearance that sets them apart from their short-haired counterparts. Their coats are long, sleek, and shiny, with extra fluff around the ears and a bushier tail.

Their ears are covered with short hair as well as tufts of longer hair, giving them a distinctive look. The long-haired GSD has longer and silkier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs.

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The guard hair should be long, soft, and not close fitting, with tufts on the ears and legs, bushy trousers, and a bushy tail with downward formation of tuft. Short hair is only found on the head, including the inside of the ears, on the front side of the legs, on the paws and toes, and somewhat longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck.

Long-haired German Shepherds have a thicker topcoat than an undercoat, so there is less shedding because there's less undercoat. They still require regular maintenance, including regular brushing and grooming.

Their coats respond naturally to daylight, so they shed their summer coat and grow a new winter coat when days start to get shorter and winter is approaching. This means they shed their coats all-year-round, with two major shedding periods in the fall and spring.

What Size Is It?

A long-haired German shepherd's size is actually the same as a regular German shepherd's, which can be a bit deceiving due to their luscious coats.

They typically weigh between 50 and 90 pounds.

The height range for long-haired German shepherds is 22 to 26 inches tall.

Females are usually smaller than males.

How Big Do They Get?

German Shepherds Resting on the Grass
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When considering the size of long-haired German Shepherds, it's essential to know that they can vary slightly depending on their sex.

Males typically grow to be around 24-26 inches tall, with a weight range of 65-90 pounds. This is a significant size, making them a noticeable presence in any room.

Females, on the other hand, are slightly smaller, reaching heights of 22-24 inches and weighing between 50-70 pounds.

Coat and Grooming

Long-haired German Shepherds require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles.

You'll need to brush your long-haired GSD a few times per week to keep their coat in good condition. At least a few brushing sessions per week is a good starting point.

Double-coated dogs like the German Shepherd will need an undercoat rake to remove unwanted and loose hair from its undercoat, especially during shedding season.

High-velocity dryers like those from K9 Dryers can be a helpful tool for easier loose hair removal.

Regular brushing will also reduce the amount of fur all over your home from shedding, making it a win-win for both you and your dog.

Professional grooming can be beneficial for occasional trimming and coat maintenance, especially for sensitive areas like the paws and ears.

How to Care

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To care for a long-haired German Shepherd, you'll need to brush their coat at least a few times a week to keep it tangle-free.

Their belly can collect debris like dirt and leaves after outdoor activities, so be sure to check it regularly.

You'll still need to give your long-haired German Shepherd occasional baths, nail trims, and daily teeth brushing, just like any other dog.

Reducing shedding in German Shepherds can be achieved by observing proper grooming, feeding them a healthy diet, and keeping them in a healthy environment.

During shedding seasons, also known as "blowing coat", your long-haired German Shepherd will shed more, so be prepared to brush them more frequently to remove loose hair.

A de-shedding tool can be helpful in managing shedding and keeping their coat healthy.

Health and Expenses

Long-haired German Shepherds require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their fur. This can be a significant expense.

Their thick coats need to be brushed several times a week to prevent shedding and reduce the risk of skin irritation. A good brush can cost anywhere from $10 to $50.

Additionally, long-haired German Shepherds may require more frequent bathing than their short-haired counterparts, which can also increase grooming expenses.

Coat Health

Close up of German Shepherd
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Proper diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy coat, and a balanced diet that includes essential fatty acids can help to prevent dryness and brittleness.

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends feeding high-quality dog food that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon oil, to promote a healthy coat.

Regular grooming is also essential for coat health, and brushing your dog daily can help to prevent matting and tangling.

According to the article, dogs with certain coat types, such as double coats, require more frequent grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

A healthy coat can also be an indicator of overall health, and changes in coat condition can be a sign of underlying health issues, such as skin allergies or hormonal imbalances.

In the article, it's mentioned that skin allergies can cause changes in coat condition, leading to itching, scratching, and hair loss.

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What Health Problems?

Long-haired German Shepherds are prone to certain health issues, including hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis and mobility problems.

German Shepherd Outdoors in Snow
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Degenerative myelopathy is another condition that affects the spinal cord, causing progressive paralysis. It's essential to get a puppy from a reputable breeder who health tests the parent dogs to reduce the risk of inherited health issues.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a condition where the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to weight loss, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.

Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, is a life-threatening condition that can kill dogs within hours if left untreated. It's crucial to take steps to reduce your dog's risk of bloat.

Are Expensive?

The purchase price of a long-haired German shepherd can be quite hefty, ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 or more.

You can expect the monthly cost of this breed to be no more expensive than other dogs of similar size.

They require lots of exercise, so you may need to invest in a dog walker or doggy daycare if you can't provide this enrichment yourself.

Their high energy level means they need regular physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

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Identifying and Preparing

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Long-haired German Shepherds shed heavily, especially during shedding season, which typically occurs twice a year. Their thick double coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting.

To prepare for this, it's essential to invest in a good quality brush and a deshedding tool. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding and prevent hairballs.

By understanding the shedding patterns of your Long-haired German Shepherd, you can better prepare for the task ahead and keep your home clean.

Next to a Flock

Long-haired German Shepherds are known to shed a lot, especially during fall and spring. They'll need regular brushing and grooming to manage their coat and prevent matting.

You'll want to be prepared for increased shedding during seasonal changes. A de-shedding tool can be a big help in keeping their coat healthy.

Long-haired German Shepherds have a recessive gene that causes their long hair, and it's not always easy to predict which puppies will inherit this trait. Breeders often try to breed out this gene, but it's not a guarantee.

If you're considering getting a long-haired German Shepherd, be aware that their outer coat is silky and smooth-looking because they don't have an undercoat.

Identifying a Puppy

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Identifying a puppy can be a fun and exciting experience, but it's also important to make sure you're getting the right pup for you.

Look for distinctive markings, such as wispier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs, to identify a long-haired German Shepherd puppy.

You can also check the puppy's coat type by comparing it to a normal coat litter mate. In some litters, the long coat puppy will be on the left and the normal coat puppy will be on the right.

Professional Help

Professional Help can be a lifesaver for long-haired German Shepherd owners. A professional groomer can help keep the fur around sensitive areas, such as the paws and ears, tidy and reduce the chances of matting.

Regular grooming sessions can also help prevent matting and tangling, which can be painful for your dog.

Taking your long-haired German Shepherd to a professional groomer for occasional trimming and coat maintenance is a great idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What breed of German Shepherd doesn't shed?

There is no purebred German Shepherd that doesn't shed, but a Shepadoodle (German Shepherd + Poodle mix) can inherit the non-shedding trait from its Poodle parent.

Are long-haired German Shepherds hypoallergenic?

No, long-haired German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic due to their double coat that sheds year-round. If allergies are a concern, consider other breeds or invest in a good vacuum.

Íris Nobre

Junior Copy Editor

Íris Nobre is a detail-driven professional with a passion for language and storytelling. With a keen eye for grammar and syntax, she has honed her skills as a Copy Editor through extensive experience in publishing and media. Iris brings a unique blend of creativity and precision to every project she undertakes, ensuring that written content is not only error-free but also engaging and effective.