German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) Discussions

I thought he was a youngster Well, same as any other dog really, lots of brushing/combing, that's what I do with mine, but mine are long-coats, although Tyketto's isn't particularly short for a gsd is it A brilliant coat conditioner you can get is Viacutin (maybe Viacutan?) it's for skin and coat and it's full of good oils. You won't see any difference for 1 month after you start using it though, but I really made a change in my white gsd's coat when I put him on it. It went from a hard coarse coat, to a soft silky shiny one, so I can guarantee it works!

They have quite sensitive digestive systems, they haven't got cast iron stomach's like a lot of other dogs, so you'll have to be careful on that front. My 10yr. old has suffered most of her life with colitis and in fact she has EPI which is a condition very common in the gsd, so you may want to read up on it? The rescue one though, also has a sensitive tum, and will get the runs at the drop of a hat if fed something which disagrees with him, whereas a lot of dogs would be able to cope with it. Skiin problems too are very common, and my rescue suffers terribly with this.

I have had 6 of these now, although never had a problem with any of the others, and if I can be of any help whatsoever,just ask, and I'll help if I can! Nothing too difficult mind, I have only ever had them as pets!!! Enjoy your Tyketto, he really does look a wonderful example of this fine breed of dog, I love them all!

His hair just seems abit dry and he gets dandruff some. Is this normal for him ?

thank you so much Helena for the advice. I just want to make sure I am doing right by him. I have lots of others and the food they are on makes them gorgeous. I had recently upgraded my dog food alot because I lost a chow/retriever mix to cancer. He had to be on a very good diet for the last four months , top ingredients being meats . Homemade dog biscuits , I haven't been able to pay for the barf diet with all mine but am considering it. I will try the conditioner , how often should I wash him ?

Yes, Cassie had a lot of drandruff which really showed up on a black coat too. I think that Viacutan would do him the world of good, coz his skin doesn't sound in too good a condition if he has dandruff. Does he scratch a lot too?? Lots of brushing will of course bring all the natural oils up anyway, so this might help.

He gets brushed everyday. The dandruff isn't real bad just some on his back . I just don't want it to get worse. No scratching. He is on Frontline for fleas so none of those. We do live in a hot place but we have a doggy door and he can get in and out as he wishes.

Regarding the bathing, if he's a bit dandruffy, then I would err on the side of the constant grooming instead of bathing and see how that goes? You need to get those natural oils going, and of course bathing too often will take those out I think that Viacutan is about £20 for a canister and would last about 6 weeks, as you squirt 4/6 pumps in his food once a day. I don't get commission from them, but believe me, the change in my itchy dog's coat was just amazing when I put him on this

That's where Cassie gets her dandruff on her rump!! She loves a good old scratch there too! To be honest I don't think he sounds like he's got anything really bad, you seem like you're doing a good grooming routine anyway, just see how it goes.

Thank you again so much for your time and help. I bet you have some very happy dogs!!!!!

Lol! Yes, very spoilt, but certainly happy - and very obedient too I might add, I rule them with an iron rod!!

For some reason I think my Siberian Husky is the most obedient , then Tyketto . I think he might need more bonding time to want to please more . I have no idea what his past was . He has learned sit and to walk nice on the leash , down , shake since he has been with us . So I know he is smart and will be doing great.

I really like what you said in that post shandilady, i.e. the "to want to please me" bit, as I'm a great believer in this is what it's all about, the dog bonds with you so much that it just wants to please you all the time, and in turn never puts a foot wrong! This has always been my idea of getting the perfectly obedient dogs. Mind you, my rescue one Georgie, does lapse on this when out early in the mornings and he spots the rabbits! I just have to wait until he's run off after them all, they've all long disappeared down their holes, and only then will he come back on my command! Luckily for me, he was a very well trained dog when I got him 18 months ago, but I think it was beaten into him, coz the other night when I gave him a carrot and realised he had the smaller one which was for my other dog, I quickly went to take it back out of his mouth, and his little face all screwed up, his ears went back, and his head went down as if I was going to hit him!!! Poor little boy, I felt so sorry for him I had to give him huge hugs to reassure him that I would never, ever lay a finger on him. As you say, it will be a matter of you bonding with Tyketto and then you'll see a real difference, I certainly did with Georgie, but it took about 3 months before he realised he was one of our family. I wish you all the best, you certainly know what you're doing with your gorgeous dogs anyway

Thank you . I believe all animals do better if they bond with the owner well. They need trust and stability. They are not perfect and do take off to follow their noses but I think that is just being who and what they are. Same as us. I don't think they are really trying to hurt our feelings. They just can't help themselves once in awhile . Our basset tries very hard to be good but every so often he just has to follow that nose!! Normal for him. The Husky has got to run , we try and provide him with enough , sometimes the weather just feels right for an extra jaunt out. Tyketto has gotten better since he has been here. Here is another cute pic of 3 of them trying to fit under my desk. The old lady pug / Tyketto and Shandi the chow. [/IMG]

A couple of ours were hit at some point too. The basset can be fear aggressive though he is much better now. We got him at six months, took over a year to get him better. Memnok the husky , you could not touch with your foot at all , he'd grumble and run. (from being kicked I've always thought). Now you can rub his tummy with your feet. Yours will get the hang of it too I am sure. He will learn to know you are not going to hurt him. A couple of ours like carrots , a couple of them look at me like I am crazy and spit them on the floor!!!

Gorgeous piccy of the 3 of them together, and what a really pretty face Tyketto has, and Shandi is just magnificent, what a gorgeous cuddly teddy bear Like me then, you have a lot of grooming to do, but I much prefer the long-coated dogs, there's more to cuddle and bury your face into I know everyone prefers my white gsd, the rescue dog, but here is a pic of my old girl who I've had since a pup, she's not looking bad for 10 1/2 yrs. old is she, and has the personality of a 6 month old pup still:

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Your Tyketto looks very similar to a bitch we had and I'll try and dig out a piccy of her and post it up. She was the most wonderful gsd ever, and before I got her at 18months old she was actually an obedience dog and had won trophies galore, all credit to her.

Loved reading through this thread and looking at all the pics. A GSD is definitely on my wish list for the future. You should all be very proud. You have beautiful, well kept, well loved dogs.

some pictures now of my friends gsd called 'rebel' she came with that name. they got her at 6months from the 'breeder' who had kept her almost exclusivly in a garage til then. she had never met people or other dogs, so at the moment is still in the fear aggression stage. in the 2months theyve had her, shes come on amazingly well with people and as she came into her first season, her protective instincts kicked in and so she then starting learning the difference between friends invited into the house and strangers who i didnt want in. i just spent two weeks dog sitting her and shes a star! getting more responsive and getting better with other dogs. here she is!


with her new friend sophie
and again
and again! i called her over and she dragged sophie with her!




shes on a hill...she has a perfectly straight back normally!
me and her on one of our adventures

sorry for lots of piccies! i just thought she was so beautiful and needed sharing with everyone!!!

P.S this isnt rebel, this is a gsd i worked with at preston rspca last year, i actually found the gsds to be some of the best there, i have a soft spot for the often misunderstood breeds likes gsds, rotties and the like. one lady always used to walk the little tiny dogs, and i got all the biggest softies going!

She is a stunning looking dog, and I love those great big ears too!! The bigger the better May favourite is that picture of her leaping off that wall! Lol! She's gorgeous

Berger , thank you. I hope you get a GSD when you can.
Helena54 - Your old girl is splendid. Her coat looks awesome. She is a very pretty lady. I look forward to more of your pics.
Insomnia - the pictures are great!!!

she is a very nice looking dog you should be proud