AboutLabman Expertise housebreaking, feeding, training, grooming
PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.
Experience
Past/Present clients I have been around the net a long time answering questions including the general dog area of All Experts. I recently discovered a lack of good experts under many specific breeds. I don't have as extensive experience with the GSD as Labs, but still can give good answers to most questions.
I try to base my answers on carefully proven methods confirmed by my own experience. Much of what I know about dogs, I have learned raising a puppy every year since 1991 for a large dog guide school. I am familiar with several similar programs. Nobody is in a better position to know dogs, need ones with long, active life, and share what they know, than the service dog schools. In addition I have done extensive reading. My answers have much more to back them than the limited experience any one dog owner can have.
Question hi mr.Labman,
are all german shepherds are double coat ,mine is a single coat ,she is also smaller than an average female german shepherd. she is thin and one can see her ribs from distance. Is there any deficiency in her diet? is she an hybrid or some genetic problem is there,and also is it necessary to feed a G.S.D. with chicken?
thanks.
Answer I don't think dogs that aren't out in the cold really develop the inner coat of a double coat.
How old is your dog? It is a common problem for young Shepherds to refuse to eat enough to keep their ribs hidden. You really should talk to your vet about it the next time you are in. Take a stool sample to check for worms. Watch for tape worm segments. If the vet says she is OK, just keep feeding her a decent chow and nothing else. Plain chicken is not a complete and balanced diet. A light eater can't afford to be eating anything that isn't. A shepherd should also be on an adult chow once it is past 4 months old. That slows growth, allowing more time to develop sturdy joints. A dog is much better off having its ribs show a little than be eating an unbalanced diet. Don't feed it chicken or anything else but a dog chow.
