Long-haired German shepherds might not be the most common variation of the German shepherd dog breed, though they are just as beautiful with their long coats. The long-haired German shepherd requires a fair amount of grooming to keep their fur looking and feeling its best, and if you are new to owning this breed, you may not be sure how to keep your pup’s fur looking good at home. Our guide gives you details on maintaining and grooming your long-haired German shepherd so you can make sure your dog’s fur is always in good condition.
Are Long-Haired German Shepherd Dogs Common?
For a few reasons, the long-haired German shepherd is not as common as the short-haired version of this breed for a few reasons. Most notably, the long-haired coat of a German shepherd wasn’t seen as desirable due to it not fitting the overall breed standard of this dog. Long hair in German shepherds is also a recessive trait, meaning it won’t be as dominant as short hair in this dog and is harder to find naturally.
Today, the long-haired German shepherd is still around, though the American Kennel Club does not recognize the long-haired version of this breed within its breed standard for German shepherds. Many individuals may seek out long-haired German shepherds for their rareness and the beauty that they hold with their longer coats.
Will My Long-Haired German Shepherd Dog Need Lots of Grooming?
According to the experts at Dog Academy, your long-haired German shepherd will need regular grooming, including brushing two to four times a week, plus the regular dog grooming necessities of ear cleaning, nail clipping, and oral cleaning. Long-haired German shepherds are more high maintenance than the short-haired variety due to their thicker fur and the potential for knots and tangles.
When adopting a long-haired German shepherd, you should equip your home with deshedding brushes, combs, and slicker brushes in addition to making sure you have plenty of dog shampoo available for when your pup needs a bath.
How to Groom Your Long-Haired German Shepherd
Grooming your long-haired German shepherd can be a bit of a process due to your dog’s size and their need for regular brushing and bathing. We give you some basic steps and tips to keep in mind below, so you have a basic understanding of how to groom your pup.
- Start by giving your dog a bath and ensuring that the water isn’t too hot or too cold. You can take this time to use deshedding shampoo and detangling shampoo to make their fur easier to work with.
- Towel dry and blow dry your dog, making sure their fur is as dry as possible before you attempt to start brushing it – brushing wet fur may cause more tangles and pain to your dog.
- Once your dog is dry, brush their fur out with a de-shedding tool and make any trims necessary around their paw pads. You may need to cut or shave out mats that are too painful to brush out, and you can use detangling dog fur spray as needed.
- Use a comb or slicker brush to finish off your dog’s groom, making sure to brush the fur out smoothly. If your dog doesn’t tolerate lots of brushing, you can take frequent breaks to give them treats and affection before starting again.
If you are having trouble brushing your dog or otherwise grooming them, you may need to consult a professional for assistance to ensure your dog’s fur is properly taken care of.
When Do I Need to Take My Dog to a Professional Groomer?
While some dog owners prefer to do all of their bathing and grooming at home, others often opt to take their long-haired German shepherd to a professional groomer every so often. If your dog has particularly matted hair or you are struggling to keep their fur in good shape by yourself at home, a trip to the groomer every few months may be necessary.
However, even if you do choose to take your dog to a professional groomer every few months for bathing and other grooming tasks, you should still brush your long-haired German shepherd several times a week to keep their coat tangle-free.
Keeping Your Pup’s Coat Fresh
Ensuring that your long-haired German shepherd’s coat stays clean, fresh, and free of knots can be a little bit of a task due to the size of your dog and their long-haired nature. However, regular brushing helps to prevent knots and reduce shedding, and baths every few months ensure that your long-haired German shepherd smells good, looks good, and feels their best. Don’t hesitate to take your dog to a professional groomer as necessary to ensure that they receive the grooming and pampering they deserve.