If you have little or restricted knowledge about various dog breeds, you will have a hard time deciding whether Liver German Shepherds are a different or the same breed as the traditional German Shepherds.
So, what exactly is a Liver German Shepherd? Is it a different or the same breed as a German Shepherd? Well, Liver German Shepherds are distinct, yet the same as the traditional black and tan German Shepherds. To put it simply, the Liver German Shepherd is just a German Shepherd, only with a unique coat color variation that is in the form of liver color.
That being said, it doesn’t mean that they’re not unique. This article will help you tune in to all the information you need about Liver GSD. You’ll discover its life span, grooming tips, temperament, and more. But before that, let’s first fully understand exactly what a Liver German Shepherd is.
What Is A Liver German Shepherd?
A Liver German Shepherd is a variation of the traditional black and tan German Shepherd Dog breeds. A typical German Shepherd has a liver coat and fur, which can be solid brown, liver and tan, or liver and white. The Liver GSD also has amber eyes and either brown or pink lips.
The Liver-colored German Shepherds are known to be very rare and uncommon. Hence, buyers are usually advised not to buy them from any random breeder.
As a matter of fact, they generally come out of designer or specialty breeding programs or litters of regular breeding programs. So to get your Liver GSDs, make sure you are buying from a recommended breeder. Never consult any backyard breeder for the purchase of your liver GSD.
Another reason why liver GSDs are rare is because of how they come into being. In order for a liver GSD to be born, its parents both need to have at least one liver gene which, in turn, is passed to the puppy in its DNA. Nevertheless, it is possible that neither of the puppy’s parents is liver-colored. They just have to possess at least one liver gene.
How Long Do Liver German Shepherds Live For?
Do Liver German Shepherds Live For Long?
The Liver German Shepherd has an average life expectancy of between 9 and 13 years. That said, the Liver German Shepherds that lived the longest, lived for 18 years.
Male liver German Shepherds grow to a weight of 66-88lbs (30-40kg) and a height of 24-26 inches. A female Liver GSD may average 45-72lbs (20-32kg) weight and height of 22-24 inches (55-60cm).
How Healthy are Liver German Shepherds?
Generally speaking, a German Shepherd is a healthy dog. If cared for properly, they will enjoy a disease-free life.
The liver shepherd is as strong as all other GSD breeds. They have muscular working bodies and are often bred for sports, agility events, and sometimes, law enforcement agencies.
However, this doesn’t mean that they are immune to health problems. Here are some health issues that a Liver GSD may have:
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat
- Hemophilia
- Epilepsy
- Musculoskeletal issues
- Corneal dystrophy
- Aortic steriosis
- Hip dysplasia
- Pericardial effusion
How To Improve Your Liver German Shepherd’s Lifespan
We have established the fact that liver-colored German Shepherds are susceptible to various health problems that will reduce their normal life expectancy. That being said, there are various facts that you need to know that will help your Liver GSD live longer:
- You can reduce the risks of diseases from the onset by acquiring your furry friend from good ethical breeders. The idea behind this is that they screen their dogs for any existing conditions before breeding them.
- Proper diet and exercise.
How To Take Care Of Liver German Shepherds?
Take Care Of Their Physical and Mental Health
Liver GSDs need physical and mental stimulation. They easily get bored and anxious when they are idle or left alone for too long.
If they must be left alone at all, make sure they are well enclosed. This is because of their agility and cunny characteristics. Liver GSDs can jump over fences as high as 5 feet and can burrow under the ground up to a few feet.
To avoid boredom, you could leave them with toys, especially chewable ones that move around. Alternatively, you could spend time playing with them.
Liver German Shepherds Need Proper Nutrition
Their diet should include the following:
- Vegetables
- Organ meats (for calcium, at least two to three times a week)
- Dairy products (yogurt, cottage cheese)
- Bone broth
- Beef liver
- Raw chicken legs and thighs
- Cooked chicken
- Meaty soup bones
- Raw eggs
- Fermented cod liver oil (for some fatty acids)
- Cooked vegetables (carrots, fennel, potatoes, spinach, spinach, parsley)
- Multivitamins like the Zesty Paws Pure wild Alaskan Salmon Fish oil.
Recommended Care Products
Pet Plate: With meals from Pet Plate, be rest assured that your Liver GSD will be getting proper nutrition to stay healthy. The meals are grain-free and prepared with human-grade safety and ingredients. The meals are packed with protein to keep your Liver GSD full of energy and enable him to obtain a muscular build.
Multivitamin Liquid Supplement – Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Fish Oil: This is a tasty natural supplement that helps keep your Liver German Shepherd fresh and active. It’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids that not only provide nourishment for your Liver German Shepherd’s skin and coat, but also provide support for the hips and joints, heart, and immune system.
Are Liver German Shepherds Hard To Train? Temperaments Of Liver German Shepherds
Generally, Liver GSDs are known to be well-reserved. They don’t make friends easily, but once they do, they are loyal for life.
However, this does not mean that they can be taken for granted. As a matter of fact, Liver German Shepherds are a very strong breed. They are muscular, energetic, and very protective when they sense any threats around them. This is why they’re used for police work of protection or guard duty.
Liver German Shepherds are also very intelligent. This is why they excel in high-pressure jobs that require advanced problem-solving skills. An example of such a job is police work.
Are Liver GSDs Hard to Train?
Liver German Shepherds are very easy to train.
They take instructions well and have fairly good memory retention abilities. However, the bulk of the work lies with you. This is because you have to possess some characteristics such as being a strong leader and a patient guide. You have to employ positive training methods and exercise with the dog regularly.
Are Liver GSDs Good With Kids?
Liver German Shepherds are a loving, loyal, and protective dog breed that is good with kids. They are fond of and protective of children and often attach to the lady of the house. Although the B locus gene only affects coloration, the recessive gene does not affect temperament or any other GSD characteristics.
If you were scared of German Shepherds because of their weight or size, or fierceness, the above information is definitely enough to change your mind on this.
Are Liver German Shepherds Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Liver German Shepherds
Are Liver German Shepherds Hypoallergenic?
Liver GSDs are not among the dog breeds that are hypoallergenic.
Hypoallergenic dogs are dogs that shed little to no fur. In doing so, the rate of allergic reactions in the house is reduced significantly when compared with dogs that shed more.
Proteins found in the dog’s saliva, urine, and skin are the causes of dog allergies. So, if you want to keep them whilst reducing the risk of allergic reactions, you must get a de-shedding tool. We recommend:
Furminator Undercoat Tool: This tool is just what you need to de-shed your furry friend, regardless of his size. It helps keep your Liver GSD and home clean by removing loose hair in his coat.
This de-shedding tool promotes healthy skin and coat for your Liver GSD whilst reducing the amount of fur being shed in the home. In essence, it reduces the chances of allergic reactions to the barest minimum.
Do Liver German Shepherds Shed?
Liver GSDs shed a lot. They shed all through the year, and they shed heavily at that too. Their incessant shedding is mostly caused by dehydration and stress, and it increases the risks of allergic reactions in your home.
If you own a Liver GSD or are thinking of owning one, you should keep in mind that you’ll have to deal with cleaning up a lot of your canine companion’s fur in your home.
To prevent shedding, we recommend that you maintain a proper nutritional diet for your canine friend, hydrate, and use the FURminator Undercoat Tool.
Related Questions
How Much Does a Liver German Shepherd Cost? On average, Liver German Shepherd Puppies cost $500, and the adult Liver German Shepherds cost about $1,500. Liver German Shepherds are not common and will usually have to be bought at specialty programs. The Liver German Shepherds are rare, so they’re costlier to get than the traditional German Shepherd.
Is Liver Good for German Shepherds? Liver is a great source of protein for German Shepherds and even other dog breeds. Livers are animal innards that are high in protein, and as such, provide just the right amount of nutrition to keep your German Shepherd full of energy, in good health, and in great shape.
Are Isabella German Shepherds and Liver German Shepherds Similar? Isabella German Shepherds and Liver German Shepherds are similar, yet distinct from one another. Isabella German shepherds only differ from other GSDs because of their color pigmentation. While the Liver German Shepherd has a liver coat and fur, which can be solid brown, liver and tan, or liver and white, Isabella German shepherds do not.
