German Shepherd White Shepherd Grooming

The German Shepherd-White Shepherd mix, just like both its parent breeds, will need a moderate amount of grooming. The thick double coats will shed a fair amount most of the time, and heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons--so consistent brushing will be necessary to help collect dead hairs. Otherwise, though, caring for these hybrids' coats is pretty easy.

Brush your GS-WS 2-3 times per week with a pin brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. During shedding season daily brushing is best; some owners also like to use a de-shedding tool during these periods (and intermittently throughout the year) to further help with dead hair collection.

Baths are generally required every 2-3 months. When bathing a German Shepherd-White Shepherd mix, be sure to use shampoo made for dog, as the human kind has a different pH and can irritate the dog's skin.

And these hybrids don't need haircuts at all. Some people like to clip the coats a little shorter to make them lower-maintenance--but doing so is purely optional. (See Styling & Haircuts below to find out why shaving a German Shepherd-White Shepherd coat too short is not recommended.)

In addition to its coat, your GS-WS will need maintenance in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week; clean the ears monthly; and trim the dog's nails every 2-3 months.

Though owners can learn to perform all aspects of German Shepherd-White Shepherd grooming themselves, it's good to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a German Shepherd-White Shepherd at home.

In short, no German Shepherd-White Shepherd haircuts are required. It is possible to clip these dogs' coats shorter (like a Puppy Cut, which sees the entire coat clipped to about two inches), but that's purely optional.

Some owners think shaving their GS-WS mix's coat very short will help keep the dog cool in summer, and will reduce shedding. Both these ideas are myths.

Double coats on dogs act as natural insulation and regulate body temperature. On hot days, cool air is trapped between the coat's layers to keep the dog from overheating--and the same happens with warm air in freezing temps. A shaved German Shepherd-White Shepherd will be susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and will get cold very easily.

Neither will a shaved double coat shed any less; the only difference is that the shed hairs would be shorter. Since it's the undercoat that sheds, unless the dog is shaved bald--never a good idea!--the undercoat remains and the dog still sheds.

The only reason to shave any part of these hybrids' coats is to prepare for surgery or other medical procedures. Your vet will discuss this with you further.

So to anyone considering shaving their GS-WS mix's coat: put those clippers away!