Raising a German Shepherd in Ohio: A Season-by-Season Care Guide

Ohio gives you all four seasons, sometimes in the same week. German Shepherds handle our weather well overall, but each season brings a few things owners should plan for. Here's what we tell our puppy families about caring for a German Shepherd through an Ohio year.

Winter: Cold, Ice and Road Salt

German Shepherds have a double coat, and most of them love the cold. A healthy adult with a full coat is usually comfortable in temperatures that send the rest of us inside. Puppies, seniors and dogs with thinner coats need more care.

Watch the Paws

Road salt and ice melt are the biggest winter issue we see. Salt dries out and cracks paw pads, and dogs lick it off their feet afterward. After walks on treated sidewalks or roads:

• Wipe paws with a damp towel when you get home

• Check between the toes for ice balls, especially on long coats

• Keep the fur between the pads trimmed short

• Use a pet-safe ice melt on your own driveway and steps

• Consider a paw balm if pads start to crack

Keep Them Moving

Short, gray January days make it easy to skip walks. German Shepherds don't do well with that. A bored Shepherd will find a job, and you usually won't like the one they pick. On bad weather days, use indoor training sessions, puzzle feeders and games like hide and seek to burn mental energy.

Spring: Coat Blowing, Mud and Ticks

The Spring Coat Blow

As the days get longer, your German Shepherd will drop their winter undercoat. It comes out in clumps, and for a few weeks it will feel like you're brushing a new dog every day. Plan on daily brushing with an undercoat rake during this stretch. Our shedding and grooming guide covers the tools and routine.

Mud Season

Ohio springs are wet. Keep a towel station by the door, and if you have a long coat, expect mud to come in on the feathering around the legs and belly. Letting mud dry and brushing it out is often easier than bathing every time.

Ticks

Ticks are active across Ohio from spring through fall, and on warm winter days too. Talk with your veterinarian about tick prevention before the season starts, and check your dog after walks in tall grass or wooded areas. Pay attention to the ears, neck, armpits and between the toes.

Summer: Heat and Humidity

Ohio summers aren't the hottest in the country, but the humidity makes them hard on big, double-coated dogs. German Shepherds can overheat faster than people expect.

• Walk early in the morning or after sunset

• Test pavement with the back of your hand. If it's too hot for you to hold it there, it's too hot for paws

• Always have shade and fresh water available outside

• Never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes

• Know the signs of heat stress: heavy panting, drooling, weakness, stumbling or a bright red tongue

Don't shave your German Shepherd for summer. The double coat helps regulate temperature and protects the skin from sunburn. Regular brushing to remove loose undercoat does much more to keep them cool.

Lakes and Water

A lot of Shepherds love the water. Before you let your dog swim in an Ohio lake or pond during late summer, check for harmful algal bloom advisories. Blue-green algae can be toxic to dogs, and Ohio has had advisories on several inland lakes and parts of Lake Erie. If the water looks green, scummy or smells off, keep your dog out.

Fall: The Second Coat Blow and Busy Season

Fall brings the second big shed of the year as your Shepherd grows in their winter coat. Get the undercoat rake back out.

Fall is also a good time to check in on a few things before winter:

• Burrs and seeds from dry fields tangle easily in long coats, so check after hikes

• Keep your dog away from fallen acorns, mushrooms and moldy leaf piles

• Watch for antifreeze leaks in the garage. It tastes sweet and it's deadly to dogs

• Deer season means more activity in wooded areas, so consider a blaze orange vest on hikes

Built for an Ohio Year

A well-bred German Shepherd adapts to Ohio seasons well. Most of the work is paying attention: paws in winter, ticks in spring, heat in summer and coat changes twice a year.

Our West German Showline German Shepherds are raised right here in Central Ohio, so they grow up with the same seasons they'll live with in your home. If you're looking for a puppy, you can see available puppies, submit a puppy application or contact us with questions.