Why Do German Shepherd Puppies Breathe So Fast? Know The Actual Reason!!!

If you have brought a German Shepherd pup for the first time into your home then may have become too much excited after seeing their energy level. Oh yeah!!! German Shepherds are a very energetic breed and they try to do various activities to exhaust their energy in the process, you may be also observing your German Shepherd pups breathing too fast but the main question arises why do German Shepherds breathe fast?

The main reason behind the rapid breathing of German Shepherd puppies is that they regulate their body temperature. They can’t sweat to cool themselves down as a result they need to breathe heavily that allowing air to circulate through their body. When German Shepherd pups become overheated they breathe rapidly.

Fast breathing is quite common for GSD pups as no dogs have sweat glands and because of this, they use to breathe heavily to cool themselves down. When GSD pups become overheated they breathe rapidly.

No doubt, breathing heavily is normal in German Shepherd pups but their health should never be neglected which can also be one of the major factors which can lead them to rapid breathing. There can also be another factor your German Shepherd pups may be breathing fast which you should also know.

Here in this post, you get the depth knowledge about the related topic so guy without wasting any moment let’s dive into the topic and discuss it in detail:

Table of Contents

Why Is My German Shepherd Puppy Breathing So Heavily?

The new owner may wonder if they see their German Shepherd pups breathing so heavily and there is a higher chance to become worried. No doubt they are very young and you may be highly worried after seeing their heavy breath.

Being a very energetic breed heavy breathing is quite normal among German Shepherd pups. Your German Shepherd pup may also pant heavily because of illness, or heatstroke or they may not be getting enough exercise. They also do not have sweat glands and use breathing to cool their body temperature.

However, several factors let German Shepherd pups pant heavily which you should know. Here are some of them:

German Shepherd pups are an energetic and active breed

German Shepherd pups are a very energetic breed and highly active breed so if your German Shepherd breaths at a fast rate then you should not worry as their body require more oxygen which leads them to breathe at a higher rate.

As they are highly energetic they do various physical activities more often that allow them to exhaust their energy and in the process, they need to cool down the temperature which leads to their heavy breathing.

They are not getting enough exercise

One of the reasons your German Shepherd pups are panting fast as they may not be getting enough exercise as they are a highly active breed and are supposed to get enough exercise regularly which is also good for their physical as well as mental health.

Physical exercise also plays a crucial role in the development of a pup as your German Shepherd pup is also in the growing stage so they need to get enough exercise. Follow a proper routine to avoid excessive panting among your German Shepherd pup and take the help of some professionals if necessary.

Panting Due To Activeness

German Shepherd pups are also a very active breed and do many physical activities. They may move around you or even jump on you. They also want to play most of the time all are included in their physical activities.

German Shepherd pups also breathe heavily when they do their physical activities but it is not a concern. Again their heavy breathing consists of a longer period even after their temperature cools down then which will be an alarming situation. In such a case, you should meet vets immediately and do the needful suggested by them.

Your German Shepherd pups may be ill or injured

German Shepherd pups may also take heavy breaths due to some type of illness or maybe they are injured. They are too small in age and are unable to convey their message to their owners but as an owner, you have to understand their behavior.

If you notice heavy breathing in your German Shepherd pup consistently then there may be a higher chance of some diseases. There may be sudden changes in behavior that can also be because of illness or injury. They can’t tell you directly about their illness so it’s important to monitor their behavior and do precautionary measures if necessary.

Hot Weather Condition

If your German Shepherd is breathing fast then climatic conditions may be the factor that can let lead them to respiratory distress and as a result, they breathe heavily. The hot weather may also cause your German Shepherd pup to breathe heavily as they do not have sweat glands, they use to breathe heavily to cool down their temperature.

As a good dog owner, you should keep the environment that suits them the most. If there is an increase in temperature try to keep them in a cool place so that they can breathe normally. Never put your Pup outside your home when there is too much humidity as it will affect their health.

Allergic Reaction

Your German Shepherd pup may breathe heavily due to some kind of allergic reaction. These allergies may be of anything you are not aware of. They may become unconscious and as a result, they may start breathing at a heavier rate.

Again if you notice their breathing issues are abnormal then you should also think about their allergy and take important steps to protect them. Instead, you should meet your vets who will suggest them more effectively. Your German Shepherd pup needs to live a healthier life so it’s important to keep them safe which can let them be allergic.

You can also read our trending post “Are German Shepherds Hypoallergenic” where there is a detailed discussion and will help to learn a lot about their allergic situation. Always take proper care of your pet and try to spend more time with them which will let you understand their behavior better.

Is It Normal For German Shepherd Pups To Breathe Heavily?

As discussed above German Shepherd pups are a very active breed and if you are a new owner then you must wonder to see their activeness and of course, after seeing their fast breathing. Your German Shepherd pups are too small in age and there may be questions wondering in your mind, is breathing heavily normal in German Shepherd pups?

Heaving breathing in German Shepherd pups is quite normal for some weeks when you bring them home for the first time as the environment and people around them are new. Their heavy breathing can also be seen when you get them for a walk they may breathe rapidly. So you should not worry.

But again if your German Shepherd pups use to breathe heavily most of the time then it should not be ignored. There may be another factor that is leading them to breathe heavily. You can take the required steps when you observe their rapid breathing.

However your German Shepherd pup is very young and they need proper care during different climatic conditions, though they are double-coated breeds they do require proper bedding during cold weather.

Therefore, all dog owners should strive to make their pets comfortable and provide for a healthy existence. You should also always be concerned about your dog’s breathing if it is rapid.

Other Factors Due To Which Your German Shepherd Pup May Breathe Heavily

Asthma
Anemia
Cough
Windpipe Issue
Respiratory Infection
Smoke Inhalation
Lung Disease
Pneumonia
Pain
Wrong Medication

You are not a doctor but should know the basic breathing rate of your puppy which makes them normal. Always observe their behavior and if you find any type of ill effect which is causing them to breathe rapidly then you should rush to the nearest vet immediately.

What Is Normal Breathing Rate For Your German Shepherd Puppy?

German Shepherd pups are pleasuring to adopt and we all enjoy their company. Most of you may have also seen their heavy breathing when they do some types of physical activities and may wonder if this is normally one. and again the question you ask what is the actual breathing rate of German Shepherd pups?

A healthy German Shepherd pup that does not have heart disease breathes at the rate of between 15 to 30 breaths every minute. However, your pet may have lower breathing rates than estimated but there is nothing to worry about unless they are healthy.

The breathing rates of your German Shepherd pup may be higher because of hot weather, stress, or activeness otherwise it’s all ok. It is also considered that if your German Shepherd pup has an increased breathing rate of 30 breaths per minute, it is abnormal. In such cases, you may ask your vets about increased and abnormal breathing rates.

You should always monitor your pet’s behavior and if there is severe change then never ignore them. If their breathing rate is increased during resting or sleeping then you should not waste any second and meet your German Shepherd pup for a medical emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):

Is it normal for an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to breathe fast at night?

Yes, it is normal for an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to breathe fast at night. Puppies are typically more active during the day and slow down in the evenings before bedtime. During this time, their breathing may seem faster because they are resting.

Additionally, puppies’ heartbeats remain faster than that of an adult dogs. This means that their respiratory rate will also be higher and can cause them to appear to be breathing faster.

Is it normal for puppies to breathe fast?

Yes, it is normal for puppies to breathe faster than adult dogs. This is due to their small size and immature respiratory system. Puppies have a higher metabolic rate and smaller airways than adult dogs, which can lead to faster breathing rates when they are excited or active.

Additionally, puppies may pant more often than adults since their bodies are still developing and learning how to regulate body temperature effectively.

Why is my German Shepherd breathing fast at night?

Your German Shepherd’s rapid breathing at night may be due to a variety of reasons. Some common causes include excitement, stress or anxiety, pain or discomfort, increased body temperature from exercise or heat, and respiratory disorders such as tracheal collapse or primary pulmonary disease.

How fast should a German Shepherd breathe?

A German Shepherd should typically breathe at a rate of 10-30 breaths per minute. This can vary slightly depending on the age and size of the dog, as well as their activity level.

However, if your German Shepherd is experiencing shortness of breath or seems to be struggling for air, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately for further treatment

Final Thoughts:

German Shepherd pups are a very active breed and they do a lot of physical activities which may be one of the factors for their heavy panting. They may also breathe heavily to cool down their body temperature. However, other reasons like stress, anxiety, excessive exercise, and others may also lead to fast breathing.

If your German Shepherd pup is healthy it will breathe 15 to 30 breaths per minute and if there is an increase in its breathing rate during resting then it will be time to worry as you should immediately meet your vet for medication.