If you've purchased a puppy, your shepherd has a fuzzy puppy coat. You can anticipate this coat to shed and be replaced by her adult coat around the age of four months. Additionally, you can expect that the adult shepherd will shed in the spring and again in the fall.

During seasons when shedding is low, a weekly brushing should be all that's required to maintain a clean, smooth coat. If your shepherd likes to play in the mud, don't worry. Dried mud is easily brushed out of a double or plush coat (a double coat that has longer guard hairs giving the shepherd a very plush appearance).

Longhaired shepherds require more vigilant brushing. The setterlike coat of the longhaired dog is much more prone to matting and tangling than a plush or double coat. Twigs, burs, mud, and other small debris can create a matted mess if not attended to quickly. Occasionally, you can pick this apart with a standard comb, your fingers, or a dematting comb. Severe matting will require the attention of a professional groomer and may entail shaving off the dog's coat.

For all coats, a wire brush (a brush with metal bristles) should be used to work through your shepherd's coat. You can use a regular bristle brush; however, this brush doesn't penetrate the guard hairs very well and is more prone to miss the undercoat. Brushing once a week is fine for the adult, double-coated shep-herds and most plush coats, too. Longhaired shepherds should receive daily brushing.

Puppies, regardless of coat type, should receive daily brushing. Their coats don't necessarily need it, but you want to acclimate your puppy to brushing and to being handled all over his body. He'll be a bit squirmy at first. Gently persist and reward good behavior with a small treat. Gradually increase your grooming session by thirty seconds each time until he's tolerating — and even enjoying — five minutes or more of daily brushing.