German Shepherds loyal,smart and suited for a wide variety of tasks as well as making great family pets. They’ve been popular ever since they were introduced after the first world war. As they make good family pets, here is a bit of information you may want to have on hand when taking a look at adding a German Shepherd to your family.
Choose a reputable breeder. German Shepherds, just like any other breed, have their share of health problems. You can avoid picking a puppy that’s prone to such problems by choosing a good breeder. A good breeder will be concerned about the health and quality of all their German Shepherds. If you aren’t sure where to look, contact your local breed council for recommendations.
German Shepherd health concerns are breed specific. But there are some general items that an owner of any dog needs to be aware of. Diet plays a huge role in the overall health of a dog. Choose a balanced dog food that is specially formulated for large breeds. There are some who believe in feeding a more natural diet, but that is up to an owner and their veterinarian. Be sure to keep the teeth clean and free of plaque. It is not necessary to brush the teeth, simply providing hard things to chew on will help keep your pet’s teeth clean.
One of the biggest health concerns you will have with your German Shepherd is the chance that it might develop and suffer from hip dysplasia. This is a common ailment among larger breed dogs and affects the joints of the dog’s shoulder and elbow. The effects are similar to the ones people with arthritis suffer from. To avoid this, regularly exercise your German Shepherd but don’t over do it especially with puppies. The first six months are a critical developmental time for a puppy.
Other German Shepherd health concerns include Hemophilia A. This blood clotting disorder affects the males and can be hereditary. Although not subject themselves, the females can be carriers. Pancreatic Insufficiency causes food to not be digested properly. Treatment is a life long process. Bloat or Gastric Torsion is also common. Feeding two smaller meals a day instead of one large one can help prevent this painful condition.
Many of these conditions can be hereditary. With this in mind, be sure to check with your breeder to be sure that the parents do not have these conditions. General German Shepherd health maintenance can be achieved by routinely taking your pet to the vet for vaccinations. These active, social dogs require regular exercise and lots of attention. If you take good care of your German Shepherd, you will have a healthy, happy friend for many years.
David Lee is an expert on pet care. See his site for more information on German Shepherd health.
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