Thinking of bringing a German Shepherd dog breed into your family? Here are some facts about German Shepherds health needs.
The German Shepherd dog breed was bred to herd sheep, so it’s important for owners to take care of their dog and keep it active. The pet’s coat can also be damaged by excessive sunlight and too much exposure to water. German Shepherds are known to be good guard dogs since they were bred as working dogs; however, owners should never leave them alone with unfamiliar people or other animals.
The German Shepherd dog breed was bred to herd sheep, so it’s important for owners to take care of their dog and keep it active. The pet’s coat can also be damaged by excessive sunlight and too much exposure to water. German Shepherds are known to be good guard dogs since they were bred as working dogs; however, owners should never leave them alone with unfamiliar people or other animals.
The German Shepherd Dog is a large, strong and powerful dog breed. They are intelligent, proud and competitive dogs. They have a keen sense of smell and watchful eyes. Being such animals of appearance and strength, the German Shepherd requires regular exercise in order to remain healthy. Their body type tests them for endurance, strength and agility making them ideal for work as guard dogs or police animals. Most people who own such animals find it vital to give them enough space because they tend to be bullying if not provided with it.
The German Shepherd is prone to hereditary diseases that affect the hips, elbows, and heart. Hip dysplasia is the most common problem and occurs when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into its socket in the hip joint. If your German Shepherd exhibits pain when moving, limping or experiences stiffness after exercise, it may have hip problems. A radiograph (X-ray) can confirm the diagnosis. Another common problem is elbow dysplasia, which is a malformation of the elbow joint. Diagnosis is based on radiographic evidence of irregular growth in one or both elbows. AHT, or canine hip and elbow dysplasia, involves an inherited defect in both hips and elbows and should be included in all breeding programs designed to eliminate this defect from the breed population. Left untreated, this condition can lead to arthritis and lameness.”