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.
When looking to add a new
German Shepherd puppy to your family, be sure to choose a reputable breeder. You can avoid many
German Shepherd health problems this way. Due to the popularity of the dog, many people breed them, but they are not always concerned with quality. Look in a specialist dog magazine or paper to find a good breeder or contact the breed council.
Diet is important. Just like with humans what you feed, your German Shepherd ultimately is one of the deciding factors in its health, growth and development. Talk to your veterinarian about what types of things should be in the diet of a large breed like the German Shepherd.
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.
German Shepherds are like any other pure breed. They have other serious problems that need to be taken into consideration. Epilepsy, hemophilia A, pancreatic insufficiency and Gastric torsion are all common in German shepherds with Epilepsy. Just like with humans, it's controllable through medications.
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.
German Shepherds are known as great guard dogs.
German Shepherd training should be at the top of your list as this will benefit your dog greatly. It will help him to be a dog that will stay safe and healthy as well as be a joy for you and your family. Be sure to consider a
German Shepherd Rescue facility when looking for your new friend. This can help find a good home to a dog that might otherwise be doomed to the gas chamber.
