Training & Resources
Generally considered dogkind's finest all-purpose worker, the German Shepherd Dog is a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence. Loyal, confident, courageous, and steady, the German Shepherd is truly a dog lover's delight. German Shepherd Dogs can stand as high as 26 inches at the shoulder and, when viewed in outline, presents a picture of smooth, graceful curves rather than angles. The natural gait is a free-and-easy trot, but they can turn it up a notch or two and reach great speeds. There are many reasons why German Shepherds stand in the front rank of canine royalty, but experts say their defining attribute is character: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones. German Shepherds will be gentle family pets and steadfast guardians, but, the breed standard says, there's a 'certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships.
Requirements
Health
Our puppies have been checked for birth defects. Make sure you keep up your puppy's great health by attending your vet appointments!
Training
The younger you begin training, the better. German Shepherds are great learners and will aim to please.
Exercise
Exercise will help maintain your pups healthy and happy. Rest is also important, to allow their agile bodies to recover.
German Shepherd Health
As strong and healthy as the German Shepherd breed is, no breed is free of genetic health conditions. Some of their common inherited and genetic diseases are:
Degenerative Myelopathy, a degenerative weakness in the hind legs. DNA tests can identify this condition in German Shepherd parents, allowing breeders to breed it out of parental lines.
Von Willebrand Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder. It’s caused by an absence of the Von Willebrand Protein Factor.
Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency is a degenerative disease of the pancreas.
Hip Dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are also genetic problems with German Shepherds that reputable breeders can certify and breed out. They both cause painful joint issues that can make it difficult to walk.
Bloat develops when a dog’s stomach fills with food, gas and fluid. It’s a deadly condition requiring immediate veterinary attention. German Shepherds are one of the breeds predisposed to this condition.
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German Shepherds have problems with hip dysplasia, and reputable breeders will screen for hip disease. Having X-rays performed at a young age can also be helpful to determine the health of your dog’s hips. - Michele King, DVM
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