Illnesses that Can Affect Your German Shepherd

Among dogs, the breed of German Shepherds is one of the larger sized dogs and is a highly intelligent dog that is a pleasure to own. It is very children friendly, but requires training and a concerted effort to ensure its social behavior.

They can become very aggressive and biters if they are not sufficiently trained to become social animals. Gradually get them used to people and the family and this will make them quite social. Refrain from keeping them tied up for long of periods of time. Allow them to be around you and the family all times.

This breed, the German Shepherd, has to be very well exercised if it has to maintain its fitness. The owner should get it used to play games like hunting hidden objects so that the dog gets a lot of exercise, so necessary for its health. Avoid playing these games immediately after the dog has had a meal, as this could cause gastric problems and bloating.

A German Shepherd does not require to be clipped and this is one feature that dog owners' desire. It can be trained to be a very fine pet and generally presents no problems. It is extremely protective of the family of its owner, and can really be termed as man's best friend.

Hip dysplasia and epilepsy can affect German Shepherds. They are likely to suffer if not allowed to frequently and adequately exercise.

You may notice that your German Shepherd prefers to put its weight on one particular leg while walking. They seem to prefer the right leg, its hind part, to putting strain on their left leg. This may be more noticeable after training for obedience or after they finish playing. Hip dysplasia may be indicated if an X-Ray is taken.

Your vet may suggest surgery for this problem, but the high cost is a deterrent. You can instead opt for a course of medicines to help relieve the symptoms of hip dysplasia, though serious cases would have to go in for surgery. Ensure that the dog is regularly dosed and given the exercise and walks that the vet suggests.

Epilepsy is another illness that is very common in German Shepherds. A dog may have seizures at regular intervals, and this will signal the advent of the disease.

Once the dog feels such a seizure coming on he will look for a comfortable place to sit down. It will start panting and drooling and its eyes would be full of tears. Its body will become stiff and it will start shaking. This is when you need to cuddle it to make it feel that it is safe and its security is not in danger.

Your dog at this stage needs a lot of love and care, along with the medicines that your vet would suggest.

As a breed, the German Shepherd will generally have no problems. However it could cause a lot of concern when it is ill. Otherwise it is one of the best friend and companion that one can have.Source: http://www.4germanshepherds.com/Dysplasia.htm