Reputable and Ethical Breeders guarantee their dogs, and are always be willing to refund or take back and replace a dog with proven genetic health or temperament issues. Even when ethical breeders health test parents in advance of a breeding, there is no guarantee that a dog will not inherit a genetic condition that existed many generations ago and unexpectedly reoccurs regardless of the best efforts of breeders. There are almost countless possible genetic combinations of mutations, recessive genes, polygenetic inheritance, heterozygous genes, and other heritable dynamics that can appear in offspring.
CHIC -
Health Award of Merit
The
Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is
a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by
the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Their mission is to
provide a source of health information for owners, breeders,
and scientists, that will assist in breeding healthy dogs.
Our female Karma Carmella of Lutzhuas
has the CHIC designation. Watch a GSDCA Educational
Seminar video presentation concerning OFA.
Allergies
German
Shepherd Dogs are at an
elevated risk for allergies. Common
environmental allergens include dust mites, fleas, molds and
pollens from grasses, trees, weeds, and flowers. Dogs may
also have food allergies or food intolerance to certain
ingredients, such as beef, chicken, fish, and soy.
Read
about the most common food allergies in dogs.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic
stenosis is an inherited cardiovascular condition seen in a
variety of large breed dogs. Affected dogs are born with a
heart or aorta too narrow at the site via which the newly
oxygenated blood exits as it’s being pumped to the whole
body (from the left ventricle into the aorta). Consequently,
the heart has to work harder to pump past this area so that
the entire body can receive all the oxygen-rich blood it
requires to perform its normal functions.
Arthritis
Most dogs at some point in their lives suffer from arthritis. The severity will depend on the dog and its health issues, life style, etc. There are various forms of arthritis that affects dogs and humans as well. The most common causes of arthritis include inflammation in the joint or joints, age and infection. A German Shepherd dog with arthritis will sometimes limp while walking and exhibit discomfort, irritability and exclamation of pain.
There are a few treatments that will help your dog with its arthritis pain. One thing that often helps is Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements. These can be purchased over the counter from a pet store or from your veterinarian. If the pain is a little more severe you will want to speak to your vet about prescription medications. Rimadyl is known to help significantly with inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
Bloat - Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
This s a rapidly progressing and life threatening condition
seen in large deep chested dogs including German Shepherds.
It is fatal if not treated immediately. The condition is
caused when gas swells the stomach causing it to “twist” and
cut off blood flow to the stomach and other organs, which if
untreated can kill a dog in under an hour. There are many
things thought to cause this condition, but a few most
veterinarians agree on are;
Dogs eating only one large meal per day (they should eat 2 – 3 smaller meals daily)
Exercise within an hour before or after eating
A dog that eats too quickly can cause them to gulp down air which contributes to bloat
Stress can contribute to a dog bloating
This is a life threatening emergency that will require emergency surgery to correct, for if left untreated it is always fatal. Additionally, dogs that have bloated are much more susceptible to bloating again, so if your dog does bloat be sure to have vet do a prophylactic gastropexy during the emergency surgery while correcting the bloat. What that means is suturing the stomach to the body wall to prevent the stomach from twisting again in the future.
Cardiomyopathy
When the
heart muscle of a dog or cat is affected by any disease,
small animal veterinarians call the condition
“cardiomyopathy.” Diseases of this type fall into one of two
major categories, both considered “idiopathic” (meaning we
don’t understand what causes them):
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
This condition is characterized by the
inability of the cardiac muscles to contract properly.
Ultimately, that means that the amount of blood pumped
by the heart is decreased, leading to poor circulation
and secondary effects on the unaffected heart muscles.
This is the most common cardiomyopathy in dogs and it’s
considered fairly widespread among certain breeds. (Cats
can get this too, though it’s generally caused by a
nutritional deficiency in the amino acid, taurine.
Because it’s highly treatable, preventable and
non-idiopathic, it will not be considered in this
discussion.) Canines who acquire this condition are
usually large breed dogs and they generally do so during
or after middle age. A strong genetic tendency is
presumed for this disease.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
This kind of heart muscle disease is the most
common cardiac condition seen in cats (it’s rare in
dogs). The left ventricle of the heart is most often
affected, growing to an abnormal size for unknown
reasons. Consequently, the inner chamber of the heart
gets squeezed to a small size, increasing the workload
for the rest of the heart and limiting the outflow of
blood. Because certain breeds of cats are more often
affected (some as young as 3 months and others as old as
17 years, but generally at middle age) a genetic basis
for this disease has been assumed.
Cataracts
Cataracts are an eye condition
that results from formation of an opacity in a dog’s eye
lens causing the dog to have a blurry vision. Cataracts can
be caused by old age, trauma to the eye, as well as
inherited conditions. The main symptom of cataracts are
cloudy eyes. Older dogs alongside those with diabetes are
more susceptible to cataracts. There are different
treatments to help with cataracts. One is nutritional
supplements and antioxidants. The other is cataract surgery.
Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal dystrophy is a non-inflammatory opacification
(clouding) of the cornea (the clear outer surface of the
eye). Depending on the degree to which the cornea is
affected, blindness may result, as both eyes are always
involved. While it’s considered a genetic disease in both
dogs (commonly) and cats (rarely), the mode of inheritance
is not known for all those that suffer it. For breeds have
been well studied with respect to this trait, how it’s
inherited tends to differ. It’s also the case that there are
varying versions of corneal dystrophy: 1) one is associated
with abnormality of the upper (outer) surface of the cornea
(the epithelium) 2) one is caused by fat deposits within the
middle layer of the cornea (the stroma), and 3) one results
in degenerative change of the lowest (deepest) layers of the
cornea (the endothelium). Pets can be affected as early as
four months or as late as 13 years, with the age of onset
depending on the breed-specific version of the disease.
Cryptorchidism/Bilateral
Cryptorchidism
Retained testicles can occur in
any male dog of any breed. Purebred toy and miniature breeds
seem to be at significantly higher risk. Some family lines
of German Shepherds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Boxers
also are predisposed. There is thought to be a strong
recessive
genetic component from both parents regarding this condition. It is more common
for affected dogs to only have one retained testicle
(unilateral cryptorchidism) rather than two (bilateral
cryptorchidism). Interestingly, the right testis in dogs is
retained almost twice as frequently as the left. Ethical breeders
will not breed a male dog that has Cryptorchidism or
Bilateral Cryptorchidism.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
This inherited
disease can appear in middle-aged dogs, and is relatively
common in German Shepherd Dogs. Triggered by the body's
auto-immune system, a progressive degeneration of the spinal
cord occurs. Beginning with the hind limbs this disease
progressively weakens the entire body. Affected dogs will
experience rear limb weakness that is progressive,
eventually leading to paralysis. There are genetic DNA tests
for this disease, however it can only be positively
identified postmortem with a histological exam of spinal
cord tissue. Ethical breeders will not breed a dog that has
Degenerative Myelopathy and are trying to breed this
genetic disease out of their lines through DNA testing.
Elbow
Dysplasia
Like hip dysplasia, this also is a
congenital problem that affects many large breeds,
especially effects German Shepherds. Instead of being an
issue with the hip, this issue is with the elbow. Often
inherited by genetics, this issue can be very severe, or it
can be very mild. Mild cases can worsen over a dog’s life,
making it uncomfortable to walk. Once a dog has elbow
dysplasia there is not much a breeder or an owner can do
about it except make sure the dog gets the right nutrition
to keep joints lubricated and pain-free for as long as
possible. Dogs with an improper diet, exercised too hard, or
injured when they are young can also damage their elbows.
Ethical breeders will make sure that both parents are free
of elbow dysplasia before they are bred, or try to breed it
out of their lines.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is a
syndrome that is characterized by a deficiency or lack of
exocrine pancreatic enzymes and the ability to produce
insulin, which makes it impossible for the dog to digest
food properly. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is
hereditary in German Shepherds. It occurs when pancreatic
acinar atrophy (PAA) – which are the enzymes that aid the
digestion of fats starch and proteins- fail to function
properly. Some of the common symptoms of exocrine pancreatic
insufficiency include digestive problems such as diarrhea,
weight loss despite normal or increased appetite, and
coprophagia (a condition in which a dog eats its own poop.)
Hemophilia
German Shepherds are descendants of a
relatively recent breed and was caused by inbreeding or
line-breeding. Just as in the history of the human race,
when Royalty intermarried among themselves in Europe, it
caused hemophilia to spread to their descendants. caused of
inbreeding may be born with hemophilia. It is a disease when
blood does not properly clot making cut and bruises a
serious issue. While not one of the most common health
problems with German shepherds, hemophilia is more common in
German shepherds than it is in other purebred breeds.
Ethical breeders will make sure that both parents are free
of Hemophilia before they are bred, or try to breed it out
of their lines.
Hip
Dysplasia
While there are other breeds of dogs
that have this problem (especially in large dogs breeds),
this is a common problem among German Shepherds, especially
among dog breeders where dog health is not a priority. Often
inherited by genetics, this issue can be very severe, or it
can be very mild. Mild cases can worsen over a dog’s life,
making it uncomfortable to walk. Usually dogs having this
health problem are not supposed to be bred, but many
breeders will ignore this problem and pass it on to
following generations. Ethical breeders will make sure that
both parents are free of hip dysplasia before they are bred,
or try to breed it out of their lines.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism in German Shepherds is characterized by an
underactive thyroid gland. Normally, the thyroid gland
produces thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones.
T3 and T4 are responsible for regulating the metabolism –
the process of converting food into energy – in the body.
Dogs aged between 4 and 10 years and those neutered are at
an increased risk. Though hypothyroidism is not
life-threatening for your German Shepherd, it may make him
vulnerable to serious diseases and disorders. If your German
Shepherd has any of the following symptoms, it could be
suffering from hypothyroidism disorder:
Skin and fur problems
Hypothyroidism in German Shepherds often leads
to dull and thin coat. Their fur may become dry and
brittle. It also results in the shedding of the fur from
your dog’s torso and tail. In some cases, the tail turns
bald. The disorder may also darken your German
Shepherd’s armpits and groin. One notable thing about
hypothyroidism-related skin issues is that affected dogs
do not really feel itchy.
Ear infections
Recurrent ear infections indicate hypothyroidism in your
pet. Bacterial staph infections are the usual cause of
ear infections that are related to underactive thyroid.
Eye infections
Eye
infections do not necessarily indicate hypothyroidism in
German Shepherds. But if your dog suffers from recurrent
eye infections combined with other symptoms mentioned
above, there is a good chance that the disorder may be
there.
Panosteitis
Also known
as Pano, is a common bone disease in growing young dogs
which is characterized by bone remodeling and proliferation.
It is commonly referred to as “growing pains.”It is normally
prevalent in large breeds of dogs, and male German Shepherds
are more susceptible to panosteitis than their female
counterparts. Dogs suffering from this condition normally
exhibit lameness and pain in the limbs that often comes and
goes. Pano can last anywhere from a few weeks to several
months, and usually only occurs in dogs under 18 months of
age when they are going through the large growth spurts
while transitioning from a puppy to young adult dog. There
is currently no treatment for Pano other than pain
management. There are many prescription pain relievers that
your vet can prescribe to help with the pain.
Perianal Fistula
Perianal fistula is a relatively common canine disease that
yields painfully infected tracts in the skin surrounding the
anus. Although a hereditary component is presumed due to
certain breed predilections, the cause of the condition is
considered multifactorial. Allergic skin disease,
hypothyroidism, conformation-related issues (as when dogs
hold their tails close to their anus), and
immunodeficiencies each or all potentially play a role in
the disease process. Middle aged to older dogs (usually 7 or
older) are most often affected.
Von Willebrand's Disease
Von Willebrand's Disease is a
hereditary bleeding disorder. It impacts the dog's ability
to clot blood (similar to hemophilia). This disorder is
found in both males and females.
List of common health problems in the German Shepherd Breed.
About Temperament
When we talk about
temperament, we are referring to a collection of drives,
thresholds, traits and instincts that are inherited and
innate. Temperament is a function of genetics. It is
inherited, not developed. A dog's core temperament never
changes. Some behaviors can be modified through training,
but the temperament itself never changes. Some people
confuse the terms temperament, lack of
socialization and
aggression. They are all different.
Read about
aggression in dogs and learn about
Elements of Temperament - Drives, Thresholds and Nerves.
Temperament is the nature and ability of what the dog is born with, it's inherent inclinations. Character is a configuration of learned behavior or habits influenced by it's environment which includes Temperament. Character is a learned disposition while Temperament is an inherited predisposition. Watch the video below to see a GSDCA Temperament test:
