Canine Corona Virus Information
French's German Shepherds believe health is one of the most important factors in their lines of dogs.
Whenever there is a health issue, an accurate diagnosis must be determined. As with all purebred dogs, there are health issues common in each breed. The following factors may be helpful in diagnosing health issues correctly:
Is it due to trauma?
Is it due to infection?
Is it due to diet?
Is it due to environment?
Is it due to a toxin?
Is it due to teratogen in prenatal development?
Is it due to a birth injury?
Is it due to a chromosomal aberration?
Is it an inherited genetic trait?
Reputable and Ethical Breeders guarantee their dogs, and are always be willing to refund or take back and replace a dog with proven serious genetic health or temperament issues. Even when ethical breeders health test parents and study each dog's pedigree in advance of a breeding, there is no guarantee that a dog will not inherit a genetic condition that existed many generations ago in their lineage and unexpectedly reoccurs regardless of the best efforts of breeders. There are thousands possible genetic combinations, epistatic genes, mutations, recessive genes, polygenetic inheritance, heterozygous genes, mitochondrial thresholds, and other heritable dynamics that can appear in offspring. The most serious health problems are often referred to as the "Dreaded Disorders." These health disorders include diseases and health issues that cause an animal to live in pain, cripple, kill, cause early death or result in blindness.
Reputable Ethical Breeders take advantage of advancements in science and medicine especially as it relates to DNA genetic testing. For our commonly used breeding animals, we use the Wisdom Panel or EMBARK Panel to screen for 170+ Genetic Health Conditions. Often when we use DNA genetic screening for specific tests, we will use GenSol Diagnostics. We do not want the lines of our dogs to add to health problems so prevalent in the breed of the German Shepherd dog. This is in addition to having breeding animals registered by the Orthopedic Foundations for Animals (OFA) by x-ray for hip and elbow dysplasia and making the results available publicly. Read more information on our breeding philosophy page...
We ensure all our adult dog's vaccinations are kept up to date, and vaccinate all puppies at 6, 9, and12 weeks, sometimes at 6, 8, and 10 weeks. At 10 weeks we also give the non-core Bordetella Vaccine, and the Canine Flu Vaccine. Even though this is expensive, we want to ensure the health of each puppy and save the new owner veterinarian costs and to prevent sick puppies. We give the owner all health records including vaccinations and immunizations for their puppy. Owners take their puppy for their Rabies Vaccinations to the veterinarian of their choice between the ages of 4-6 months, and the Lyme Disease Vaccination if determined necessary, and start them on monthly heartworm medication. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has published information about First Year Puppy Vaccinations. Watch a highly informative scientific video on the "Immunology of Canine Vaccinations." Read more in-depth information on our Puppy Protocol page. We highly recommend protecting your dog from heartworm, and intestinal roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms.
Do not over-vaccinate your dog! There are tests to tell whether a vaccine booster is needed or not. A simple blood test, called a titer, can tell if your dog is protected or whether he actually needs another vaccine. Vaccines can both save lives and take lives. So the idea is to give as few vaccines as necessary to protect your dog from infectious disease and hope he doesn’t develop autoimmune disease. Dog vaccinations can often be just as harmful as the disease they’re meant to protect against. Vaccinations can cause a wide range of health problems that range from minor fever to anaphylactic shock and cancer, so it’s vital that we vaccinate our pets only when necessary and according to a veterinarian's instructions.
Lyme Disease Video
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 this CHIC designation including many of the Sires we use. 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. Read More... What this means is suturing the stomach to the body wall to prevent the stomach from twisting again in the future. Read The Genetics of Bloat in German Shepherd Dogs: The Roles of Immune System Genes...
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. It is one of the most common
endocrine problems affecting newborn males, and it is the
most common genital condition that is identified at birth.
It is more likely to affect males who are born prematurely.
What causes the testis to remain undescended or incompletely descended is unknown. Some of the reasons that have been concluded so far have pointed to a genetic flaw. Cryptorchidism is considered by some to be hereditary, due to mitochondrial thresholds or an autosomal recessive trait. This could mean it is a recessive gene carried by both dam and sire lines when the sire is normal. Conversely, the condition may not have a hereditary predisposing factor at all, but may be linked to an occurrence that took place in the intrauterine environment during the formation of the developing fetus (i.e., pregnancy). An adverse condition or environmental factor can lead to a congenital malformation, perhaps affecting only one in a litter. In this case it is not a preventable condition.
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.
More information...
DM is a progressive degenerative disorder of the spinal cord that can cause muscle wasting and gait abnormalities. Affected dogs do not usually show signs until they are at least 8 years old, where the first signs of neural degeneration appear in the nerves that innervate the hind limbs. An affected dog may scuff the tops of their hind paws or walk with a hesitant, exaggerated gait. In advanced cases, lower motor neurons are also affected leading to weakness and muscle wasting. This variant is reported to have incomplete penetrance, meaning not all dogs with two copies of the variant will go on to develop clinical signs and other genetic and environmental factors will contribute to whether a dog develops DM. Furthermore, this variant is only known to increase the risk of DM in certain breeds. Watch the 2021 GSDCA Seminar on Degenerative Myelopathy...
Other breeds where this variant occurs but is not associated with DM risk likely have genetic factors protecting them from this disease. It is important to remember that the SOD1A variant is incompletely penetrant, so even in breeds where DM is a problem, many dogs testing at-risk from the variant will live long lives and never develop the disease. Read More...
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. OFA tests are usually performed at 2
years of age for Hips and Elbows, but preliminary
evaluations are available.
Ratings for Elbows are as follows: 0 = Normal elbow joint, 1
= Mild arthrosis, 2 = Moderate arthrosis, 3 = Severe
arthrosis.
Note: Beware of breeders who offer just a two year guarantee for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. Dogs must be two years old before they can be x-rayed and sent to the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) for evaluation. Usually by that time, a breeder's guarantee will be expired! Read More About Preliminary Hip and Elbow Evaluations...
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. 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. Even if two parents
have good hips by OFA standards, puppies may still develop
hip dysplasia. Turns out this disease involves many
factors. Genetics certainly plays a big role, but nutrition,
body weight, environment, muscle mass, and even hormones all
may play a role as well. OFA tests are usually
performed at 2 years of age for Hips and Elbows, but
preliminary evaluations are available.
Read More About Preliminary Hip and Elbow Evaluations...
The OFA classifies hips into seven different categories:
Excellent, Good, Fair (all within Normal limits),
Borderline, and then Mild, Moderate, or Severe.
Hip dysplasia is a polygenic, inherited disease. Environmental factors, like high caloric diet during the rapid growth phase, may exacerbate changes in dysplastic hips but will not create hip dysplasia. There is no evidence in the scientific literature that supplements (i.e. Vitamin C) will prevent hip dysplasia. Reduced caloric intake and glucosamine products in immature animals genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia may lessen the pathologic changes associated with hip dysplasia.
Note: Beware of breeders who offer just a two year guarantee for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. Dogs must be two years old before they can be x-rayed and sent to the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) for evaluation. Usually by that time, many breeder's have health guarantee that will be expired! Read More About Preliminary Hip and Elbow Evaluations...
OFA certified parents does not mean your puppy will have good hips. One study showed that if two parents have good hips by OFA standards, 1 in 4 of the puppies may still develop hip dysplasia. This disease involves many factors. Genetics certainly plays a big role, but nutrition, body weight, environment, muscle mass, and even hormones all may play a role as well.
The German SV has implemented a program for the German Shepherd Breed for the fight against hip dysplasia with the method of the “Breed Value Assessment,” known as “Zuchtwert - Breed Value (HDZW)”. The limit is expressed through the average ZW (Score) of both dogs (parents) in the breeding pair. A limit for the average "Breed Value Score" is acceptable up to 100. But, a LOWER ZW number is much better in producing healthy hips for generation to come. An (HD) ZW value of 100 has been set as the breed average. So ZW values less than 100 are the most desirable. HD ZW values less than 100 mean the dog produces fewer progeny with (HD - Hip Problems) than the breed average. A number greater than 100 means a dog produces (HD - Hip Problems) more often that the breed average. A responsible breeder should strive in lowering the ZW score for lower values not only in their current select litter but future generations to follow. Recommended Breed Value Score Ranking (ZW) below: ZW: 60/79 Super Healthy Hip Value, ZW: 80/89: Excellent Hip Value, ZW: 90/100 Very Good Hip Value.
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.
German Shepherd Anatomy
List of common health problems in the German Shepherd Breed
American German Shepherd Dog
Charitable Foundation
AGSDCF Research Grants
