German Shepherd Care Tips

by Jan Ryan

Often the German Shepherd is a very healthy breed that is capable to living an average of 12 to 16 years. For those with a well-bred German Shepherd it is unlikely that they will have any major health problems. However, all German Shepherds are susceptible to certain health conditions. This includes Canine Hip Dysphasia or CHD in which the skeleton has a developmental problem and the femur doesn’t sit correctly within the hip socket. Another condition is Von Willebrand’s Disease, which is a blood disease that affects the ability to the dog’s blood to form clots. Without proper care and regular baths a German Shepherd can also develop skin allergies.

An important part of caring for your German Shepherd’s health is a balanced diet. You need to give them fresh food in order for them to have a long and happy life. Fresh meats such a turkey, chicken and beef are okay. Although you should also mix in some vegetables, rice and eggs for a balanced diet.

You can have excellent German Shepherd health by feeding a good and healthy diet, brushing the teeth as often as possible, grooming regularly and providing your dog with plenty of exercise and attention. It is a good idea to perform a weekly home health exam to keep your German Shepherd healthy since this will allow you to spot any of the common German Shepherd health conditions before they turn into anything serious. It can also make you aware of your dogs body so that you can easily detect any changes that occur due to injury, disease or dog related emergencies.

Taking your dog to the veterinarian on a regular basis is the best way to care for your German Shepherd. All vaccinations should be current and you should have a regular physical and health exam done. It is best to choose a veterinarian that is familiar with the health problems specific to a German Shepherd and can deal with any specific hereditary disease of the breed.

Diet plays an important part in maintaining good German Shepherd health. Each month an adult German Shepherd will easily eat about forty pounds of dry food. Although the metabolism of the individual dog and their activity level can change this amount.

Most owners choose to feed a high quality commercial food and then supplement it two to three times a week with a little bit of meat. Again the amount of food you feed depends on the dog’s activity level but most will take two cups of food a day and you should take away any uneaten portions after thirty minutes.

You want a food that will be high in protein so it should focus on lamb, fish or chicken rather than wheat, rice or corn. Meat based foods will benefit your German Shepherd in the long run even though they are more expensive.

Even though meat based foods are more expensive they will benefit your German Shepherd’s health in the long run. You should also avoid feeding your dog any food that contains additives if possible.

About the Author:

About the author: Jan Ryan is an avid lover of the German Shepherd and has a popular website where you’ll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved German Shepherd. Among other topics there, you can also learn all about German Shepherd Health plus a whole lot more.

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