Breed Specific: The German Shepherd

Pikes Peak Vet wants you to know about your German Shepherd’s lifestyle and other needs!

Personality: German Shepherds are one of the most versatile dogs. Originally bred to guard, herd and drive cattle and livestock, their protective nature blossomed. Highly trainable and intelligent, they are used in police and military service, search-and-rescue, and as guard dogs. Prized for their abilities as guide dogs, this loyal, confident, and courageous dog makes a wonderful companion.

Males              Height: 24-26 inches    Weight: 65-90 pounds

Females          Height: 22-24 inches    Weight: 50-70 pounds

Feeding/Treats/Weight: Discuss a diet for your German Shepherd with your veterinarian. Table scraps can cause digestive upset, especially cooked bones and high-fat foods, so best to avoid them. Adding small quantities of yogurt, eggs or cooked vegetables to the food can be beneficial. Use small pieces of biscuit or the dog’s kibble as training treats.

Grooming: The German Shepherd’s medium-length double coat – dense, harsh close-lying outer coat with a softer undercoat – does well with a quick brushing every few days. They do shed more once or twice a year, requiring more frequent brushing. An occasional bath will keep their coats healthy. Overly long nails can lead to pain and structural issues; trim them regularly.

Exercise: A German Shepherd who is not exercised enough will become frustrated and likely develop undesirable behaviors. Short daily walks as a puppy, working up to longer walks and play sessions in a safely fenced area as well as agility, herding, tracking or similar activites will provide both the physical and mental stimulation that this breed needs.

Training: The highly-intelligent German Shepherd makes an extraordinary worker and companion with proper training. Early socialization and puppy training classes followed by continued obedience training makes for a well-mannered adult. He should be raise in a household and be part of the family’s activities. Detailed training advice can be found at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America’s website: https://gsdca.org/german-shepherd-dogs/training-puppy-tips.

Thank you to the AKC’s webpage, https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/ for this information.

Over the German Shepherd’s 7-10 expected years, you and your vet will create a health plan to evaluate and catch any conditions that may arise.

POSSIBLE MEDICAL CONCERNS

MEDICAL CONCERNS

• Hip and elbow issues
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
• Blood disorders
• Pannus
• Panosteitis
• Perianal Fistula

PPVC’S PLAN FOR HEALTHY LONGEVITY OF YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months as advised by your veterinarian until age 6: full physical exams including routine bloodwork;
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings for German Shepherds

• PennHIP evaluation
• Joint x-rays
• DM Screening
• Genetic testing through UC Davis
• Regular dental cleanings

You can find more deteailed information on the AKC’s German Shepherd page. If you have specific questions about your German Shepherd, reach out to your PPVC veterinarian for a quick consult and we’ll do our best to steer you in the right direction!