German Shepherds Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

To keep your German Shepherd healthy, you should know how to do a routine health check, know when to take your German Shepherd for urgent care, and have important emergency care phone contacts on hand. The American Kennel Club (AKC) defines the breed standard for German Shepherds.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Shepherds love to chew. If you leave them to their own devices, they will chew shoes, furniture, walls, and anything else that will succumb to their vice-grip jaws. You'll be far more successful in redirecting your dog's chewing than in trying to abolish it — do so by providing him with chews that tire his active jaws. The most popular chew items are those made of rawhide. These chews are usually safe, but some serious problems have been associated with rawhide chews: Rawhide from other countries is often processed with poisonous substances. Insist on rawhide made in the United States. Chewing rawhide has a minimal effect on cleaning teeth, but it can never take the place of brushing your dog's teeth. Although it doesn't happen often, some dogs have had problems with impacted, undigested rawhide that have required surgery. Others have choked on large hunks of rawhide. Safer alternatives are rawhide chews made of compressed rawhide bits, although they don't last as long as regular rawhide chews do. A variety of vegetable-based chews are also available. For gator-jawed dogs, hard rubber or nylon bones can last a long time and provide good dental cleaning. For a special treat, a variety of animal parts are available: hooves, ears, knuckle bones, and others that are unmentionable in mixed company. Pig ears are a great treat but are high in fat and can cause diarrhea. Knuckle bones are a traditional good choice. Hooves tend to splinter and have been implicated in some problems. They're extremely hard, and if you keep them in the house, you may end up throwing them away in a fit of rage after stepping on one in the middle of the night for the tenth time. Be careful when you handle these dog treats. Some people have caught salmonella from handling them and then placing their hands in their mouths. Dogs are apparently more resistant to salmonella. If your dog is chewing items that were not meant for chewing, bitter-tasting sprays and liquids are available that dissuade dogs from chewing surfaces. After checking to make sure that it won't stain your items, apply these sprays to anything you don't want your dog to chew but that may be tempting — your shoes, your sofa, and so on.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

To be sure that your new dog is a bona fide German Shepherd Dog, he needs "papers" — proof of your German Shepherd's pure ancestry. The papers consist of a litter or individual registration certificate issued by a registry. In most cases, the registry is the American Kennel Club (AKC), but German imports are registered with the SV (short for Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde — the German Shepherd Club in Germany). The AKC and the SV are not the only registering bodies. The United Kennel Club (UKC) is also a respected dog registry in the United States, and most developed countries have a national kennel club that registers dogs. Many countries also have "imposter" registries — small registries that offer to register dogs even if the dogs lack proof of pure breeding. Be wary of dogs registered with one of these unknown organizations (no matter how highfalutin' the registry's name sounds) because they often are no more registered or purebred than you are. Don't confuse the registration certificate with a pedigree. A dog with a pedigree is not necessarily registered, although a dog registered with a legitimate registry must have a pedigree. Registration papers are the actual documents that record a dog's registration numbers. A pedigree, which lists your dog's family tree, is more often an unofficial document (although you can purchase certified pedigrees through the AKC, and the pedigree is part of the SV registration certificate). To an experienced breeder, it is a history of breeding decisions that can be traced through generations. All registered German Shepherds have a pedigree as long as your arm; the length of the pedigree doesn't mean that one dog is somehow more pure than another. Finally, remember that neither AKC nor SV registration is a seal of quality. AKC registration means only that the dog's ancestry is pure and registered (even that can be subject to faking, although DNA testing now makes that more difficult); many AKC-registered dogs are poor examples of their breed. SV registration at least implies that the parents have met certain minimal standards of quality; nonetheless, nothing can guarantee how an individual puppy will turn out.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Cancer occurs frequently in all breeds of dogs, and some breeds are predisposed to certain types of cancer. Unfortunately, the German Shepherd is one of them. For example, hemangiosarcoma, a malignant cancer of the circulatory system, is seen more often in German Shepherds than in any other breed. No screening tests are available, and the hereditary component, if any, is not known. Most often, hemangiosarcoma occurs as a tumor on the spleen or heart. As the tumor grows, internal bleeding may occur. Affected dogs may suddenly appear disoriented, collapse, and exhibit signs of hypovolemic shock. They may also be extremely thirsty. Perhaps most noticeable, their gums may be almost white. If the tumor is on the spleen, the spleen can be removed. Not all tumors of the spleen are malignant, so it's a good idea to have a biopsy done and wait for the results before making a decision. If the tumor is malignant, or if it is on the heart, treatment is usually unrewarding. Unfortunately, most dogs with hemangiosarcoma succumb either to its primary effects (internal bleeding that cannot be stopped) or to cancer spread to other organs. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) occurs more frequently in large breeds, including the German Shepherd. It develops most often on a long bone of a leg and can sometimes be seen as a lump. More often, the owner first notices the dog limping; osteosarcoma is very painful. Owners face the terrible decision of amputation that must be made quickly, as time is of the essence to prevent the spread to other parts of the body. Dogs adjust to the loss of a limb fairly easily, but factors such as age, weight, arthritis, and other joint problems factor into how well the dog can cope with only three legs. Unfortunately, even with the best therapy, survival time for dogs with osteosarcoma is usually only a few months. Mammary gland tumors are among the most common cancers in dogs, occurring mostly in females who were not spayed early in life. Spaying after the age of 2 years doesn't impart the protection from mammary cancer that earlier spaying does. Approximately 50 percent of all mammary tumors are malignant. Therapy may include surgical excision and chemotherapy. Lymphosarcoma is another of the more common cancers in dogs. This cancer affects the blood and lymph systems; symptoms may include swelling of the lymph nodes, especially in the lower neck area and behind the "knees." Chemotherapy can extend the lives of many affected dogs.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The American Kennel Club (AKC) determines the accepted breed standard for German Shepherds in the United States. Here is a shortened version of the AKC breed standards of German Shepherds: Overall strong, agile, well-muscled, and full of life Longer than tall, deep-bodied, with an outline of smooth curves Males 24 to 26 inches; females 22 to 24 inches at the shoulders Noble, strong, chiseled head; long muzzle parallel to back of skull Almond-shaped eyes Moderately pointed ears facing forward and set parallel to one another Black nose Scissors bite Shoulders are higher than back, which is level and straight Sternum reaches to elbows; moderately tucked-up loin Tail is bushy, set low, and hanging in slight curve Shoulder blades obliquely angled with well-angulated wrists Broad thigh with a right angle between upper and lower thigh Double coat of medium length, with dense, straight, harsh outer coat Most colors are permitted (except for white); rich colors preferred Gait is ground-covering and effortless Temperament is confident, fearless but aloof; eager, alert, and willing to work

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

To ensure a lifetime of good health for your German Shepherd, spend a few minutes checking for these signs of a potentially dangerous health situation. If you see any of these signs on your German Shepherd, a trip to the veterinarian is in order: General: Lameness, lack of coordination, asymmetry of muscles, weight change, bloated abdomen, swelling, coughing, gagging, lethargy, increased aggression, appetite, or water consumption Mouth: Red, bleeding, swollen, or discolored gums; loose or dirty teeth; sores of the tongue or gums; bad breath Eyes: Squinting, discharge, cloudiness, discolored whites, unequal or unresponsive pupils Ears: Bad odor, redness, debris, crusted tips, head shaking or tilting, ear scratching Nose: Thick or colored discharge, crusted top Feet: Abrasions, split nails, swollen or misaligned toes Anal region: Redness, swelling, discharge, tracts; also scooting or licking of the area, black or bloody stool Genitals: Mammary or testicular changes, discharge from penis or vulva, changes in urine or urination Skin: Parasites, hair loss, crusts, red spots, lumps, sores

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

If your dog, cat, or other pet needs immediate medical help, you don't want to be caught fumbling with a phone book and trying to find the right number. In case of an animal emergency, keep these numbers near your phone, and make sure you program them into your cell phone! Your veterinarian's phone number The phone number for an after-hours or emergency clinic The National Animal Poison Control Center: 800-548-2523 or 888-4ANIHELP (888-426-4435) — $30 per case, charged to your credit card 900-680-0000 — $30 per case, charged to your phone bill

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

In case of a medical emergency involving your German Shepherd, stay calm, administer first aid if possible, and get veterinary care immediately for your German Shepherd if any of the following situations occur: Abdominal bloating, restlessness, and attempts to vomit: Go to the emergency vet immediately. The problem could be gastric dilatation volvulus. Airway obstructions: Wrap your hands around the dog’s abdomen behind the rib cage and compress once briskly; doing so should dislodge the obstruction. If the dog is unconscious, pull his tongue forward and explore his throat, removing any obstruction you find. Bleeding: Cover the wound with clean dressing, apply pressure, elevate the wound site, and apply a cold pack. Burns: Cool burned areas with cold packs or towels soaked in water. Cover the area with a clean bandage or towel and monitor the dog for shock. Drowning: Hold the dog upside down so that water can run out of his mouth, and then give artificial respiration or take him to the emergency vet. Heatstroke: Wet the dog and place him in front of a fan, or immerse him in cool (not icy) water. Offer small amounts of water for drinking. Hypothermia: Warm the dog gradually by wrapping him in a warm blanket and placing plastic bottles filled with hot water outside the blanket, not touching the dog. Insect stings: Remove any visible stingers as quickly as possible. Administer baking soda and water paste to bee stings and vinegar to wasp stings. Call the vet immediately if your dog has an allergic reaction, including swelling that could interfere with breathing, or any change in consciousness. Poisoning: Call the vet or poison control hotline and give as much information as possible; they can advise whether you need to induce vomiting or bring your dog in to be examined.