Friday, November 16, 2012

German Shepherd, Is it the Right Breed for You?














German Shepherds are fantastic companions. They are very beautiful, smart, loyal and intelligent. Getting a big dog breed is quite a commitment though so there are a few things you should know about them before hand.

This dog breed needs a lot of exercise and can't be cooped up in a small space all day long. These dogs are of the working dog breed so they like to be active with their owners or other dogs. Very protective of their loved ones, German Shepherds are also very friendly and kind hearted dogs. Just like with any other breed, they need to be well socialized and trained so they don't become aggressive. They are very strong dogs and definitely require a lot more food than smaller breeds so that is something to keep in mind. It's important to feed your dog good nutritious food so it could become a bit expensive.

German Shepherds have grooming requirements to keep them looking good and healthy. They have a medium length coat and they are shedders. You would need to prepare yourself for the dog hair in the home. Some people aren't up for that. The German Shepherd makes a great guard dog, watch dog and family companion. If you are looking for these traits in a dog and you have an active lifestyle then a German Shepherd would be a great choice for you.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Hip Dysplasia


German Shepherds are very popular dogs. They make wonderful companions and guard dogs as well. They are known for a few serious health problems and that's something to consider before you get one or something to look out for if you already have one.

A very common problem that German Shepherd dogs are known for is hip dysplasia. This can show up in dogs as young as two years old. It's a very painful and frustrating disease that is hereditary. A few signs of hip dysplasia in your German Shepherd are lack of energy, trouble standing and walking and limpness in the hind legs. You will be able to notice if your dog is in pain with the lack of activity and tiredness. If you see any of this behavior in your dog, you should definitely take them into the vet for some x-rays on their hips. It's really important that you catch it as soon as possible so your dog can begin some sort of physical therapy and health supplements that would be needed for them to get better.

Don't ever let this problem go on for too long as it is very very painful for your sweet dog. It's up to you to take care of this and do whatever you can to make it better.