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.

Dog Health

German Shepherd's, just like any other dog breed are prone to a few health problems that you need to keep you eyes open for. Hip dysplasia is the most common and it's important to consult your vet or read up on how to keep them in their best shape possible as well as preventing anything else that may come their way.

A few other common health problems in German Shepherds include: Elbow Dysplasia, Panosteitis ,Progressive Posterior Paresis, Von Willebrand's Disease and more. If you're in the process of looking for a German Shepherd do your best to find a reputable breeder. It's very important that they took the extra step to test the dogs before breeding them so they don't end up passing on numerous genetic problems.

Your puppy can be more prone to hip dysplasia if they have a very fast growth spurt. If this is the case, you should switch your puppy over to an adult food formula.