German Shepherd Dog Health Problems
Because of indiscriminate breeding techniques they are prone to hip dysplasia. This may result in experiencing pain in later part of the dog's life. This will also invite arthritis related issues. It was found by The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals that 19.1% of the breed was affected by hip dysplasia. Though the study was small in nature, a study undertaken by University of Zurich in those dogs working for the police found that that 45% were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis. One of the major decline in police not preferring them anymore as a rightful 'police dog' is being attributed to this ailment.
Because they have big ears, they are prone to various ear infections. Like other dogs, they are also known to be prone to bloat. The breed being predisposed to it, Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disease, is rampant among them. The incidence of Von Willebrand Disease, a common inherited bleeding disorder, is more than normal in them.
One of the most popular dog breeds in the world is the German shepherd, sometimes known as the GSD for short. In the UK, they are called Alsatians, after the area in France where they originally were bred by German dog breeders. The first GSDs were whelped around 1882. For such a ubiquitous dog breed, it may be surprising to learn that it is less than 200 years old.
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