If you are thinking about getting a German Shepherd Dog or just got your first, get ready for a loyalty that you never dreamed was possible. German Shepherds are also intelligent, high energy, and sensitive, making them a great partner for almost anything you want to do with your dog. To keep your best friend in top form, there are some things you need to know, aside from general dog care. The following are 3 things all German Shepherd owners should know.
#1 – They Need a Job
There are very rare cases of German Shepherds that are couch potatoes. But aside from these few, German Shepherds must have a job. If you don’t get them an appropriate one, they will find one you may not like, such as chasing cats, barking at cars and neighbors passing by, or herding the kids. If your Shepherd has some naughty behaviors, training for a sport can help curb them.
#2 – Taking Care of Their Joints Is Non-Optional
German Shepherds are known for bad hips, elbows, and knees – pretty much any joint they have. It is almost a certainty that yours will develop arthritis and/or some other type of joint issue as she ages. This means you need to monitor her joints, have her checked early for dysplasia, and be prepared to pay for the maintenance of these issues, which may include surgery. Many veterinarians recommend to begin supplementing with Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin as young as 12 months, or when the dog stops growing.
#3 – You Must Test For The MDR1 Gene
The MDR1 Gene is something anyone with any herding breed, including German Shepherd Dogs, MUST know about. The mutant gene causes sensitivity drugs, including the following common health products: flea/tick/worm controls (including the very common ivermectin), sedatives (including acepromazine), antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain medications. (Check out this complete list here. It’s updated as they learn more.) Your Shepherd can die from these sensitives, so it is imperative to find out whether or not he has the gene, which is done through testing. Contact Washington State University to find out how to get your German Shepherd Dog tested.
