German Shepherd

Giving alertness a useful direction

German Shepherds were originally bred to herd sheep. Today they also work with police and rescue teams. Their attentiveness, stamina and responsiveness to people help explain why. At home, a Shepherd may notice movement outside or a visitor at the door before anyone else does.

You can help your dog cope with visitors by teaching it to wait on a bed or mat. It helps to begin somewhere quiet, without the doorbell or a visitor to add excitement. You can reward your dog for staying on the mat briefly, then ask a familiar person to play the visitor once this has become easier. Greetings should wait until the dog has settled. If your Shepherd seems uneasy around strangers, more space and brief encounters without pressure can help. If it crowds visitors or struggles to settle, a qualified trainer or behaviourist can guide you. Scolding and pressure can make an uneasy dog more anxious.

Day-to-day care

Beneath the firmer outer coat is the undercoat, a dense layer of shorter, soft hair. The shorter coat type lies close to the body. In the long-coated variety, the hair is especially long behind the ears, on the legs and on the tail. Both types shed heavily, especially as they grow their summer or winter coat. Brushing or combing several times a week helps remove loose hair and prevent mats. The brush needs to reach the undercoat, with extra attention to the longer areas where tangles form more easily.

A bath is usually needed only when the dog is very dirty. PDSA notes that frequent bathing can irritate sensitive skin. After long walks, it is worth checking the paws and nails. Regular dental care also belongs in the routine. Even thorough grooming will not keep all the loose hair out of the house.

Health

Hip and elbow dysplasia are important health concerns in this breed. The joints do not develop properly, which can cause pain and later arthritis. PDSA also lists degenerative myelopathy. This disease damages nerve pathways in the spinal cord, and the hind legs can become progressively weaker and less coordinated. Other known conditions include epilepsy, which causes recurring seizures, and several inherited eye diseases.

If you are choosing a puppy, you should ask to see the official hip and elbow results for both parents and have them explained. It is also worth asking for the results of any further checks in the family. This tells you what was examined and what the findings mean. Lameness or dragging of the hind legs should be assessed by a vet. Keeping the dog lean and matching activity to its age and fitness reduces everyday strain on its joints.

During a seizure, you should time how long it lasts and call your vet afterwards, even if the dog has recovered. If the seizure lasts more than two minutes or another occurs within 24 hours, you should contact your vet or an emergency vet immediately.

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