Allergies: Some German Shepherds may suffer from various allergies, including contact and food allergies. Symptoms in dogs are often like those in humans, such as scratching, licking at paws, or rubbing their faces frequently. If your dog experiences these symptoms we recommend contacting your vet for assistance.

Degenerative Myelopathy: DM is a serious and progressive disease affecting “middle-aged” dogs usually between 4 and 14 years of age. DM affects the spinal cord, specifically white spinal tissue where nerves communicate to the brain, and results in symptoms like feet scraping, knuckle dragging, swaying in place, or difficulty rising from a prone position. This disease affects many breeds such as Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Welsh Corgis, Pugs, Siberian Huskies, etc. DM has similarities to forms of ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in humans and while the exact cause of the disease is unknown, a major risk factor is a genetic mutation of the SOD-1 gene. Dogs with one copy of the SOD-1 gene are carriers, but only dogs with two copies of the SOD-1 gene have developed Degenerative Myelopathy to date. At Giant German Shepherds Ranch, we DM test all of our breeding dogs to ensure only the healthiest genetics are available for adoption. All of our breeding dogs at Giant German Shepherd’s Ranch are DM clear, therefore all of the puppies that we produce will be free of DM as well. 

Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow Dysplasia is a hereditary condition commonly affecting large-breed dogs. It is believed to be caused by differing growth rates of the bones that make up the dog’s elbow, causing laxity, or hypermobile joints. This condition can lead to painful lameness. X-ray screenings are available to diagnose this condition, and medication or surgery may be available to correct or manage the problem. Dogs with elbow dysplasia are not acceptable breeding candidates. Here at Giant German Shepherd’s Ranch we do OFA Hip & Elbow x-rays on our breeding dogs to ensure that each and every one of the puppies that we produce will be clear from Hip & Elbow Dysplasia as well.

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition affecting many breeds, where the femur no longer fits properly in the pelvic socket of the hip. Hip dysplasia can occur with or without the animal showing clinical signs, and some dogs may exhibit symptoms on one or both legs. An added risk is, as dogs age, arthritis can develop. This condition can lead to painful lameness. X-ray screenings are available to diagnose this condition, and medication or surgery may be available to correct or manage the problem. Dogs with hip dysplasia are not acceptable breeding candidates. Here at Giant German Shepherd’s Ranch we do OFA Hip & Elbow x-rays on our breeding dogs to ensure that each and every one of the puppies that we produce will be clear from Hip & Elbow Dysplasia as well.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly referred to as bloat, GDV is a life-threatening disorder that can affect all dogs, but is most seen in large, deep-chested, males. In early stages, common bloat occurs when the stomach fills with gas and causes gastric distention and may progress no further. On the other hand, a GDV is a progression of bloat into a “volvulus” where a gas-filled stomach twists such that the entrance and exit of the stomach are blocked. A GDV should be considered a life-threatening emergency and may require surgery to correct. Immediate veterinary assistance should be sought within minutes or a few hours. While the exact cause of GDV is unknown, increased risks include exercise after ingesting large amounts of water or meals and feeding dogs one large meal per day.