General Health
While German Shepherds are generally a healthy breed, like all other dogs, they have unique physical characteristics and are prone to some health conditions. We take significant measures prior to adoption to ensure that each of our dogs has a clean bill of health and to help ensure that owners provide an appropriate habitat, grooming, and sufficient exercise to encourage a long healthy life.
Common Health Conditions
-
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.
Physical Appearance
The working line has a straight back, compact body, and powerful muscles and is built for stamina and endurance. Working line German Shepherds are more rugged and typically healthier and less prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
​​
Here at Giant German Shepherd’s Ranch we only breed for the TRUE, ORIGINAL, STRAIGHT BACKED, AKC REGISTERED, WORKING LINE DOGS. Our dogs are hand selected and placed in our breeding program to produce top-notch dogs with the old-fashioned characteristics that the German Shepherd was meant to have.
Temperament
The working line German Shepherd has a strong work ethic, is very high energy, high drive, fearless, extremely intelligent, loyal, confident in all they do, and have nerves of steel so they do not back down to threats.
Coats
The coat color of the working line German Shepherd Dog is often thought to be primarily sable, but that is not the case. The working line German Shepherd Dog comes in many various colors and now in 2023 we are proud and excited to announce that Giant German Shepherd’s Ranch has added the Blue Coat color to our Giant German Shepherd Bloodline.
Working Line German Shepherd’s coat types can also come in several varieties. German Shepherd Dogs have an outer coat, and a course, thick undercoat. There are plush, standard, short, and even long coat working line German Shepherds.
Health
The working line German shepherd is more rugged and typically healthier and much less prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
The show line is bred for appearance and more prone to hip and elbow problems due to their sloped backs and shorter hind legs.
As Family Pets
Working line German shepherds are very loyal and make devoted family pets when their mental and physical needs can be met. They are loving and companionable and require exercise, training, socialization, and must be able to expend their energy in positive outlets.
Protective - Working line German shepherds have an incredible work ethic, are very alert, vigilant, and that means they have a strong desire to protect their family and they consider that part of their job.