German Shepherd

Before you give any type of German Shepherd a home, it’s important to know about possible health issues. Not every dog will suffer them but it’s good to be prepared.

To find out more about potential health issues for German Shepherds, speak to your local vet. Some vet practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations’ where you can get advice on potential health conditions, management options and a rough idea of associated costs.

If you’re thinking of buying a puppy, they’ll also be able to give you advice on finding a responsible breeder, as well as testing for inheritable diseases.

Whatever the breed, all dogs need basic preventative health care like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. You’ll also need insurance to help cover the cost of vet bills.

The amount of food a German Shepherd needs depends on their:

• age
• size
• activity levels
• fitness
• weight.

You can use the information on dog food packets as a guide, taking your dog’s individual needs into account.

Your dog's body condition is helpful for deciding how much food to give your dog. You can find more about body condition scoring from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA).

If you’re not sure, ask your vet for advice. 

German Shepherds are typically high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise to keep them physically and mentally healthy. They'll need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they will need training and will benefit from daily enrichment. If you love spending active time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

Things that you need to think about when exercising your German Shepherd include their:

• age
• health
• personality.

For example, young or growing dogs might need a few shorter walks each day, rather than one long one. Older, injured or ill dogs will have different exercise needs which should be tailored to them based on advice from your vet. Some dogs will need peaceful walks without many other people or dogs around. Others will enjoy meeting new people and play dates with their furry friends.

Check with your vet if you need advice on exercising your dog.

German Shepherds have thick coats so they shed a lot. You'll typically need to brush your short or long-haired German Shepherd a few times a week. German Shepherds may also need professional grooming.

To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a time. Teaching your dog to feel relaxed and confident will make grooming more enjoyable for everyone.

When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to:

• sit and stand up at their full height
• turn around without touching the sides
• lie down fully stretched out
• comfortably wag their tail. 

It's important to build up the time dogs spend in their crate gradually and to help them associate it with good things happening.

Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own likes and dislikes and learn to respond to situations in different ways.

For example, some dogs might like meeting other dogs and some may not. Some might like new experiences and others may need to go slowly.

You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! It’s all about positive learning. Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Whether it’s treats, toys or lots of praise, training with rewards is the best way for your dog to learn.

As dogs are clever animals, they need suitable mental and physical exercise so that they don't get bored. Learning useful life skills such as recall, loose lead walking and settling are just as important. This ensures that you and your dog can spend enjoyable time together, both at home and out and about.

Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. They’ll have their own likes and dislikes and will respond to situations in different ways. However, there are some universal ways to behave safely around them and treat them with respect.

As this is an important skill for the whole family — adults included — why not book one of our family workshops on living happily together? It’s suitable for children aged seven to eleven.