GSD health challenges

German Shepherds are known for being generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to certain health issues, particularly related to their large size and active nature. Some of the most common problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, which can cause lameness and arthritis. They are also at risk for bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening condition, and certain eye issues like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.

Here’s a more detailed look at common health issues in German Shepherds:

1. Skin Problems
Atopic Dermatitis (AD): a chronic, inflammatory skin disease very common in German Shepherds, caused by environmental allergens. It’s essentially canine eczema, and in GSDs, it often presents as itching, chronic skin infections and ear issues, especially during certain seasons or year-round depending on the allergens involved.

2. Joint Problems
Arthritis: Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is a common health concern in German Shepherds, especially in their hips and elbows and often affecting their knees and spine. This is due to their large size, active nature and genetic predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia. Symptoms can include stiffness, lameness, difficulty getting up, reluctance to jump or climb stairs and changes in behaviour such as irritability or lethargy.

Hip Dysplasia: a common condition in German Shepherds characterised by abnormal development of the hip joint, leading to pain, stiffness and difficulty moving. It’s often a hereditary condition, but factors like weight, exercise and diet can also play a role

Elbow Dysplasia: a common orthopaedic condition in German Shepherds and other large-breed dogs. It is a developmental disorder involving abnormal growth or formation of the elbow joint, leading to pain, lameness and arthritis over time.

Osteochondrosis: (also called Osteochondritis Dissecans, or OCD), osteochondrosis is a developmental orthopaedic disease seen in fast-growing, large-breed dogs like the German Shepherd. It occurs when the cartilage in a joint grows abnormally, leading to pain, inflammation and joint dysfunction.

Panosteitis: commonly known as “Pano” or “growing pains,” panosteitis is a temporary, painful bone condition seen most often in young German Shepherds, typically between 5 and 18 months of age. It’s one of the most common causes of limping in growing GSDs as their long bones temporarily grow at different rates.

3. Eye Problems
Cataracts: the clouding or darkening of the lens of the eye, cataracts are often the cause of blindness in more senior GSDs. While many dogs simply learn to cope with changes in their vision, surgery is the only permanent solution to cataracts. Today, there are a number of modern treatment options available for dog cataracts from specialist eye-care practitioners.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): an inherited eye disease that leads to blindness in dogs. While it affects many breeds, German Shepherds are known to be susceptible to cone degeneration PRA, causing day and colour blindness, sadly, often beginning at a young age. Other forms of PRA typically affect both rods and cones, leading to a gradual loss of vision over time, starting with night vision.

Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA): a specific type of progressive retinal atrophy that causes cone degeneration, leading to day and colour blindness. This is different from typical PRA, which affects both rod and cone photoreceptor cells. German Shepherds can develop CPRA at a young age. It’s important to be aware of this condition to ensure early detection and management.

Uveitis: Uveitis: an inflammation of the uvea (middle layer of the eye), can occur in German Shepherds. It’s important to understand its signs, potential causes and treatment. Symptoms such as squinting, sensitivity to light and red or cloudy eyes can indicate uveitis. If your German Shepherd exhibits these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek veterinary care promptly for diagnosis and appropriate treatment, preferably by a veterinary eye specialist.

Cataracts: the clouding or darkening of the lens of the eye, cataracts are often the cause of blindness in older Pugs. While many Pugs simply learn to cope with changes in their vision, surgery is the only permanent solution to cataracts.

Today, there are a number of modern treatment options available for dog cataracts from specialist eye-care practitioners.

4. Neurological Problems
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): a progressive, degenerative disease of the spinal cord that primarily affects German Shepherds, along with other breeds like Boxers and Corgis. It is a fatal condition with no cure, causing gradual weakness and paralysis, typically starting in the hind limbs and eventually progressing to all four limbs.

5. Digestive Problems
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus): a life-threatening emergency that occurs most commonly in deep-chested breeds like the German Shepherd. It involves the rapid build-up of gas in the stomach (dilatation), often followed by twisting of the stomach (volvulus), which cuts off blood supply and traps contents inside.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI): a chronic digestive disorder whereby the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption, malnutrition and weight loss despite a dog having a healthy appetite.

Unfortunately, German Shepherds are the breed most commonly affected by EPI. It’s believed to be genetically inherited, particularly in working and show lines.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): a chronic (long-term) gastrointestinal disorder in which a dog’s immune system reacts abnormally to food, bacteria or other substances in the gut, causing inflammation of the intestinal lining. In German Shepherds, IBD is relatively common, and often overlaps with other digestive conditions like EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) or food sensitivities.

6. Other health problems
Allergies: allergies in German Shepherd Dogs are very common and can affect the skin, ears, digestive system and even behaviour. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to various types of allergies, and allergic reactions in this breed are often chronic, intense, and sometimes complex to manage.

Cancer: cancer in German Shepherds is unfortunately not uncommon, especially as they age. Like many large-breed dogs, GSDs are prone to both benign and malignant tumours, including bone cancer, lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma, a tumour in blood vessels, and others. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are key to improving both quality and length of life.

Bleeding Disorders: bleeding disorders in German Shepherds are rare but significant. The breed has a genetic predisposition to certain inherited clotting disorders, especially Haemophilia A and von Willebrand Disease (vWD). These conditions impair the blood’s ability to clot properly, leading to prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery. The disorder that can be life-threatening if not managed properly.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): urinary tract infections are common in all breeds of dog, and female German Shepherd Dogs are more prone to UTIs) than males, primarily due to anatomical differences and some breed-specific factors.

Epilepsy: German Shepherds are one of the breeds said to have a notably higher genetic risk of epilepsy than many other breeds.

Anal Furunculosis: anal furunculosis (AF) is a relatively uncommon but serious condition in dogs overall, but German Shepherds are significantly predisposed to developing it compared to many other breeds. It’s a painful condition affecting the anal glands, which can cause itching and inflammation.

Breed Specific Tips:

• Provide a balanced, fresh food diet appropriate for a large, active breed.
• Keep your German Shepherd active to help maintain healthy joints.
• Prevent obesity, as excess weight can worsen joint problems and other health issues.
• Early intervention can help manage health conditions.

The best food for a German Shepherd Dog

The best diet for a German Shepherd then is a diet that takes into account the specific health challenges faced by this intelligent and popular breed. As generally healthy and robust as the GSD is, the breed does have certain hereditary health conditions that pet parents need to be mindful of. And while all commercial breed-specific diets are purely a marketing ploy, it is a fact that when you feed fresh food, you can actually tailor it to the specific health needs of the breed.

The best diet for a German Shepherd is without doubt a fresh food diet, whether that be lightly cooked or raw. Yes, you could feed your German Shepherd dry, wet or cold pressed commercial dog food. But studies show that the best diet for a any dog, especially a dog like the GSD, is a fresh food diet. A diet that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates and rich in beneficial nutrients.

However you choose to feed your German Shepherd, it is important to understand the ramifications of your dietary choices for your dog. Like any dog, German Shepherds can eat a wide variety of foodstuffs. That notwithstanding, it’s important to know exactly what foods are safe and what foods are not. Just as importantly, it’s good to know what food ingredients are beneficial for a GSD’s health. Your choice of supplements in particular can make a huge difference to the health of your dog. This will become all the more important as it ages.

About this guide

So the best diet for a German Shepherd is a diet that makes allowances for the breed’s specific health needs. The food that you feed your GSD is going to have a major impact on the quality and length of its life. German Shepherds are not particular food driven, but it makes sense to feed them the best food possible within your budget. And when science shows that the best food for any dog is a minimally processed fresh food diet, ideally raw or lightly cooked, why would you feed anything else?

This information guide outlines some of the German Shepherds’s known potential health issues. Issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia and bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus).

The guide covers some of the best known ways to minimise the health risks associated with the breed. It could save you thousands of pounds in veterinary fees. It could improve the quality of your GSD’s life. And it could potentially add months if not years to the life of your best friend.

Remember, this guide is not simply about breed-specific dog food for German Shepherds. It’s about tailoring a fresh food diet to the specific needs of GSDs. That’s a huge difference!

Key considerations for German Shepherd diet

The best diet for a GSD is unquestionably one that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates and rich in beneficial nutrients. Ingredients only found in fresh, whole foods. A fresh food diet, including meat, bone and plant material in which the fruit and vegetables are lightly cooked and the protein source, the meat, is lightly cooked or raw.

High-quality protein: German Shepherds are large active dogs. They need a diet with a high protein content to maintain their energy levels and muscle mass. Look for foods that contain a minimum of 50% protein.

Fat: fat provides energy and helps with nutrient absorption. Choose foods with a moderate amount of healthy fats. Foods that are low in animal fats but high in healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids.

No fillers: avoid commercial dog food (particularly dry dog food) which contains excessive amounts of corn, wheat and soy which can contribute to allergies and weight gain in any breed of dog.

Fresh foods: consider species-appropriate foods specifically for large breed dogs.

Joint support: look for foods containing natural glucosamine and chondroitin to help protect the hard working joints of a large-breed dog like the German Shepherd. Bone broth is an excellent example of a 100% natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin.

Hydration: ensure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water at all times.

Consult a canine nutritionist: discuss your GSD’s specific nutritional needs with a qualified dog nutritionist.

Examples of suitable foods for a GSD

Nothing beats a mix of cooked or raw meat (chicken, beef, fish, etc), vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, green beans and leafy greens), and a small amount of fruit (like strawberries or blueberries).

Raw food: if considering a raw food diet, consult with a canine nutritionist who will help you do this properly.

Foods to avoid or limit: avoid excessive amounts of animal fats and concentrate on healthy fats such as omega-3 oils.

Treats: keep treats to a minimum and deduct them from the daily calorie allowance.

To learn how to feed your German Shepherd Dog healthy nutritious food, the best diet for a GSD, download my Homemade Dog Food Feeding Guide. It includes all the ingredients you can feed a German Shepherd together with GSD-friendly fresh food recipes.

For further detailed advice, contact a qualified canine nutritionist!