You have a lot of control over the welfare of your German Shepherd. The GSD has long been prized for its beauty, intellect, integrity, flexibility, and working skills, but it can also be a rather stoic animal that will play and work hard in the face of great pain while hiding any underlying health issues. It also takes a keen and observant owner to assess whether or not his or her dog is in pain or suffering from an illness.
There is no excuse for any German Shepherd, also known as an Alsatian, to be in pain, disease, or illness. It is the duty of the owner to keep the dog in good health by:
feeding him a balanced and nutritious diet,
brushing his teeth as much as he can,
grooming him on a daily basis and
To keep your dog safe, give him plenty of exercise and attention.
A weekly home German Shepherd health exam is another way to keep track of your Alsatian's health. This will assist you in identifying many of the more common GSD health issues before they become significant. This will also help you become more conscious of your GSD's body and detect any changes that might occur over time as a result of injury, illness, or any other dog-related emergency.
Taking your Alsatian to the doctor on a regular basis is the safest way to maintain his or her health. Ensure that the GSD has daily physical and wellness tests and is up to date with all vaccines. Finding a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about GSD Health Issues and all of the genetic disorders that affect our breed is a great idea. Not every veterinarian is as informed about German Shepherd health problems as they are about other dog breeds.
During routine vet tests, the GSD's eyes, heart, lungs, ears, mouth, teeth, and coat will be examined, as well as any lumps, bumps, cuts, or bruises. Associating veterinarian visits with a good experience will make your German Shepherd puppy's potential doctor visits far easier.
It's also a good idea to take your new German Shepherd puppy or dog to the veterinarian for "social visits" every now and then, just to show them that going to the vet doesn't have to be a negative experience. The wellbeing and socialization of your GSD are extremely critical. Check with your veterinarian and his team to "schedule" a period that is not too busy for a visit. Through going there, the Alsatian puppy will have a fun and safe experience, like meeting the workers, socializing with other dogs and owners, and so on. However, bear in mind that you don't want to make your good GSD puppy ill by introducing him to genuinely sick animals.