Minimizing Health Issues

pfg · 05-07-2010, 09:56 AM

I have had 5 male GSD's, all but one lasting only 4-6 years...kidney failure, hips, cancer, torsion (both types), and spinal issues. Each time I research to try for better health. If you look at the health problems with breeds, the GSD has 4-5 times the problems as do others...why would anyone want one?? Where can one go...world wide... to get a dog that will minimize these potential problems? I, like many, are extremely attached to the GSD. Please advise."

Lin · 05-07-2010, 10:05 AM

To the most responsible breeder you can find, that does the most health checks and knows the health history of the dogs in the pedigree.

dianefbarfield · 05-07-2010, 10:13 AM

I know how you feel. We have TWO of the in our house that have problems. My husband is a UGA graduate and always wanted an English Bulldog puppy. I got him one. He has been pretty healthy for the breed but now has to have knee surgery. Then of course we fall in love with the GSD. Our vet just loves to see us coming in the door.

dianefbarfield · 05-07-2010, 10:14 AM

correction.....I left out a word somehow. Meant to say "we have TWO of the breeds in our house that have problems". sorry.

Elaine · 05-07-2010, 11:51 AM

I also had previous GSDs with health problems and that's why this time I did a lot more research. I asked for recommendations for breeders, asked about OFA results, and asked about allergies, GI problems, and temperament issues. I ended up with a workingline dog - I had never heard of workingline dogs before and wish I had found them ages ago! - from a recommended breeder, minimized vaccinations, and am feeding the best possible food to him. My boy is just turned three years old and hasn't had a single health problem - not a one, no pano, no nothing, and OFA'd excellent - and is the most amazing and fun dog I have ever had.

Wolfiesmom · 05-07-2010, 12:06 PM

Research breeders, ask lots of questions and ask for hip xray pics, etc from the breeder when you find one. I owned 1 other GSD as an adult, my parents had one, and my husbands parents had 2 and all of them lived to age 12 and older with no problems. I am hoping I have the same luck with my new little guy.

Vinnie · 05-07-2010, 12:40 PM

I agree. After owning dogs with a myriad of health issues I’ve learned that you really have to do your homework. Some health issues are brought on by how you care for and raise your dog. Diet and vaccinations are topics you really have to familiarize yourself with in order to help avoid some health issues.

The other thing is you can't just go out and buy that puppy because you like the looks or just because the breeder is near by and happens to have a litter right when you want a puppy.

Not only do I look for hip certification (seeing xrays are no good to me as I don’t really know how to read them) but I ask or seek out answers to other questions relating to the health of the lines being bred. I don’t just ask the breeder but I will also surf the internet and ask people at clubs/events. I also am interested in longevity of life of the dogs in the sire & dam’s pedigree. Most times the sire and dam themselves are still young when being bred. Knowing how old their ancestors lived to be can be an indication of how long they will live. If those dogs have passed untimely, I try to find the reason why.

pfg · 05-07-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfiesmom

Research breeders, ask lots of questions and ask for hip xray pics, etc from the breeder when you find one. I owned 1 other GSD as an adult, my parents had one, and my husbands parents had 2 and all of them lived to age 12 and older with no problems. I am hoping I have the same luck with my new little guy.

Good start, but often the problems make themselves evident after they grow up..can't X-ray a puppy and find out much except if they are really back..have to wait until 1.5-2 years to get a real picture of the hips. I wonder about DNA testing?

pfg

kiya · 05-07-2010, 04:49 PM

I lost my GSD Cheyenne at 8 yrs old, a tumor on his heart burst, never sick a day in his life. Then we decided to get a Shiloh Shepherd. I am not promoting the breed, but I have 2. My boy Apache (black in the pic) is 7 now, has Pannus and OFA rated his hips as moderate, I can live with that. Kiya is almost 6, has seizures, I have learned to live with that. OFA rated her hips as good. My little White Shepherd I hope and pray has no health issues. I guess it is what it is, you try to find a "reputable" breeder and hope for the best. It will never change my mind about the breed. I grew up with Belgian Shepards. I have decided recently I will continue with whites, its really easy to find the **** ticks on her.

**JakodaCD OA** · 05-07-2010, 08:12 PM

I have been blessed with some wonderful dogs, all the gsd's I've had have lived to ripe old ages of 13-14 yrs old, except for one who passed away at 9. They had their health issues at different times in their lives, but nothing life threatening. Never had bad hips or elbows

No matter the age, we never have them long enough

(

I have been extremely lucky and hope to continue to be

05-07-2010, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
pfg New Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7	Minimizing Health Issues I have had 5 male GSD's, all but one lasting only 4-6 years...kidney failure, hips, cancer, torsion (both types), and spinal issues. Each time I research to try for better health. If you look at the health problems with breeds, the GSD has 4-5 times the problems as do others...why would anyone want one?? Where can one go...world wide... to get a dog that will minimize these potential problems? I, like many, are extremely attached to the GSD. Please advise."

05-07-2010, 11:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,543	I also had previous GSDs with health problems and that's why this time I did a lot more research. I asked for recommendations for breeders, asked about OFA results, and asked about allergies, GI problems, and temperament issues. I ended up with a workingline dog - I had never heard of workingline dogs before and wish I had found them ages ago! - from a recommended breeder, minimized vaccinations, and am feeding the best possible food to him. My boy is just turned three years old and hasn't had a single health problem - not a one, no pano, no nothing, and OFA'd excellent - and is the most amazing and fun dog I have ever had. __________________ Elaine and the herd

05-07-2010, 12:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wolfiesmom Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,518	Research breeders, ask lots of questions and ask for hip xray pics, etc from the breeder when you find one. I owned 1 other GSD as an adult, my parents had one, and my husbands parents had 2 and all of them lived to age 12 and older with no problems. I am hoping I have the same luck with my new little guy. __________________ Mom to Chases Wolfgang Heinrich Von Ryan aka Wolfie born 12/20/09 Waiting for us at the bridge is Chases Chieftain aka Chiefy Left this earth and left a hole in our hearts July 2000

05-07-2010, 12:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Vinnie The Italian One Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 8,614	I agree. After owning dogs with a myriad of health issues I’ve learned that you really have to do your homework. Some health issues are brought on by how you care for and raise your dog. Diet and vaccinations are topics you really have to familiarize yourself with in order to help avoid some health issues. The other thing is you can't just go out and buy that puppy because you like the looks or just because the breeder is near by and happens to have a litter right when you want a puppy. Not only do I look for hip certification (seeing xrays are no good to me as I don’t really know how to read them) but I ask or seek out answers to other questions relating to the health of the lines being bred. I don’t just ask the breeder but I will also surf the internet and ask people at clubs/events. I also am interested in longevity of life of the dogs in the sire & dam’s pedigree. Most times the sire and dam themselves are still young when being bred. Knowing how old their ancestors lived to be can be an indication of how long they will live. If those dogs have passed untimely, I try to find the reason why. __________________ Scratch My Butt Blog 2012 Schutzhund Photos

05-07-2010, 08:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 13,094	I have been blessed with some wonderful dogs, all the gsd's I've had have lived to ripe old ages of 13-14 yrs old, except for one who passed away at 9. They had their health issues at different times in their lives, but nothing life threatening. Never had bad hips or elbows No matter the age, we never have them long enough( I have been extremely lucky and hope to continue to be __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

05-07-2010, 10:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lin Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 3,232	To the most responsible breeder you can find, that does the most health checks and knows the health history of the dogs in the pedigree.

05-07-2010, 10:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
dianefbarfield Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Moultrie Georgia Posts: 235	I know how you feel. We have TWO of the in our house that have problems. My husband is a UGA graduate and always wanted an English Bulldog puppy. I got him one. He has been pretty healthy for the breed but now has to have knee surgery. Then of course we fall in love with the GSD. Our vet just loves to see us coming in the door.

05-07-2010, 10:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
dianefbarfield Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Moultrie Georgia Posts: 235	correction.....I left out a word somehow. Meant to say "we have TWO of the breeds in our house that have problems". sorry.

05-07-2010, 04:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
kiya Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,602	I lost my GSD Cheyenne at 8 yrs old, a tumor on his heart burst, never sick a day in his life. Then we decided to get a Shiloh Shepherd. I am not promoting the breed, but I have 2. My boy Apache (black in the pic) is 7 now, has Pannus and OFA rated his hips as moderate, I can live with that. Kiya is almost 6, has seizures, I have learned to live with that. OFA rated her hips as good. My little White Shepherd I hope and pray has no health issues. I guess it is what it is, you try to find a "reputable" breeder and hope for the best. It will never change my mind about the breed. I grew up with Belgian Shepards. I have decided recently I will continue with whites, its really easy to find the **** ticks on her.

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