Despite being a very active and healthy dog, some diseases are more common among dogs of this breed: Hip Dysplasia (a type of wrong fit in the hip joint), Degenerative Myelopathy (severe disease that causes spinal cord disorders), Dermatitis and Furuncular Folliculitis . Hip dysplasia is very common in several breeds and consists of a malformation in the hip joint that causes discomfort, pain, can lead the dog to limp, have problems with locomotion and worsens with age. Early diagnosis prevents the dog from suffering so much, since preventive treatment can be done for this condition that is usually genetic. Not allowing your pet to get cold and not even walking on very smooth surfaces can help. Because they have erect and poorly protected ears, German Shepherds can often have ear infections. Cleaning your ears with pet-specific products every week is ideal for checking for earwax buildup or more serious problems.

The black coat on the back with golden marks on the rest of the body are very characteristic of the German Shepherd breed in addition to representing the vast majority of dogs, but they can also have completely black or completely white fur (although the latter is not recognized by the American Kennel Club). The German Shepherd is such an intelligent and obedient breed that they learn a command after just five repetitions on average. Because it is easy to train, the German Shepherd is a very beloved breed to play roles on TV and in the movies as the famous Rin Tin Tin and more recently as the companion of the star Will Smith in the movie "I Am Legend", among others.

The German Shepherd is one of the most intelligent breeds in the world and ranks number three in the book The Intelligence of Dogs, by Stanley Coren. As fidelity is the high point of the Shepherd's personality, he will learn very quickly to commands in order to please his tutor. And more than learning fast, it will record easily and always respond to your commands with enthusiasm. Start training from the first few months of the dog's life. The German Shepherd puppy, like any puppy, can only be separated from the mother after complete weaning, because, among other important factors, in these first days of life the mother passes on some teachings to her puppies that will make all the difference when it comes to live with your dog.

Anyone who knows a German Shepherd dog will surely fall in love. They are exemplary dogs. Extremely faithful (one of their main characteristics), intelligent, active, protective, affectionate, obedient, elegant, brave, curious and, of course, super cute! Stephantiz was very careful in creating such a complete breed. However, before any characteristic and in front of any breed denomination they are dogs and how good furry their personality will depend a lot on the way they are raised by their family. Despite being faithful and affectionate, the German Shepherd is a large and very defensive breed, so it is important to start training at an early age so that the dog develops a balanced temperament. Keeping them always active with games and physical activities is essential so that they don't get bored and don't become destructive.

The life expectancy of the German Shepherd breed is between 10 and 14 years. By following all the instructions on how to raise your furry friend in the best way, in addition to constant visits to the veterinarian, you can be sure that your four-legged child will have a long and healthy life.