Purebred German Shepherds are at risk for a variety of health problems, many of them genetic. As a general rule, though, purebred dogs are far more likely to suffer from certain disorders than mixed breeds. Your mini German Shepherd may still develop one or more conditions that tend to be common in German Shepherds. German Shepherds are among many breeds prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Dysplasia happens when the joint is malformed and unstable. These abnormalities can happen in the socket, ball, or both.
Either one of these conditions can cause premature osteoarthritis as well as laxity in the joint. Hip or elbow dysplasia can be moderate to severe and it tends to be an expensive problem to treat.
Anti-inflammatories, a special diet, and a heated bed may help a dog with dysplasia. Sometimes surgery is necessary which may involve hip replacement. GDV is a rapidly progressing and potentially life-threatening condition. German Shepherds often have their food elevated which may contribute to this problem, even though it may be recommended to help other issues like hip dysplasia.
Even a tiny cut or bump that produces a bruise can become life-threatening. German Shepherds are at a greater risk of hemophilia than any other breed. This is a common condition in German Shepherds that causes openings around the anus to drain. Occasionally, a miniature German Shepherd will look like a split combination of the German Shepherd and the other breed used in the cross.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to predict how they will look as they may or may not share the appearance of both parents. The only way to see the true appearance of the dog is if you choose to adopt one from a shelter or a re-homing center. German Shepherds are naturally heavy shedders. But what about the miniature variety? Do they also shed?
Miniature German Shepherds do shed. They are heavy shedders and will shed the same as German Shepherds. This occurs in the spring and the fall. In spring, the undercoat will change to a lighter, cooler one in line with warmer weather, and in fall, a thicker, warmer undercoat will grow in preparation for the winter. If you are hoping for a compact German Shepherd that sheds less, you will be disappointed! However, sometimes the degree of shedding can depend on the breed used in the cross.
You can check out my article about German Shepherd shedding for loads more info, including my 7 top tips on reducing shedding. If you suffer from an allergy to pet dander, you may wonder if the mini German Shepherd is hypoallergenic. Miniature German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic. Even if a hypoallergenic breed such as a Poodle is used in the cross, it is improbable that the puppies will also be hypoallergenic, but they may shed less than a purebred German Shepherd.
Mini German Shepherds often live longer than GSDs and can live up to 15 years depending on the breed used in the mix — compared to years for a GSD. Small breeds live longer than large breeds because large breeds age faster. Mixed breeds are also more likely to have a recessive disease.
This recent large study of , dogs found that purebreds were 2. Another study of over 27, dogs conducted over 15 years to determine the proportion of mixed-breed and purebred dogs with common genetic disorders found that the theory that purebred dogs are more susceptible to inherited disease is only true for some disorders. The German Shepherd is generally a healthy dog but is susceptible to certain genetic health issues like most purebreds.
They are prone to hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and bloat GDV. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals states that Training a Miniature German Shepherd is usually a breeze, as they are intelligent dogs with parent breeds that have a long history of working closely with humans. Just like other working breeds, these dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. This method requires consistency and dedication, but the result is well worth it.
Try to begin training your dog from the day that you bring them home, as this will help set the training and prevent them from picking up any bad habits, which are harder to fix. The key to training these dogs well is consistency and repetition, but try to make training a fun experience and avoid too many of the same exercises. German Shepherds can be stubborn and aloof at times, and the same trait may be passed down to your dog.
Early socialization with people and other dogs is crucial for avoiding this and will make training them easier. Miniature German Shepherds are fairly high-shedding pooches and need to be brushed every couple of days to remove any excess dead hair.
Bathing them with human shampoos or too often can strip their coat of its natural oils and cause further shedding and even allergies down the line. The Miniature German Shepherds is a healthy breed that benefits from hybrid vigor, the resulting good health from mixing pure-bred dogs. However, there are no guarantees, and there are a few issues that may be passed down from their parent breeds, including hip and elbow dysplasia, hemophilia, and epilepsy.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus is fairly common in dogs with deep chests, so be sure to feed your dog two to three small meals throughout the day and avoid feeding them after exercise. Degenerative myelopathy is fairly common in senior German Shepherds and may be seen in German Shepherd hybrids too. While these dogs can vary in size due to their mixed genetics, males are typically larger than females, although not usually by much.
Males are usually slower to mature and may be more of a challenge to train than females, although females are prone to be moodier and slightly more aloof at times, which can also present a challenge in training. Females are less needy and attention-demanding, while males typically will take all the affection that they can get!
These factors will affect their character far more than their sex. The Miniature German Shepherd is a great family dog, with a gentle, affectionate, and loyal personality. They are highly intelligent and easy to train and have a long lifespan, with few hereditary diseases to be concerned about.
Miniature German Shepherds are highly adaptable pooches and can live happily in a small house and apartments, provided that they get the necessary exercise.
The Poodle excels as a competition dog and is also widely used for therapy. The Poodle can weigh up to 70 lbs 31 kg with a height of 22 in 56 cm and has a lifespan of up to 15 years. There are health concerns associated with this breed, such as epilepsy, canine hypothyroidism, and progressive retinal atrophy. The German Shepherd is sharp as a tack and completely dedicated and in love with its family. Ranking as the 3rd most intelligent , you get a well-rounded dog that is not only stunningly beautiful with its thick coat, confident stance, and communicative features, but an excellent guard dog that will protect at any cost.
It can weigh up to 88 lbs 40 kg with a height of 25 in 65 cm and has a lifespan of up to 13 years. For further insight into German Shepherd growth, take a look at this guide and chart. With the Shepherd breed, hip dysplasia is a common health issue that is seen in the Miniature variety as well. Shepherds are also known to suffer from a neural disease called degenerative myelopathy and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which is a digestive disorder.
This is a rare inherited genetic disorder that results from breeding two purebred German Shepherds. A German Shepherd with dwarfism, though significantly smaller weighing up to 30 lbs , will exhibit the token characteristics and mannerisms the breed is known for. It will also look like a typical Shepherd, except with shortened limbs. This is one way to procure a smaller than normal Shepherd, but there will be extra health issues to deal with, such as allergies and thyroid issues.
It is common for these dogs to bald as they age as well.
0コメント