German Shepherd Dog
Breed description- see AKC for detailed standard
Lucas Gibson 1997-2008 - Everything a German Shepherd should be.
Breed problems can be both inherited or diseases and disorders seen frequently in a breed and mode of inheritance unknown. Both are listed.
Breed problemsAcral lick dermatitis
Allergies - contact food and inhaled
Aortic stenosis
Aspergilliosis - 90% of cases are seen in German Shepherds.
Atopic Dermatitis
Behavioral abnormalities, Temperament and personality problems that may be inherited - some may be unpredictable, aggressive or extremely shy .
Bloat
Calcinosis circumscripta: the development of lumps of hard calcium deposits in the skin.
Cataracts
Cellulitis (folliculitis and furunculosis): inflammation and infection of the cells of the skin including the hair follicles and deeper structures
Cerebellar abiotrophyCervical vertebral instability (wobbler syndrome)
Chronic immune mediated keratoconjunctivitis sicca (CIKS) is the newer name for pannus .It is common in German shepherds.
Cleft lip/palate
Coloboma: an abnormal development of the eye, usually seen in collies, which can lead to blindness
Corneal dystrophy
Cutaneous asthenia - skin lacks its normal strength, elasticity and sensation. Also called Ehlers- Danlos syndrome
Cutaneous vasculopathy: a disease of autosomal recessive inheritance in which young puppies exhibit footpad swelling and depigmentation, with crusting and ulceration of the tips of ears and tail
Cystinuria
Deafness
Degenerative myelopathy
Demodicosis
Dermatomyositis
Dermoids
Discoid Lupus
Ectasia
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a connective tissue disease characterized by loose, hyperextensible and very fragile skin that tears easily
Elbow dysplasia
Enostosis: a bony growth within the hollow part of a bone.
Entropion: an abnormal rolling in of the eyelid.
Eosinophilic panosteitis: a painful inflammatory bone disease of young, rapidly growing dogs, often characterized by increased eosinophils in the blood.
Epilepsy
Esophageal achalasia: a functional stricture or spasm of the muscles of the esophagus where it joins the stomach
Eversion of the nictitating membrane - protruding third eyelid, sometimes cherry eye
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Factor VIII deficiency or hemophilia A: the most common severe inherited clotting disorder of humans and nonhuman animals. Inherited as a sex-linked recessive trait (carried by females and manifested in males).
Factor IX deficiency or hemophilia B: mode of inheritance the same as hemophilia A, but more rare and involves a different clotting factor
Footpad disorder
Gastric dilatation-volvulus
Gastroenteritis
German shepherd pyoderma (seen more commonly in dogs bred from European lines)
Glycogen storage disease type III
Hemivertebra
Hemangiosarcomas German shepherds are reported to be more susceptible to this tumor than most dog breeds.
Hemophilia A
Hip dysplasia
Hyperadrenocorticism
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
Hypothyroidism: a common endocrine disease where the body produces an abnormally low amount of thyroid hormones
Immunoglobulin A deficiency: a condition where levels of secretory immune globulins are low
Keratoacanthoma: a small growth, usually on the face, filled with keratin material.
Lens luxation: a condition where the lens in the eye is displaced into an abnormal position
Lupus erythematosus
Lymphedema: a disorder where valvular blockage of lymph flow or twisted lymphatic ducts causes an accumulation of fluid to swell tissues with edema
Lymphocytic thyroiditis: an autoimmune disease causing inflammation and destruction of the thyroid gland, which becomes infiltrated with lymphocytes (white blood cells) and leads to hypothyroidism
Malabsorption syndrome
Masticatory myositis
Megaesophagus
Mitral valve disease
Mucopolysaccharidosis
Myasthenia gravis
Nasal pyoderma: a skin infection of the nose
Nodular dermatofibrosis
Optic nerve hypoplasia: a condition where the optic nerve going from the eye to the brain is too small
Osteochondrosis dissecans
Osteochondrosis: a group of developmental diseases resulting in abnormal formulation of joint cartilage. Commonly involves the shoulder, stifle, hock or elbow.
Osteosarcomas
Otitis externa: an infection of the external structures of the ear
Pancreatic insufficiency
Pannus
Panosteitis
Perianal fistula
Patent ductus arteriosus: failure of the vessel remnant joining the aorta and pulmonary artery in fetal life to close properly at birth, thereby shunting blood away from the lungs.
Pemphigus erythematosus
Perianal fistulas: a condition characterized by abnormal communications from deeper tissues to the skin surrounding the anus.
Persistent right aortic arch (vascular ring anomaly)
Pituitary dwarfism
Progressive retinal atrophy: a disease where the retina slowly deteriorates, producing night blindness
Pulmonic stenosis
Renal cortical hypoplasia: a condition where the cortex of the kidney(s) develops incompletely
Renal Dysplasia
Sebaceous adenitis
Seborrhea
Selective IgA deficiency
Silica uroliths: stones which are composed primarily from silicone that form in the bladder.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Subaortic stenosis, persistent right aortic arch
Tricuspid dysplasia
Ulcerative colitis: an autoimmune inflammation of the lining of the colon characterized by formation of ulcers
Ununited anconeal process: a developmental abnormality of one of the bones of the elbow joint causing pain
Vertebral stenosis (lumbosacral)
Vitiligo
von Willebrand's disease
This list is based on the work of Dr. George Padgett, DVM.
AL: Alimentary (Digestive System)
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 9 of the 27 diseases listed.
Mode of
Inheritance < Age at Onset * Name of Disease
Undetermined < 4 years * Basenji Enteropathy (Enteritis)
Undetermined < 9 years * Canine Sprue (Chronic Diarrhea)
Undetermined < 10 weeks * Esophageal Hypomobility (Vomiting)
Undetermined < 7 years * Gastric Dilatation – Volvulus (Bloat and Torsion)
Undetermined < 8 years * Idiopathic Canine Colitis (Weight loss, vomiting, bowels)
Undetermined < 6 months * Megaesophagus (Esophageal Achalasia – vomiting)
Undetermined < 8 years * Perianal Fistula (Anal Furunculosis) (Infection, lick/scoot)
Undetermined < 1 year * Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome (SIB0)
Undetermined < 6 years * Sialoceles (Ranula) Swelling of the ventral cervical …region.
BE: Behavioral Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 1 of the 3 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 3 years *Aggressiveness * Nervous and fearful
CA: Cancer
Of the two types of cancers listed (Histiocytosis -- Malignant Histiocytosis, Systemic Histiocytosis and Mastosarcoma), the GSD is not one of the breeds predisposed to get it according to Dr. Padgett’s sources.. Yet, we know from our own experience that our dogs are dying from it. Is it our "white" dogs? Is the cancer environmentally triggered and therefore excluded from a book about genetics? It is possible our survey/questionnaire will shed light on this for us.
EN: Endocrine Disease
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 3 of the 8 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 2 years * Hypothyroidism (Thyroid)
Undetermined < 4 weeks * Primary Hyperthyroidism (Lameness, difficulty walking)
Undetermined < 5 years * Primary Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's – affecting the adrenals)
HB: Hearing and Balance
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to both of the diseases listed.
R D Und < 3 months * Deafness
Undetermined < 3 months * Vestibular Disease (head tilt, loss of balance, circling…)
HL: Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Disease (Blood and lymph system)
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 4 of the 41 diseases listed.
X/Recessive Birth * Hemophilia A (Excessive bleeding – may die)
X/Recessive Birth * Hemophilia B (Failure of blood to clot – may die)
Dominant < 6 months * Pelger–Huet Anomaly
Recessive < 1 year * von Willebrand’s disease (prolonged bleeding – may be mild moderate or severe – may cause death)
HV: Heart and Vascular
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 10 of the 21 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 6 years * Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) numerous symptoms.
Polygenic < 6 months * Inherited Ventricular Tachycardia (GSD Ventricular Arrhythmia)
Undetermined < 1 year * Mitral Valve Defect (MVD) (Mitral Stenosis)
Polygenic Birth * Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) (Murmurs, exercise weakness)
Polygenic Birth * Persistent Right Aortic Arch. (Vascular Ring Anomaly)
Polygenic < 1 year * Pulmonic Stenosis (PS) (Murmurs, enlarged right side of heart)
Polygenic < 1 year * Subaortic Stenosis (Murmurs, weakness, sudden death)
Polygenic < 3 months * Tetralogy of Fallot (Murmurs, heart failure, sudden death)
Undetermined < 1 year * Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (Murmurs, lethargy, etc.)
Polygenic Birth * Ventricular Septal Defect (A hole in the heart wall…)
IM: Immune System Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 8 of the 16 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 1 year * Atopic Dermatitis (Rough itchy, oozing skin)
Undetermined < 4 years * Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (Attack of own red blood cells)
Undetermined < 1 year * Demodicosis (Demodex – localized infection)
Undetermined Varies * Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) (Skin disorders)
Undetermined < 10 years * Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Pupura (hemorrhages, etc.)
Undetermined < 6 years * Immune Mediated Polygenicathritis (Inflammation of joints)
Undetermined Birth * Selective IgA Deficiency (Lack of protection against infection)
Undetermined < 9 years * Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (Numerous symptoms)
IN: INTEGUMENTARY DISEASES (Skin)
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 19 of the 66 diseases listed.
Undetermined Varies * Acral Mutilation Syndrome (self-mutilation especially by dogs who bored and don’t have any other outlet).
Undetermined Varies * Bullous Pemphigoid (ulcers)
Undetermined < 2 years * Contact Dermatitis (Lesions, etc.)
Undetermined < 1 years * Dudley Nose (Fading nose to whitish or chocolate color)
Dominant < 10 weeks * Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (easily torn skin)
Undetermined < 8 years * GSD Pyoderma (Skin, hair loss, pigment loss, etc.)
Undetermined < 11 months * GSD Footpad syndrome (Ulceration due to tender footpads)
Undetermined Birth * Idiopathic Onychomadeis (Sloughing of nails)
Undetermined < 5 years * Onychodystrophy (Loss of nails – infection)
Undetermined < 4 years * Pemphigus Foliceus (Scaly skin starts on ears or face)
Undetermined < 2 years * Pemphigus Vulgaris (Ulcerations/groin)
Undetermined < 1 year * Primary Seborrhea (Flaking malodorous skin)
Undetermined < 1 year * Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) (Hair brittle, matted, skin greasy)
Undetermined < 2 years * Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis (Pustules)
Undetermined < 8 years * Symmetric Lupid Onychodystrophy (Sloughing claws/sec. Infections)
Recessive < 3 months * Tryosinemia (Cloudy corneas, conjunctivitis & cataracts)
Recessive or < 6 months * Umbilical Hernia (Outpouching of skin over "belly button")
Polygenic
Undetermined < 3 years * Vitiligo (Depigmentation of lips, nose, etc.)
Undetermined < 6 weeks * Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis (rough cracking oozing skin)
LP: Liver-Pancreas
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 5 of the 8 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 5 years Chronic Active Hepatitis (Vomiting, weight loss, etc.)
Undetermined < 3 years Diabetes Mellitus (Excessive sugar accumulates in blood & urine)
Recessive < 1 year Pancreatic Hypoplasia (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) (weight loss and chronic diarrhea)
Undetermined < 1 year Portosystemic Shunt (Extra vessels allows blood to bypass liver)
Undetermined < 1 year Portosystemic Shunt (Intrahepatic) (Abnormal blood vessels)
MU: Muscle Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 5 of the 20 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 4 months Biceps Brachii Tendon Displacement (Lameness after exercise)
Undetermined > 1 year Fibrotic Myopathy (Lameness in muscles which affect the gait)
Recessive < 6 months Hereditary Myopathy (Lab Retriever Myopathy – muscle stiffness)
Undetermined > 1 year Masticatory Myositis (Atrophic Myositis) (pain & visible swelling – dog might be reluctant to open mouth and to eat)
Undetermined Birth Type II Fiber Hypotrophy of GSD (Abnormality of the gait caused by muscle pathology)
NE: Neurologic Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 9 of the 60 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 9 years Cauda Equina Polygenicradiuloneuritis (Muscle atrophy etc.)
Recessive < 20 weeks Cerebellar Degeneration (Lack of coordination, ataxia, paralysis, death)
Recessive < 6 months Congenital Myasthenia Gravis (Severe muscle weakness)
Undetermined > 1 year Degenerative Myelopathy (GS Myelopathy) (Results in paresis)
Undetermined < 2 years Dysautonomia (Urinary incontinence/difficult defecation etc.)
Undetermined > 1 year Epilepsy (seizures)
Recessive > 1 year Giant Axonal Neuropathy (Rear limb paresis, atrophy, etc.)
Recessive < 8 months Glycogenosis (Glycogen Storage Disease – Type II (Pompe’s Disease < 6 months and Type III Cori’s Disease)
Undetermined < 13 months Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Weakness and wasting of all limbs, etc.)
OC: Ocular Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 23 of the 53 diseases listed.
Recessive < 3 years Cataracts (Lens opacity)
Undetermined < 2 years Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) (Optical defect)
Recessive < 1 year Collie Eye Anomaly (Can cause retinal detachment & blindness)
Undetermined Varies Corneal Dystrophy (Corneal opacity interfering with vision)
R/?Undetermined < 1 year Demoid (Small patch of skin on the cornea)
Undetermined < 6 months Distichiasis (Abnormal location of eyelashes causing irritation)
Undetermined < 6 months Ectropion (Turning out of the eyelids causing eyeball exposure)
Undetermined < 1 year Entropion (Turning in of the eyelids causing lashes to rub eyeball)
Undetermined < 3 months Eversion of the Nictitating membrane (Eversion of 3rd eyelid)
Undetermined < 3 years Glaucoma (Increased pressure in globe, pain & often blindness)
Undetermined < 1 year Imperforate Lacrimal Punctum (Epiphora) (Tears spill on face)
Undetermined < 1 year Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) (Inadequate tear production…)
Undetermined < 1 year Lens Luxation (Dislocation of the lens from its normal site)
Undetermined Birth Macropalpebral Fissure (Macroblepharon, Diamond Eye)
Undetermined Birth Microphthalmia (An anomaly in development – abnormal eyeballs)
Undetermined < 3 months Optic Nerve Hypolasia (Visual impairment or blindness)
Undetermined < 1 year Pannus (Superficial Stromal Keratitis) (Possible obscured vision)
Undetermined < 3 months Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Viterous (PHPV) (Vision problems)
Undetermined < 3 months Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM) (Impaired vision or blindness..)
Undetermined Varies Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (Degeneration of the vision cells)
Undetermined < 1 year Retinal Dysplasia (Folds)
Recessive < 1 year Retinal Dysplasia (Geographic Detachment) (Blindness results)
Undetermined < 3 years Uveodermatologic Syndrome (Loss of pigment around eyes, nose, etc.)
RP: Reproductive Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 4 of the 14 diseases listed.
Recessive Birth Anasarca (Subcutaneous collection of fluid – pup may be 4 to 5 times normal size at birth)
Recessive/ < 3 months Cryptorchidism (An absence of testicles….)
Undetermined < 10 weeks Preputial Stenosis (Phimosis)
XX-XXY Birth Pseudohermaphrodite (Own sex as well as opposite sex characteristics)
RS: Respiratory Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to none of the 9 diseases listed.
SK: Skeletal Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 25 of the 65 diseases listed.
Undetermined < 1 year Bone Cysts (Pathological fractures are common…)
Undetermined < 1 year Calcinosis Circumscripta (Abnormal deposits of calcium…)
Undetermined Birth Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate (A fissure or cleft in roof of mouth or upper lip)
Recessive < 6 months Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) (Abnormal jaw bone growth…)
Recessive < 3 months Pituitary Dwarfism (Reduced size, possible physical deformities…)
Undetermined < 1 year Hemivertebra (Abnormal formation of vertebrae…)
Polygenic < 2 years Hip Dysplasia (Abnormal formation of the hip socket, lameness)
Undetermined < 8 months Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (Mild to severe lameness…)
Undetermined > 1 year Intervertebral Disc Disease (IDD) (Dorsal rupture of discs…)
Undetermined < 1 year Lumbosacral Malarticulation (Rear-leg gait abnormalities…)
Undetermined Birth Lumborsacral Stenosis (Spinal Stenosis) (Lameness etc.)
Undetermined < 1 year Luxation of the Atlantoxial Joint (Separation of spinal column)
Undetermined < 10 years Luxation of the Tarsal, Metatarsal, & Intertarsal Joints (A separation of the various bones making up the hock joint)
Undetermined < 5 months Missing Teeth (Often imperfect dentition)
Undetermined < 18 months Multiple Cartilaginous Exostoses (Lameness & bony nodules may occur; most often this disease is silent)
Osteochondritis (Dissecans (OCD) (Lameness) 4 types follow:
Polygenic < 1 year FCP – OCD
Undetermined < 1 year Nonfusion of the Anconeus
Undetermined < 1 year Shoulder Joint
Undetermined < 1 year Stifle Joint
Undetermined < 1 year Overshot (Upper jaw extends beyond the lower jaw)
Undetermined < 18 months Panosteitis (Usually, sudden onset of a mild shifting lameness – disease is self-limiting)
Recessive < 1 year Premature Closure of the Ulna (Wrists turn in, front feet turn out)
Undetermined < 1 year Premature Closure of the Radius (Bowed front legs)
Undetermined Birth Spinal Bifida (Rear-limb weakness, etc.)
Polygenic > 1 year Spondylosis Deformans (Abnormal fusion or bridging bet. vertebrae)
Polygenic Varies Transitional Vertebral Segments (Paralysis, atrophy, etc.)
Polygenic < 1 year Undershot (Lower jaw extends beyond upper jaw)
Polygenic < 1 year Wobbler Syndrome (Abnormality of neck vertebrae – may result in paralysis)
UR: Urinary System Diseases
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to 7 of the 22 diseases listed.
X/Recessive < 1 year Cystinuria (Renal Tubular Transport Defect) (May cause stones)
Dominant < 11 years Hereditary Renal Cystadenocarcinomas & Nodular Dermatofibrosis (Malignant tumors in the kidney with nodules in the skin)
Undetermined Birth Hypospadias (Urinary incontinence & secondary bacterial infections)
Undetermined < 1 year Juvenile Renal Dysplasia (Renal failure and death)
Undetermined < 6 years Systemic Reactive Amyloidosis (Uremia & chronic renal failure)
Recessive < 3 months Uric Acid Excretion (Usually silent disease except for stone formation)
Undetermined < 9 years Uroliths – Struvite (Collection of calculi – kidney or bladder stones)
There is now a test DNA for Juvenile Renal DysplasiaGerman Shepherd - American Kennel Club
German Shepherd Dog club of America
This page was last edited 05/01/08
