Please review the pages below "Health Risks" to familiarize yourself with the very important information of Health risks that you should be aware of when considering a German Shepherd.  Breeders should be testing for Hip Dysplasia & Degenerative Myopethy (DM) in their breeding stock.

We have posted some extremely Imortant information under this "Health Risks" tab.  Please take the time to review the importance of not Spaying or Neutering prior to 15 months of age.  There are many cancers, increased incidence of hip dysplasia and other bone disorders along with tendon and ACL problems that studies have shown are in direct relation to early spay or neuter.  This causes increased risk of Dysplasia through environmental causes, NOT GENETICS!  

It is also imperative that you continue to feed your puppy a puppy diet until he reaches maturity, generally 15 months for large breed dogs, and even longer for larger dogs.  In general, puppies will mature at different times so best to wait a little longer as opposed to lean to the younger side.  Adult foods just don't offer the nutrition that a growing puppy needs for proper nutrition & growth.  For years it was common to hear that you should transition your puppy to adult food at the age of 1 year.  This is not true for the German Shepherd.  Research has shown that a German Shepherd, of the standard size, will not typically mature until 15 to as much as 20 months of age.  Larger German Shepherds may take longer.  The puppy diet should be maintained until your puppy reaches maturity.

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This information is provided through years of research and should be considered opinion and is not to take the place of your regular veterinary care.