For many dog lovers, there is one breed that grabs the heart and doesn't let go. For an estimated 50,000 dog owners in the United States, that breed is the strong, intelligent and agile German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd is the third most popular breed in the United States. Well known for their working ability, German Shepherds are typically associated with police and military functions along with search and rescue. They are also utilized as working guide dogs for the blind and disabled and, as their names attest, shepherding.
Despite this hard-working reputation, German Shepherds are also known as loving and loyal pets. They respond well to obedience training, socialize easily with other animals and serve as friendly companions for the entire family, especially children.
Unfortunately, this hard-working and dependable dog is susceptible to a variety of bone and joint problems. These problems include panosteitis, osteochrondritis dissecans (OCD) and hip and elbow dysplasia. All three are genetically linked and cannot be cured, although panosteitis, which affects younger animals, is usually outgrown in a month or two. The only option for animals affected by OCD and dysplasia is pain management.
German Shepherds are uniquely susceptible to OCD. This condition is characterized by bone actually crumbling beneath cartilage, particularly in the shoulders, elbows and ankles. The condition shows up within the first year of life and puppies whose parents suffered from the condition are likely to suffer as well.
Hip dysplasia is, perhaps, the best known joint problem in medium and large dogs, and is particularly associated with German Shepherds. Simply stated, dysplasia occurs when a bone does not fit correctly in the joint socket. Dysplasia speeds the normal wear on the cartilage protecting the bone, leading to painful bone-on-bone contact. Dysplasia is genetic and the only step breeders can take now is selective breeding.
The situation may seem dire for a dog suffering from one of these three common ailments, but there is hope - particularly for OCD, dysplasia and common canine arthritis.
Natural supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin is highly effective in remediating joint problems in animals, particularly osteoarthritis which affects millions of dogs of all breeds. These two molecules serve as the building blocks for cartilage. In a healthy animal, glucosamine and chondroitin are easily synthesized and used to rebuild cartilage. In an animal with degenerative joint conditions, the body is not able to pull on these valuable resources. This is where supplementation comes in.
Because the supplementation market is not regulated, products abound. Powder, pill, capsule, liquid - which to choose?
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