Published: 11 Aug 2017 | Last Updated: 11 Aug 2017 19:26:00

New VetCompass study published which describes the demography and disorders of German Shepherds under primary veterinary care in the UK.

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide.  However, concerns for the health and welfare of the breed have been widely aired and there is evidence that breed numbers are now declining in the UK.  This study aimed to report on the demography and mortality of GSDs in the UK, and to tier the prevalence of the most common disorders records in this breed.

The median longevity of GSDs was 10.3 years (IQR 8.0-12.1), with the most common causes of death being musculoskeletal disorder (16.3%) and inability to stand (14.9%).  The most prevalent disorders were otitis externa, osteoarthritis, diarrhoea, overweight/obesity and aggression.  Theses results may assist veterinarians to offer evidence-based advice at a breed level and help to identify priorities for GSD heath that can improve the breed's health and welfare.

O'Neill DG, Coulson NR, Church DB and Brodbelt DC. Demography and disorders of German Shepherds under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2017 4:7