[SchHTrainer]

Hello to everyone on this site. I am looking forward to reading some of the interesting articles on here. I have three German Shepherd dogs, 7 year old Ace, 4 year old Jasmine, and 8 month old Tank. I train my dogs in Schutzhund as well as AKC obedience and Rally. They are a handful but I really enjoy working with them. They all are very loving animals.

[CorkyMax]

You may know of this problem, but just in case I am going to paste a post I did a while back.
Attention-german shepherd/and gs mixes

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I feel that it is very important that all of you are aware of the problem that German Shepherds have with being able to get the nutrients from their food. German Shepherds have more 'breed specific health problems' then any other breed. They also die sooner than other breeds. I just know it is because they are not getting the nutrients out of what they eat----which means their immune system is compromised--which means they are susceptible to everything and are not in the best of health--or over a period of time it will break down. (Teenagers who eat a lot of junk and seem very healthy until they get older start having "age-related" problems--not the healthest immune system by now) The immune system 'is where it is all at' I am posting here a post I did back on Jan. 17-09 because I love all dogs and want to see them live a healthier, longer life!!

Came back in here to stress this point--A young dog will prob. not show that it's immune system is being compromised---but when the immune system can no longer function properly, then there may be a breakdown and the immune system can no longer 'protect' the dog from diseases and other probs.---THE IMMUNITY IS GONE!! It may appear that the dog is sick overnight and start going ' down hill' fast! Please make sure your GSD is getting the proper nutrition now---NO MATTER HOW HEALTHY IT APPEARS AT PRESENT!!

Just want to get this info out from a book I have (Earl Mindell's nutrition & Health for Dogs)---German Shepards are prone to a digestive enzyme defiency that causes many intestinal problems, including poor digestion and the inability to absorb the nutrients from foods. Nutrient deficiencies cause a long list of chronic problems, including skin problems, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting. A diet of fresh, raw foods would be all these German Shepards would need to properly digest and absorb their food. For severe cases, there are digestive enzyme supplements for dogs. Digestive enzymes help break down your dog's food enabling the nutrients to be absorbed. Normally, living creatures begin life w/plenty of digestive enzymes, which may be depleted if they are never given any fresh, raw food. The enzymes in raw food do not replenish your dog's reserves as much as they digest a portion of that food so that your dog's body does not use as many.(end of quotes) Of course much of this info is for the good of all dogs!! And a raw food diet is what I feed my 2 cockers.

Hope you already were aware of this and if not I hope it is useful info for you. I love dogs and trying to help them all I can--They pretty much depend on us to keep them healthy!

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[Lara's mom]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

[SchHTrainer]

Hello Corky/Max,

Thank you for the information. I do agree that dogs need to be on a raw diet. I feed my dogs kibble but it is a grain free diet with meat protein sources. I have seen an amazing difference in their health since moving over to this new diet.

It is my personal opinion that dogs have their immune systems compromised by allergens including things in their diets as well as a barrage of vaccinations. What I know about mammalian physiology tells me that there is not a need to re immunize as often as dogs are immunized today.

Thank you for your very informative post.

[lil mutt]

Welcome SchHTrainer and to your very active crew. We would love to see them in play and action, please share some piccies on them, hope you enjoy the board.

[DoggieVogue]

Hi and welcome!