Health

(Please note:  Alsatians have been known to go off food, lose weight, experience hair loss and depression immediately following the rabies shot.  Veterinarians do not believe at this time that the rabies vaccine is the cause, but no other explanation has been discovered.  We recommend waiting until the dog is 1 year old before receiving this particular shot.) 

***Please read the following vaccination article  by Leerburg. 

Please see the vet page for more information on our policies regarding veterinarian care.

Hip Dysplasia/Elbow Dysplasia (.1%)

~In 2007, one female pup out of Zorro X Carlitta had severe elbow dysplasia at 2 years old.  Both parents were hip/elbow tested and received excellent scores.  Nevertheless, the parents, Zorro and Carlitta, were never again bred together.

~In 2002, one dog at the age of 6 years old out of Bach X Betty developed weak joints in the elbow.

Epilepsy or seizures (.5%)

~ In March 2011, a 2 year old male out of Keno and Annie was diagnosed with epilepsy. 

~In 2009, one 4 month old female pup out of Beamer X Ida Mae had seizures for one week immediately following a rabies shot.  This puppy has not had any seizures since and is not currently on any medication.  

~In 2009, one male pup out of Beamer X Ida Mae was shown to have epileptic seizures at 12 weeks old after to a severe fall.   

~In 2008, one male pup out of Packer X Rowanda was shown to have epileptic seizures at eight years old.

~In 2004, one F1 female pup out of Sam (Great Pyrenees mix) X Sooner was diagnosed with epilepsy. 

~In 2003, 4 out of 8 pups in the litter out of Trucker X Trixy had seizures .  One of those pups died suddenly and the autopsy report found no indication of any trauma or genetic problems.  Both Trucker and Trixy were spayed and never bred again. 

~In 2001, one male pup out of Packer X Ricotta had seizures. 

~In 1999, Hoss, the first male mixed pup bred from purebred German Shepherd Dog and Malamute had epilepsy at the age of 11 years old.

~In 1992, Omo Von Der Dodo SCHIII, one of the foundation stock German Shepherd dogs from Germany, experienced daily seizures until it subsided considerably without medication after taking the dog out of the intensive schutzhund training environment.  No pups out of this male were ever shown to have epilepsy, seizures, or tremors  for any length of time. 

Panosteitis (.1%)

~In January 2012, one female out of Zorro X Luna was diagnosed with mild Panosteitis in her right front leg at 14 months old.  The limping symptoms lasted for 1 week.  She has been spayed and has never been bred.  

~In 2004, one female out of Zorro X Sooner showed mild limping at varying times at 5-8 months old. 

~In 1994, one male pup showed very mild limping for approximately one week at 5 months old. 

Severe arthritis (.1%)

~In 2002, two pups out of the Uric/Vegas lines were reported to have arthritis. 

~In 2004, an 8 year old female out of Saba and Brat developed arthritis.

Eye diseases (0%)

~No known instances

Urinal Problems (.1%)

~In 2009, one male pup out of Beamer X Annie developed sheath problems at 9 months old and was unable to retract into the prepuce. 

~In 2003, one 11 year old dog (F3) was reported to have a weak bladder. 

Skin disorders (.05%)

~In 1990, one pup out of a third generation had acute dermatitis at 3-6 months of age.  No pups from that litter were ever bred to further the lines and the parents were never rebred.

Bloat and gastric torsion (.1%)

~In October 2011, one four year old female (F2) out of Hero X Annie was diagnosed with gastric torsion.  This female was spayed and never bred.  When eating too fast and too much at one time, her stomach filled with gas and turned slightly causing severe pain and discomfort.  She is eating smaller portions twice a day and is currently not on any medication and has not undergone surgery at this time.

~In 2004, one 4 year old male dog out of Vegas X Sooner was diagnosed with gastric torsion.  This male was neutered and never bred.

Cancer (.05%)

~In 2010, a 10 year old male out of Bach and Betty Boop was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis, a form of leukemia. 

Muscle disorders (.05%)

~ In 2011, a year old dog out of Zorro and X World Premiere was diagnosed with masticatory myositis.  

Heart Conditions (.05%)

~In 2010, a 6 month old puppy out of Keno X Missy died of complications due to an enlarged heart.

Allergies (.05%)

~In 2011, a 1 year old male out of Jessie and Keno showed biting and licking behaviors due to a wheat allergy. 

We pride ourselves on giving you the honest truth.  This includes information about the health of our dogs.  American Alsatian breeders do not hide anything and you will know when any Alsatian has any genetic health issues.   We hip and elbow score all of our breeding stock to insure that you have the best chance of receiving a new puppy into your life that will have a happy, healthy life for many years.  One of the most important reasons this breed was started in 1988 was because of the seeming disregard to many breeds' health.  Genetic health issues are rare in the Alsatian due to the vigilance of the founder with each generation of Alsatian bred, but health issues do come up from time to time.  You can read about all of them here.  

Even though I only breed the very healthiest of dogs, your dog may come up with something at sometime.  I am not God, but I do take this very seriously.  I guarantee your dog to be healthy and I stand behind that.

We want you to have the healthiest pup in the world and we are going to do everything humanly possible for that to take place!