Health Care for German Shepherds

You've found the German Shepherd that was meant for you, you've bought all the required stuff, such as dog food and a soft bed, taken him to the veterinarian for immunizations and begun dog training classes. All is going well and there’s no reason to think about trouble, right? Wrong.

Most dogs, especially purebreds, will require more than just preventative veterinary treatment during their lifetime. It could be something relatively unimportant, like a cough or a skin infection, or it could be significant, like a chronic disease or an unknown malady. It might materialize while your pet is young and apparently in good physical shape, or it might come as he gets older. Your dog may only see the inside of the vet's office a few times in his lifetime, or he might be one of those that your vet recognizes on sight.

The problem with this, of course, is the uncertainty. If you could know in advance that your dog would experience the average amount of medical problems, you could find out what the average lifetime vet bill is for a German Shepherd, and put cash aside each month to cover the expense.

As most dog owners know, it rarely works out like that. You find out suddenly when your pet needs pricey health care. At the same time you’re wondering if your pet is going to pull through, you’re also wondering how much this is going to cost. Then you feel guilty because how can you possibly think about cost at a time like this?

There is a way to reduce the worry about your budget at a time like this. Make a plan to handle the veterinary bills before your pet gets ill or hurt. Conduct your own pet insurance comparison to identify the one that offers the best possible protection for the cost for your German Shepherd while he’s still a baby - preferably before he has the chance to get into trouble!

German Shepherds and other purebred dogs are the most expensive to buy insurance for, and there’s a reason for that. Dogs are more likely to require costly medical care than cats, partly because they seem to get into more accidents. Cats have the uncanny ability to stay out all night, dodging cars and dogs without getting hurt. Dogs, especially young dogs, are more prone to run out into the street and get hurt or have some other misfortune.

Because of inbreeding, purebreds are more likely than mixed breeds to develop certain diseases. German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts and skin allergies. Most reputable breeders make sure that they only breed dogs who are free from hereditary health problems. Even so, these types of problems keep cropping up for German Shepherds, and they often mean pricey vet bills.

When you evaluate pet insurance policies be sure to ask whether they cover hereditary conditions. Those that do will obviously cost more, but it's worth it. After all, the reason you need a pet insurance policy in the first place is to protect against large unforeseen bills. If you buy insurance based only on price, you could find out at the worst possible time that you aren’t covered at all. That defeats the purpose of purchasing pet insurance in the first place.

Take your time and evaluate several policies. Don't settle on one unless it meets your needs. It’s out there.