Developed from various farm and herding dogs of his time, von Stephanitz's original German Shepherd was derived from a herding dog he acquired in 1899, and he and his friend Artur Meyer formed the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde which was the first club in the German Shepherd dog breed history. This club and von Stephanitz kept tight control over the breed until his death in 1936.
He determined which dogs would be used to breed based on how well they did in various shows and trials that were the precursor to the Schutzhund tests still performed today. His main criteria for judging a dog's success were both its usefulness coupled with its intelligence. Von Stephanitz also promoted the utility of the breed to the German government for work in both the police and the military as well as other all-purpose uses as a working dog breed. German Shepherd Breed History
Following the creation of the German Shepherd breed by von Stephanitz in the early 1900s, the breed's popularity soon soared and became one of Germany's most popular dogs. Serving in both World War I and II, the German Shepherd was a favorite military dog, primarily in Germany, but American and British soldiers were also impressed by the breed and brought the dog home following both wars.
In fact, one of the most popular German Shepherds dogs was Rin Tin Tin, originally from France, and brought to America by an American GI following the first world war. Rin Tin Tin went on to make 26 movies until his death in 1932 and contributed to the breed's enormous popularity.
In addition to its use in the police and military arenas, German Shepherds have a history of usefulness in other areas, is known as a successful show dog and has been a popular family pet. German Shepherds were the first dogs used as seeing eye dogs in the late 1920s and Helen Keller, an avid dog lover, owned a couple of German Shepherds.
The first German Shepherd Club in America was formed in 1913 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. Instantly recognizable, the German Shepherd continues to be a popular dog breed, and the German Shepherd is continually in the top five most popular registered breeds as determined by the AKC.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (also called EPI) is a medical condition in which the pancreas of the affected German Shepherd Dog (GSD) stops producing enough digestive enzymes to digest food normally in its small intestine.
EPI in the German Shepherd can result from primary pancreatic disease or several other diseases that interfere with the correct production of enzymes by the pancreas or of activation of the enzymes in the intestine.
What is the pancreas and EPI? And what does this have to do with my own personal German Shepherd?
Briefly: the "exocrine" part of the pancreas is responsible for producing the enzymes we all use to digest our food correctly. Without adequate production of these particular enzymes your German Shepherd cannot digest its food properly either.
If your German Shepherd can't digest it's food, it will not be able to absorb all the food's nutrients properly. Keep in mind that Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can be potentially life threatening, especially in its acute form. However, it often responds well to ongoing and daily treatments when diagnosed and treated with the proper drugs.
Typically, the exocrine functions of the pancreas can malfunction in one of two ways. First, in acute pancreatitis, the dog's pancreas becomes inflamed, causing vomiting and loss of appetite with resulting dehydration. This requires immediate veterinary attention.
Secondly, a previously healthy German Shepherd may begin to exhibit some or all of the following symptoms: excessive water-drinking, ravenous appetite and very soft "cow patty" stools. This is indeed a big tell. No matter how much the dog eats, it will be hungry soon after and will soon begin to lose weight. Typically, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the GSD is presented in young adult dogs between 1 to 5 years of age.
The diagnosis of EPI needs to be confirmed by use of laboratory tests. Diarrhea and foul smelling feces due to high fat content results and because all the food ingredients are not being digested completely the German Shepherd will quickly become malnourished.
Signs of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the GSD:
? Diarrhea and foul smelling "cow patty" feces.
? Increased gut sounds.
? Excessive water-drinking.
? Weight loss.
? Signs of nutritional deficiency (ex. dry and brittle hair, anemia)
? Ravenous appetite.
Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the GSD:
Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency often involves the use of replacement pancreatic enzymes. These are given orally to your German Shepherd. Occasionally oral antibiotics may be needed as well. Most often, these EPI products are given in powder form or as crushed tablets, then mixed with the food and left on it for about 30 minutes at room temperature before feeding takes place.
Recommended diet to deal with EPI:
? Feed several small meals daily (at least 3 or more)
? Feed a highly digestible, palatable, complete ration. Consult you veterinarian
? Ideal diet for a dog with EPI : low fiber, low in fat, low excess carbohydrates
Keep in mind, once diagnosed, this treatment is a lifelong commitment for you and your German Shepherd. It may be possible to regulate the condition of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the German Shepherd Dogs who are not so severely affected by feeding a very bland low-fat, low-fiber diet and adding an over-the-counter enzyme supplement.
For the more severely affected German Shepherd a more serious regime is required. If EPI enzyme supplementation is stopped for any reason then all the unpleasant symptoms will recur in your dog - and very soon. Oftentimes the German Shepherds response to therapy can be seen within a week or so of starting treatment.
The owner of a German Shepherd diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency needs to be very attentive to their GSD's overall condition. After figuring out the correct amount of enzyme(s) needed to produce relatively normal stools and to stop weight loss, the GSD owner can usually feed enough food to help the dog regain lost weight. Relapses are always possible and are shown either in the return of diarrhea or in resumed weight loss.
The dogs owner will have to watch carefully for any of these returning symptoms. Generally speaking, as long as the German Shepherd owner is vigilant in maintaining the diet and enzyme supplements needed by the Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency patient, then the dog with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can live a happy and relatively normal life.
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