If you buy a German Shepherd larger than 88 pounds will you get a dog with physical problems?

I understand the breed standard for German Shepherds is 88 pounds. I understand many breeders breed German Shepherds that run 110 to 120 pounds for use as guard dogs. Would these larger than normal dogs have health problems? Or would the only problem be that you could not show them?

You'd need registration papers to show them. The larger dogs would be docked points.The PROBLEMS you'd have to deal with would likely hinge on overweight problems, and hip dysplasia. Heavier dogs have more pain in the hips when this develops.

Why 88 lbs., and not 87 or 89 lbs.? Find a reputable breeder who breeds to the STANDARD and does the genetic health testings, and you will have less health issues. Do you really think it would make a difference if a dog weighed 65 lbs. vs.90 lbs., if it would have Hip Dysplasia? Well, Hip Dysplasia is inherited, and a few lbs. one way or another will not make a difference. Someone who is breeding giant Shepherds, is most likely not caring about doing genetic health testing.

Your dog has way exceeded the GSD breed standard.

they are an active bread and if there weight is more than normal you can know that most that is muscle and not fat so no its going to be just as good or better, i would have to say a puppy born weighing more is the healthier of the litter the runts are the ones that are under weight remember.

Sure=they're BYBd CRAP!!!!duh

@Julie D - it is 88 lbs because the weight standard according to the FCI standard is 30-40 kgs. 40 kgs is 88lbs. The dog was meant to be a certain size. Breeding larger can cause more issues but that does not mean it will for certain. I don't believe the reason they breed them large is for guard work. Aside from inimidation factor a large size gives no advantage, if anything it is a hinderance. They breed oversized GSDs because we live in a mentality of bigger is better, manlier, stronger, whatever. That is NOT the case for this breed. You will never see an oversized monster succeed on the Schutzhund field, Police or Protection work or even in herding. You aren't going to e successful showing a working line GSD in American or Canada anyway. And in other countries an oversized dog would not pass a breed survey.Being slightly oversized is one thing. Adding 20-30 lbs to a frame not meant to carry that size can cause problems.

Some of the answers you've gotten are.. not right.Yes there is a breedstandard stating a certain weight - but the breedstandard depends on which organisations standards you are reading.And NO a heavier built - and i talk about more body - not fat - doesn't automaticly develop issues that a lighter built dog might. BUT you would have to keep in mind to let a bigger dog take it easier a little logner during the growth periods not to put any extra strain on the joints. But then again - that is something all people should do with their dogs, take it easy untill the joints are fully developed.Breeders of bigger gsds aren't automaticly "ignorant" to the breedstandards - nor their health. A good breeder is a good breeder. And a bigger dog isn't automaticly sick../Owner of a boy that more than likely will mature to about 120 pounds, same size as my last one...

Not necessarily.It would depend on the genetics of the dog as well as the size. You can also help by feeding a premium diet,giving glucosamine,chondroitin and fish oils and not letting the dog get fat. my female is close to 80 lbs,is almost 10 years old and was a stray,so probably came from a BYB,but she has no joint problems so far.