08/31/2026
My specialty is German Shepherds.
I’ve worked with many breeds over the past 45+ years but if I had to choose one breed that i have have the most hands on experience with - it’s the GSD.
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG.
I’ve personally owned 12, now 13 since adding beautiful Ren.🖤
Here is one consistent factor with MOST of the GSD’s I’ve experienced.
Their SKIN & their stomach . Directly related since the immune system is found in the gut & skin is a great representation of what’s going on with the immune system.
If you don’t already have your GSD on enzymes and probiotics. Please read. This is a great breakdown of why this breed may need more than most breeds.
I feed my GSD’s mostly a raw diet from OC RAW DOG , Tuckers Raw and VIVA raw -and this has helped dramatically. For those that feed kibble and want to continue , I understand completely and here is some help to understanding what may be going on— the enzymes are a MUST.
Here’s why -
German Shepherds are genetically stacked against them when it comes to digestion. It’s not that all GSDs need enzymes, but they’re statistically way more likely to than most breeds. Here’s why:
1. Inherited Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA) → EPI
This is the biggest reason. EPI is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs. 
With PAA, the pancreas cells that produce digestive enzymes progressively shrink and die off. In EPI, pancreatic acinar cells fail to synthesize and secrete sufficient amounts of digestive enzymes for normal digestion. 
Why GSDs? It’s autosomal recessive. Roughly 70% of all EPI cases are in German Shepherds. Rough-Coated Collies and a few others also get it, but GSDs are the poster breed. Research points to a genetic predisposition tied to the breed’s closed gene pool and linebreeding history. 
2. Sensitive GI tract + SIBO tendency
Even GSDs without full-blown EPI tend to have:
• Lower natural secretory IgA in the gut lining, so more bacteria can overgrow in the small intestine
• Higher rates of SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - which competes for nutrients and damages the gut lining
• Food sensitivities and inflammatory bowel-type issues that stress the digestive system
A healthy pancreas can compensate for some of that. But if the pancreas is already genetically weaker, the dog runs out of enzyme capacity fast.
3. High energy + high starch diets
GSDs are big, active dogs. Most are fed kibble, which can be 40-50% starch. Dogs make amylase for starch, but not nearly as much as people do. A GSD burning a lot of calories on a high-carb diet will max out its natural amylase and lipase production faster than a smaller, less active breed. If the pancreas has fewer acinar cells to begin with, you get gassiness, loose stool, and poor coat even without EPI.
4. Stress links to digestion
GSDs are a high-drive, environmentally sensitive working breed. Stress directly reduces pancreatic enzyme secretion and gut motility. So a genetically susceptible GSD in a high-stress home, kennel, or working environment can tip from "fine" to "needs enzyme support" quicker than a Labrador would.
Bottom line: It’s mainly the PAA/EPI gene, plus a GI tract that’s naturally more reactive. That combo means German Shepherds either need supplemental enzymes earlier in life, or they’re the breed most likely to develop true EPI that requires lifelong prescription enzymes.
If you’re seeing symptoms, the TLI blood test is the gold standard to separate “sensitive stomach” from “my dog’s pancreas isn’t making enzymes.” Your vet can run it alongside B12/folate to check for SIBO too
1. Sensitive stomach / kibble diet: Even healthy GSDs have a lot of gas, loose stool, and food-transition issues. Processed kibble is high in starches, so their own enzymes can struggle to keep up.
2. EPI - Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: This is the big one for the breed. EPI is a disease marked by chronic diarrhea and weight loss, and is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs. It happens when pancreatic acinar cells fail to synthesize and secrete sufficient amounts of digestive enzymes for normal digestion. It's caused by pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA), and German Shepherds, Rough-Coated Collies and a few others are listed as breeds prone to it. 
Signs that point more to EPI than just a sensitive stomach are a very thin dog despite eating a lot, with copious amounts of very smelly soft stool that might be yellowish. If you see that, it's vet visit + TLI blood test, not just an over-the-counter powder. 
The core enzymes to look for
You want a blend that covers all macros, not just one:
• Lipase - breaks down fats
• Protease / Bromelain - breaks down proteins
• Amylase - breaks down starches/carbs
• Cellulase - breaks down fiber/cellulose from plants (dogs don't make this on their own)
• Probiotics + Prebiotics - not an enzyme, but they help the enzymes actually work
A good everyday formula will list at least alpha-amylase, protease, cellulase, and lipase to help with diet changes or sensitive stomachs. 
Plant and microbial enzymes are popular for everyday use because they work throughout the whole system, while animal-derived enzymes work mostly in the stomach and intestines. 
If you need anyone information on what I feed my dogs and where to get it, please let me know. I am here to help .
Photo of 2 of my favorites on the planet
My very hot husband and my gorgeous Stock Coated GSD VOX . Dog beach St. Petersburg 💙
