Do German Shepherds Breathe Fast?

German Shepherds are known for being active, athletic dogs. Their high energy levels and tendency to be “on the go” means they often engage in behaviors like running, jumping, and playing.

This activity level raises questions among German Shepherd owners about their breathing rate – do these dogs breathe fast even at rest?

Here’s a table summarizing critical points for your article “Do German Shepherds Breathe Fast?”:

Topic	Details
Average Breathing Rate in Dogs	Average resting respiratory rate ranges from 15 to 30 breaths per minute. German Shepherds typically fall within the lower end of this range.
Factors Increasing Breathing Rate	Several factors can elevate a German Shepherd’s respiratory rate above their baseline.
Exercise and Activity Levels	Vigorous exercise causes faster breathing as it circulates oxygenated blood to working muscles. Breathing rate may remain elevated for 10-15 minutes after extreme exertion.
Hot Weather or Environments	Dogs pant in hot temperatures to cool down, increasing respiration. Avoid strenuous exercise in heat and ensure access to fresh water and shade.
Stress, Anxiety, or Fear	The sensitive nature of German Shepherds leads to rapid, shallow breathing when stressed. Minimize stress triggers to keep them calm.
Overweight or Obesity	Excess weight makes physical activity more complex, leading to heavier breathing. Maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise.
Age and Physical Condition	Senior dogs and puppies may breathe faster at rest due to slower metabolisms or age-related health issues.
Respiratory Disease	Conditions like laryngeal paralysis, heart disease, pneumonia, pyothorax, and brachycephalic Syndrome can cause rapid breathing.
Observing Abnormal Breathing Rates	Resting rate over 30 breaths per minute, rapid panting after rest, labored breathing, shallow quick breaths, open-mouth breathing, and noisy sounds are signs of abnormal breathing.
Unique Breathing Attributes of German Shepherds	German Shepherds’ athletic nature and sensitivity impact their respiratory function. They require regular exercise and stress management.
Maintaining Respiratory Health	Annual exams, heartworm prevention, maintaining an ideal weight, a smoke-free environment, and a quality diet contribute to respiratory health.
The Bottom Line	German Shepherds typically breathe within the normal range at rest, but changes in breathing rate or patterns may indicate health issues.

This table provides a comprehensive overview of factors affecting German Shepherds’ breathing rates and what is considered normal or abnormal. It should be a valuable addition to your article!

What is Considered a Normal Breathing Rate in Dogs?

Before determining if German Shepherds breathe at an abnormal rate, it’s essential to establish the normal respiratory rate for dogs.

According to veterinarians, dogs’ average resting respiratory rate ranges from 15 to 30 breaths per minute. 

Larger dog breeds, like German Shepherds, tend to fall within the lower end of that range. Smaller dogs may have faster respiratory rates.

The average adult dog at rest has a normal breathing rate of 18 to 24 breaths per minute.

German Shepherd puppies, seniors, and those with underlying health issues may breathe outside this range, which does not necessarily indicate a problem.

Tracking your German Shepherd’s resting respiratory rate over time allows you to determine what is normal for your dog.

Factors That Can Increase a German Shepherd’s Breathing Rate

While German Shepherds tend to breathe within a normal range, several factors can elevate their respiratory rate above their baseline.

Exercise and Activity Levels

Vigorous exercise and high activity levels will cause faster breathing in German Shepherds as they circulate oxygenated blood to working muscles.

Their breathing rate may remain elevated for 10-15 minutes after extreme exertion before returning to normal.

Hot Weather or Environments

Hot ambient temperatures cause dogs to pant to cool themselves down. This panting is a normal bodily response but results in increased respiration.

Avoid exercising your German Shepherd in heat, provide shade outside, and ensure access to fresh water.

Stress, Anxiety, or Fear

German Shepherds are sensitive dogs that may develop behavioral issues like separation anxiety.

Stress and anxiousness cause rapid, shallow breathing. Identify and minimize stress triggers to keep your dog calm.

Overweight or Obesity

Excess weight stresses the body and makes physical activity more difficult.

Overweight German Shepherds often breathe heavier to oxygenate their body during movement. Maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise.

Age and Physical Condition

Senior German Shepherd dogs experience slower metabolisms and declining organ function.

Older dogs and puppies may breathe faster at rest. Monitor for age-related health issues that affect respiratory health.

Respiratory Disease

Health conditions that affect the airways, lungs, or heart can interfere with normal respiratory function and cause rapid breathing. Some common examples of German Shepherds include:

• Laryngeal Paralysis – partial paralysis of larynx cartilage obstructing airways.
• Heart Disease – An enlarged heart compresses the lungs, limiting oxygen.
• Pneumonia – lung infection makes breathing painful.
• Pyothorax – pus accumulation around lungs, putting pressure on them.
• Brachycephalic Syndrome – narrowed nostrils and windpipe.

If your German Shepherd is breathing fast or heavily and persists beyond the influence of temporary factors like exercise or heat, schedule a veterinary exam to diagnose and treat potential underlying disease.

Is My German Shepherd’s Breathing Rate Abnormal?

Observe their respiration rate at rest when relaxed to determine if your German Shepherd is breathing faster than normal.

Count how many breaths they take over one minute, watch for visible effort in breathing, and note if their abdomen moves in an unusual pattern.

Signs that your German Shepherd may be breathing abnormally fast include:

• Resting rate over 30 breaths per minute – exceeding the upper end of the normal range without explanation
• Rapid panting that continues after rest – persists 10+ minutes after exercise/heat stress.
• Labored breathing requiring effort – use of abdominal muscles to inhale, nostrils flaring
• Shallow, rapid breaths – fast with little air inhaled, often indicate pain/discomfort
• Open-mouth breathing – attempts to inhale more oxygen; tongue may protrude.
• Noisy breathing sounds – raspy, wheezing, or whistling audible during inhalation/exhalation.

Consult your veterinarian if rapid breathing is new for your German Shepherd and not linked to temporary factors like physical exertion.

Sustained changes in your dog’s respiratory pattern could signify an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed.

Unique Breathing Attributes of German Shepherds

While German Shepherds should generally breathe within the normal rates for dogs, a few critical attributes of the breed relate to their respiratory function.

Athletic Nature

German Shepherds are highly active, athletic dogs originally bred for herding livestock. They have an innate need for vigorous physical activity and mental stimulation.

Without adequate outlets, their energy builds, often manifesting in behaviors like jumping, running laps inside, or spinning in circles.

German Shepherds require 30-60 minutes of exercise daily to avoid restlessness and boredom.

Their athletic drive means they voluntarily engage in more physical exertion than many other breeds, which correlates to temporary increases in respiration and panting, which are normal responses to exercise stress.

Toleration of Heat

Thanks to their double-layered coat, German Shepherds are equipped to tolerate cold weather better than extreme heat.

As a Nordic breed, they are prone to overheating and heat stroke in high temperatures. Heat stress causes increased panting as the dog tries to cool its body temperature.

When outdoors in warm weather, ensure your German Shepherd has constant access to shade and fresh water.

Overweight Shepherds have an added risk for heat intolerance. Avoid strenuous exercise in hot, humid conditions that might distress your dog’s respiratory function.

Sensitive Nature

German Shepherds tend to be sensitive, perceptive dogs. They are very attuned to their environment and handler.

Anxiety, nervousness, or fear responses trigger a physiological “fight or flight” reaction that includes rapid breathing and increased heart rate.

Minimizing stressors and using positive training helps prevent these reactions.

Exposure to new or scary situations should be gradual for German Shepherds. Help build their confidence with ample rewards and praise for calm behavior.

Consult a trainer or veterinary behaviorist if your Shepherd has severe anxiety or reactivity. Keeping them relaxed prevents agitated breathing patterns.

Risk of Bloat

German Shepherds have deep, narrow chest cavities and are at risk for developing bloat or gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).

This life-threatening condition is marked by rapid, shallow breathing as the dog experiences abdominal pain and distension.

Prevent bloat by avoiding heavy exercise for at least an hour after eating and splitting meals into multiple smaller portions throughout the day.

Recognize signs of bloat quickly and get emergency veterinary treatment to save your dog’s life and prevent breathing complications.

Maintaining Your German Shepherd’s Respiratory Health

While German Shepherds are athletic dogs predisposed to higher activity levels, you can optimize your dog’s respiratory function and ability to breathe normally through the following practices:

• Annual veterinary exams to screen for conditions affecting respiratory health.
• Heartworm prevention medication as directed to avoid parasite-induced heart disease.
• The ideal body condition score is to avoid obesity and support good conditioning.
• Make it a smoke-free home, as smoke is an irritant that inflames airways.
• A quality diet with omega fatty acids to promote skin/coat health and airway function.
• Gradual acclimation to heat if moving to warmer climates.
• Stress reduction techniques like exercise, training, and toys to prevent anxiety.
• Slow introductions to new environments/people to maintain confidence and relaxation.

Rapid breathing or respiratory distress is always an urgent concern. Seek immediate veterinary care if your German Shepherd shows signs of labored breathing, cyanotic (bluish) gums, loss of consciousness, or collapse.

You can help ensure your Shepherd maintains optimal breathing wellness with attentive monitoring and preventative care.

The Bottom Line

German Shepherds are working dogs bred for vigorous activity and athleticism.

While they tend to breathe within the normal range at rest, their high energy and exercise needs correlate to temporary increases in respiration and panting compared to less active breeds.

Sustained changes in breathing rate or patterns at rest may signal an underlying health problem needing veterinary attention.

With attentive care and proactive wellness measures, German Shepherds can thrive while breathing easily!