About German Shepherd Now

Who I Am

Hey, I'm Sam. I got my first German Shepherd when I was 11 — my father brought him home, and that was it for me. Between that dog, the movie K-9, and growing up spending every free hour outside with a Shepherd by my side, the breed just stuck.

I've had four German Shepherds over roughly 30 years: Bruce, Loki, Xsardo, and Blaze. The first three have passed. Blaze is my current dog and the one I live with now. I'm based in Belgium, though this site is written for a US audience since that is where most of the readers come from and where most of the products, pricing, and veterinary references apply.

One of Sam's German Shepherds as a puppy, lying in the grass with a tennis ball — Loki as a pup — tennis balls were always the thing.

Two of Sam's German Shepherds in the snow on his porch in Belgium — Loki (left) and Bruce (right) on a snowy day at home in Belgium.

I am not a vet, a trainer, or any kind of credentialed dog professional. I am a guy who has spent most of his life with this breed and got tired of the low-quality content that dominates the niche online.

Why This Site Exists

Most German Shepherd content online falls into two categories: generic dog advice with "German Shepherd" swapped into the title, or thinly researched articles written by people who have clearly never lived with one. Both are a waste of your time.

I built German Shepherd Now to be the site I wished existed when I was looking for practical, breed-specific answers. Not fluffy listicles. Not fake authority. Just clear guidance based on real experience with this breed and backed by reputable sources wherever the topic requires it.

How I Research and Write

Every article on this site follows a consistent process:

Veterinary and scientific sources come first. For health, nutrition, and medical topics, I reference organizations like the OFA, AKC breed standards, and peer-reviewed veterinary research when available. I link to these sources directly so you can check them yourself.
Ownership experience fills in the gaps. Breed-specific nuance — things like how a Shepherd actually eats, how they handle transitions, what their day-to-day behavior looks like — comes from living with these dogs. I mark personal observations as exactly that.
Product information comes from public data. Ratings reflect aggregated user reviews from retailers like Chewy and Amazon. I do not run lab tests or clinical trials. I do not accept paid placements.
Cost data is researched, not guessed. Figures come from veterinary fee surveys, insurance quotes, retailer pricing, and breed-specific data where available. All costs are approximate and US-based unless stated otherwise.

Veterinary and Health Sources

Veterinary content on this site is informed by publicly available research from institutions including Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the Merck Veterinary Manual, and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. While I am not a veterinarian, all health-related content is cross-referenced against peer-reviewed veterinary sources and current clinical guidelines. Specific claims link directly to the source material so readers can verify the information themselves.

What I'm Not

I am not a veterinarian, nutritionist, or any kind of licensed animal professional. Everything on this site is general information — not medical advice. Always talk to your vet before making decisions about your dog's health, diet, or care. If your dog is having a medical emergency, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately.

I do not diagnose conditions, recommend dosages, or guarantee outcomes. When an article touches on health, I hedge appropriately and recommend professional consultation. If you see a claim that feels too strong, it is probably a mistake on my part — and I would rather you trust your vet over me.

Affiliate Disclosure

This site earns revenue through affiliate links — primarily through Chewy and pet insurance partners. When you buy through a link on this site, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is how the site stays running.

Affiliate relationships do not influence what I recommend. I write the content first, then add relevant product links where they make sense. Products are chosen based on quality, reputation, and suitability for the breed — not commission rates. Full details are on the affiliate disclosure page.

Contact

If you spot an error, have a suggestion, or just want to say hi, you can reach me through the contact page.