Best wishes on your quest to locate that perfect German Shepherd Dog (GSD)
to enjoy! The contributors to this brochure are each involved in one of a
variety of activities with GSDs. All are committed companions to one or
several GSDs and came together for this project through a computer
electronic mail list devoted to education and enjoyment of the breed. We
are delighted to help you in your search. We all remember our first adventures
shopping for a German Shepherd Dog, and hope yours will be informed, fun, and that
we can help you find that special friend.
Is a German Shepherd Dog Right for Me?
Before getting a dog, it's best to evaluate your life and your family's
life. Are your hours at home irregular due to work or your social life?
Do you mind having to go home after work, or staying home a lot on weekends
to care for and be with your dog, even if it means curtailing some social
activities? Do you plan on traveling a lot in the near future? Is your
time already precious to you because you have children to concentrate on
and must constantly drive to lessons/practices/games? Is everybody in your
family excited about getting a German Shepherd Dog, or would some rather
have another breed?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, please reconsider getting a
German Shepherd Dog now. Wait until your circumstances change. You'll be
glad you did, and so will any dog that you acquire.
The German Shepherd Dog is a large, active dog with a dense double coat.
This double coat sheds year round, and produces even greater volumes of fur
when the dogs "blow coat" in the spring and fall. Some shed more than
others. For some owners, this is not a trivial point.
The breed was developed for service as a herding and general purpose
working animal. The desire to "work" or do something is genetic and is
stronger in some GSDs than in others. Most adult GSDs are loyal, loving,
protective, and intelligent. Without proper training, GSDs can also be
rambunctious, destructive of property, and exhausting to live with. It is
up to you to guide your dog to suit your lifestyle and that of your family.
Most, if not all, GSDs need training and a structured lifestyle to thrive
in the home and become a canine good citizen.
You should consider the following recommendations as your basic commitment
to your new GSD. Take at least an 8 week obedience course to assure that
you are the dog's leader. Be prepared to socialize your dog by exposing it
to as many people and situations as possible to develop its confidence.
Vigorously exercise the adult GSD at least 20 minutes daily. Brush the
coat daily. Trim nails every other week, clean ears, and brush teeth
weekly. Vacuum often during shedding seasons. If a change of residence is
required, make sure that your GSD is welcome at the new address. Realize
that a GSD is a very social animal and should not be left alone for long
periods of time. Before a problem gets out of hand be willing to call a
trainer, a behaviorist, or a member of the local rescue group for help.
You Look Forward to a GSD, Now What?
Pet stores and pet owners who have litters of puppies -- yes, even with
"papers" --often don't commit the long term health screening, early and
critical socializing time, initial immunizations, and good food resources
that are necessary to get your puppy off to the best start and prevent
later problems. Some of this lack of what many responsible breeders and
GSD owners feel is vital is due to greed and profit considerations, but it
is just as often due to ignorance. A responsible breeder follows a strict
breeding program with the goal being the betterment of the breed rather
than a quick profit from a litter of puppies. People who have been
breeding and studying the GSD are aware of the importance of not breeding
until the sire and dam are 2 years of age, of several generations in the
pedigree (family tree) having certified (OFA) sound hips and elbows,
testing for uncommon, but certainly not rare blood disorders and eye
problems that have emerged in GSDs, and not breeding shy or overly
protective dogs. All of these traits or health problems can be passed on
to the puppies, causing huge vet bills and inestimable heartache. A
responsible breeder or rescue group will be available to you for questions
for the life of your dog, in most cases.
We recommend that you purchase your new friend from a reputable breeder or
acquire it from a German Shepherd Dog rescue group.
Rescue Dogs
Rescue dogs can be the perfect choice. They can make some of the greatest
companions and pets available, plus these are dogs that need a good home
now. Many who do not find a home face an uncertain, and sometimes deadly,
fate. Because most rescue dogs have lived in a home environment they are
usually house broken and have had some training in basic commands. By
adopting a rescue dog you circumvent the occasionally destructive puppy
phases and gain an animal which is ready to fit into your life.
Rescue dogs come from many places. Most are given up by their owners who
don't have time for them, who develop allergies to them, who get divorced
and have nowhere to keep a dog, or develop financial hardships that
preclude dog ownership. Others are strays or are rescued from shelter
situations. The dogs are medically examined and treated for known
problems. Vaccinations are updated. Temperament is evaluated and must
meet strict guidelines for acceptance into a rescue program. Generally,
most rescue dogs have a known history and rescue volunteers will try to
evaluate each dog over some time to try to be certain whether the dog
appears to be good with children, other dogs, cats, etc. During this time
volunteers also try to get a handle on the dog's personality and needs for
a successful placement in the right kind of home.
Contact the GSD Rescue Group nearest you, or call German Shepherd Dog Cub of America Breed Rescue
at 408-247-1272, or contact your local Humane Society for the GSD liaison in your area.
What Makes a Responsible Breeder
Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions when you call a breeder. Many
breeders will ask you a great deal about your home and lifestyle, what you
intend to do with your GSD beyond companionship, and, without seeming too
much like a tax agent, will try to be sure you are prepared to make a
financial commitment to the health of one of their "babies". The
inquisitive breeder is probably one who has put much thought into this
litter, not to mention time, emotional, and financial resources. They will
also be there when you have questions and will be pleased that you called
-- even during the dinner hour -- with the most basic query.
When you are ready to call breeders, have your questions ready and note the
answers so you can refer back to your homework when it's time to make a
decision. Many questions can be answered by phone, but remember to verify
the answers when you visit. Try not to look like an inspector with
clipboard in hand, but do be sure you see proof of claims made verbally.
The following items are considered critical for consideration of a breeder
for your GSD:
- Parents are over 2 years of age. Breeding earlier is not in the best
interests of the dogs or puppies. Usually both parents are not on the
premises because the breeder is the owner of the dam, but photos and/or
videos of the sire should be available as should be his pedigree and health
information.
- The parents' hips (after two years of age) and elbows (after one year of age) have been x-rayed
and certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), GDC, Guelph, PennHip, or the
German Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV). The SV at present does not
require elbows to be examined for breeding stock, but may in the future.
- Parents must have current registrations with AKC, SV (through USA, United
Schutzhund Clubs of America), UKC, or CKC.
- Parents must be approachable, neither shy nor aggressive. Excuses for poor
temperament should not be accepted. Temperament can be genetic in nature
and fixed in the pups by their parents' modeling.
- Clean dog runs or kennel areas with adequate space for exercise and play.
- Clear, communicable goals for breeding this litter.
Next are some things that are considered necessary by many and simply good
by others:
- Parents have been screened for von Willebrand's disease (blood clotting
disorder) and had their eyes checked in a CERF screening.
- Working titles on parents - Schutzhund, obedience, or other working titles.
- Availability of some form of warranty or guarantee. Even with the best
breeders some puppies will be born with hidden and fatal defects. No one
can ease the pain when that happens with your pet, but many breeders offer
a replacement pup.
Resources
Before You Adopt a German Shepherd Dog
Available in the NorthWest K9 Book and Video Store
Barwig, Susan, Ed.: The German Shepherd Book; Hoflin Publishing Ltd.
Lanting, Fred L.: The Total German Shepherd Dog; Hoflin Publishing, Inc.
Monks of New Skete: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend; Little, Brown and
Company.
Monks of New Skete: The Art of Raising a Puppy; Little, Brown and Company.
Stephanitz, Captain Max von: The German Shepherd Dog; Verein Fur Deutsch
Schaferhunde.
Strickland, Winifred Gibson and Moses, James A.: The German Shepherd Today, MacMillan Publishing Company.
Strickland, Winifred G.: Expert Obedience Training for Dogs; MacMillan Publishing Company.
Computer Mail Lists
GSD-L The German Shepherd Dog List
TGSD-L The Total German Shepherd Dog List
Other Resources
The American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, and the
United Schutzhund Club of America have brochures, books, videos, and
listings of local shows and clubs available by request.
Credits
This brochure was written and produced as a service to the public and the
venerable German Shepherd Dog breed by an eclectic group of individual GSD
owners, breeders, and trainers. It is available for reproduction and
distribution free of charge by emailing TGSD-L.
If you received an electronic copy we invite you to print it in your newsletters,
add it to your Web pages, forward it to others, or cross-post as long as
you leave these CREDITS attached.
Browse other informative articles in the NWK9 Reading Room. . . .
