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GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS
SHOW RING
AWARDS FOR SALE
ORGANIZATION
FORMS
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The following is a sample of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have more questions please submit them to the Site Administrator. Click here to submit questions. Where
should I go to find a good puppy? How can I contact
Sight For Sore Eyes?
Where
should I go to find a good puppy?
Step one is to locate a breeder. A good breeder will
be someone who is a member of the parent club of the breed they are
breeding. In the case of shepherds that would be the German Shepherd
Dog Club of America.
You could try to find someone
in your area using our Breeders Guide. Everyone listed in the Guide
is a member of the G.S.D.C.A. and in good standing with them and the
A.K.C. (or their equivalent in their own country).
What’s a "breeder" and why buy from them and
not a pet store?
Pet stores buy from what is known as "puppy mills".
These are places who throw two dogs together without thought of health
or well being for the puppies. They have been found to be in the most
incredible filth imaginable. These are places who sell to pet stores
to make money and for no other reason, especially love of a bred.
These puppies have been found to be sickly and because of poor breeding
full of health related problems. The only way to shut down a puppy
mill is to end the demand. If pet stores make no sales they would
not be "reordering" those puppies. The demand dies—the supply
does too.
A Breeder is quite the opposite. Most breeders make
little or no profit. They take into consideration the health and pedigree
of both the father and mother to ensure a litter of puppies that will
be of sound mind and body. Once a litter is born they take extreme
measure to ensure every need of the litter it met. They are breeding
to add an animal to their own family too. They want the same kind
of animal you would; a happy, healthy puppy!
Lastly if the mills don’t persuade you a puppy from a buyer on the average will be cheaper than a pet store! So you can find a quality puppy for less than the sicklier puppy for more. Knowing that there should be no doubt that a breeder is the person you want to see to find your next puppy. What should we look for when buying a puppy?
Be sure the breeder is part of the G.S.D.C.A. and in
good standing by contacting a local "breed club". You can
also find a breeder listed in our own Breeders Guide.
When you arrive pay attention to the surroundings of
the kennel. Is it clean? Do the animals seem healthy and happy? Be
sure to ask to see the parent(s). Most breeders won’t have the sire
on the premises. But the mother should be available. Make sure she
is in good health and that she is of good mind. A lot of people believe
that temperament is hereditary so if the mother is nice so should
be her puppies.
Look at the litter. Are they active? Or are the listless.
Is there discharge from either the eyes or nose? A healthy litter
shows no sign of this. A healthy litter is extremely active and into
everything!
Take a look at the pedigree.
Champion (Ch.) dogs are those deemed suitable for breeding
by the parent club and the A.K.C. That means that he/she has the necessary
qualities you want in a shepherd and who will reproduce those qualities
in her/his puppies.
A Register of Merit (R.O.M.) is an animal that has met
the qualifications needed to obtain this award for producing outstanding
progeny. A male needs to produce 5 champion sons or daughters and
5 "winning" sons or daughters. A female needs to produce
2 champion progeny and 2 winning progeny to earn her title. These
animals are very impressive to have in a pedigree!
Once you’re sure you have checked everything out and made sure the litter is of good quality play with the puppies. A good breeder will help you find a suitable companion for you and your family. The breeder has paid close attention to the puppies since their birth and they can help find the type of puppy that will become an important part of your family. What colors do German Shepherds come in?
German Shepherd Dogs come in a wide variety of colors
and two different coat types. The only color not recognized by the
GSDCA is what's referred to as a "White German Shepherd".
While the long coat is recognized by the club and can be bred, the
coat is considered a "fault" and is not shown. Below you'll
find examples of the different colors and coats Shepherds come in.
Click to view:
Colors: Black and Tan Long Coats: Xenna
WHEN DO THEIR EARS STAND UP?
Ears should come up by the time they
are 6 months old. I have heard of people taping ears past 6 months
of age and still getting ears to stand however as the age past 6
months grows there is less of a chance of them standing. Most breeders
will tape ears at 4 1/2 months of age if they are not up. German
shepherds do require stimulation to work those ear muscles and I
have found the taking them to different places and for long walks
helps stimulate them to use there ear muscles and therefore bring
there ears up faster. Also it is quite common for a puppy who has
his/her ears up to see them fall down again while teething. It
is common for puppies to have ears tilt and be floppy as they gain
strength to stand.
HOW TO CONTACT SIGHT FOR SORE EYES?
You need to contact Maryellen Kish. Her telephone # is 215-541-0535.  |
