FAQ's
why should I buy from a registered breeder?
Purchasing a puppy from a breeder registered with a Canine Association and preferably a German Shepherd Dog Club member, will give the puppy buyers some assurance that they are buying a quality puppy with less chance of suffering from the hereditary diseases that sometimes occur in the German Shepherd Dog Breed.
Generally most GSDC members comply with all the breed improvement schemes.
click here the advantages of buying a purebred German shepherd dog
what should I look for and do when purchasing a puppy?
Research the breed first and foremost. Be sure that a German Shepherd Dog is right for you and your family.
Select a reputable breeder (by this I do not necessarily mean that you should go to the breeder who has won the most ribbons).
Visit the kennels where the pups were born. Be satisfied that the kennels, yards are clean and tidy.
This is a must. Do not be fobbed off for any reason!!
If you are not encouraged to visit the kennel you do not want to buy from that breeder.
View the Dam and also the Sire, though sometimes viewing the sire is not practicable, as an interstate stud dog may have sired the litter
After our puppies are whelped we require the puppy purchaser to visit our kennels at least twice.
Check and see that the puppies are clean, healthy and outgoing.
The breeder should also give the purchaser a puppy booklet with Diet, 5 generation pedigree, contract of sale and helpful information on raising your GSD puppy.
Most breeders will offer on going support for the life of the puppy.
male or female?
This is usually one of the first questions prospective puppy owners generally ask. Choosing between a male or female dog is strictly a matter of preference. From our experience, I will say that males are more protective of their surrounding area, while females are more protective of their family (your family).
Personally I feel a female makes a better family pet for children and in the home environment.
Male dogs make wonderful pets, it is what you desire to choose and work with.
The Male
- Generally, the German Shepherd Dog male is larger in size and more masculine in structure.
- The size and the masculinity of the male, most often is intimidating to strangers.
- German Shepherd Dog males are generally more territorial of their location. The marking of the territory can be a problem. How-ever, if trained properly, the problem can be controlled.
- Neutering may help lighten this problem.
- German Shepherd Dog males are also larger in size and bulk than a female.
The Female
- The female German Shepherd Dog should be smaller in size and feminine in structure. Her gender is easily recognizable from a distance.
- Female German Shepherd Dogs have the 'pack' instinct. They will be protective of their family more so then males. This instinct will sometimes cause her to be jealous among the other dogs in the household.
- If you are not intending to breed the female German Shepherd Dog, she must be spayed
should I buy from a pet shop or market?
It is against the Victorian Canine Association and German Shepherd Dog Council regulations for breeders to sell puppies to pet shops and markets.
Purchasing a puppy is a life time decision that should be taken very carefully and not on impulse.
If you do buy from either pet shops or markets you will be unable to see the parents of the puppy or the environment where that puppy was raised and you could not possibly be confident of the puppies health or for that matter the health of the parents.
what is the difference between 'main' and 'limited' register pedigrees?
The breeder applies to their state canine association for, and is issued with, a pedigree registration for each puppy in a litter.
Puppies on the Main register are given a blue coloured registered pedigree that entitles the owner to exhibit and breed the dog.
Puppies on the Limited register are given an orange coloured pedigree but are unable to participate in shows and are unable to be bred with. Limited register dogs can still be entered in obedience trials and should be encouraged to do so.
how much does a GSD puppy cost?
A quality puppy may cost in the vicinity of $1000.
what is a long coat?
The correct German Shepherd Dog's coat is relatively short, with an obvious undercoat. The coat is quite waterproof. Some dogs are born with long coats, which are usually devoid of undercoat.
The long coat is a disqualifying fault and the puppy is generally sold on limited register.
Many pet owners prefer long coated German Shepherd Dogs and this in no way detracts from the dog's ability to act as an obedience, pet or companion dog.
what should I feed my puppy?
Your puppy's breeder should give you a diet sheet and recommend the foods that they think is suitable for your puppy's growth to adulthood.
If your breeder has not given a diet sheet, contact your Veterinarian.
how much should I exercise my puppy?
The puppy is only very young and will not require much exercise, just be allowed to play and rest when he wants to. He is too young to go on walks for the first four months, as it places too much stress on growing bones and joints.
After the puppy reaches 16 weeks of age, he can go on short walks of approximately 5 minutes duration, around the block or to the local shops, school or park.
After the age of 6 months, the puppy can generally be walked more often and for slightly longer periods, but must be allowed to rest when tired.
At 12 months of age, the puppy can walk, run etc. as often as you like and for longer distances as he will have achieved his final skeletal growth and will be starting to develop muscle.
Prior to this the puppy does not have enough muscle to support the bones and joints, so walking and exercise should be moderate.
Careful exercise when young and not overdoing it will give you a sound and healthy adult for life!
from what age can I take my puppy to obedience classes?
To be part of the 'responsible owner fraternity', we suggest the new owners take their puppies to obedience classes from 8 weeks of age.
Obedience training will assist in your puppy becoming a well adjusted member of our community.
If you are taking your puppy to a registered club such as the GSDCV, all animals taking part in any form of training are checked on a regular basis to see that their vaccinations are current.
when should I vaccinate my puppy/dog?
If you have purchased your puppy from a registered breeder, you will have received a vaccination card in your puppy gift pack that says the puppy has been vaccinated at 6 weeks of age with his temporary vaccination. You will see that the next vaccination is due when the puppy is 12 weeks of age.
After this your dog should be vaccinated every 12 months, though now there are some veterinarians advocating vaccinations every 2 years. Be advised by your qualified veterinary surgeon as to what vaccinations your puppy/dog needs.
how long does a german shepherd dog live?
Regular veterinary care, vaccinating as recommended by your qualified veterinary surgeon and proper feeding are vital in maintaining your dog's health.
With proper nutrition, routine veterinary care, regular exercise and grooming your German Shepherd Dog should live approximately 10 to 13 years.
what are the breed improvement schemes?
The breed improvement schemes consists of:
- Tattooing
- Hip/Elbow x-raying
- Haemophilia testing
- Breed Survey
NB: Microchipping is not an acceptable identification for the breed improvement schemes, however, both tattooing and microchipping are permanent forms of identification and subsequent re-uniting of you and your dog if it becomes lost.
- what is the german shepherd dog council of australia (GSDCA)?
The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (Inc.) was founded 13 March, 1960, and, like a number of other single dog breed councils, is directly affiliated with the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). It comprises all of the German Shepherd Dog clubs and associations in the states and territories of Australia.
- what are the breed improvement schemes?
The GSDCA has introduced a number of tests for the screening of adult dogs for the improvement of the breed, including several which focus on hereditary diseases. These latter schemes include the Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Control Scheme and the Haemophilia Scheme. Adult dogs (over eighteen months of age), after having successfully passed these schemes are encouraged to be presented for Breed Survey.
- what is breed survey?
The Breed Survey Scheme was introduced in Australia in 1975.
A very accurate description of the dog's virtues and faults were recorded and kept for reference. An overall evaluation of the dog's breed worth and advice as to breeding partners was given with complete impartiality with the aim being to breed dogs in the future as close to the Breed Standard as possible.
In August 1986, the 1000th dog was surveyed in Victoria. The dog was Kamarn Icarus, a son of Condor Arminius, and maternal grandson of Karen Lauerhof.
Since that time , many animals have passed through the Breed Survey scheme, successfully acquiring Breed Survey status.
A Breed Survey is unlike 'showing' an animal, as dogs are not assessed against one another. Animals who are presented for Survey must be at least 18 months of age. Copies of the original documents for hip, elbow,, haemophilia (for males) and a five generation pedigree are required by the surveyors.
The ear is checked for the correct tattoo number, the dog is then weighed, measured and the teeth checked for correct dentition. The anatomy is assessed in a subjective manner based upon the Breed Standard. There is also a gun and crowd test. All information is recorded.
In general a comprehensive evaluation of the dog is made. Dogs are classified Breed Survey Class 1 (Recommended for Breeding), Breed Survey Class 11 (Suitable for Breeding) or Not Recommended for Breeding.
The results of each Breed Survey are published in a Breed Survey Year Book along with Hip and Elbow results. This book is a 'must buy' for breeders because of the valuable information it contains. All would-be breeding stock should be surveyed, so that we can make breeding progress.
- what is the hip dysplasia scheme
The German Shepherd Dog National Council has consistently introduced schemes, which have been intended to improve the standard of breeding German Shepherd Dogs in Australia. the Breed Survey, Elbow x-ray and Haemophilia A testing schemes are notable examples.
In January, 1982 the Hip Dysplasia scheme was introduced to the German Shepherd Dog fraternity in Australia.
Hip Dysplasia is a serious problem, found in many breeds including the German Shepherd Dog and exists when the hip joint is badly constructed, hence the need to screen animals by x-ray and only breed with animals that are certified free from this abnormality.
Factors such as rate of growth, weight and exercise may affect the severity and age which this condition is seen. It is a condition that in some instances is quite easily passed by, because the dog shows no outward signs. At other times the dog clearly exhibits signs of quite severe problems.
The aged, dysplastic dog can become arthritic which is a painful condition and a principal disadvantage of Hip Dysplasia.
The X-ray scheme allows the National Council to gather the genetic information to assist in lowering the incidence of the problem of Hip Dysplasia in the German Shepherd Dog. It also give breeders valuable information in selecting good hip producing stock.
The Scheme involves the x-raying of breeding stock at 12 months of age or older. The dog is anaesthetised & the tattoo is checked and recorded on the x-ray plate along with the dog's registered name and number.
The hip is a ball and socket joint, in which the 'ball' (Femoral Head) should fit tightly into the 'socket' (Acetabulum). The plate is then read by a radiologist, scored and graded. The dogs passing the Hip Scheme are given the "A" stamp. Animals which fail the Hip Scheme should not be bred with.
We can say that the German Shepherd Dog fraternity has successfully accepted the Hip Scheme, as many hundreds of German Shepherd Dogs have passed through the Scheme.
- what is the elbow dysplasia scheme?
The Elbow Scheme was introduced in 1993. This scheme involves x-raying the animals elbows at 12 months of age.
The presence of a united anconeal process and arthritic changes are recorded. The x-ray plates are then submitted to a radiologist to be read and graded. The gradings are Normal, Grade 1 and Grade 2. A dog receiving these gradings passes the scheme and is given the 'Z' stamp. An animal with un-united anconeal process or more than 5mm of arthritic change is failed. This animal does not receive the 'Z' stamp and should not be bred with.
- what is the tattoo scheme?
The Tattoo Scheme was introduced into Australia in 1978. Breeders apply for & are given a tattoo symbol, which consists of three letters for their Kennel Prefix & a 3 digit number indicating the puppy number bred by that kennel. At approximately 7 weeks of age the breeder arranges for the Club Tattooist to tattoo the puppies in their right ear with the letters making up the Kennel prefix to which the three numbers are added. Each puppy in a litter is given his own number & this is recorded by the Tattooist. Copies are given to the breeder, the tattooist & the GSDCA.
This tattoo is then used as positive identification for each individual puppy for life. It is used to identify the animals participating in the other GSDCA Schemes - Hip X-ray, Elbow X-ray, Haemophilia Testing & Breed Survey.
There is a record kept of every German Shepherd Dog that has been tattooed. If an animal has been lost or stolen the tattoo is used to identify the dog & reunite him with his owner.
why is it important to socialise my puppy?
Before any puppy leaves their breeder, the puppy has been loved, cared for & socialised. Even so the puppy does not leave the kennels as a finished product. The breeders have done their part - it is now up to the new family to continue with the puppy's development.
This means taking the puppy out and around shopping centres, parks, etc to meet people, other dogs and animals - this is most important if your puppy is to develop into a well adjusted, happy individual. Let the puppy encounter different situations, shapes, noises, traffic, etc., but do it all gradually, NOT ALL IN ONE DAY. This allows the puppy to experience everyday situations and learn to react calmly.
It is a very great responsibility for the new family to continue the puppy's development through structured training, discipline and love.
To help achieve this, the family is advised to become involved with the German Shepherd Dog Club training activities, which are held at branches throughout Australia.
can the breeder guarantee that the puppy will not have hip or elbow problems?
No breeder can guarantee that your puppy will not have hip or elbow problems. But a responsible breeder will guarantee that if there is a genetic problem with hips and/or elbows, they will replace the puppy or refund your money.
Most breeders require the owner to return the puppy for replacement. Do not be dismayed by the breeder requiring the return of the puppy. The puppy may be in a great deal of pain and the owner emotionally unable to deal with having to put the puppy to sleep. A responsible breeder will want what is best for the puppy/dog.
BE VERY WARY OF THE BREEDER WHO SAYS THAT THEIR PUPPIES WILL DEFINITELY NOT HAVE ANY HIP/ELBOW PROBLEMS!
when will my puppy's ears stand up?
Some puppies' ears are erect as early as eight or ten weeks of age.
Do not be concerned if the pup's ears are not standing up until five months of age, especially if they are very large ears.
Ear carriage can be very erratic during the period when a puppy is getting its adult teeth
Don't let anyone pet or pull your puppy's ears backwards before they are erect. This can damage the cartilage in your pup's ears which can effect the ear carriage.
what is the difference between a german shepherd dog and an alsatian?
There is no difference.
After the two World Wars, anything that was German fell out of favour with the populace. So instead of the German Shepherd Dog, the breed was known as the Alsatian.
why is the word 'dog' used in the breed name?
The name in Germany is Deusche Schaferhunde, which translated means 'German Shepherd Dog'. The word 'Dog' is actually part of the breeds name, unlike other breeds.
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