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Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Do GSD’s make good pets
2.
What traits are inherent in GSD’s generally
3.
Selecting a Puppy
4.
Can my breeder guarantee my puppy will not have hip or elbow problems
5·
Should I get a male or female
6.
How old should my puppy be before I take it home
7.
How big will my GSD be
8·
What is "socializing" and why is it so important
9.
When will my GSD puppy's ears stand
10.
What precautions should I take with my GSD puppy
11.
When should I switch my puppy to adult food
12.
How often should I feed my puppy and how much
13.
What is bloat (gastric torsion)
14.
What is the life expectancy of a GSD
15.
Do GSD’s shed their coat a lot
16.
What is a long-coated GSDs
17.
Are GSD’s smart and easy to train
18·
My adolescent GSD is limping! What should I do.
19·
Why do GSDs have a reputation of being vicious
20·
Finding Your New GSD
21· Your New GSD Puppy at Home
22· How do I stop my puppy from going to the toilet in the house
23· What is a Breed Survey
24· Development of the Breed
25· The foundation of the Breed
26· History of the GSD in Australia
1. Do GSD’s make good pets. Index
Yes! GSD’s make excellent family pets if they are accepted as part of the family, but any dog just left in a backyard to fend for itself will become a socially unacceptable nuisance. They are naturally protective of their "pack". Young children should never be left unattended with a puppy or an adult dog, however, if the children learn to respect the puppy as a living being, the puppy will be a wonderful companion for the children as they all grow up together. Your dog's ranking in the "pack" should always be established as the bottom (Omega) member below all family members and all other humans.
2· What traits are inherent in GSDs generally. Index
GSDs are natural working (herding) dogs. Your GSD will try to round you and your family up. Often they will lead ahead, walking in front of you and looking back to make sure you're going where you should. The breed is naturally loyal, intelligent and protective, has a very good nose and has a very calm and steady temperament when well bred. All of these traits make them excellent for police work, tracking and search work, rescue work and seeing eye dogs. They are also being used as assistance dogs for they disabled. A GSD thrives on , mental stimulation (obedience training), regular exercise (at least one walk per day) and a well-balanced diet.
These traits make a GSD an absolute pleasure to own when well-trained, but in the hands of a novice, unconcerned, uncommitted owner, their intelligence and drive can become difficult to manage making them a social noisy and destructive nuisance.
Breeding plays an important role in the temperament of GSDs, so selecting a reputable breeder concerned with both physical health and the personality of their puppies is of utmost importance.
3· Selecting a GSD puppy. Index
If you are going to purchase a puppy shop around and find a reputable kennel or breeder whose integrity and reputation are impeccable. Canine associations, German Shepherd clubs and attending dog shows are a good place to start. Do your homework and avoid disappointment and be prepared for the breeder asking questions about your home, property and lifestyle.
Obviously, many factors affect the selection of the puppy, including the personality and lifestyle of the future owner. Avoid puppies that appear too shy or nervous. Puppies at eight weeks of age where they can be sent home with their new owners should be inquisitive. Meet both parents if possible since character is very important, but be aware that at most times the sire is not owned by the breeder and is not available to be met. Make sure you see the parents' hip & elbow certifications. Hip and elbow problems can be devastating for both the owner and the dog.
Watch as the puppies move about. If you are inexperienced with GSDs, do not pick the "boss" of the litter. Watch the puppies interact with each other in the litter as well as with you and your family members. Watch the puppies you are considering interact with you without the rest of the litter present. Look for a friendly puppy who is not afraid, but also allows you to handle it without a lot of struggle. Select a puppy whose coat is shiny, the eyes are bright and looks generally healthy.
How can you pick the best pup in the litter? . You can’t! You can only pick the best puppy of the litter in your opinion, the puppy that suits you best on the day. Puppies change from day to day and the puppy that you initially selected as a 4 week old puppy will look nothing like the puppy you chose at 6 weeks of age.
Ask to look through the puppy's pedigree. Check hip and elbow certifications and make sure that common ancestors are at least 3 generations back. If you don't understand something, ask the breeder! All breeders should be happy with answering any questions you may have.
Most of all, select a puppy that feels comfortable with your family. Reputable breeders will also make suggestions to insure their puppies go to happy, well chosen homes.
Elbow certifications as well as hip certifications are becoming more common. As with hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia can only be diagnosed by radiograph. The reading and assessing of a radiograph is a very specialised business and should only be read by a qualified radiographer. Do not have a local vet give you thier opinion and leave it at that.
(Please don't patronize pet stores that sell puppies. Pet stores are in the business of making money, not breeding responsibly.)
4· Can my breeder guarantee my puppy will not have hip Index
or elbow problems.
NO! Hip dysplasia and elbow problems are considered to be polygenic. That means that it's caused by a combination of genes that may not show up in any litter previously. No matter the certifications in the pedigree it is possible that your puppy could be predisposed to hip dysplasia or elbow problems. The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (as part of thier breed improvement scheme) conduct a hip and elbow scheme to try to decrease the prevalence of the problems in Australia. Be wary of a breeder that say their puppies will definitely not have hip or elbow problems.
A responsible breeder will guarantee their puppies for life. The guarantee may vary. Some breeders will require you to return the puppy for a replacement; some will refund all or part of your money; some will not require you to return the puppy, but still offer a replacement or refund. Do not be dismayed at a requirement for a return of a puppy. A puppy may be in severe pain and an owner may not be emotionally prepared to euthanase a puppy who really should be put to sleep. A responsible breeder will want what's best for the puppy/dog.
5· Should I get a male or female. Index
This is an age-old question and almost strictly a matter of preference. Some people will say that males are more "location" protective while females are more "pack" protective. Males are generally more territorial, so unless training steps are consistent, territory marking could be a problem. Neutering may help alleviate this problem. Any dog or bitch not intended for a breeding program should be neutered or spayed. Besides eliminating the possibility of unwanted puppies and reducing some undesirable behaviors, it's considerably healthier for your dog since it eliminates or severely reduces the chance of testicular or mammary cancers. A dog is virtually in season all the time and a bitch will come into season approximately twice a year. Breeding should *never* be taken lightly. The decision on whether you get a male or a female is solely up to you, but your breeder may help you in your decision.
6· How old should my puppy be before I take it home. Index
Puppies are weaned from their mothers by about 6 weeks of age, but the period following weaning is very important in terms of learning "pack" behavior. Although 8 weeks is old enough and a common age for leaving the litter, 10 weeks is probably optimum for a GSD. However, better to take the puppy at 8 weeks if the rest of the litter have already gone to their homes. Puppies up to 12 weeks old should pose no additional concerns. After 12 weeks old, make sure the breeder has taken special care to socialize the puppy (puppies) with other dogs and people. Your puppy should be tattooed, and micro chipped if your breeder provides this service at seven weeks of age. Be wary of a breeder who lets you take a puppy before it is 8 weeks of age.
7· How big will my GSD be. Index
The full adult size of your GSD will depend in large part on the genetic background of its parents. The ANKC Breed Standard states that adult males should range between 60-65cm at the shoulder blade, females from 55-60cm. Males within the standard may weigh anywhere from 30-40kg. depending on their bloodlines. Females may weigh anywhere from 22-32kg. (Again, much depends on the genetics and bloodlines. The above are only a rough idea.) Although your pup will reach close to adult height by 10-18 months, it will continue to fill out until up to 3 years old.
Be wary of breeders who emphasize "oversize", "huge", "big-boned" breeding stock or puppies. Bigger is not better in German Shepherds. Being large or oversize can lead to all sorts of skeletal problems. The German Shepherd is not built to have a skeletal and muscular structure of an oversize breed. An inch or so out of standard may be acceptable providing the general line is not consistently out of standard. A responsible breeder will offset an oversize dog by breeding with a line that is a bit smaller in order to maintain the standards as closely as possible.
8· What is "socializing" and why is it so important. Index
Socializing refers to exposing your puppy to a variety of experiences, including meeting lots of people of various ages, races, sizes and both sexes as well as teaching them how to acceptably interact with other dogs. Puppy kindergarten classes provide an excellent opportunity for socialization in a controlled environment.
Socializing is important because it helps strengthen your dog's confidence and reduces the chance that your dog will become shy or fearful. Fearful dogs can become fear aggressive or fear biters. If your puppy is scared by something do not force your puppy to accept it, gently show the puppy that it is not dangerous.
9· When will my GSD puppy's ears stand. Index
Although some puppies' ears stand as early as 8-10 weeks, don't be concerned if your pup's ears don't stand until 6-7 months (especially pups with large ears) after teething. Some pups ears never stand. This is known as a "soft ear". "Soft ears" are a genetic trait, and dogs with soft ears should not be bred . It is a disqualification in showing. Some GSDs ears stand but wiggle at the tips when the dogs run. This is known as "friendly ears". Friendly ears are not a disqualification but are not a desirable trait.
10· What precautions should I take with my GSD puppy. Index
Other than the normal precautions of immunizations, beware of a fast-growing puppy. There are studies that show a correlation between fast growth, hip dysplasia and elbow problems (if your pup is predisposed to either). You may want to switch your puppy over to adult food if it seems to be growing to quickly .
Don't pet your puppy's ears backwards before they stand. Although people often do this by nature, it can damage the cartilage in your pup's ears which can affect the ear carriage.
Under NO circumstances should a dog with any sign of hip dysplasia be used in a breeding program. You should not buy a puppy from a breeder who does not have hip and elbow certificates on their breeding stock. Do not accept a breeder who says "Oh, my vet checked them and they're fine." There are many subtleties in dysplasia that a vet not trained in orthopedics may miss.
Do not force your puppy jump before they are twelve months of age.
Do take your puppy to puppy kindergarten and obedience training classes and do your homework for these classes (vets and dog clubs provide puppy classes). Behaviors that are cute in a 5kg puppy can be dangerous in a 35kg adult. Socialize your puppy with people (especially children) and other dogs frequently.
Your puppy may go through a period known as "adolescent shyness" when it reaches 4-5 months of age. This period can last until the pup is 12-18 months old. Socializing your puppy from an early age will help minimize this shyness. Expose your puppy to a variety of experiences, but do so gently. You don't want to traumatize your puppy.
Be careful of heavy physical exertion directly before and after eating, especially if your GSD is a "gulper". GSDs (and many other breeds) can suffer from bloat. If your dog's abdomen becomes distended and rigid and it can not seem to belch or pass gas, gastric torsion may be the problem. (The stomach twists.) This is an immediate health concern and you should contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Time is of the greatest essence.
11· When should I switch my puppy to adult food. Index
Individual puppies will vary. You probably are best off discussing your puppy's growth and needs with both your vet and your breeder (your breeder should provide you with an appropriate feeding and diet sheet for your puppy). Many breeders and dog food manufacturers advise switching to a high quality adult food at four to six months of age. As long as you are feeding a high quality food, this has no ill effect on the puppy and is probably a good idea. Check out the content of the food closely. A puppy or dog with average activity should have about 26% protein and 15-18% fat. Look for some kind of meat to be the first ingredient, not a grain product.
Offhand, if your puppy is growing very quickly, you might want to ask your vet about switching to adult food even as early as 12 weeks. Studies have shown that puppies growing quickly may exacerbate a predilection to hip or elbow dysplasia. Otherwise, you can consider switching any time after 10-18 months depending on the dog.
Dry food is fine. You don't need to supplement with canned food. It's expensive and doesn't provide anything a good dry food doesn't. If your puppy doesn't want to eat the dry food, you can moisten it slightly with warm water. (This may also reduce the risk of bloat)
12· How often should I feed my puppy and how much. Index
Your breeder should provide you with a feeding chart of what your pup has been fed and the frequency, foods recommended and not recommended for your puppy, how often you should feed your puppy and at what age to change the feeding times. Remember that it is only a recommendation and can be varied according to how your puppy is growing. If your puppy looks like it is getting a little fat reduce the amount, if your puppy is looking a little lean increase the amount. Remember an overweight puppy can eventually have skeletal problems as the weight puts a great strain on growing bones.
13· What is bloat (gastric torsion). Index
Bloat (otherwise known as "gastric torsion") can be a problem with any deep-chested breed like German Shepherds. The stomach twists so nothing can pass through the esophagus to the stomach or through the stomach to the intestines, causing gas to build up. This is an immediate health concern where the dog should be taken to the vet or emergency clinic. Signs of bloat include a distended rigid abdomen, indications of vomiting with no results and inability to belch or pass gas.
High activity directly before or after eating can exacerbate bloating. Keeping the dog quiet at least one hour before and after eating can help reduce the chances of bloat. Pre-moistening the dog's food with water can also reduce the chances. (Be sure to include any treats you give in the balance of food intake. Too many treats may cause your dog to gain weight, and treats only may not give the dog the nutrition it needs.) . Don't leave pre-moistened food down for a f too long as it can breed bacteria.
14· What is the life expectancy of a GSD. Index
Most lines of GSDs will live to between 10-13 years of age. 11-12 years is probably a very reasonable expectation (with the advent of higher quality foods our dogs are tending to live a longer and healthier life). A GSD becomes "middle-aged" between 5-7 years old, and is generally considered "geriatric" at about 10. Their food intake and exercise and nutrition needs may change over this period of time. They may begin to develop stiffness in their joints (much like people do as they get older). Healthy teeth are important as bacteria from decaying teeth can affect the health of the dog (brisket bones are excellent at keeping teeth and gums healthy).
15· Do GSD’s shed their coat a lot. Index
Yes. The GSD is a "double-coated" dog with an undercoat and guard hairs. The guard hairs will be shed all year. The undercoat is "blown" twice a year. A bitch will shed her coat prior to coming into season and will normally be in full coat just prior to being ready for mating.
16· What is a long-coated GSD’s. Index
The correct GSD coat is relatively short with an obvious undercoat. As such it is quite waterproof. Some dogs are born with long coats which usually, though not always, are devoid of undercoat. Such coats are less useful and more difficult to groom, but many pet owners seem to like the long-coated version. Thus there is not strong selection against it, though very few breeders would deliberately breed from long-coated stock. The normal coat is dominant to the long version, so there are three kinds of dog: normal, normal but carrying the long coat gene, and long. About 10% of the pups are born long-coated.
This being said, if you don't intend to show your dog in conformation, there's no reason to avoid the long-coated GSD. Long-coated GSDs can and do compete in obedience and other working disciplines. You should be aware, however, that the longer coat does require more attention when grooming.
17· Are GSD’s smart and easy to train. Index
Yes and no to both. Most GSDs are eager and willing to learn and enjoy training sessions (don't overdo training with a young pup - they just don't have the attention span). If you start young and teach your puppy its order in your "pack", problems with training will be minimized. However, GSDs tend to have more dominant personalities than some breeds and can be stubborn, so some care in training is recommended. Classes are extremely beneficial. A GSD that thinks it's the Alpha member of the pack can be a big handful.
18· My adolescent GSD is limping! What should I do. Index
Don't panic. You probably *do* want to take your pup into a vet just to make sure you can eliminate hip and elbow dysplasia from the cause of the problem. (Of course, that's true of all GSD puppies since early diagnosis/treatment of dysplasia is important to your puppy's healthy life even if you don't plan on breeding.) But... most likely the vet will confirm that your pup has panosteitis, an inflammation of the long bones in the legs of adolescent pups. It's fairly common in GSDs. It's also known as "long bone disease", "shifting leg lameness" and "growing pains". "Pano" can be detected and diagnosed by x-ray. The x-rays should be read by a qualified radiographer.
Onset can be from 5-12 months (occasionally later) and last until 18 months or more. Though it is uncomfortable for the puppy, it almost always grows out of it. The lameness need not be limited to one leg. Pano is generally considered to be a polygenic trait with limited heritability
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19· Why do GSD’s have a reputation of being vicious. Index
Earlier GSDs became the most popular dog in the ANKC registry. As a result, many breeding were made without regard to pedigree history and inbreeding caused many personality problems. Reputable breeders will usually not allow inbreeding at least 3 generations back in the puppy's pedigree.
Inbreeding and line breeding can be beneficial in a breeding program if a breeder practices them carefully. Desirable traits can be strengthened, but undesirable traits and faults may be brought forth as well. If you notice inbreeding or line breeding in the pedigree, question the breeder as to why and what the perceived advantages were. Breeders practicing these breedings should be able to give reasonably educated answers as to why.
20· Finding Your New GSD. Index
You should seek out a reputable breeder when looking for a GSD pup because of the health concerns noted above as well as problems in temperament brought out in ill-bred GSDs. Poorly bred GSDs can also be aggressive, fearful, or shy-sharp (a fearful dog that becomes aggressive when frightened). It is for these reasons that a reputable breeder is more likely to have sound pups, guarantee their health, help you select the puppy most suited to your lifestyle and goals, and be able to guide you as the pup grows
There are numerous resources to finding a reputable breeder. You can contact your local GSD Club, local obedience schools or even by attending dogs shows and talking to people. (Note: Wait until the dog and handler have competed to approach them. Nerves and focus may interfere with your impression of both the dog and breeder otherwise and distractions before competing are unfair to the handler.)
Don't overlook the possibility that a GSD is waiting to be adopted from a local shelter or rescue organization. There may also be sound GSDs that need homes because of changing family circumstances. When adopting a GSD from one of these sources, find out as much as you can about the dog's habits and any commands he understands. Taking the time to learn about the dog up front greatly improves the chance of making a good match between owner and dog, and with a dog that has already been displaced, it's important to find a match that will last a lifetime. Remember, though, that a GSD that has already been part of a family may take up to a few months to adjust completely to his new family and bond to his new humans. In return, you may find a dog who is already housebroken and at least partly trained to help smooth the transition into your home
21· Your New GSD Puppy at Home. Index
Provide your puppy with a dry covered sleeping area that is not to cold in the winter and not to hot during the summer away from any chemicals as these are irresistible to young puppies and can have disastrous consequences. If they are to be left alone for any period of time give them a chew bone and some toys to occupy them, a bored puppy can become very destructive. A young puppy will tire very quickly and they will sleep a lot. If you have young children make them aware of this and give your puppy rest periods.
Commit yourself (and your family) to training your puppy. Use the resources of formal class training beginning from about 8 weeks of age with a puppy kindergarten class for socialization and early training. Move on to more formally structured classes when the pup is six months old. Do your homework. Being intelligent and motivated, an untrained or ill-trained GSD can prove to be an unacceptable family member. Work on subordination and relaxation exercises every day. Do not overdo the training as the attention span of a young puppy is not great, five or six minutes per session is plenty and remember praise is a great motivator.
Be wary of asking too much physically from a young GSD pup, such as jumping, long runs, etc. While your pup is growing, you can damage the growth plates or exacerbate a tendency to hip dysplasia. Your puppy should be 12-18 months old before any heavy physical demands are placed on it.
Your new GSD puppy will require a great deal of attention and socialization. Between 4-12 months, GSDs can be prone to "adolescent shyness". If the dog is well-socialized prior to this point, you can minimize many of the worries that are associated with a shy dog. Puppy Kindergarten and obedience classes are highly recommended for all dogs, but especially for larger breeds such as the GSD. Expose your puppy to as many different experiences as possible, but do not allow your puppy to be traumatized.
Although it is very tempting to pet your GSD puppies ears backwards away from the nose, it is preferable to not do so until the musculature in the ear is fully developed and the ear standing erect. Be content with scratching the ear at the base where it meets the skull. Your puppy will probably find this very enjoyable anyway.
And don't forget how important puppy immunizations are!
22· How do I stop my puppy from going to the toilet in the house. Index
Your puppy will toilet in the house if it is not given the opportunity to toilet outside. He/she will want to toilet straight after waking from a sleep and after having a meal. These times are a good time to start training your puppy that outside is a good place to toilet, just by simply taking them outside to where you want them to toilet and praising them when they have done the job will enforce the idea that the toilet is outside. Your puppy will then start whining at the door when they need to go and any mistakes are normally because we have ignored their plea for a toilet break. Remember, plenty of praise when the puppy does toilet outside in the chosen place and the puppy will be happy to return to that spot. After all the puppy would rather please you than be chastised by you.
23 What is a Breed Survey. Index
The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (as part of thier breed improvement scheme) conduct Breed Survey’s. A breed survey consists of an overall assessment of the dog for the purposes of breeding. It takes into account the overall size of the animal (they must be within the breed standard), the colour and pigmentation, the anotomical structure and temperament. The animal must also have obtained an “A” stamp (hip x-ray) and a "Z"” stamp (elbow x-ray) as laid down by the Council. The animal can rated as Breed Survey Class 1, Breed Survey Class 2 (both are considered to be of breed quality) or not classified (not suitable for breeding).
24· Development of the GSD. Index
The present day German Shepherd Dog as the name suggest is a product of Germany in the 1890’s. The breed was a combination of different types of canines each of which was best suited for the conditions and area of the services they performed. The mutual strengths of these dogs were intelligence, stamina, soundness and strength. All of these characteristics combined created the complete efficiency of a working dog. Appearance was of no consequence at this stage and it varied widely.
25· The Foundation of the Breed. Index
In the late 1880s-early 1890s the first GSD Club, called the Phylax Society, was formed in Germany. The club survived for only a short time.
On April 3, 1899 Rittmeister Max von Stephanitz and Herr Artur Meyer attended one of the earliest all breed shows in Germany, held at Karlsruhe, and came away with a herding dog and an idea for a club for the breed. von Stephanitz and Meyer decided to form the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde, S.V, naming Von Stephanitz the organization's first president and he remained so until his death in 1936. His new purchase on that day, with a name change from Hektor Linksrhein to Horand von Grafrath, was designated S.Z.1, the first GSD to be registered with the Verein. Horand became the foundation of von Stephanitz’s Grafrath Kennels. The Verein became a driving force in the canine world and the largest specialty club with 50,000 members and over 600 affiliated clubs.
The Verein started to keep a stud book immediately (marked by an S.Z. number) and began to circulate a semimonthly newsletter. It held annual "Sieger" shows at which one dog and bitch were selected as Sieger and Siegerin. The Verein and von Stephanitz held a tight rein on GSD breeding throughout Germany, holding jurisdiction on which dogs and bitches could be used for breeding, which could be bred to one another, the number of puppies that could be kept and raised from each litter and age limitations on breeding stock. The von Stephanitz motto "utility and intelligence" was key.
Though herding was the GSDs original purpose, von Stephanitz recognized the importance of expanding the breed's usefulness in other directions and persuaded the government (amid some amusement) to use the GSD in police and military work. GSDs went on to become the first dogs used as Guide Dogs for the blind.
26· History of the GSD in Australia. Index
The first GSD imported into Australia, because of quarantine regulations, were from British stock in 1923. Some 55 to 60 imports occurred in the period between 1923-9. Unfortunately in 1929 the Australian government banned further imports and introduced draconian legislation requiring dogs to be castrated and bitches to be spayed. This was supposedly to prevent the GSD mating with the dingo and thus producing a sheep killer of fearsome proportions. Mostly the ideas behind the ban were illogical and instigated by graziers. The ban was not lifted until 1974 although a few imports did arrive in Australia illegally and since the lifting of the ban the breed has flourished. At the time of the lifting of the ban some decidedly odd looking Shepherds existed due the lack of quality breeding stock. Since the lifting of ban, due to selective breeding and new imports into Australia, the quality and temperament of the GSD has improved greatly.
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