Is Breeding An Expensive Process
Breedingcan be quite expensive, with many expenses involved in breeding pairs and new litters alike.
This is why the most successful and long-running dog breeders are very passionate about the breedand are not out to make money.
A healthy, purebred German Shepherd pup costs between $1,000 and $3,000. Food expenses, health clearances, and genetic testing add up to $300 to $1,000 or higher annually.
Then there are many more pre-breeding tests, along with artificial insemination costs, or stud fees.
If a pregnant dogrequires a C-section or there are birth complications, breeding expenses increase significantly.
Breeders also pay registration fees and purchase puppy mush, regular puppy food, vaccinations, and deworming.
Of : Getting Health And Genetic Checks On Your Dog
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German Shepherd Breed Based On What They Are Bred For
The German shepherd is characterized by what he would be bred for. There are two distinct types based on body type.
German Shepherd Show line Dog breed
Show line GSD has a sloping body. They are typically calmer and relatively larger than working GSDs. They are bred to participate in dog shows.
German Shepherd working line Dog breed
German Shepherds were bred to be working dogs. They are most typically used as Police or military dog. GSD was originally bred to be used as a shepherd dog to drive and protect the flock from predators. Working GSD is relatively smaller and has more energy.
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Phaomelanin Intensity And The I Locus
So given the chart above, how could a German Shepherd ever be white? The answer is in the E Locus and another gene Ive hinted at but havent explained, the Intensity or I Locus. This gene hasnt actually been mapped yet, so we dont know how many variations or alleles it has, or if its even a single gene! What we do know is that, in German Shepherds, there exists a recessive allele that significantly reduces the dogs ability to produce Phaeomelanin , to the point where it appears white.
What makes the Intensity Locus interesting is that it ONLY impacts the production of Phaeomelanin . This means that if a dog is able to produce Eumelanin, it is regular black. This is why some German Shepherds are black and tan while others are black and red. On their A Locus, both are at/a or at/at, but their Intensity Locus impacts the amount of Phaeomelonin they can produce.
A white German Shepherds Intensity Locus has dialed their Phaeomelonin all the way down to nothing, but what if they werent e/e and could still produce Eumelanin? In breed terms, we typically call these GSDs Silver in color, such as a Silver Sable GSD or a Black and Silver GSD.
What does this mean for the charts above?
What Is The Most Expensive Type Of German Shepherd
Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. Special colorings such as the Panda Shepherd, Isabella German Shepherd, black German Shepherd, dogs with one or two blue eyes or the extremely rare Albino German Shepherd can be as expensive as $5,000.
While it is tempting to get a color that nobody else has dont let looks alone guide your decision on your future puppy. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look.
In recent years, a few breeders have produced so-called Miniature German Shepherds. Breeders of Miniature German Shepherds charge extremely high prices for their puppies, starting at $2,000 and ranging up to $4,500 for the smallest dogs. It is important to note that there is no such breed as a Miniature German Shepherd registered with the AKC. These dogs are mutts . Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight.
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Finding A Female To Breed With
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eralune said:Hi guys, so my family recently lost one of our two German Shepherds. Her passing has been very hard on us, and so we are wanting to breed our other German Shepherd who is a male in order to have a puppy from him. We are wanting to breed him without a stud fee but having first pick of the litter instead. However, I do not know where to start in finding a female for him.He is healthy and sweet-tempered I will have more specific testing done on him if I am able to find a prospective female but otherwise he’s just a good looking, healthy, and sweet GSD. Note: Please do not post to advise me to buy a new puppy or not to breed. Although I have never bred dogs, I have been around horse breeding my whole life and am familiar with general dangers/ramifications and procedures. Thanks.Thank you all for your help and insight!
V Komet IGP2, Kougar IPO1, Kira HGH, SG Lynx v Wolfstraum, BH ~ V Zibera IPO1, Tiger v Wolfstraum ~ ATB ~ Basha, Kougar.Kyra, & Fenja, Sch3s, Cito & Hexe ~ Sch2, Danger RH, Csabre & Alice Sch1s ~ SG Bengal, Kelsey
How To Breed German Shepherd Dogs
If you’re wondering how to breed German shepherd dogs, kudos to you for seeking information. Breeding German shepherd dogs requires knowledge, professionalism and ethics. It therefore encompasses more than just letting a stud dog meet a female dog in heat and then waiting for the birth of puppies 63 days later.
Learning how to breed German shepherd dogs requires knowledge, professionalism and ethics, and it therefore encompasses more than just letting a stud dog meet a female dog in heat and then waiting for the birth of puppies 63 days later.
The German shepherd breed requires attentive care to prevent flaws and hereditary problems from being passed down from one generation to another.
It also requires paying attention to temperament, something that too often is sadly neglected. The work of a breeder doesn’t stop with the birth of the puppies.
Puppies need to be socialized, provided with training and gentle handling so to build a foundation that will turn being priceless to the new owners.
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Skeletal Health And Supplementation
Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.
Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.
Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.
Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
Help With Breeding My German Shepherd Male
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FragReconPatton
- OFA graded hips
- At least ONE evaluation by a non-partial breed judge
- At least ONE passing score in some type of working competition – obedience, agility, Schutzhund, herding, tracking
IMPROVE
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How Soon Can A Male German Shepherd Breed
On average, however, males become fertile after six months of age and reach full sexual maturity by 12 to 15 months. Healthy stud dogs may remain sexually active and fertile to old age. Adult males are able to mate at any time.
Where Can You Find Cheap German Shepherd Dogs
You will be able to find GSD puppies who cost much less than $1,500. The question is do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament?
On Craigslist or similar classified ads, many dog owners sell puppies from oops litters or puppies that they bred on purpose without any health testing. These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e.g. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. They might be as cheap as $200. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs!
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German Shepherd Mating And Breeding All You Need To Know
Home » German Shepherd » Breed » German Shepherd Mating and Breeding All you need to know
When German Shepherd is ready for mating? A Guide to GSD Breeding
The Idea of Mating and Breeding a German Shepherd may confuse several individuals. Responsible breeding is definitely a daunting task, especially when it is about Shepherd, the most recognizable breeds.
When an individual steps forward to take responsibility for breeding, it also brings the pressure of producing healthy puppies.
With immense popularity and growing demand, German Shepherd owners often think of breeding them. The idea may seem fascinating at first, but behind the cause, there goes a lot of effort and patience.
Breeding a German Shepherd, from their health considerations to the right age and times, there are several aspects to look upon. Lets learn about them.
In this detailed article, we will take a look at German Shepherds mating and breeding. What is the right age for GSDs to mate? How do you get GSDs to mate? What if the male Shepherd is not interested in mating? What to do if female GSD refuses to mate? Without any further ado, lets get right to it.
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How Long Should Puppies Be Breastfed After Birth
Puppies are unable to make their own antibodies at birth, so its important to give them access to their mothers first milk, colostrum, which is rich in protective antibodies against disease. Puppies can only absorb these antibodies from the gut during the first 24 hours of life. Dont worry if your dog wont breastfeed until all puppies are born. This is a common behavior that usually poses no danger to puppies.
The Yorkshire Terrier started out as a rat that lived in mines and mills before becoming a puppy in England, bred to be a waist-sized companion.
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When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing
Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger are require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen.
As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity.
I Want To Breed My Male German Shepherd Conclusion
So, youve decided you want to breed your male German shepherd. Heres everything you need to know before you get started.
First, its important to make sure that your dog is physically and mentally healthy enough for breeding. He should be at least two years old, and he should have a good temperament so that he can be around other dogs without getting aggressive.
Next, youll need to find a female German shepherd who is also healthy and temperamentally sound. Its important to choose a mate who is compatible with your dog, both physically and mentally.
Once youve found a suitable mate, its time to get started on the breeding process. This includes scheduling regular veterinary checkups and preparing a proper breeding area.
Breeding your male German shepherd can be a rewarding experience, but its important to be prepared for the challenges involved. By following these guidelines, you can help make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
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What Are The Standards For Breeding A New Gsd
Typically before you begin breeding a new German Shepherd, there are a few things one must account for to make sure their dog is fit for breeding.
Below is a shortlist for you to check off before you take your dog to be bred.
Have you
- Found a proper stud for your GSD?
- Checked out your GSDs Genetic History?
- Taken your GSD to the vet to be screened for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia?
- Gotten your GSD titled?
- Taken your GSD to training?
The most important thing for you to consider when breeding your GSD is your dogs health.
As the breeder, a person will want the healthiest puppies possible, thus they should be making sure that their dog has the best genetic traits to pass on to the next generation.
A breeder should also be understanding of the genes carried by their dogs potential mate making sure there will be no hazard to the health of any and all future puppies.
Consider speaking to some experienced breeders to get their opinions on the dogs you plan to breed.
If need be, fill out the necessary paperwork and make the proper agreements about the puppies you will be whelping if you plan to work with someone to acquire a stud for your GSD.
Studding your GSD may take time and could require some money depending on the agreements that are made between owners.
All in all, make sure to get the opinions of professionals such as vets and experienced breeders before taking any action in mating a German Shepherd that is new to breeding.
What Should I Look For In A German Shepherd Puppy
First, you should decide if you want a male or female. Males and females are similar in many respects but there are marked differences between the sexes that you should be aware of.
Males are larger and heavier . Females are somewhat smaller and lighter in weight . Secondary sex characteristics should be pronounced for males and females, e.g. a male looks like a male with pronounced masculinity and a female should look feminine with more delicate features. Females will also have a season twice a year. If you choose a female and do not wish to have puppies, then it is recommended that she be spayed. The differences in the sexes in puppies is not as pronounced as in the adult dogs.
Have some idea what you expect from your new addition so you can inform the breeder. Let him/her know if you want a companion, show dog, or a competitive performance dog. No matter what the function you desire in your puppy, all puppies in the litter will have the same bloodlines. Most well-bred litters from ethical breeders are bred to emphasize the health, character, and trainability of every puppy in the litter.
In the search for your puppy, you want to observe the puppies together at first. A German Shepherd puppy should have, first and foremost, a good temperament. They should be inquisitive, outgoing, and unafraid in his advances towards everything and everybody. They will also demand and exhibit affection without inhibition.
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