Plan carefully to breed a successful German Shepherd litter.
The German Shepherd has been a fixture in the dog world for more than 100 years. Developed by dog handler Max Von Stephanitz in the late 1800s, the German Shepherd has worked as a war dog and a watchdog, a family pet and a television star. Breeding a German Shepherd gives you the opportunity to pass on the desirable traits that have made the animal so popular, but it should be done only after careful consideration.
Instructions
1. Study the pedigree of your German Shepherd, as it will tell you about the family history of your dog. A pedigree will list the dog's sire and dam, along with an extended family tree complete with achievements and show titles. Breed two German Shepherds with similar pedigree achievements.
2. Write down a list of qualities you want passed to litters. A well-bred German Shepherd is intelligent, obedient and willing to please, as well as free from abnormalities and genetic diseases. German Shepherds should have good conformation with a strong and level top line, straight legs and heavy bone density. Next, make a list of the qualities you do not want in the puppies, such as a weak back or fearful disposition.
3. Make a vet appointment to examine your dog. A complete physical should turn up illnesses or genetic diseases that you don't want passed to puppies. Poor breeding practices has led to a high number of German Shepherds with hip and elbow dysplasia, so your vet can take X-rays and send them to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for an evaluation. OFA grades the X-rays and reports dysplastic tendencies.
4. Look through dog magazines and journals to locate a mate that possesses the appropriate qualities. The German Shepherd Dog Quarterly and American Kennel Club websites list available dogs and breeders. Check local newspapers for breeder listings.
5. Contact potential breeders to discuss your breeding goals. A good German Shepherd breeder will want to review your dog's pedigree and health records to make sure the two dogs have compatible lineages. A quality German Shepherd breeder may appear unfriendly and difficult to work with due to overbreeding by inexperienced owners. They want to prevent their name from being used on a bad litter. If you have done your research and are serious about producing a good litter, the breeder will be more interested in your proposition.
6. Review the breeding contract and pay any applicable breeding fees. Some breeders prefer a cash payment; others will allow a breeding in exchange for a puppy from the litter. Outline these terms in the contract to avoid confusion after the litter is born.
7. Transport your dog to the breeder's house and leave your dog on the premises for the mating. The breeder will contact you and let you know once a successful mating has taken place. Dogs are receptive to mating for approximately one week, and the dogs will most likely mate more than once during this time. Pick up your dog at the end of the mating period and keep the breeder informed throughout the pregnancy of your dog and birth of your new German Shepherd litter.
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