The German Shepherd combines several unique qualities at the same time. The dog has a protective instinct, is surprisingly smart, can make decisions independently in difficult situations, and is fearless in any environment, even unfamiliar to it. At the same time, the Germans are non-aggressive, devoted to their owner, and readily solve the tasks assigned to them. To raise a dog with these qualities, you need to choose the right German Shepherd puppy and then raise it. In this case, you need to determine the purpose of the acquisition, personal preferences and the compliance of the pet with the accepted breed standard.
At what age can a puppy be weaned from its mother?
Once the choice of a German Shepherd puppy has been made, there is no need to rush to take him home. Early separation from mother has a negative impact on both the health and mental state of little Germans. Dog handlers recommend picking them up at the fifth or sixth week, when vaccinations have been completed, the puppies eat on their own and can adapt to new living conditions. If the owners are forced to pick up the pet earlier, they need to devote a lot of time to it. It will be needed for feeding six times a day, socialization and accustoming to a new place.
If a German Shepherd is not taken from the kennel for several months, and it is forced to spend a lot of time alone, in an enclosure, then raising and training such a teenager is beyond the capabilities of inexperienced dog breeders. It is possible to correct an already formed character, but it will not be possible to completely correct it.
Compatibility test
The puppy should suit your temperament and character. Therefore, play with him, observe how he behaves around his brothers. Also, it would not be amiss to conduct several tests with him in order to understand what character traits the puppy already has.
IMPORTANT!
See if he runs up to you as soon as you leave him, if he follows your call, how much he is subject to submission and dominance - to do this, turn him over on his back and try to hold him in this position, stroke him and look at the reaction, take him hold him in your arms and observe his behavior - whether the puppy can remain at a distance from the ground in your hands.
Based on the puppy’s reaction, draw conclusions about what he will become and whether you need a pet with such a character.
How to choose a German Shepherd puppy?
To purchase a purebred dog, you must contact a kennel that breeds Germans. Only in this case can you choose the right German Shepherd puppy that meets international standards. When visiting a nursery, pay attention to the living conditions of the puppies, their number in the litter, and physical condition. You should obtain information about the mating of the bitch - whether it was planned or spontaneous and how often it happened with a dog.
When choosing a puppy, the following criteria are taken into account:
- babies from a large litter are rarely large;
- dull fur is a signal of disease or helminthic infestation;
- aggressive or fearful behavior is a consequence of previously received mental trauma;
- the German Shepherd must be well-fed, with a correct bite, and without signs of an umbilical hernia;
- the presence of nodes on the ribs, indicating the development of rickets and calcium deficiency, is unacceptable;
- there should be no scratches or open wounds on the stomach and paws.
Appearance according to standard
To choose the right German Shepherd, you need to compare its exterior and other characteristics with the FCI standards.
The high class of the litter can be confirmed by a number of anatomical features of the puppy:
- strong, powerful skeleton;
- straight back;
- elongated body;
- strong neck;
- large paws with toes gathered into a ball;
- tail without kinks;
- hanging ears (up to 3 months);
- scissor bite;
- a harmonious head with a clear stop, a not too wide forehead and a non-sharp muzzle;
- lack of fringe on the ears;
- almond-shaped eyes are brown or yellowish in color.
It is equally important to choose a healthy puppy. It is identified by the appearance of its eyes, ears, nose and fur. If a little German feels good, he is active, cheerful and inquisitive, reacts to a person and his actions.
Gender of the puppy
The future owner of a German Shepherd needs to remember that females and males have different characters, habits and lifestyles, so you need to choose a puppy taking into account the gender characteristics of the dogs, your capabilities and the future purpose of the animal.
If a dog breeder has chosen a boy, he should know that his character may be complex and that proper upbringing will require a lot of time and effort. The main concern of a German male owner is his desire to run away if he smells a female dog in heat. At the same time, there are significant advantages - the male is fearless, a good guard, and can be used for breeding work.
If you choose a female dog, you need to be prepared to go into heat twice a year. During this period, you will have to protect her from male dogs or select a worthy one for mating, and then care for the newborns. After spontaneous matings, the offspring will have to be accommodated. Girls often suffer from diseases of the reproductive organs. Female German Shepherds have advantages - they are more often chosen by buyers, their character is softer, and they are more pliable in training.
Puppy age
In the best nurseries, German Shepherd puppies are given into the hands of new owners at the age of two months. This principle allows you to carefully select a dog, which, in turn, has time to get stronger, receive all vaccinations, and undergo socialization. Having moved to a new family at this age, she gets sick less, grows and develops faster.
Unfortunately, in most nurseries the puppy is taken away when he turns 1 month old. This is due to the economic factor - it is expensive to maintain, and the bitch becomes very exhausted if she feeds numerous offspring for a long time.
Experienced dog handlers do not recommend a teenage puppy, despite the fact that caring for him is easier than for a small one. Perhaps the breeder kept the German Shepherd for further breeding work, but defects appeared and it was decided to sell it.
If you choose the time of year to purchase a puppy, then you should choose the autumn litter. He is stronger, healthier, and gains body weight faster.
Character and behavior
If you carefully observe the offspring of a German Shepherd for several days, you can choose a purebred dog based on its character. When a little German goes to meet someone without fear, it means the dog is brave and inquisitive. The baby may run, try to flirt with a new person, or grab his legs. Most likely, these dogs will grow up to be smart, proactive dogs. You should not choose cowardly or aggressive individuals; an unstable psyche will certainly manifest itself in adulthood. To identify behavioral characteristics, puppies are tested at the age of 2-3 months. They call out, clap their hands, put him on his back, lift him and hold him at a certain height. The type of temperament of a German Shepherd is determined by the reaction. Ideally, she should be brave, active, energetic, confident, devoted to her owner, but also obedient, restrained and non-aggressive.
Purpose
Before you finally choose a puppy, you need to determine the purpose of purchasing a service dog. A German Shepherd for breeding must be purebred and have a pedigree supported by documents. Many take it to protect and protect the territory. In this case, they pay attention to how balanced, brave and calm the parents and she herself are. Pets for exhibition are selected according to the standard and title of their ancestors. If you need a dog “for the soul”, you can close your eyes to some shortcomings in the exterior and choose a long-haired or regular German Shepherd puppy of any color. The main thing is that the owner finds a common language with her.
For home
To choose the right German Shepherd for your home and “for your soul,” you need to pay maximum attention to the puppy’s health and temperament. At the age of 2-3 months, behavioral characteristics are formed. Some pets demonstrate activity and physical capabilities, others are phlegmatic and cowardly, others are curious and cocky. Each owner can choose a dog according to their preferences. Minor flaws in the exterior of a German Shepherd are not critical if it is taken to have a friend and companion in the house. This does not at all exclude the pet from having high working qualities and excellent appearance. First of all, the baby must be healthy so that the owner does not have problems with his treatment in the future.
For security
It is difficult to choose a more suitable breed of dog for protection than German Shepherds. They are easy to train and have an excellent sense of smell, vision, reaction and courage. Thanks to their thick and dense wool, they can live and serve in harsh climatic conditions.
For protection and special service, it is advisable to choose balanced individuals with a sanguine type of temperament. They should have well-developed muscles and bones, healthy teeth, and a strong grip. Training begins at 8 months. An earlier start is undesirable, since training requires physical strength and endurance from the puppy.
Varieties
The variety of types of German Shepherd was simply predetermined by the long origin and long history of the development of the breed. Today, among the types, experts identify the following.
- West German. The main breeding species. A classic German Shepherd that best meets the international standards of this breed.
- East German. Brought out after World War II in the GDR. It differs from its West German relatives in having a more powerful build.
- Eastern European. The result of the post-war work of Soviet breeders. It is distinguished by an even larger bone structure than that of East German Shepherds, and at the withers it can reach 70 cm.
- Belarusian. The USSR has another type of shepherd bred - the Belarusian or so-called black German shepherd. True, experts do not include it among the main types of breeds. Belarusian Shepherds were bred by crossing German Shepherds with a number of breeds characteristic of Russia to give the animal resistance to cold and large dimensions. Dogs were successfully used in the KGB system. Representatives of the breed can reach 90 cm at the withers. These are often dark or black animals, but there are also pure white or spotted ones. In other lines, black or white color is considered a sign of non-compliance with breed standards, but for the Belarusian Shepherd this is the norm.
- Long-haired. The long-haired German Shepherd is another example where dog breeders are “crowded” within the standards. As in the case of the “black shepherd,” it’s all due to a recessive gene that is present in all lines, but manifests itself only in some representatives. In the homeland of shepherd dogs, Germany, smooth-haired representatives of the breed are considered the standard, and other dogs cannot take part in exhibitions. In response, long-haired pet lovers are developing a species called the Old German Longhair, but without official recognition or specific genetic lines for breeding.
- Dwarf. The dwarf German shepherd is also not formally considered a separate line, since its significantly smaller size is the result of a genetic malfunction that can affect the health of the animal. But these dogs fully retain the working qualities of the “Germans”, protective instincts, learning ability and the ability to get along with children. And this, together with their compact size, makes dwarfs attractive to those who want to keep a dog in an apartment.
What documents should be available when purchasing?
After you have managed to choose the right puppy, you need to complete the paperwork. The breeder should already have certificates for each baby indicating a unique number. It is also applied as a tattoo on the inside of the right hind leg.
The certificate contains information:
- the puppy's name;
- date of birth;
- registration number;
- parents;
- suit;
- breeder's address;
- club details;
- last name, first name and patronymic of the new owner.
From the RKF, the owner receives a pedigree, which identifies the breed of the animal, its ancestors in several generations, indicating nicknames, titles and awards.
The puppy inspection report is drawn up by dog handlers. This document confirms that the chosen baby meets the breed standard. Do not forget about your veterinary passport with vaccination documents. Additionally, you can request a certificate for mating. It will be needed when the owner decides to engage in breeding work.
What you need to prepare at home
Before purchasing a dog, be sure to consult the breeder about what you will need to prepare at home.
The standard set is as follows:
- Several sets of toys.
- Resting-place.
- Bowls and equipped area for eating.
- Permitted place for relieving yourself.
- Regular food for 7–14 days.
Depending on the dog’s temperament, you need to arrange the resting place as successfully as possible - closer or further from your room. It is advisable to walk around the area near your house and choose an area for your first walks.
Does a dog have to have a pedigree?
Even in the absence of a pedigree, it is possible to choose and buy a good puppy. He is capable of becoming an excellent companion and brilliantly performing his official duties, but you need to remember that buying a German shepherd without a full package of documents is a lottery that does not guarantee purebredness.
If you choose a puppy without an official pedigree, you can end up with a weak and sickly baby, since the bitch was bred several times a year. There are cases of sale and purchase of mixed breeds of Germans and mongrels.
Pedigree is a guarantee of the physical and mental health of parents, who are selected very carefully in kennel clubs. Sick and weak individuals are not allowed to reproduce; they are discarded.
Breed Features
In addition to the desire to have a shepherd, there must be an understanding of how suitable such a dog is for a particular family. The German Shepherd is a herding breed that was bred specifically to control large livestock populations. Thus, this is a hardy, physically strong, but most importantly, a breed that requires great attention. To stay healthy, your dog will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, which includes proper training and muscle exercise. Without the opportunity to properly expend their energy, German Shepherds often grow up disobedient, lazy, mischievous and completely useless in the household. This is especially true for males.
This breed is ideal for those owners who can afford to devote at least 6 hours a day to their pet in the first three years of its life, and at least 4 hours later. If this is too much of a burden, you should reconsider your choice of breed.
German puppy cost
A puppy without documents, bought secondhand, costs 7,000-10,000 rubles. The price for a purebred German Shepherd starts at 20,000 rubles and depends on its class:
- pet class - with a pedigree, good health, but with minor defects in the exterior, shepherd dogs can be chosen as a friend and companion, a guard (20,000-3,000 rubles);
- show class - puppies with the correct exterior and other characteristics, bred to attend exhibitions, meet strict selection criteria (40,000-60,000 rubles);
- breeding class - full compliance with the standard, have excellent health, those who are going to engage in breeding work tend to choose such dogs (from 70,000 rubles).
It should be taken into account that you will have to pay more for offspring from titled parents; the price for girls is higher than for boys.
The agony of choice - boy or girl
Almost all potential dog owners experience the agony of choosing between a boy or a girl.
- If you are not adopting a dog for breeding, it is better to have it neutered at a young age. Neutered males and females behave approximately the same.
- If you choose a puppy for breeding, it all depends on the seriousness of your intentions. If you are ready to raise puppies, monitor their fate, and face difficulties associated with genetic abnormalities, buy a girl.
- You like the prospects of showing your dog at exhibitions, participating in the development of the breed, but you are not ready to turn your home into a kindergarten - then it makes more sense to buy a male dog.
Who to buy from - private owners, breeders or nurseries?
The best place to buy a German Shepherd puppy is from a reputable breeder or kennel. It is there that you can study the conditions of detention, look at the parents, get acquainted with the pedigree before making your final choice. Before meeting the babies for the first time, you need to evaluate the reputation of the manufacturers and look at reviews. Conscientious breeders will tell you what they feed the babies and give advice on care. Buying from reputable sellers is extremely important for those who want to select a German Shepherd for competition or further breeding. To be sure of the right choice, you should invite a dog handler with you who can evaluate the quality of the dog.
Weight by month
Newborn German Shepherd puppies weigh from 450 to 600 g. Receiving all the nutrients the body needs from their mother’s milk, they grow quickly, gaining weight from 50 to 100 g per day. At 1 month, a healthy baby should weigh from 2.5 to 4 kg, the height at the withers ranges from 19 to 23 cm. The wide range in weight is due to several factors:
- gender of the puppy (smaller females);
- number of heads in the litter;
- First-born bitches tend to have smaller puppies.
The one month old puppies are already walking well. Their eyes are open, their color may be bluish, but soon the color of the iris will change to brown. The eye shape is almond-shaped.
At 2 months, puppies weigh 7-9 kg. The babies are already confidently eating food, sucking less and less from their mother. This is the optimal age for weaning a puppy from a bitch and handing it over to new owners. At this age, the first vaccinations are given. At 3 months, the shepherd’s height reaches 40-44 cm and weight 14-17 kg. The puppy's owner unobtrusively begins raising the baby. By 4 months, the puppy should weigh 16-20 kg. The baby is active, runs and plays a lot. From this age you can start training your puppy.
