The German Shepherd dog breed was registered in the herding group by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1911. Though German Shepherds are descended from sheep herding dogs, they perform many other functions today. German Shepherds are one of the most utilitarian dog breeds in the world.
The first German Shepherd was named Hektor. A dog fancier and German cavalry captain named Max von Stephanitz saw Hektor at a dog show and found him to be an excellent example of a German sheepdog. Stephanitz, who would be the first of many German Shepherd breeders, renamed Hektor as Horand von Grafath and founded the German Shepherd Dog Club in 1899 with the intention of maintaining the inherent traits of the first German Shepherd.
German Shepherds have been bred to retain both their intelligence and utility. Stephanitz also bred the Shepherd to retain its wolf-like appearance. The breed has many strengths including fierce loyalty, trainability, and ability to multi-task. German Shepherd breeders may specialize in training this breed in any of the above areas.
It is very important that German Shepherds begin life in an environment in which they receive stimulation, attention, discipline and training. Because of their very nature, great care goes into raising German Shepherds to be smart and socialized working dogs. Reputable German Shepherd breeders raise dogs in their own kennels and encourage buyers to visit and get to know both the purebred puppy they are buying and its mother. Good breeders specialize in only one or two breeds and are affiliated with the American Kennel Club and dog rescue centers. German Shepherd breeders are involved in training and competition programs with their Shepherds.
German Shepherd breeders will provide not only registration papers and certification of ancestry (preferably American Kennel Club certified) but also medical records showing evidence of health and immunization. These documents are necessary to determine whether a buyer is getting a purebred, healthy German Shepherd. There are many illicit breeders in the market to make money with little regard for the dogs they are breeding. These bad breeders often are puppy brokers as well, meaning they sell dogs that they may have never even seen. Worse are breeders who run puppy mills, which churn out litters but in poor conditions with little socialization.
Sure-fire signs of bad German Shepherd breeders include the fact that they only sell puppies over the Internet, they have no physical kennel of their own or only broker puppies, they ask for a non-refundable down payment before the litter is born, they do not plan to keep one of the litter, They claim to have a kennel but will not allow a buyer to visit and they have many dogs for sale at one time. Bad breeders also cannot provide adequate registration or certification paperwork, cannot provide medical record information or refer you to only their" veterinarian, and they don't ask the buyer questions about their household. They do not care where their puppies are going.
Good German Shepherd breeders have the opposite qualities of the above. Additionally, they are affiliated with other agencies and rescue centers that help promote and care for the breed. Most importantly, good breeders love the breed they raise!
It is important to know how to locate reputable German Shepherd breeders. This article provides German Shepherd information and gives a history of German Shepherd breeders.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
German Shepherd Information
The first German Shepherd was named Hektor. Hektor was thought to be an excellent example of a sheep herding dog and in 1899 a German named Rittmeister Max von Stephanitz renamed Hektor, Horand von Grafath, and registered him as the first German Shepherd in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany. Von Stephanitz brought the breed back into popularity so much that approximately 48,000 German Shepherds were "enlisted" in World War I.
The German Shepherd breed is registered in the herding group by the American Kennel Club because of its skill in sheep herding. However, German Shepherd dogs are used for many other purposes today. They are the most common dogs used by police and military for protection and tracking and by the visually impaired as guides. German shepherds are highly intelligent, fiercely loyal, and are at their best when put to work. They can be trained to do multiple tasks. Of course, German Shepherds are also excellent family dogs especially for protection and home security. A German Shepherd breeder may specialize in training this breed in any of the above areas.
A good German Shepherd breeder will be able to provide you with documentation of the dog's pedigree and medical history. Because German Shepherds are prone to many skeletal disorders, especially of the hip, the breeder should also include a warranty or statement that the dog has been evaluated for these issues. Getting documentation is also a good way to make sure your Shepherd is purebred as well determining what accomplishments the dog has in his ancestry. Most German Shepherds are trained and certified in many areas and a pedigree will list these achievements.
Make sure you know how to properly care for your German Shepherd and ask advice from the breeder on diet, exercise, and general training. A reputable breeder should have his or her own kennel and your German Shepherd should have received daily socialization, exercise and grooming as well as good nutrition and exposure to other animals. Lastly, make sure you have a purpose for buying a German Shepherd. This intelligent, hard-working breed is happiest when its owner gives it daily tasks to complete.
Now that you know what to look for in a German Shepherd and a German Shepherd breeder, you are ready to find the perfect German Shepherd. There is an alternative to buying a purebred puppy from a breeder. Reputable breeders are usually affiliated with or run rescue centers. A German Shepherd rescue center houses Shepherds that have been abused, abandoned or neglected.
Unfortunately, some breeders over-breed Shepherds in what are called puppy mills. These mills churn out puppies with little regard for the health, happiness or socialization of the adult dogs. Due to this practice, many adult German Shepherds are in need of homes. Rescue centers foster and adopt out dogs by matching them with loving owners. This is an excellent way to obtain a trained, purebred German Shepherd at a reduced cost. It also gives the Shepherd a second chance at a good life. Consider a rescued German Shepherd when making your purchase. Rescue center staff can also refer you to reputable breeders if they do not have kennels for this purpose.
Responsible German Shepherd breeders only sell authentic German Shepherd dogs. German Shepherd information is provided to assist the German Shepherd breeder and buyer.
The German Shepherd breed is registered in the herding group by the American Kennel Club because of its skill in sheep herding. However, German Shepherd dogs are used for many other purposes today. They are the most common dogs used by police and military for protection and tracking and by the visually impaired as guides. German shepherds are highly intelligent, fiercely loyal, and are at their best when put to work. They can be trained to do multiple tasks. Of course, German Shepherds are also excellent family dogs especially for protection and home security. A German Shepherd breeder may specialize in training this breed in any of the above areas.
A good German Shepherd breeder will be able to provide you with documentation of the dog's pedigree and medical history. Because German Shepherds are prone to many skeletal disorders, especially of the hip, the breeder should also include a warranty or statement that the dog has been evaluated for these issues. Getting documentation is also a good way to make sure your Shepherd is purebred as well determining what accomplishments the dog has in his ancestry. Most German Shepherds are trained and certified in many areas and a pedigree will list these achievements.
Make sure you know how to properly care for your German Shepherd and ask advice from the breeder on diet, exercise, and general training. A reputable breeder should have his or her own kennel and your German Shepherd should have received daily socialization, exercise and grooming as well as good nutrition and exposure to other animals. Lastly, make sure you have a purpose for buying a German Shepherd. This intelligent, hard-working breed is happiest when its owner gives it daily tasks to complete.
Now that you know what to look for in a German Shepherd and a German Shepherd breeder, you are ready to find the perfect German Shepherd. There is an alternative to buying a purebred puppy from a breeder. Reputable breeders are usually affiliated with or run rescue centers. A German Shepherd rescue center houses Shepherds that have been abused, abandoned or neglected.
Unfortunately, some breeders over-breed Shepherds in what are called puppy mills. These mills churn out puppies with little regard for the health, happiness or socialization of the adult dogs. Due to this practice, many adult German Shepherds are in need of homes. Rescue centers foster and adopt out dogs by matching them with loving owners. This is an excellent way to obtain a trained, purebred German Shepherd at a reduced cost. It also gives the Shepherd a second chance at a good life. Consider a rescued German Shepherd when making your purchase. Rescue center staff can also refer you to reputable breeders if they do not have kennels for this purpose.
Responsible German Shepherd breeders only sell authentic German Shepherd dogs. German Shepherd information is provided to assist the German Shepherd breeder and buyer.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Things To Know About Your German Shepherd Breeder
You and your family have made your decision and plan to get a German Shepherd as the new family pet. Now that you have made that decision the time has come for an even more important decision and that is choosing the right German Shepherd breeder for you and your family. This part of the process is extremely important so take it very seriously and make sure you do a thorough check of all the available breeders before you settle on just one.
You will be talking to a lot of breeders and this is necessary because any reputable breeder will expect you to talk to a lot of breeders. You are not going to hurt a good breeder's feelings by exploring options. Don't just settle for the first breeder you talk to, branch out and talk to more. You will be needing to feel comfortable talking with your breeder for many years to come so make sure you feel like you can really talk to the breeder you choose.
Ask your German Shepherd breeder what breeder registry they are listed with so you can get an idea of what breeding standards they subscribe to. The main registry in the United States is the American Kennel Club but there are others and they are just as reputable. If your breeder does not belong to a registry then ask them why and ask them about the standards they use for breeding. This information can be very important to you when making a decision.
A reputable breeder will give you a large amount of detailed information about your new dog when you leave with it, along with a sample of their food so you know what kind of food to feed them. A good breeder will take the time to answer your questions and make sure that you have all the information you need. If the breeder you are talking to does not plan on supplying this type of assistance then find a different breeder.
In some cases insurance companies see opportunity with the more reputable German Shepherd breeders and they give these breeders free pet insurance policies to give to new pup owners. The policies are for six weeks and should help cover some of the cost of your first vet appointment. If you like the policy the insurance company hopes you renew it, the German Shepherd breeder will just be happy to offer you a free policy that helps you with those vet bills, which even for a new puppy can be outrageous.
If you and your breeder do not get along then you chose the wrong breeder. That is why it is so important to spend time talking to a lot of breeders until you find one that you feel like you really click with and can talk to. A good breeder will be in your dog's life, and your family's life, for many years to come so make sure you are comfortable with the breeder you choose and take your time so that you make the right choice in this important decision.
You will find important information regarding German Shepherd breeders in this article. There is some very useful and important German Shepherd information in this article.
You will be talking to a lot of breeders and this is necessary because any reputable breeder will expect you to talk to a lot of breeders. You are not going to hurt a good breeder's feelings by exploring options. Don't just settle for the first breeder you talk to, branch out and talk to more. You will be needing to feel comfortable talking with your breeder for many years to come so make sure you feel like you can really talk to the breeder you choose.
Ask your German Shepherd breeder what breeder registry they are listed with so you can get an idea of what breeding standards they subscribe to. The main registry in the United States is the American Kennel Club but there are others and they are just as reputable. If your breeder does not belong to a registry then ask them why and ask them about the standards they use for breeding. This information can be very important to you when making a decision.
A reputable breeder will give you a large amount of detailed information about your new dog when you leave with it, along with a sample of their food so you know what kind of food to feed them. A good breeder will take the time to answer your questions and make sure that you have all the information you need. If the breeder you are talking to does not plan on supplying this type of assistance then find a different breeder.
In some cases insurance companies see opportunity with the more reputable German Shepherd breeders and they give these breeders free pet insurance policies to give to new pup owners. The policies are for six weeks and should help cover some of the cost of your first vet appointment. If you like the policy the insurance company hopes you renew it, the German Shepherd breeder will just be happy to offer you a free policy that helps you with those vet bills, which even for a new puppy can be outrageous.
If you and your breeder do not get along then you chose the wrong breeder. That is why it is so important to spend time talking to a lot of breeders until you find one that you feel like you really click with and can talk to. A good breeder will be in your dog's life, and your family's life, for many years to come so make sure you are comfortable with the breeder you choose and take your time so that you make the right choice in this important decision.
You will find important information regarding German Shepherd breeders in this article. There is some very useful and important German Shepherd information in this article.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
A Useful Way To Find German Shepherd Breeders
The family has decided that it is time to get that German Shepherd pup you have all been talking about for a while now so all you need to do is contact the German Shepherd breeder of your choice and get your dog. What? You have no idea how to get in touch with a good German Shepherd breeder? Well that is no problem. There are many steps you should follow to find a breeder that you will very happy to work with. Some of the methods are obvious while others are not so obvious but you should try them all to find the right breeder for you.
As simple as this may sound you can start your search by looking in the phone book. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that contrary to popular belief not all reputable business people advertise in the phone book. Some of the better breeders only do business with referrals from people they know and that may be better than anyone you can find in the phone book. But it is worth a try.
You will never get better pet advice than the advice you get from your vet. If you already have pets and go to regular vet then be sure to ask them to recommend a good German Shepherd breeder that you can talk to. If this will be your first pet then the best time to find a vet is while you are looking for a breeder. This way your vet can refer you to the breeders that they do business with, trust and refer you to. It is a large network of referrals and the only way into that network is to keep customers happy so you should be able to get a great recommendation from your vet.
You will also want to see what the national breeder registries have listed for breeders in your area. The national registries like the American Kennel Club have their codes of breeding that their member breeders use as their breed guidelines and standards. So not only will you find the names of breeders that care enough about their business to adhere to a national standard but you can also see what that standard is.
The Internet is a great resource all around and sometimes even the most reputable of German Shepherd breeders do not list themselves with registries. They may, however, have a website for you to look through. So the Internet is yet another source where you can do your German Shepherd breeder research. The Internet is full of a lot of very useful information that can help you decide if a breeder is right for you or not. You can also use the Internet to see the list of all of the breeders in your area regardless of whether or not they are listed with a registry. It is a great tool to use.
Using just one source to find your German Shepherd breeder is not a great way to go about finding the right one. You need to use a combination of resources to help you find the breeders that you will want to talk to. Remember to take your time and make the right decisions, as the breeder you choose will be the breeder you are with for many years to come.
There is helpful information about finding German Shepherd breeders in this article. You can use this article as a resource when you need German Shepherd information.
As simple as this may sound you can start your search by looking in the phone book. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that contrary to popular belief not all reputable business people advertise in the phone book. Some of the better breeders only do business with referrals from people they know and that may be better than anyone you can find in the phone book. But it is worth a try.
You will never get better pet advice than the advice you get from your vet. If you already have pets and go to regular vet then be sure to ask them to recommend a good German Shepherd breeder that you can talk to. If this will be your first pet then the best time to find a vet is while you are looking for a breeder. This way your vet can refer you to the breeders that they do business with, trust and refer you to. It is a large network of referrals and the only way into that network is to keep customers happy so you should be able to get a great recommendation from your vet.
You will also want to see what the national breeder registries have listed for breeders in your area. The national registries like the American Kennel Club have their codes of breeding that their member breeders use as their breed guidelines and standards. So not only will you find the names of breeders that care enough about their business to adhere to a national standard but you can also see what that standard is.
The Internet is a great resource all around and sometimes even the most reputable of German Shepherd breeders do not list themselves with registries. They may, however, have a website for you to look through. So the Internet is yet another source where you can do your German Shepherd breeder research. The Internet is full of a lot of very useful information that can help you decide if a breeder is right for you or not. You can also use the Internet to see the list of all of the breeders in your area regardless of whether or not they are listed with a registry. It is a great tool to use.
Using just one source to find your German Shepherd breeder is not a great way to go about finding the right one. You need to use a combination of resources to help you find the breeders that you will want to talk to. Remember to take your time and make the right decisions, as the breeder you choose will be the breeder you are with for many years to come.
There is helpful information about finding German Shepherd breeders in this article. You can use this article as a resource when you need German Shepherd information.
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