frequently asked questions
Purchasing a puppy from a breeder registered with a Canine Association and preferably a German Shepherd Dog Club member, will give the puppy buyers some assurance that they are buying a quality puppy with less chance of suffering from the hereditary diseases that sometimes occur in the German Shepherd Dog Breed.
Generally most GSDC members comply with all the breed improvement schemes
Research the breed first and foremost. Be sure that a German Shepherd Dog is right for you and your family.
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Select a reputable breeder (by this I do not necessarily mean that you should go to the breeder who has won the most ribbons).
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Visit the kennels where the pups were born. Be satisfied that the kennels, yards are clean and tidy. This is a must. Do not be fobbed off for any reason!! If you are not encouraged to visit the kennel you do not want to buy from that breeder.
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View the Dam and also the Sire, though sometimes viewing the sire is not practicable, as an interstate stud dog may have sired the litter
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After our puppies are whelped we require the puppy purchaser to visit our kennels at least twice.
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Check and see that the puppies are clean, healthy and outgoing.
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The breeder should also give the purchaser a puppy booklet with Diet, 5 generation pedigree, contract of sale and helpful information on raising your GSD puppy.
Breeders should offer on going support for the life of the puppy.
Choosing between a male or female dog is strictly a matter of preference. From our experience, I will say that males are more protective of their surrounding area, while females are more protective of their family (your family).
- Generally, the German Shepherd Dog male is larger in size and more masculine in structure.
- The size and the masculinity of the male, most often is intimidating to strangers.
- German Shepherd Dog males are generally more territorial of their location. The marking of the territory can be a problem. How-ever, if trained properly, the problem can be controlled. Neutering may help lighten this problem.
- German Shepherd Dog males are also larger in size and bulk than a female.
The Female
- The female German Shepherd Dog should be smaller in size and feminine in structure. Her gender is easily recognizable from a distance.
- Female German Shepherd Dogs have the 'pack' instinct. They will be protective of their family more so than males. This instinct will sometimes cause her to be jealous among the other dogs in the household.
- If you are not intending to breed the female German Shepherd Dog, she should be spayed
It is against the Victorian Canine Association and German Shepherd Dog Council regulations for breeders to sell puppies to pet shops and markets.
Purchasing a puppy is a life time decision that should be taken very carefully and not on impulse.
The breeder applies to their state canine association for, and is issued with, a pedigree registration for each puppy in a litter.
A quality puppy may cost in the vicinity of $1200 to $1500.
The correct German Shepherd Dog's coat is relatively short, with an obvious undercoat. The coat is quite waterproof.
Some dogs are born with long coats, which are usually devoid of undercoat.
Your puppy's breeder should give you a diet sheet and recommend the food they think is suitable for your puppy's growth to adulthood.
The puppy is only very young and will not require much exercise, just be allowed to play and rest when he wants to. He is too young to go on walks for the first four months, as it places too much stress on growing bones and joints.
To be part of the 'responsible owner fraternity', we suggest the new owner takes their puppy to obedience classes from 8 weeks of age.
If you have purchased your puppy from a registered breeder, you will have received a vaccination card in your puppy gift pack that says the puppy has been vaccinated at 6 weeks of age with his temporary vaccination. You will see that the next vaccination is due when the puppy is 12 weeks of age.
Click here for more information about vaccinations.
Regular veterinary care, vaccinating as recommended by your qualified veterinary surgeon and proper feeding are vital in maintaining your dog's health.
what are the breed improvement schemes?
The GSDCA has introduced a number of tests for the screening of adult dogs for the improvement of the breed, including several which focus on hereditary diseases. These latter schemes include the Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Control Scheme and the Haemophilia Scheme. Adult dogs (over eighteen months of age), after having successfully passed these schemes are encouraged to be presented for Breed Survey.
The breed improvement schemes consists of:
- Tattooing
- Hip/Elbow x-raying
- Haemophilia testing
- Breed Survey
what does the “A” after my German Shepherd’s name signify?
An ‘A’ Stamp is issued to any German Shepherd Dog which is X-rayed through the GSDCA HD Scheme & receives a score of 8 or less in any one hip with a maximum of 3 allowed in any one area. Scores of 9 and up (per hip) result in a fail. So for example when you see “A”2-3 the dog has scored 2 on the right hip and 3 on the left hip and has passed the GSDCA Hip Dysplasia Scheme.
More information here
what does the “Z” after my German Shepherd’s name signify?
A "Z" Stamp is issued to any German Shepherd Dog which is X-rayed through the GSDCA ED Scheme & receives a score of 5mm or less arthritic change. The elbows are usually X-rayed at the same time as the hips, i.e when your German Shepherd Dog is over the age of 12 months. The presence of an ununited anconeal process is noted as are any arthritic changes. The plates are read by a radiologist and graded Normal e.g “Z”0-0 (no arthritic change) Grade 1 e.g “Z”0-1 (up to 2mm arthritic change) or Grade 2 e.g “Z’0-2 (up to 5mm arthritic change. Any elbow with more than 5mm of arthritic change or an ununited anconeal process are failed.
More information here
what does the BS CL1 or BS CL11 after my German Shepherd’s name signify?
For information about Breed Survey classification click here
why is it important to socialise my puppy?
Before any puppy leaves their breeder, the puppy has been loved, cared for & socialised. Even so the puppy does not leave the kennels as a finished product. The breeders have done their part - it is now up to the new family to continue with the puppy's development.
This means taking the puppy out and around shopping centres, parks, etc to meet people, other dogs and animals - this is most important if your puppy is to develop into a well adjusted, happy individual. Let the puppy encounter different situations, shapes, noises, traffic, etc., but do it all gradually, NOT ALL IN ONE DAY. This allows the puppy to experience everyday situations and learn to react calmly.
It is a very great responsibility for the new family to continue the puppy's development through structured training, discipline and love.
To help achieve this, the family is advised to become involved with the German Shepherd Dog Club training activities, which are held at branches throughout Australia.
can the breeder guarantee that the puppy will not have hip or elbow problems?
No breeder can guarantee that your puppy will not have hip or elbow problems. But a responsible breeder will guarantee that if there is a genetic problem with hips and/or elbows, they will replace the puppy or refund your money.
Most breeders require the owner to return the puppy for replacement. Do not be dismayed by the breeder requiring the return of the puppy. The puppy may be in a great deal of pain and the owner emotionally unable to deal with having to put the puppy to sleep. A responsible breeder will want what is best for the puppy/dog.
BE VERY WARY OF THE BREEDER WHO SAYS THAT THEIR PUPPIES WILL DEFINITELY NOT HAVE ANY HIP/ELBOW PROBLEMS!
when will my puppy's ears stand up?
Some puppies' ears are erect as early as eight or ten weeks of age.
Do not be concerned if the pup's ears are not standing up until five months of age, especially if they are very large ears.
Ear carriage can be very erratic during the period when a puppy is getting its adult teeth.
Don't let anyone pet or pull your puppy's ears backwards before they are erect. This can damage the cartilage in your pup's ears which can effect the ear carriage.
what is the difference between a german shepherd dog and an alsatian?
There is no difference.
After the two World Wars, anything that was German fell out of favour with the populace. So instead of the German Shepherd Dog, the breed was known as the Alsatian.
why is the word 'dog' used in the breed name?
The name in Germany is Deusche Schaferhunde, which translated means 'German Shepherd Dog'. The word 'Dog' is actually part of the breeds name, unlike other breeds
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ELPHINSTONE, Victoria 3448
Ph: 03 5473 3521
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