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The German Shepherd Dog Council
of Australia and its affiliate member clubs receive many questions and
requests for information from intending and new owners of German Shepherd
Dogs. Over the years, many articles have been published in the GSDCA
National Review Magazine to inform GSD enthusiasts on topical items of
interest. From our records, we present hereunder the most frequently asked
questions, categorized under headings of Purchasing, Rearing, General
Information and Breed Improvement Schemes.
gsd
puppy/dog purchasing
 How do I obtain a puppy ?
We suggest that you contact
your local GSDCA Affiliate Club Puppy Listings service, for Club Breeders
who comply with the Breed Improvement Schemes. This gives a greater
assurance that you are buying a quality puppy with a minimised chance of
suffering defects and hereditary diseases. Links to all
affiliate clubs appear on our Links page.
Why should I buy a puppy
through the local GSD Club ?
A puppy that is purchased
through the GSDCA Affiliate Club Puppy Listing service comes from a breeder
who is a member of that local State GSD Club, and has complied with all of
the Breed Improvement Schemes and Breeding Guidelines. This will provide a
greater assurance that you are buying a quality puppy, that will have less
chance of suffering from the hereditary diseases that may occur in the
German Shepherd Dog.
Should I buy a puppy from
a Pet Shop or Market ?
No ! - It is against all
the state/territories Kennel Controls and GSD Clubs rules for Breeders to
sell puppies from Pet Shops or Markets. There is very good reason for this.
Purchasing a puppy is a lifetime decision, and therefore should be carefully
and seriously undertaken, not an impulse decision. You will also have no
ability to view the parents or the environment in which the litter was
reared, and therefore cannot be confident of the background of the puppies,
especially if they are purebred.
What should I look for
when purchasing a puppy ?
The most important thing when
purchasing a puppy is that you get a puppy that is healthy, physically
sound, and of good temperament. A guide to assessing these things is that:
- the puppies must be clean,
healthy (immunised), active, bright and outgoing (happy to see you),
- both parents must be Breed
Surveyed (have PASSED all of the Breed Improvement Schemes, especially Hip
and Elbow Schemes),
- documentation (such as
pedigree, vaccination, worming, diet sheet, etc.) must be available,
- the kennel/yard must be
clean and tidy.
The GSDCA recommends that you
purchase a puppy through its Affiliate Club Puppy Listing service as these
Breeders have complied with all of these requirements.
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A healthy happy 5 weeks old puppy
A healthy happy puppy 5 months of age |
Is my backyard big enough for a GSD?
A German Shepherd is a working breed and therefore can be quite
"industrious" when left alone for long periods of time and this can be
directed towards destroying its environment or via problematic barking.
The question regarding the size of an area to keep a GSD in is really a
twofold question about whether you have enough time to devote to the
puppy/dog. A GSD can be kept in quite a small backyard, provided that
GSD is not left to its own devices for long periods of time without company,
training or exercise external to its housing. If you have plenty of
time to devote to the dog a small backyard is sufficient, but should you
work long hours and have little time you may wish to rethink about keeping a
GSD in a confined space.
How much does a puppy
cost ?
Quality puppies start from
about $800 to $1500 or more.
Why should I buy a
puppy/dog with a Registered Pedigree ?
Pedigree registrations are controlled by the State/Territory Kennel
Control. Puppies/dogs registered with that body have been registered from
pedigree parents on the Main Register and pedigree details of the puppy have
been recorded for many generations. There is a Code of Ethics which
breeders registered with the State Bodies must uphold in their breeding
practices and this ensures that the purchaser of a puppy can expect that
their puppy should be reared under those practices.
What is the difference
between the “Main Register” and “Limited Register” Pedigrees ?
Pedigree registrations are
issued by the State/Territory Kennel Control, after application by the
Breeder. The “Main Register” pedigrees are blue in colour, whilst the
“Limited Register” pedigrees are orange in colour, and are both A4 size.
Dogs registered on the “Limited Register” may not be exhibited in
conformation shows, nor can they be bred with, but can still be entered in
Obedience, Agility and Tracking Trials. Dogs registered on the “Main
Register” are eligible to participate in all aspects of the Kennel Control
sanctioned activities, ie breeding, showing, trialling and breed surveying,
etc.
Should I be supplied with
a Five (5) Generation Breeders Pedigree ?
Yes ! - This type of
pedigree is prepared and signed by the breeder and shows the preceding five
generations from which the puppy/dog evolved. It should also contain details
including linebreeding, tattoo number, coat colour and markings, and
names/sex of litter mates (siblings). The Five Generation Breeders Pedigree
is used to participate in the GSDCA Breed Improvement Schemes. Details on
this pedigree should co-incide with those like details on the Registration
Papers.
gsd puppy/dog rearing
When should I vaccinate
my puppy/dog ?
Your puppy should have been vaccinated at 6 weeks of age (if you buy through the Puppy Listings
service), and you will receive advice from the Breeder on further
vaccination. As a guide your puppy will require the next vaccination at 12
weeks, with a “booster” at 16 weeks. After this your dog must be vaccinated
every 12 months. The GSDCA Affiliate Club Branches will need to sight your
puppy/dog’s up-to-date vaccination certificate if you are training at one of
those Branches.
When do I treat my
puppy/dog for intestinal worms ?
Your puppy will have been
wormed regularly prior to your buying it at 8 weeks. It is best to consult
your local veterinarian who is aware of conditions in your area (as there
are many types of worms), however as a basic guide: Puppies should be wormed
at 12 weeks, 4 months and then bimonthly, and Adults (from 12 months) every
3 months. The breeder of the puppy can usually make recommendations
regarding products to use.
When do I treat my
puppy/dog for heart worm ?
Heartworm is prevalent throughout most of Australia, and preventative
treatment may be needed. Your puppy/dog should be on a heartworm preparation
according to its weight, via a monthly heartworm preparation or a yearly
vaccination via the veterinarian. Consult your puppy breeder and/or local
veterinarian for advice regarding the dosage and frequency of dosage for
your pup.
How much should I
exercise my puppy/dog ?
There is a mistaken belief that
a young puppy (up to 12 months of age) should have “plenty” of exercise.
That belief is incorrect ! As a general rule up to 12 months of age, “on
lead” exercise should be very limited. Natural free running is the best form
of exercise for a youngster, because when they tire they can easily stop.
Serious or extensive exercise should not occur until the dog has reached the
age of twelve (12) months. When twelve (12) months of age, X-ray your dog's
hips and elbows under the GSDCA Scheme to see what the status is. This may
influence the type and extent of future exercise. It is important that
extensive exercise should not occur within four (4) hours, either before or
after, the puppy/dog has had a meal, food or lengthy drink. |
A small amount of exercise |
Why is it important to
socialise my puppy/dog ?
A well bred puppy will have all
the basics for the making of a sound, well adjusted puppy and adult dog,
however this is just the foundation for the future. Once you take the puppy
home it then becomes your responsibility to continue the development of the
puppy. This means exposing and reassuring the puppy to and around people,
other dogs, the home environment, and the community environment, so as it
learns to be confident in all circumstances.
At what age can I take my
puppy/dog to obedience training classes ?
The GSDCA Affiliate Clubs
encourage new owners to socialise their puppy from a very young age, and
therefore hold puppy classes for puppies from 8 weeks of age. Please ensure
you bring your puppy's up-to-date vaccination certificate with you.
Is obedience training
important for my puppy/dog ?
Yes ! - It is your
responsibility as a dog owner, to ensure that your dog is a well behaved,
accepted member of the community. Obedience Training will assist in teaching
you how to work with your dog, and teaching him good habits, and if
necessary overcoming undesirable behaviour. A well trained dog is a pleasure
to own, and please always remember to be considerate of other people who may
not be dog lovers like us.
Can the GSD Club assist
me with Schutzhund or Protection training for my puppy/dog ?
No ! - The GSDCA
affiliated Clubs do not support the training of Schutzhund, or any form of
Protection training and do not believe this form of training is necessary.
It is a requirement of Victorian law that any dog that is trained to attack
a person or animal must be reported to the authorities and will probably be
declared a dangerous dog. Use the following link to view the GSDCA Policy -
Policy on
Schutzhund Training.
When can I treat my puppy
more like an adult dog ?
This varies, but generally 12
months of age is regarded as the end of puppyhood. By 12 months, your pup
would have reached maximum height. The period between 12 months and 24
months is a transitional period of gradual muscular development filling the
skeletal frame. More serious physical and mental training of your young dog
can now gradually commence. Most experts agree that the GSD reaches, or
should reach, adulthood at 2 years of age. Further physical and mental
development can occur after this with full maturity being attained at about
4 years of age.
gsd general information
How long does a German
Shepherd Dog live ?
This varies greatly, but
generally somewhere around 10 to 12 years of age. Some have been known to
reach 15 years of age.
What should the ideal
character of my GSD be like ?
The GSD must be of well
balanced temperament, steady of nerve, self assured, absolutely free and
easy, and (unless provoked) completely good natured, as well as alert and
tractable. He/she must have courage, combative instinct and awareness,
in order to be suitable as companion, watch, protection, service and herding
dog. Upbringing can affect character.
What is a Long Coat/Hair
?
A “long coat” has a long, wavy,
soft top coat (not lying closely) without undercoat, usually with a parting
down the back, flags on ears and legs and tail. The “long coat” is a
disqualifying fault within the Breed Standard, and as such is not suitable
for Showing or Breeding. However this in no way detracts from its ability as
a pet and companion, in fact many people have a preference for them. Long
Coats will generally be sold on a “Limited Register” Pedigree.
What is a Long Stock
Coat/Hair ?
A “long stock coat” has a long
double coat (Long Stockhaar) with long, wavy, topcoat not lying closely,
with undercoat, feathering on ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail
forming flags below.
What is a Normal or Stock
Coat/Hair ?
The correct coat of the GSD is
a double coat (Stockhaar) with undercoat. The top coat should be as dense
as possible, straight, harsh and close lying. It should be short on the
head, including inside the ears, the front of the legs and on the feet and
toes; it is a little longer and heavier coated on the neck. The hair
lengthens on the back of the legs to the pastern or hock; on the back of the
thighs it forms moderate breeching.
What colour should my GSD
be ?
Permissible colours are any of the following -
1. Black with reddish tan, tan,
gold to light grey markings. 2. All black, and 3. all grey; in greys with dark
shadings, black saddle and mask. The nose must be black in all colour
types. Lacking mask, light to piercing eyes, as well as whitish markings on
chest and inner sides of legs, light nails and red tip of tail are
undesirable. The undercoat is of a light grey toning. The
colour white is not permitted. |
Long Coated puppy
Grey (Sable) |
Should my pet bitch have
a litter before she is speyed ?
No ! - It is a fallacy
that a bitch should have a litter before they are speyed. Breeding is a
serious responsibility, it is not simply a case of producing puppies.
Breeders have a responsibility to breed quality, healthy puppies and to
ensure all puppies can be found loving and suitable homes. It is the policy
of all GSDCA Affiliate Clubs to only breed with animals that have
successfully passed all the Breed Improvement Schemes, particularly Breed
Survey. All pet dogs should be speyed.
At what minimum
age should my GSD be mated ?
Matings should only occur with
adult dogs (over 18 months of age) after having successfully passed the
GSDCA's hereditary disease schemes and Breed Survey. Only those males and
females are deemed suitable and recommended for breeding by the GSDCA and
its Affiliate State/Territory Clubs. Breeding puppies can be an
expensive business and should not be attempted without commitment to
betterment of the breed.
What is the GSDCA ?
The acronym GSDCA stands for
the German Shepherd Dog Council
of Australia Inc. The GSDCA comprises all the Australian
states/territories GSD Clubs. All GSD Breed Improvement Schemes have been
developed and are controlled by the GSDCA. The GSDCA is an affiliate of the
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC).
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