Questionnaire For a Vom Haus Edinburgh German Shepherd Puppy. To some, this screening process may seem intrusive, but please know this is only for the benefit of the puppy and the potential buyer. As a responsible breeder, it is my duty to screen potential buyers to ensure that the puppies that I have worked so hard to breed and raise will enter into a home where they are loved and cared for. You should also be aware of the positive and negative characteristics of the "German Shepherd Breed" They are not for everyone. They need much attention, early socialization love, and firm guidance as they grow. I don't want my puppies to end up in a rescue or dog pound. This is a 10 year plus challenging commitment.

Q: When can my new German Shepherd puppy come home with me?

 

A: Usually our puppies leave us between 7 and 8 weeks old, after they’ve been wormed, and have received all necessary vaccinations according to their age.

 

Q: Will I be able to meet my German Shepherd puppy before I pick him/her up?

A: Young puppies are very susceptible to disease and if exposed to any virus the entire litter may be effected. If a visitor visits animal shelters, or other kennels before their visit, this could easily transmit viruses.Yes, you can come and visit your puppy prior to being picked up. Although, we are very cautious, and ask that you have not visited any pet stores, kennels or have handled any other pets prior to your visit.

 

Q: Do you ship puppies?

 

A: Yes we will ship puppies, taking care of all the necessary arrangements and veterinary health certificate. All costs will be the responsibility of the new owner. These additional costs can be anywhere from $300 to $350. The cost of an older puppy will of coarse be more due to the increase in weight. There are certain precautions and considerations in shipping that being the weather if it is too hot or cold the airlines will not ship.

 

Q: What do I need to do to prepare for bringingmy new puppy home?

 

A: Prepare a place for his/her own, bedding that the puppy can call their own. Each puppy will be sent home with a blanket they have been sleeping with to help him/her adjust to their new home. Purchase safe toys for your puppy to keep them busy, and keep their mind stimulated. A premium dog food has been fed to your puppy we recommend the same be continued throughout his/her life time. Eukanuba , Iams, ProPlan. There are more expensive natural based dogs foods that are available these are also a consideration.

 

Q: What can I do to get my German Shepherd puppy off to a good start?

 

A: One very important thing to produce a well rounded sound adult German Shepherd. That is socialization, this should not be taken lightly. As your puppy grows all efforts must be made to take your new puppy to different places where your puppy can meet people of all ages and be exposed to other dogs, small and large. He/She needs to learn different noises, this is something that needs to be done everyday. This is part of raising a puppy, any puppy. Committing to this exposure and socialization will dramatically impact his/her future life as an adult dog.

 

Q: What is "socializing" and why is it so important?

 

A: Socializing refers to exposing your puppy to a variety of experiences, including meeting lots of people of various ages, races, sizes and both sexes as well as teaching them how to acceptably interact with other dogs. Puppy kindergarten classes provide an excellent opportunity for socialization in a controlled environment. Socializing is important because it helps strengthen your dog's confidence and reduces the chance that your dog will become shy or fearful. Fearful dogs can become fear aggressive or fear biters. If your puppy is scared by something do not force your puppy to accept it, gently show the puppy that it is not dangerous. Please see out "Socialization Tab" for further information.

 

Q: How much training do German Shepherd puppies need?

 

A: Basic obedience training is an essential part of responsible dog ownership. It will make your dog a better companion and will help establish a stronger bond between the two of you. A German Shepherd Dog is a natural guard dog and does not need training for this. Protection training is very dangerous in an unstructured environment and should be avoided without obtaining the advice of a very good qualified trainer.

 

Q: Should I breed my German Shepherd Dog?

 

A: Breeding is an owners choice, but in most cases, the answer is NO. Breeding dogs is a great responsibility and is a significant financial investment involved (often exceeding $1,500 or more) if breeding properly, and a great deal of time must be spent to socialize your pups so they reach their full potential. The average litter size of a German Shepherd Dog is 6-9 puppies. As one of the most popular breeds in the country, approximately 60,000 German Shepherd Dogs are registered with the AKC yearly.  Unfortunately, many of these dogs lack the qualities that make the German Shepherd Dog such a desirable breed. Only the best German Shepherd Dogs should be bred. He or she should be certified free of hip dysplasia by x-rays submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animal (OFA) and screened for other things he may pass onto his/her offspring.

 

Q: Will spaying or neutering change my German Shepherd Dogs temperament?

 

A: One of the best things you can do for your dog is to spay or neuter. The basic disposition of your dog will not be changed by removing his or her reproductive capability and will not, in itself, make your dog obese or lazy.Having a litter is not, in any way, beneficial to a bitch and can occasionally lead to problems, even death. It is a medical fact that spayed bitches are more healthy and live longer than unspayed bitches. Neutered males cannot develop testicular cancer. Neutering a male will remove his psychological need to mate and he will be more tolerant of other male dogs.The AKC permits spayed and neutered animals to participate in all phases of obedience, tracking, herding and junior handling, but not in conformation classes.

 

Q: Do German Shepherd Dogs make good pets?

 

A: Absolutely, German Shepherd dogs can make excellent family pets if they are accepted as part of the family, but any dog just left in a backyard to fend for itself will become a socially unacceptable nuisance. They are naturally protective of their "pack". Young children should never be left unattended with a puppy or an adult dog, however, if the children learn to respect the puppy as a living being, the puppy will be a wonderful companion for the children as they all grow up together. Your dog's ranking in the "pack" should always be established as the bottom (Omega) member below all family members and all other humans.

 

Q: What traits are inherent in German Shepherd Dog?

 

A: The German Shepherd Dog is a natural working (herding) dog. Your German Shepherd Dog will try to round you and your family up. Often they will lead ahead, walking in front of you and looking back to make sure you're going where you should. The breed is naturally loyal, intelligent and protective, has a very good nose and has a very calm and steady temperament when well bred. All of these traits make them excellent for police work, tracking and search work, rescue work and seeing eye dogs. They are also being used as assistance dogs for they disabled. A German Shepherd Dog thrives on , mental stimulation (obedience training), regular exercise (at least one walk per day) and a well-balanced diet.These traits make a German Shepherd Dog an absolute pleasure to own when well-trained, but in the hands of a novice, unconcerned, uncommitted owner, their intelligence and drive can become difficult to manage making them a social noisy and destructive nuisance.Breeding plays an important role in the temperament of German Shepherd Dogs, so selecting a reputable breeder concerned with both physical health and the personality of their puppies is of utmost importance.

 

Q: Selecting a German Shepherd Puppy.

 

A: If you are going to purchase a puppy shop around and find a reputable kennel or breeder whose integrity and reputation are impeccable. Canine associations, German Shepherd clubs and attending dog shows are a good place to start. Do your homework and avoid disappointment and be prepared for the breeder asking questions about your home, property and lifestyle.Obviously, many factors affect the selection of the puppy, including the personality and lifestyle of the future owner. Avoid puppies that appear too shy or nervous. Puppies at eight weeks of age where they can be sent home with their new owners should be inquisitive. Meet both parents if possible since character is very important, but be aware that at most times the sire is not owned by the breeder and is not available to be met. Make sure you see the parents' hip & elbow certifications. Hip and elbow problems can be devastating for both the owner and the dog.  Watch as the German Shepherd puppies move about. If you are inexperienced with German Shepherd Dog, do not pick the "boss" of the litter. Watch the puppies interact with each other in the litter as well as with you and your family members. Watch the puppies you are considering interact with you without the rest of the litter present. Look for a friendly puppy who is not afraid, but also allows you to handle it without a lot of struggle. Select a puppy whose coat is shiny, the eyes are bright and looks generally healthy.How can you pick the best pup in the litter? You can’t! You can only pick the best puppy of the litter in your opinion, the puppy that suits you best on the day. Puppies change from day to day and the puppy that you initially selected as a 4 week old puppy will look nothing like the puppy you chose at 6 weeks of age.Ask to look through the puppy's pedigree. Check hip and elbow certifications and make sure that common ancestors are at least 3 generations back. If you don't understand something, ask the breeder! All breeders should be happy with answering any questions you may have. Most of all, select a puppy that feels comfortable with your family.Reputable breeders will also make suggestions to insure their puppies go to happy, well chosen homes.

 

Q: Can you guarantee my German Shepherd Puppy will not have hip dysplasia?

 

A: NO! Hip dysplasia and elbow problems are considered to be polygenic. That means that it's caused by a combination of genes that may not show up in any litter previously. No matter the certifications in the pedigree it is possible that your puppy could be predisposed to hip dysplasia or elbow problems.