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: Should I get a male or female?

 

A: This is an age-old question and almost strictly a matter of preference. Some people will say that males are more "location" protective while females are more "pack" protective. Males are generally more territorial, so unless training steps are consistent, territory marking could be a problem. Neutering may help alleviate this problem.Any dog or bitch not intended for a breeding program should be neutered or spayed. Besides eliminating the possibility of unwanted puppies and reducing some undesirable behaviors, it's considerably healthier for your dog since it eliminates or severely reduces the chance of testicular or mammary cancers.A dog is virtually in season all the time and a bitch will come into season approximately twice a year. Breeding should *never* be taken lightly. The decision on whether you get a male or a female is solely up to you, but your breeder may help you in your decision.

 

Q: When should I switch my German Shepherd Puppy to adult food?

 

A: Individual puppies will vary. You probably are best off discussing your puppy's growth and needs with both your vet and your breeder (your breeder should provide you with an appropriate feeding and diet sheet for your puppy). Many breeders and dog food manufacturers advise switching to a high quality adult food at four to six months of age.As long as you are feeding a high quality food, this has no ill effect on the puppy and is probably a good idea. Check out the content of the food closely. A puppy or dog with average activity should have about 26% protein and 15-18% fat. Look for some kind of meat to be the first ingredient, not a grain product.Off hand, if your puppy is growing very quickly, you might want to ask your vet about switching to adult food even as early as 12 weeks. Studies have shown that puppies growing quickly may exacerbate a predilection to hip or elbow dysplasia. Otherwise, you can consider switching any time after 10-18 months depending on the dog.Dry food is fine. You don't need to supplement with canned food. It's expensive and doesn't provide anything a good dry food doesn't. If your puppy doesn't want to eat the dry food, you can moisten it slightly with warm water. (This may also reduce the risk of bloat)

 

Q: How often should I feed my German Shepherd Puppyand how much?

 

A: Your breeder should provide you with a feeding chart of what your pup has been fed and the frequency, foods recommended and not recommended for your puppy, how often you should feed your puppy and at what age to change the feeding times. Remember that it is only a recommendation and can be varied according to how your puppy is growing. If your puppy looks like it is getting a little fat reduce the amount, if your puppy is looking a little lean increase the amount. Remember an overweight puppy can eventually have skeletal problems as the weight puts a great strain on growing bones.

 

Q: What is bloat (gastric torsion)?

 

A: Bloat (otherwise known as "gastric torsion") can be a problem with any deep-chested breed like German Shepherds. The stomach twists so nothing can pass through the esophagus to the stomach or through the stomach to the intestines, causing gas to build up. This is an immediate health concern where the dog should be taken to the vet or emergency clinic. Signs of bloat include a distended rigid abdomen, indications of vomiting with no results and inability to belch or pass gas.High activity directly before or after eating can exacerbate bloating. Keeping the dog quiet at least one hour before and after eating can help reduce the chances of bloat. Pre-moistening the dog's food with water can also reduce the chances. (Be sure to include any treats you give in the balance of food intake. Too many treats may cause your dog to gain weight, and treats only may not give the dog the nutrition it needs.) . Don't leave pre-moistened food down for a f too long as it can breed bacteria.

 

Q: What is the life expectancy of a German Shepherd Dog?

 

A: Most lines of German Shepherd Dogs will live to between 10-13 years of age. 11-12 years is probably a very reasonable expectation (with the advent of higher quality foods our dogs are tending to live a longer and healthier life). A German Shepherd Dog becomes "middle-aged" between 5-7 years old, and is generally considered "geriatric" at about 10.Their food intake and exercise and nutrition needs may change over this period of time. They may begin to develop stiffness in their joints (much like people do as they get older). Healthy teeth are important as bacteria from decaying teeth can affect the health of the dog (brisket bones are excellent at keeping teeth and gums healthy).

 

Q: Do German Shepherd Dogs shed their coat a lot?

 

A: Yes. The German Shepherd Dog is a "double-coated" dog with an undercoat and guard hairs. The guard hairs will be shed all year. The undercoat is "blown" twice a year. A bitch will shed her coat prior to coming into season and will normally be in full coat just prior to being ready for mating.

 

Q: What is a long-coated German Shepherd Dog?

 

A: The correct German Shepherd Dogs coat is relatively short with an obvious undercoat. As such it is quite waterproof. Some dogs are born with long coats which usually, though not always, are devoid of undercoat. Such coats are less useful and more difficult to groom, but many pet owners seem to like the long-coated version.Thus there is not strong selection against it, though very few breeders would deliberately breed from long-coated stock. The normal coat is dominant to the long version, so there are three kinds of dog: normal, normal but carrying the long coat gene, and long. About 10% of the pups are born long-coated.This being said, if you don't intend to show your dog in conformation, there's no reason to avoid the long-coated German Shepherd Dog. Long-coated German Shepherd Dogs can and do compete in obedience and other working disciplines. You should be aware, however, that the longer coat does require more attention when grooming.

 

Q: Are German Shepherd Dogs smart and easy to train?

 

A: Yes and no to both. Most German Shepherd Dogs are eager and willing to learn and enjoy training sessions (don't overdo training with a young pup - they just don't have the attention span). If you start young and teach your puppy its order in your "pack", problems with training will be minimized. However, German Shepherd Dogs tend to have more dominant personalities than some breeds and can be stubborn, so some care in training is recommended. Classes are extremely beneficial. A German Shepherd Dog that thinks it's the Alpha member of the pack can be a big handful.

 

Q: Finding Your New German Shepherd Dog?

 

A: You should seek out a reputable breeder when looking for a German Shepherd Dog pup because of the health concerns noted above as well as problems in temperament brought out in ill-bred German Shepherd Dogs. Poorly bred German Shepherd Dogs can also be aggressive, fearful, or shy-sharp (a fearful dog that becomes aggressive when frightened). It is for these reasons that a reputable breeder is more likely to have sound pups, guarantee their health, help you select the puppy most suited to your lifestyle and goals, and be able to guide you as the pup grows. There are numerous resources to finding a reputable breeder. You can contact your local German Shepherd Dog Club, local obedience schools or even by attending dogs shows and talking to people. (Note: Wait until the dog and handler have competed to approach them. Nerves and focus may interfere with your impression of both the dog and breeder otherwise and distractions before competing are unfair to the handler.)Don't overlook the possibility that a German Shepherd Dog is waiting to be adopted from a local shelter or rescue organization. There may also be a sound German Shepherd Dog that need a home because of changing family circumstances. When adopting a German Shepherd Dog from one of these sources, find out as much as you can about the dog's habits and any commands he understands.Taking the time to learn about the dog up front greatly improves the chance of making a good match between owner and dog, and with a dog that has already been displaced, it's important to find a match that will last a lifetime. Remember, though, that a German Shepherd Dog that has already been part of a family may take up to a few months to adjust completely to his new family and bond to his new humans. In return, you may find a dog who is already housebroken and at least partly trained to help smooth the transition into your home

 

Q: How do I stop my German Shepherd Puppy from going to the toilet in the house?

 

A: Your puppy will toilet in the house if it is not given the opportunity to toilet outside. He/she will want to toilet straight after waking from a sleep and after having a meal. These times are a good time to start training your puppy that outside is a good place to toilet, just by simply taking them outside to where you want them to toilet and praising them when they have done the job will enforce the idea that the toilet is outside.Your puppy will then start whining at the door when they need to go and any mistakes are normally because we have ignored their plea for a toilet break. Remember, plenty of praise when the puppy does toilet outside in the chosen place and the puppy will be happy to return to that spot. After all the puppy would rather please you than be chastised by you. For More Information regarding our German Shepherd puppies for sale and German Shepherd dogs sale, please contact us at: