I am starting a German Shepherd kennel, any advice would be much appreciated.?

Question

I have 5 females and 2 males, I am not just jumping into this, I have advisors, have all the equipment, kennels, and will be a very responsible breeder. I love the breed. Any advice would be much appreciated. Coloring - females - 1 long coat b/t w silver, 1 b/t, 1 bicolor, 1 rust color (i have heard it called red sable, but there is no black on it), & 1 tan sable. Males - 1 b/t (light tan, almost cream) and 1 cream sable. A really beautiful dog, very rare, I have heard that it is kind of a white dilute.

Answer 1

Are you planning to show or work your dogs? I'm sure your advisors have already told you this, but that's much more important than coat color in terms of breeding, and it's the only way you'll ever really learn how to determine whether your dogs are of breeding quality.

Have you learned all you can about the genetic problems inherent to the breed? I assume your advisors have told you about OFA certification and CERF exams? If not, ask them about it. Do a search on German Shepherd Genetic Problems and pay attention to what you find, and how to test for it.

Learn how to read pedigrees, and find out as much as you can about the dogs *behind your dogs* in those pedigrees.

Be prepared to remove a dog from your breeding program if they have or are known to carry any genetic health problems.

Are you prepared to be involved in GSD rescue? If you plan to breed, you should be willing to assist in rescue for your breed.

Answer 2

1. Breed for AKC Regulation Confirmation. ONLY. That includes breeding for AKC Regulation colors - ONLY! No whites or other non-regulation colors. Period. None. Ever. Yes, we're eliminating "pretty colors" but we're also minimizing health risks.

2. Select your breeding stock from lines with multiple, multiple generations of AKC Champions in their pedigree. Yes, we're talking investing thousands of dollars in one single puppy.

3. Show your dogs in AKC sponsored shows. Every dog in your kennel should have his/her championship prior to breeding. This means thousands of dollars to finish a single dog. No championship - no sale.

4. Breed only when a mating will improve the breed overall - not just because Gretta has pretty coloring. It's the breed we're after - not eye candy. Yes. this means perhaps neutering your male because he sires puppies that come down with genetic disorders.

5. You will have to guarantee against genetic disorders such as joint problems, neurological problems etc. Not cheap.

6. Prepare to go broke. Despite the fact that you love the breed (as do I) only one in several hundred puppies will turn out to be of champion quality. That's the way it goes.

Answer 3

Go through virtual breeding and see what you think about it.

Honestly learn to detail your dogs' faults. The beautiful male? Yeah, he's a house pet now. Neuter him. Love him to death.