In this article we will look at such an important issue as breeding a German Shepherd. In this matter, desire alone is not enough - you need to know the basics of science and genetics. You will also need intuition and a little luck. Before taking on such a responsible undertaking, you must weigh your strengths and thoroughly consider all the pros and cons. In addition to a lot of time and patience, you will need to study a lot of information about the breeding representatives of this breed. If you have enough willpower and perseverance, and you are not afraid of failure, then this article is just for you.
Origin story
By the 7th century AD In Germany, herding dogs similar to modern German shepherds already existed. These were large and strong animals, distinguished by their devotion to their owner, distrust of strangers and moderate viciousness.
These dogs were mainly used to herd livestock, but they could also perform other jobs, such as guarding the farm or protecting the owner.
It was they who became the founders of the new breed, when in the second half of the 19th century, targeted work began on breeding a universal dog, which became the embodiment of the best working and exterior qualities of ancient shepherd dogs.
In the first breed standard , drawn up in 1899, paramount importance was given to the working and service qualities of representatives of the new breed .
According to him, a German Shepherd should have a strong nervous system and character traits such as courage, confidence and inflexibility in achieving goals.
Subsequently, the standard was repeatedly rewritten, and when breeding show shepherd dogs, exterior characteristics came to the fore.
This is precisely the reason that some breeders, who believe that the dog’s character is of paramount importance, began to breed dogs that are distinguished by excellent working qualities, although they are inferior to their show relatives in appearance.
Description and why they are purchased
The German Shepherd of working breeding is not created for conquering the exterior rings. But on the other hand, she is better suited to the most complex and difficult work than her show relatives.
It is these dogs that make wonderful service dogs used in the army, law enforcement agencies and rescue services. They are also used for their original purpose: they still graze livestock and protect them from predators.
People who are not related to the special services and the army also get such shepherd dogs . First of all, this is done by those who dream of playing sports with their pet.
And, indeed, German Shepherds of working breeding show outstanding results in various sports disciplines and in training competitions.
After all, strength and malice are combined in them with a strong temperament and an unshakable will to win.
People who do not want to engage in sports with their pet, participate in training competitions, or have no intention of using it to work in the special services, should not buy a working-bred shepherd dog..
At what age can a German Shepherd be adopted for the first time?
Dogs reach sexual maturity much earlier than they finish growing and developing. With a competent approach to breeding, shepherd dogs under 1.5 years old should not be mated.
It is optimal to breed a bitch on her 3rd heat, usually at 18-22 months of age. Males can also be born from 18 months of age. This is the minimum recommended age.
But if there is practically no upper age limit for a boy, then a girl must be mated no later than 4 years.
If a German Shepherd is mated for the first time in adulthood, at best she will not become pregnant. In the worst case, the fetuses die in the womb or are born non-viable.
Possible postpartum endometritis, problems with lactation. A small number of puppies in an older bitch causes large fetuses, and she cannot give birth on her own. You should not risk the life of your pet if she has never given birth before the age of 6.
Pet character
The working German Shepherd has a strong temperament and is highly people-oriented. She works not under compulsion, but at will.
This dog is not afraid of the most difficult conditions and heavy physical activity . Shepherd dogs of working breeding are stress-resistant and hardy, they rarely have nervous breakdowns.
NOTE!
At the same time, these dogs are more vicious and stubborn than show dogs; in addition, they are more active and require more physical activity.
A working-bred shepherd dog needs a strong and confident owner; in addition, these dogs must be trained professionally.
First mating of a German Shepherd
The first mating is important for both sexes. When purchasing a breeding dog, beginning breeders often wonder how to breed a male German Shepherd for the first time so that he will be a successful breeder in the future. The most important condition is to choose the right bitch according to the following criteria:
- experienced, active, with a balanced temperament, not aggressive;
- ready for mating: moves tail to the side, encouraging the partner.
Ideally, the dogs have known each other before. It is unknown how long the “preliminary courtship” will take. Some males immediately mate a female, others prefer to run and play. Dogs should not be rushed.
The owner is encouraged to participate, regardless of whether the pet requires assistance, so that the dog gets used to the presence of a particular person. While he is trying to cover the bitch, the owner puts his hand on the rump.
If a male dog does not mount the first time, he should not be allowed to become overtired. You should wait no more than 5 minutes, after which the bitch is temporarily taken to another room. If the male is overly excited, he makes friction without getting into the bitch’s loop, then you need to guide him or encourage him to mount again.
It is equally important to know how to properly coat a German Shepherd for the first time. It is good if, before the first mating, the veterinarian examines the bitch’s vagina for structure - narrowing. Before mating dogs, the loop is lubricated with greasy ointment or Vaseline. The male must be experienced, then, if the day of estrus is chosen correctly, the bitch will willingly allow mating.
Since the behavior of a young female cannot be predicted in advance, she should be kept on a leash. Before bringing the dogs together, they are allowed to get to know each other. Even during heat, a bitch can become aggressive. A timid, nervous dog first tries to run away or hide.
Breed standard
Height ranges from 55 to 63 cm, weight – from 22 to 35 kg .
The body shape is a little stretched. The length should exceed the height at the withers by 10-15%: these are the proportions that ensure the dog’s greatest performance and endurance.
The muscles are well developed, making the dog look strong, agile and agile.
The head has the appearance of a narrow wedge tapering towards the nose . The ears are erect, medium in size, wide at the base. The nose is not too large, black.
The jaws are strong and powerful. The teeth are complete, large, white and strong. The bite is regular, scissor-shaped. The eyes are small, oval, preferably as dark a shade as possible.
The neck is muscular, strong and strong, set at approximately 45 degrees. The back is straight and level, the croup is only slightly sloping (15-20 degrees).
The main external difference between a working shepherd dog and a show dog is not a convex, but an almost straight line of the back . The croup also does not have such a strong slope as in show dogs.
The tail is slightly curved and reaches the hocks.
The forelimbs are straight and even, located at right angles, and the hind limbs are slightly set back.
A shepherd dog of working breeding can have either rather short and stiff or long and softer hair .
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“Work-bred German Shepherds have a bolder and tougher character than show-bred dogs. They are more energetic, resilient and mobile. Dogs with a melancholic or phlegmatic character are excluded from working breeding, as well as those that do not have great endurance and psychological stability. But, despite the fact that working shepherd dogs have such attractive qualities, they cannot be kept as companion dogs. These animals live for work, and if the owner cannot provide the pet with an activity that requires the application of its innate qualities, it is better for him not to buy such a dog.”
“A friend will not leave you in trouble, he will not ask too much”
People who have at least once kept a “German” in their home will rarely agree to give it up in favor of some other breed, so the question of whether to get a German shepherd does not even arise in their minds. Indeed, among the indisputable advantages of the breed are not only extraordinary performance, intelligence and devotion, but also amazing sensitivity. This dog will always unmistakably determine what mood his owner is in and can easily adapt to him.
There are, of course, certain disadvantages to this breed. The German Shepherd, for example, is highly trainable, but is quite capricious and self-confident. Therefore, if an animal is not trained, it becomes angry and uncontrollable. In favorable conditions, the puppy grows up to be an affectionate and loving pet, which sincerely rejoices at the sight of its owners, does not skimp on tenderness and can stay close to people for hours. It is very touching to watch how a large guard dog rolls over on its back, waiting for the affection of the household.
Important! When a German Shepherd exposes its belly - the most vulnerable part of its body - it expresses sincere trust in you and, as it were, says: “Man, I’m not afraid of you and I love you very much, so I will be pleased if you pet me.”
Thanks to this set of positive qualities, the “German” is not only an excellent service dog, but also an ideal dog for a family. However, you should not expect that he will behave friendly with strangers, because he is primarily a guard dog, whose main task is to protect the members of his human pack. However, when the dog sees that the owner is behaving in a friendly manner with the guest, he will understand that the stranger does not pose a danger and will change his attitude towards him.
Basic colors
The main color is zone-gray , although there are also dogs of other shepherd colors: zone-red, black and tan, black and saddle.
For a working shepherd, color is not particularly important, since when breeding them, the emphasis is on physical and psychological characteristics.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros:
- Hardy and efficient.
- Selflessly devoted to their owner.
- Mentally stable.
- Unpretentious in food.
- They are easy to care for.
- They make wonderful working or sporting dogs.
- Show high results in sports championships and training competitions.
Minuses:
- They don't look as impressive as show dogs.
- They require enormous physical activity and work.
- If raised incorrectly, they can grow into animals that pose a potential danger.
- The owner of such a shepherd can only be an adult and physically strong person with pronounced leadership qualities.
- Cannot be kept as companion dogs.
A working breed dog is only suitable for active work . Even for use as a home security guard, it is not recommended to use it.
Features of crossing
There are two known ways of mating dogs - manual and free . The first involves the active participation of people, especially if one of the shepherd dogs is bred for the first time. Animals often require outside help, since mating does not always go smoothly. Freestyle mating is permissible when mating an experienced male dog and a female dog interested in him. But even in this case, the owners look after their shepherds.
Male side
If the male is inexperienced, the owner helps him mount by patting the rump with the word “Up!”, lifting (if necessary) his forelimbs and placing them on the bitch’s back. Her barking should not distract the male from the goal - inserting the penis into the loop. As soon as it enters the vagina, the muscles of the latter contract, tightly holding the bulbs of the penis. This is the lock (cleaning), during which the erection increases, ejaculation occurs and sperm is absorbed by the uterus.
Important! When the shepherd dogs have entered the castle, slowly remove the dog’s front paws from the bitch and place him with his back to her (first turning 180°) or next to her front legs. The castle lasts from 20 to 60 minutes.
Sometimes the penis enters partially and its bulbs are outside the loop, but even in such a situation, fertilization is possible: you need to hold the male on the bitch for at least 5 minutes. If he mounted, but the penis remained outside, the sperm does not enter the uterus. Then the dog is allowed to rest, taken to another room for 15–30 minutes, and the mating is repeated.
From the side of the bitch
Before mating, especially the debut one, they put a muzzle on the bitch and hold her head with her hands so that she does not bite the dog when mounting. Feeling the touch of the penis to the loop, the bitch can bark and scare away an inexperienced dog, so the owner must calm her down and also not allow her to lie down/sit when entering the lock.
If there is a difference in height, the male dog is helped to get into the loop by placing the partner in a position that is comfortable for him. A short bitch is slightly raised, for example, with a knee under the belly (away from the genitals).
Important! Bonding does not work for many reasons, including due to the inexperience of the bitch, squatting during mounting (the penis jumps out of the loop) or the haste of an inexperienced dog, whose bulbs swell before the penis penetrates the vagina.
A day later (for greater confidence in conception), a repeat or control mating is usually organized, since sperm retains its properties in the uterus for 24 hours.
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How to treat children and pets
A properly raised working-bred shepherd dog is good with children, but this does not mean that it can be used as a nanny dog.
However, these animals willingly take part in active games and are ready to protect their little owners, not sparing their lives.
These shepherds are pets without excessive aggression . But it is unlikely that such a dog will be supportive of a strange dog or cat entering his territory.
Life expectancy, illness and health
Life expectancy is, on average, from 10 to 14 years .
When breeding working line shepherd dogs, breeders try to use only healthy dogs that are not carriers of hereditary diseases.
Nevertheless, albeit infrequently, such a shepherd may be predisposed to the following ailments:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Hind leg failure.
- Allergies are mainly food allergies.
- Dermatitis caused by improper feeding.
- Otitis.
Working dogs are more likely to suffer from various types of injuries than show dogs . They also experience sunstroke, heatstroke, frostbite, and colds associated with working in difficult conditions.
Preparing a shepherd for mating
Both dogs must be absolutely healthy and vaccinated . Since the male dog plays the dominant role in mating, increased attention is paid to maintaining his physical shape. In addition, male dogs are more demanding in terms of living conditions than breeding females.
Preparing a male dog
His diet should be dominated by protein, which comes from raw meat, offal, fish, eggs and cottage cheese. Mineral supplements with calcium will be a good prevention of paresis. Maintaining potency and excellent physical shape is facilitated by long, regular walks with moderate exercise, supplemented by Sunday trips to the pampas.
This is interesting! The owner is obliged to monitor the condition of the external genitalia of his dog and douche them with a weak solution of furatsilin/potassium permanganate if discharge is noticed.
A couple of days before the planned mating, the breeder’s claws are trimmed and filed so that he does not injure his partner during mating. Before and after mating, the male is given 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil mixed with vitamin A (5-6 drops).
Preparation of the bitch
In the period preceding mating, the German Shepherd bitch is brought into working condition, which means an ideal weight for her age. It has been proven that in obese/emaciated dogs, pregnancy is difficult, in most cases accompanied by infertility, as well as the appearance of stillborn or extremely weakened puppies.
Before breeding a bitch, its owner must make sure that it does not have:
- birth defects;
- hip/elbow dysplasia;
- sexually transmitted diseases (including brucellosis);
- staphylococcal infections.
30–40 days before the expected mating, the bitch undergoes anthelmintic treatment to prevent intrauterine infection of the puppies. If the German Shepherd is 4 years old and has not been mated before, the first mating is carried out in the presence of an instructor or veterinarian.
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Basic rules of care
You need to bathe your shepherd as needed and no more than once every two months. But you need to comb the fur with a brush more often: 3-4 times a week, and when your pet is shedding - every day.
The dog's ears, eyes and teeth are examined daily, but are cleaned only when they become dirty . The claws of working shepherd dogs usually do not need to be shortened, as they grind down on their own.
But if you still need to trim them, you should use a nail clipper for large dogs.
A working shepherd dog must be vaccinated in strict accordance with the vaccination schedule.
Training and education
The owner of such a dog must have the qualities of a leader and from the first day let the pet understand what it can do and what is prohibited. The whole family must strictly adhere to this strategy and not give the shepherd any concessions, indulging its whims.
IMPORTANT!
Much attention should be paid to the socialization of the pet: to teach it to treat other animals and strangers calmly.
It is unacceptable to try to teach a puppy special skills ahead of time, as you can easily ruin his psyche or make him too aggressive.
Pregnancy and childbirth
A healthy bitch bears offspring for approximately 60–66 days. Sometimes labor begins already on the 57th day or, conversely, after 66 days.
Important! Such deviations in the date of birth are explained by the large time interval between ovulation and mating. You should worry if the difference in terms is more or less than 10 days.
Items to prepare for the day your shepherd gives birth:
- oilcloth and sheet (for bedding during childbirth);
- disposable absorbent diapers;
- a basin for used rags;
- hatch box (with soft towel and heating pad);
- harsh thread for tying the umbilical cord;
- woolen threads of different colors (so as not to confuse the puppies);
- gauze, bandages, cotton wool and a tray for medical instruments (if a doctor is expected to be present).
Place the box where you will place the puppies close to the woman in labor so as not to cause her unnecessary worries: the dog must see and hear the newborns. In addition, prepare a notebook in advance where you will enter the time of the onset of contractions and the birth of each of the puppies.
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How to feed
You can feed such a shepherd either super-premium or holistic food for large active dogs, or home-cooked food.
Due to heavy physical exertion, a working dog needs food rich in protein, which is why the share of lean meat and offal in its diet should be no less than 40-50%.
It is also necessary to give your pet cereal, vegetables, herbs and dairy products.
CAREFULLY!
You cannot feed your pet pork, smoked meats, sweet, salty or spicy foods.
Price range
The cost of puppy with RKF documents, depending on the region, starts from 15 and reaches 40, and sometimes higher, thousand rubles .
When breeding German Shepherds of working lines, breeders focus not on external data, but on the working qualities of these dogs. They are characterized by increased endurance and are able to work in the most difficult conditions.
Working shepherd dogs need to be trained from an early age.
And, of course, you should not buy such a dog as a companion, since a working shepherd dog needs a lot of physical activity.
On what day of heat should a German Shepherd be bred?
There are certain days of the cycle during which fertilization is most likely (ovulation). The owner needs to know what day the dog went into heat. The appropriate time for mating occurs on the 9-15th day of estrus. At this point, the bloody discharge is replaced by transparent, and the bitch willingly allows mounting.
You should check in advance whether the dog is ready for mating. To do this, the bitch is pressed with her hands on the sacrum area. If she freezes indicatively and moves her tail to the side, she can be covered. If this is the first mating of a German Shepherd, and there are doubts about the phase of the cycle, you can resort to laboratory diagnostics. A vaginal smear or blood test to measure progesterone levels will help you know exactly when to bring your dogs together.
When mating is carried out correctly, the male covers the bitch the first time. Some breeders prefer to do 2 matings with an interval of 72 hours to guarantee fertilization if they are in doubt on what day ovulation occurred.
