So, you’re thinking about becoming a German Shepherd breeder? It can be a very challenging, yet rewarding experience. But before you jump in, it’s critical to be prepared as much as you can for your first litter. German Shepherd breeding is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and can be expensive, sometimes with heartbreaking failed attempts. However, with true commitment, patience, organization, and diligent planning, you can be a successful breeder.
Understanding the German Shepherd Breed
Before starting, educate yourself extensively on the German Shepherd breed. This includes understanding the breed standards, health concerns, and at what age a female can start breeding. Answers to these questions can vary across breeds, making it crucial to do your homework. The German Shepherd is a medium-sized, strong, and well-muscled dog with a firm overall structure. They should have a complete set of 42 teeth and mobile prick ears, contributing to their quality as guard dogs.
Creating a Healthy Environment
A key to successful breeding is ensuring your female dog (“Dam”) is as healthy as possible. This means:
- Quality Diet: Is your German Shepherd eating a quality diet?
- Veterinary Care: Keep up with veterinary health checks and vaccinations.
- Exercise: Ensure they get enough daily exercise.
A high-quality diet and daily exercise are crucial for the Dam to be in good condition for pregnancy.
Essential Supplies
Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before the litter arrives:
- Veterinarian’s phone number
- Rounded tip scissors
- Stethoscope
- Gloves
- Bulb syringe
- Disinfectant
- Charts for recording details
- Thermometer
- Towels and blankets
- Hemostat
Having beverages and snacks for yourself and any assistants is also a good idea, as delivery can be lengthy. Ensure your vehicle has gas in case of an emergency vet visit.
Marketing Your Litter
Unless you already have a list of interested people, start marketing your upcoming litter early. This includes providing information on when the puppies will be available.
- Take out an ad in a publication.
- Advertise on social media.
- Create a website.
Starting early is key to gaining traction.
Financial Considerations
Consider the financial side of breeding. Costs include facilities, food, veterinarian care, and registration. Registration costs involve training, health procedures (HD, ED, DNA), trials, breeding shows, breed licenses, and stud fees.
Choosing the Right Partner
The quality of the parents and their ancestors is critical for successful breeding. Selecting a suitable stud dog depends on the advantages and disadvantages of both breeding partners. Additional criteria include the degree of kinship, type, line, coat type, the quality of existing offspring, and the dog’s breeding willingness. Consulting with experienced breeders and breed wardens is recommended. The female should be at least 20 months old before her first mating.
Maintaining Breed Quality
Ensure that the puppies you sell are of higher quality than their parents. The German Shepherd Association (SV) ensures this requirement is met and provides assistance to fulfill it.
Why Not Buy a Puppy to Breed?
Buying a German Shepherd puppy with the intention to breed may not be cost-effective. It might be easier and cheaper to simply buy another puppy from a breeder. It is recommended to spay or neuter your dogs at 15-18 months, and not before.
Getting Involved in the German Shepherd Community
- Attend Specialty Shows: These shows allow you to see many German Shepherds in one place and learn about different bloodlines and breed standards.
- Join Social Clubs and Meetups: These gatherings provide opportunities to connect with other GSD enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from one another.
- Participate in a Sport: Training in disciplines like agility, herding, or rally is fun, exciting, and essential for the GSD’s active mind and high-energy levels.
- Join a Breed Club: Breed clubs offer access to chat forums and educational opportunities. Club membership can connect you with experts in the breed.
Skills and Experience
Having foundational knowledge or experience is important to create unique and valuable content for the niche. You need to produce valuable content to set up a new profitable niche site. Knowing the necessary terms, jargon, struggles, and solutions helps you deliver real value to your visitors. It’s possible to learn on the job, but having prior experience gives you an advantage.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherd breeding requires preparation, hard work, research, and financial commitment. Being prepared for any situation is crucial; over-preparing is not a bad thing. If you’re ready for the commitment, German Shepherd breeding can be an exciting and rewarding experience.