Ask WindRidge
What is the difference between American-bred and imported German Shepherds?
This important question has a long answer that goes back to the breed's history and the different directions breeders in Germany and America took. In short, the breed's national parent club (GSDCA in the United States and SV in Germany) writes a "breed standard" describing the characteristics that set the breed apart from other purebred dogs. Breeders use this standard as a guide to maintain the unique characteristics that make the breed suited to the task it was bred to perform. By breeding dogs best representing the standard, breeders preserve the "breed type" for future generations. However, governing boards of national breed clubs are elected from a membership of breeders and often have different opinions about a breed's primary task. As opinions change, so too does the standard, evolving and adapting to the function the parent clubs deem most useful. Soon, a breed's physical and mental characteristics change along with the standard. In some breeds, "form follows function" means their appearance has remained static over time because the breed's function has remained constant. The German Shepherd is unique among breeds in that its adaptability is such that it excels at the greatest variety of tasks and therefore is influenced by the greatest variety of opinions of what constitutes "breed type". People often refer to German Shepherd Dogs as the dog for all reasons, and aptly so. German Shepherds are used as companion dogs, herding dogs, Schutzhund dogs, therapy dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, agility dogs, and military and police dogs. Originally, Captain Max von Stephanitz, an ex-military man turned gentleman farmer and the breed's founder, set out to produce a shepherd dog superior to the sheep-herding dogs of working-class farmers. Still, as the need for herding dogs waned, von Stephanitz looked for a new direction for his breed that would ensure its status and rising popularity. He chose a working role in the military and police and devised trials to select the breeding dogs best suited to it. These trials, Schutzhund trials, are still used in Germany today as a requirement for breeding stock and as a highly competitive sport.
As the German Shepherd Dog gained worldwide attention early in the 20th century, wealthy Americans began importing German Shepherd Dog breeding stock from Germany. The Americans who imported the dogs were fanciers of the new sport of dog showing and considered themselves guardians of the breed type as originally intended: a herding dog. Choosing to emphasize the unique characteristic of gait that would enable the breed to herd tirelessly for hours, American show people have continued to this day to breed for an elegant herding dog with the unique "flying trot" as described in the GSDCA standard:
Gait
A German Shepherd Dog is a trotting dog, and its structure has been developed to meet the requirements of its work. General Impression-- The gait is outreaching, elastic, seemingly effortless, smooth, and rhythmic, covering the maximum amount of ground with the minimum number of steps. At a walk, it covers a great deal of ground, with long strides of both hind legs and forelegs. At a trot, the dog covers even more ground with an even longer stride and moves powerfully but easily, with coordination and balance. Hence, the gait appears to be the steady motion of a well-lubricated machine. The feet travel close to the ground on both forward reach and backward push. To achieve this kind of movement, the animal must have good muscular development and ligamentation. The hindquarters deliver, through the back, a powerful forward thrust which slightly lifts the whole animal and drives the body forward. Reaching far under and passing the imprint left by the front foot, the hind foot takes hold of the ground; then the hock, stifle, and upper thigh come into play and sweep back, the stroke of the hind leg finishing with the foot still close to the ground in a smooth follow-through. The overreach of the hindquarter usually requires one hind foot to pass outside, and the other to pass inside the track of the forefeet, and this action is not faulty unless the locomotion is crabwise, with the dog's body sideways out of the normal straight line.
By emphasizing gait, Americans have bred dogs with physical characteristics that allow for much more extreme movement. The most obvious of these characteristics is rear-leg angulation. Lengthening the lower stifle bone creates a more acute rear-leg angle, allowing greater underreach and follow-through and, therefore, a longer stride. The forequarter is also to be maintained at a 90-degree angle to allow greater front extension. Today's American dogs are breathtakingly beautiful when at a full flying trot.
The Germans, on the other hand, after their breeding program was reestablished after World War 2, continued to breed dogs competitive at trials designed to create a superior police/military dog. German breeders emphasized working drive, strength, short, roached backs that let the dog drive forward against greater resistance, and shorter, powerful necks. They sacrificed the angulation that allows more fluidity of movement when trotting for long periods for more powerful limbs suited to short bursts of speed when attacking an agitator. Here is the way the SV standard describes movement (notice the difference between the German and American standards' descriptions of gait):
Movement
The German Shepherd Dog is a trotter. The limbs must be so harmonious in length and angulation that, without much topline undulation, the hindquarters can push the torso forward so the stride matches that of the forequarters.
Every tendency toward over-angulation of the hindquarters decreases firmness and endurance; with that, working ability with correct structural proportions and angulation results in a far-reaching, ground-covering, level gait that conveys the impression of effortless forward movement. With the head thrust forward and tail slightly lifted, it presents, in a fairly level, balanced, and smooth trot, one uninterrupted, gently flowing overline from the tips of the ears over the nape and back, through to the end of the tail.
The American decision to breed an elegant herding dog with ever more extreme reach, and the German decision to breed a strong working dog increasingly boxier and shorter-bodied, created differences in breed standards and basic conformation between American and German dogs. Until last year, among top show lines in both countries, such single-minded breeding produced a caricature of the original breed type. Although this past year has shown marked improvement in conformation, tending toward moderation among top-placing dogs at both the GSDCA National (kudos to Ken Downing) and the German Seiger Show, parent clubs still need to pay more attention to the many genetic diseases afflicting the breed. For us here at WindRidge, and for a growing number of like-minded breeders worldwide, combining bloodlines from America and Germany produces the golden middle breed type and benefits from the best of both worlds.
American: elegant, long necks, taller, more pointed ears, dark eyes, nose longer than forehead, tend toward shorter, sleek coats, taller, no disqualifying height/weight limits in standard, longer tails, deeper chests, longer backs, flowing harmonious movement, softer temperaments, more angulated.
German: rugged, stocky, powerful necks, shorter, more rounded-tipped ears, lighter eyes sometimes matching coat color, nose and forehead similar length for blocky heads, thick, rough full coats, smaller to conform to specific height/weight limits in standard, tails conform to length in standard, less depth of body, short backs, powerful driving movement, harder temperaments, less angulated.
To sum it up, elegant herding dog vs powerful working dog.
Why are your dogs more expensive than other ads in the newspaper?
We understand our puppies are not inexpensive, and not everyone can afford them. We understand that some people are disappointed because our puppies are out of reach, and we are truly sympathetic, but we ask a fair price for the quality we produce. We will not lower our prices to get rid of "leftover" pups as other breeders do. The truth is that you get what you pay for in dogs just as in most everything else. It may not seem fair that everyone can't afford a Mercedes or Lexus either, but that is life. We are proud of what we've accomplished with our breeding program, and we make no apologies for the price of our dogs.
When you buy a WindRidge puppy, you are buying years and years of dedicated research into the breed. You are buying a puppy specifically bred to be the best family companion possible, not the cast-off pups of a show breeder who is breeding for that one show puppy and needs to get rid of the rest of the litter. Instead of choosing breeding stock that will only win in a show ring or schutzhund/IPO trial, we are choosing for temperament, health, willingness to please, adaptability, and overall balance. Our responsibility to the pups we produce begins before birth and continues throughout the dog's lifetime. If at any time in their lives they need to be rehomed, we will, without hesitation, help with placement, advice, experience, temperament evaluation, and a health exam. (Within state, insurance, and contract guidelines; limitations of proper socialization, training, and dog bites/dog attacks). Our reputable breeding program is a lifelong passion, and we will continue to work to better the breed.
Do you guarantee your puppies?
The next time you call a backyard/unknown breeder about a puppy and ask if they guarantee their dogs, don't be surprised if they reply, "No, you're only paying $ 2,000- $ 3,000; what do you expect? Who knows if they will even be around/breeding in a year; what is your recourse if they are not? " Well, we expect much more from people who are selling dogs to share your life and home with. Yes, we offer a guarantee in our purchase contract that is as complete as we can make it. Our detailed contract protects us as the seller, you as the buyer, and the puppy's life. Our puppies are fully health-tested, titled, and AKC and/or SV registered; you can confirm each dog's information at OFA.org and AKC.org, and we can also share our licensed veterinarian's information as a reference.
The following is excerpted from the contract; it has been updated as needed.
This puppy is a purebred German Shepherd, and the litter is registered with the American Kennel Club. An individual puppy application is pending final payment. This puppy’s registration is available at no additional charge to the purchaser with the American Kennel Club's Puppy Protection Plan offered by WindRidge German Shepherds.
Seller guarantees that, to the best of her knowledge, the puppy is in good health and has received appropriate vaccinations and puppy worming protocol by age. Seller will provide the buyer with a vaccination and worming report detailing the treatment the puppy has received while under WindRidge German Shepherds' care, along with an outline of future care the seller feels is essential to the puppy’s well-being.
A licensed veterinarian, Amy Simonis, D.V.M., examined the puppy. The puppy was found to be normal, healthy, and to have a sound temperament. The puppy is from an external parasite-free zone (no fleas or ticks). The puppy has been treated per age-appropriate protocol with a dewormer. Each puppy from WindRidge German Shepherd puppies is (D.M.) Degenerative Myelopathy: Clear, Normal (N/N) by parentage.
WindRidge German Shepherds recommends that the buyer have their veterinarian of record complete a physical examination of the puppy within 48 (forty-eight) hours of taking possession of the puppy. The examination costs will be at no expense to the seller.
If the puppy is found to be ill or in poor health, the puppy and veterinary reports will be returned to WindRidge German Shepherds immediately. The breeder will offer the seller a replacement puppy, pending verification of illness or poor health by the seller’s veterinarian as soon as a replacement puppy is available. WindRidge German Shepherds will not be responsible for illness or health problems that are diagnosed after this time period ends, except those conditions specified below.
The dysplasia replacement guarantee is in effect until this puppy is 28 months of age. WindRidge German Shepherds will not be responsible for any veterinarian expenses incurred. WindRidge German Shepherds will not pay for transportation of the original or replacement puppy.
Hip Dysplasia is a malformation of the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. A dog may or may not become lame because of the disease, depending upon its severity. Although no breeder can guarantee a puppy will not develop hip dysplasia, we make every effort to avoid it by using only stock that has received X-ray views and is prelim or final rated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
If one of our puppies were to develop grade III bilateral dysplasia, we will replace the puppy with another of the same quality, only after receiving proof of proper diagnosis. The buyer must return a copy of the original X-ray and O.F.A. diagnosis letter to the breeder.
At the time of sale, this puppy is “PET QUALITY.” The buyer understands that this puppy is sold under ‘limited AKC registration’. This puppy is not to be used for breeding purposes and must be spayed or neutered. A licensed veterinarian must perform the procedure. The buyer will send to the seller a copy of the alteration by the last day of the month that the puppy reaches 18 months of age.
Buyer completely understands that this puppy will be spayed/neutered by eighteen (18) months of age and is sold as a PET only without breeding rights. Zero offspring of this puppy will be accepted for registration with the AKC (American Kennel Club). The breeder will not lift this limitation for any reason. This registration entitles the buyer to register the puppy with the AKC as the new owner. Registration enables the owner/handler and puppy to compete in all AKC-sanctioned events except conformation shows.
Intentional or negligent breeding of the puppy harms the breed, the seller’s name, and WindRidge German Shepherds. Acknowledging the intrinsic value of the seller’s name and reputation, and the difficulty of precise damage calculations for breach of the contract, the buyer agrees to pay the seller $6500.00 per puppy (alive or dead) born as a result of any such breeding. The original puppy (parent of breach-of-contract puppies) under this contract will be returned to WindRidge German Shepherds immediately at the buyer's expense, along with any offspring (puppies) born from the breach of contract. All canines involved in the return will immediately and permanently become the property of WindRidge German Shepherds.
Seller strongly recommends that buyer attend socialization and obedience classes with the puppy and provide proper socialization and outing opportunities for the puppy's life. German Shepherds are highly intelligent animals. The proper life skills WindRidge German Shepherds introduced through imprinting must continue throughout the puppy’s life.
The puppy is not to be left solely in a backyard, crate, or kennel and will be allowed to spend substantial quality time inside the home with family members. The puppy is sold with the understanding that it is to go to a carefully selected home. The buyer AVOWS that the puppy shall become a family member. This is to assure proper development and maintenance of the temperament for which the puppy was bred.
Buyer swears that they are not acting as an agent in the purchase of this puppy and that the puppy will remain solely in their custody. Buyer further swears that they are not associated with a pet shop, puppy mill, or animal broker. Buyer agrees that this puppy is not purchased for resale, nor will it be trained for activities which are illegal, inhumane, or for which it is not suited by reason of temperament or conformation. Specifically, it will not be used as a guard or attack dog or to hunt or fight other animals. German Shepherds raised in a loving family unit, properly socialized and trained, will naturally become protective of their home and family. WindRidge German Shepherds takes pride in breeding animals that are protective, not aggressive.
The buyer is responsible for all expenses related to the puppy, including but not limited to proper care, feeding, veterinary fees, housing, training, damages caused by the puppy, and legal liabilities related to the puppy. The puppy will reside at the buyer’s home. Buyer is responsible for all transportation costs to and from WindRidge German Shepherds for the original and/or a replacement puppy.
Buyer agrees to keep the puppy in good health, provide excellent and responsible care, feed and house the puppy properly, and provide adequate veterinary care, including but not limited to annual checkups. Buyer will keep all immunizations current according to the puppy’s state of residence, in accordance with the state’s Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines.
Buyer will keep this puppy contained indoors with the human family unit, in kennel runs, or in a yard with a fence of adequate height and security, when not indoors. Buyer will provide adequate housing for this puppy both indoors and outdoors. Buyer will never tie or chain the puppy out or allow the puppy to run at large. Neither will Buyer allow the puppy to ride freely (crated for safety) in the back of an open or exposed truck or flatbed pickup.
Buyer further agrees to provide proper exercise to keep the puppy at a proper weight and in good physical shape. Buyer agrees to prevent stress injuries by not allowing the puppy to jump from heights taller than its shoulder. There should be no forced exercise or running until at least 24 months of age. This prevents injury during the puppy's formative growth stages. Buyer acknowledges that failure to meet and follow these requirements can cause crippling permanent injuries.
Buyer agrees that, if for any reason a deposit, a payment, or an original purchase payment paid by personal check is returned for stop payment, insufficient funds, closed account, or any other reason not listed, the buyer will return the puppy to WindRidge German Shepherd’s property immediately. The buyer will be responsible for all expenses involved in repossession, as well as the full purchase price of the puppy, to cover medical expenses, medications, training, advertisement, re-socialization, re-temperament testing, AKC paperwork, the breeder’s time, and other expenses.
Any court actions will be held in Lane County Circuit Court, 125 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401. All court and attorney fees will be collected from the buyer.
Registration papers will remain with the seller until the buyer has met all contract payment obligations. The puppy is WindRidge German Shepherd’s property until it is paid in full. If, for any reason of non-payment, the puppy is returned or repossessed, They will be resold to another family/buyer. NO refund will be given. All deposits are nonrefundable.
This contract applies to the original puppy and original buyer only and is nontransferable to a second party. No replacement will be offered if the puppy has been bred, sired, spayed, or neutered outside of the limitations of this contract.
Violations of any terms of this contract render all guarantees stipulated in this contract null and void and will require the buyer to return the puppy to the seller immediately. This notice may be verbal, written, or typed. The buyer will be responsible for the cost of transporting the puppy back to the seller. If the buyer violates this agreement, they will be held responsible for all legal costs the seller incurs in enforcing this contract.
The seller has endeavored for many years to protect the German Shepherd breed and her dogs from improper ownership and treatment. The seller's reputation reflects many years of work and professional experience. Inappropriate breeding of a bitch or dog from WindRidge German Shepherds damages the reputation and value of the seller’s name and of other litters. The puppy has been sold as ‘’PET’’ quality and is to be spayed or neutered.
The buyer agrees that ownership or possession of this puppy will not be transferred, sold, traded, or given away to another party or animal shelter without the breeder's written consent. The breeder may accept the return of the puppy at any time the purchaser declines to keep said puppy or can no longer give appropriate care for the puppy. However, the breeder is not obligated to refund any part of the deposit or original purchase price paid for the puppy.
The seller neither makes nor implies any warranties or guarantees, express or implied, other than those written in the agreement. This includes, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and fitness. This document constitutes the entire agreement between the Seller and Buyer with respect to this sale.
Buyer agrees that Puppy will be registered with the AKC. The name must be in the following format: ____________________ OF WINDRIDGE.
What brand of food should we feed our puppy?
We feed a raw diet and recommend it for all life stages. If you choose to feed kibble, we suggest Orijen and/or Fromm for large-breed puppies.
What snacks/training foods can we give our puppy? Can we feed table scraps?
Puppies enjoy extra treats; we suggest giving treats in moderation. Never give raw hide chews, pig's feet, or ears to a puppy (or dog of any age). Small pieces can be torn off and pose a great choking hazard. They can also come out of the digestive tract undigested and can easily block your puppy’s bowels. As a training aid, we recommend small bits of meat, cheese, peanut butter, boiled egg, carrots, and blueberries. Remember: Never give chocolate to canines. Even in small amounts, chocolate can be deadly.
When will my puppy’s ears stand?
Each puppy is unique; therefore, there is no set age or date. A German Shepherd’s ears are large and take time to develop cartilage and gain strength as they grow. A Shepherd puppy’s ears will look like radar dishes, standing up and then lying back down. These positions are normal and can last from six weeks to six months of age, or during stress and teething. After eight to ten months, most Shepherds’ ears will stand. If both ears are not fully standing by seven months, contact WindRidge for taping instructions. Extra-large-boned Shepherds' ears can sometimes take longer.
Should we crate train our puppy? How do we crate train?
All creatures need a place to call their safe zone. If the crate is large enough and you don’t punish the puppy by creating [USE A SIZE 400 or GREATER 26X36X24], your puppy will soon learn to enjoy his crate as his little bedroom. Start by using the crate as your puppy’s bed; place it next to your bed or in a quiet corner. Put the puppy’s favorite toy and a safe snack inside the crate, and give the command [in a firm, not angry voice] "Crate ‘’, ‘’Inside’’, or ‘’Bed." Place the puppy inside the crate and close the door. Most puppies will whine, bark, and cry because they want to get back out. Praise the puppy, and after 15 minutes, let it out, calling its name and telling it how ‘GOOD’ it is. Remember always to praise your puppy when he enters and leaves his crate; leave the crate door open when not in training. Soon your puppy will realize that the crate is his and want to get inside to ‘get away’ from too many stimuli, nap, sleep, or hang out. We recommend that your puppy /dog never be in a crate longer than six hours with the door closed.
How do we potty train our puppy?
Potty training is one of the easiest things that your puppy will learn. When your puppy leaves WindRidge German Shepherds, it will be about 95% potty trained to potty outdoors. You must learn when your puppy needs to go out and where to place it. Most puppies will start to sniff around, whine, bark, or even go to the door. Puppies this age need to go outdoors every two to three hours. As your puppy grows and matures, so will his ability to hold it. Place your puppy outdoors in the same spot in your yard. Your puppy will use the same spot AS LONG AS IT IS KEPT CLEAN. When an accident does happen, it's usually human error-don't rub your puppy’s nose in his mess. He is learning and trying to please you. If accidents keep happening, the puppy may have an infection, need to be let out more often, or need his feeding time adjusted to fit his needs. Remember, you control the puppy’s output by the timing of the input (food/water); puppies will need to "GO" after waking, eating a meal, and play sessions.
My puppy is chewing on everything and won’t stop barking. What do I do?
Puppies often chew when they are teething [cutting adult teeth]. When a puppy becomes destructive, it's usually because it doesn't have enough stimulation or is bored. Let the puppy know what toys are his/hers. Remove your [children’s] toys and other desired items from the puppy’s reach. If the puppy finds and chews on a child’s toy or the TV remote, remove the item and say "NO," then give the puppy one of its toys in place of what it was chewing. Make a habit of checking for loose parts on your puppy’s toys, and don't let your puppy chew on old shoes, since he can't tell the difference between an old shoe and new Nikes. Rubber toys can be chewed up and torn apart; your puppy can’t pass the rubber in these types of toys, and it could block his digestive tract. We recommend rope-type toys and Kong balls. Never play tug-of-war with your puppy; this type of play can teach the puppy to play aggressively and become possessive. Shepherds want to please and be rewarded; try a game of fetch or catch instead of tug-of-war, and remember to talk to the puppy and reward it with a treat or extra love. When the puppy barks, he is trying to tell you something; you need to respond. Adult Shepherds have the mentality of 2- to 4-year-old humans; when you don't respond, "BAD things can happen." Your puppy must be stimulated to prevent boredom, bad behaviors, and for his mental growth. The best remedies are training, enrichment toys, and human contact. Spoil your puppy with love; what you will receive in return will be priceless.
How do we introduce the new puppy to our other dog or cat?
SLOWLY!!! Don’t expect love at first meeting. Over time, each animal will find its comfort zone and tolerance level for the other animal. Watch older canines for aggressive behavior towards the puppy. Let the animals sniff each other while each is on a leash. Two canines meeting for the first time might try to ride each other; this is normal dominance-placement behavior to establish a ranking system. German Shepherds are pack animals and follow a dominance hierarchy system. In a shepherd's eyes, there must be an ALPHA. This “alpha” is the highest rank in a Shepherd's eyes and must be filled by all the humans in your home in A, B, and C order. The animals will automatically place themselves in a ranking system. Remember to show NO favoritism to any animal, and do not allow one animal to hurt or injure another. Be gentle and repetitive with all other meetings and encounters; soon, all your companions will accept each other.
What vaccinations will my puppy need, when should I take my puppy to the vet?
When you picked up your puppy, we sent home a packet of paperwork with a chart showing which vaccinations and parasite prevention your puppy has received, as well as the due date for any other recommended vaccinations. We recommend taking your puppy to your veterinarian within the first 48 hours after picking up from WindRidge. This visit will establish a relationship with your vet and reassure you about your puppy’s health. You will need to know how to take your puppy’s temperature. At any age, take your puppy to your vet if he acts lethargic or has a temperature higher than 102.5. Some puppies, under the stress of a change in environment, water, diet, the ride home, and new humans, may develop an upset stomach with soft stool or diarrhea. Puppies and adult canines can be given Pepto or Kopectate to help with this discomfort. We suggest two checkups each year with your licensed veterinarian.
What are some of the different titles my puppy can earn and how do I get started with dog shows and competition?
The first step is to contact the A.K.C. at 919-233-9767 or online at www.AKC.ORG. The A.K.C. will send you a list of clubs with contact names and numbers, along with a list of shows in your state. Next, attend competitions and dog shows. While attending, ask questions about the type of training you'll need and find out where the different clubs meet.
At what age and where do we find information on starting puppy obedience classes?
When you get home with your new puppy and introduce him to his new environment, you are training him. If you don’t want him in the kitchen, then don’t allow him in the kitchen; use a baby gate or another device to keep him out. The same goes for letting him on your bed or other furniture. What he does as a puppy will stay with him into adulthood. Teach him the basic commands first: new name, sit, no, down, off, come. Always use one-word commands such as lay, go, heel, bring, stop, ball, left, and right. Short groups of words such as ‘’get off’’ or " lie down " are two different commands and will confuse your puppy. Make sure every person uses the same commands for the same desired reaction. We train in German and English and use hand signals. To continue and advance in training, we recommend reading THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG HANDBOOK, attending an obedience trial, and joining a training club. You will need to train your puppy; never send a puppy off to be trained by a stranger without you. The best age to start formal training is three to four months; start with basic kindergarten puppy classes that focus on proper socialization and the simple sit, stay, and come. As you and your puppy pass each level of training, you can advance to higher levels of training and competition.
What can we use to help prevent or treat our puppy for fleas, ticks, and worms?
Most parasites are transferred when a parasite jumps from one host to another or is carried on human and canine feet back to a canine’s home or yard. As the dog grooms itself, it cleans its feet, swallows the parasite’s eggs, and infects itself. Only walk and train your canine in isolated areas. Parks are great play dates and are often used as meeting spots for training classes, but beware: many humans take their pets to local parks that haven't been treated for parasites; these animals can spread fleas, ticks, and worms. Never take a puppy to a park or rest stop if it hasn't been fully vaccinated. You can use products such as Topline, Advantage, Frontline, Bio Spot, powders, and sprays to help control flea or tick problems, as directed by your veterinarian, but use them in moderation and only when needed, since the active ingredients are absorbed into the animal's bloodstream. We do not recommend flea collars because they can get hung on objects and choke a canine to death, and they only protect a canine’s neck with parasite medication. The four common types of worms that can infect your puppy are roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. We recommend having your puppy tested/treated every three to six months by your veterinarian.
What are heartworms?
Heartworms can be your canine’s worst parasite enemy. They are transported in common mosquitoes as larvae. One bite from an infected mosquito can deposit larvae into an untreated canine’s bloodstream. The larvae travel to the canine's heart, where they develop and hatch into worms. When the worms mature, they can separate into tiny segments that can cause heart attacks, strokes, or death. Treating a heartworm-infected canine is very painful, expensive, and dangerous. Start and keep your puppy on heartworm preventive at 4 and 6 months, depending on your location and mosquito season.
How should we pick up and carry our new puppy?
Stand beside your puppy. Place one of your arms under his chest, between his front legs, and your other arm under his buttocks. As you stand, remember to lift with your leg muscles, not your back. Your puppy will grow very quickly, so we recommend that children not carry the puppy, as puppies can wiggle out of young humans’ arms and get injured.
What type of collar and leash should we use on our puppy?
We suggest using a leather or nylon leash, three to five feet long, for everyday walks. You will need to invest in a longer lead as you train in puppy classes. Always keep a nylon or leather breakaway collar with his name tag, your home address, and contact phone numbers on your canine, along with the puppy’s rabies tag, when not at home. For training and trips away from home, we use and recommend a martingale nylon or linked collar. Make the letter "P" with the adjustable collar, place your puppy in front of you, and put on the collar. This position ensures the collar releases correctly and doesn't choke your dog.
Why do breeders not give breeding rights?
Each dog sold becomes an ambassador to the original breeder and bloodline. Therefore, denying breeding rights for the puppies sold allows original breeders to control the direction of their bloodline as a whole. WindRidge German Shepherds LLC has endeavored for many years to protect the German shepherd breed and her dogs from improper ownership and treatment. The seller's reputation reflects many years of work, education, training, and professional experience. Inappropriate breeding of a bitch or dog from WindRidge German Shepherds LLC damages the reputation and value of the seller’s name and of other litters.