I will be picking up puppy formula and a bottle tomorrow. My wife has been rotating the fattest ones out every couple hours during the midwifing process. We bred her this one time to give a pup to a good friend (hope they take 2), but I may not be able resist keeping a sable male myself (even have a name: Mauser). Just what we need - a 4th German shepherd in our small house, but we do have a very big yard. We sleep well at night with all those teeth on the watch:) We will have Nessie spayed after this, but I find letting a female GS have one litter seems to make for a better adjusted dog. Its hard to let pups go when you are unsure of how someone will treat the dog. Our dogs have always been part off our family. After a few weeks, it will be fun to watch them play. What fun!
When you put it that way, its a bit scary. Fortunately, my wife treats all our dogs like only children. And they know who their mommy is. The real work will be in finding good, loving, and capable homes for 10 or 11 pups.
She is very healthy and fit, which is probably why she carried so many pups (gets a bit of venison every day as do our other 2 dogs). Over 25 years ago, our first girl had a 14-puppy litter which my wife helped feed with puppy formula. This girl is bigger and stronger. We did not breed our dogs since then, but these two dogs are tremendous shepherds both physically and personality-wise. That is why I am considering keeping a 4th dog (or maybe I am a quarter-bubble off). All the pups seem to have strong voices, and mom seems to be a natural doting mother.
Oo, we were thinking about getting a German Shepherd as a companion to our pup and a little security in the house. Our current pup is a lousy guard dog but a great companion. My wife would feel a lot better with a dog that can look down on visitors.
Congratulations, very fine looking bunch. My daughter has been researching different German Shepard lines, she was curious about the lineage of yours. Thanks.
We are looking for homes that will treat the pups as family and have a full time at-home caretaker (no crating). GS dogs need a knowledgeable caretaker to raise and train them. These are working dogs and very very smart companions, not show dogs. I was raised with GS dogs and my wife and I have had GS dogs for our 34 years of marriage. These will be superior dogs (the best we have come across), but not to be trifled with. Dogs like these often die within a short time if their masters die. They are loyal to a fault to masters that are loyal to them. Add 15 year to your age and determine if you can dedicate this amount of time to them. If you can, then please contact us. These dogs will likely be shy of 100 pounds (ripped) as that is the maximum size for this breed without health issues.
My wife is retiring next year, and we're getting dogs again, so we're currently looking for Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders that are pickier than we are. Most of the RR breeders require an application before you can even get on a puppy list, and I'm very ok with that. We miss our Ridgebacks Zeke and Zippy, and our farm would be a perfect home for a couple of new family members.
I have always been interested in that breed, but have stuck with what I know. Each breed has its own character which also varies within a breed among individuals. Our 3 have the classic GSD personality, but each is a bit different too. Our younger male is fearless.
The only problem we have is my wife is small (4'8") and would have a tough time being boss. We may have a tough time keeping a dominant dog in line, and had this problem with a Aussie. A laid back softy would be an great fit if one shows up. My wife is home all but 3 days a week.
We will have to think about it, and see how personalities develop. We have lots of running room, and no crating in our house except for travelling purposes. Our dog goes everywhere with us! No intention of slowing down in 15 years, and the dog will need to help us with that as much as we help them. Our little Shortstop was raised with GSH and she thinks she is one except for absolutely no guard dog skills whatsoever.
Size and strength has nothing to do with dominance IMO. Its about attitude. The dominant dog in my best friend's house is a rat terrier. We already have a waiting list on the pups via word of mouth. Now comes vetting each home. Its not about intentions, but rather execution when it comes to caring for and training dogs. Mom is getting stronger every day. Pups are fat and happy. Looks like I have 2 sable males to choose from. Got most of the stone spread around the new barn this past last weekend. Finally got some good weather!
Gone mobile! And starting to eat solid food. Mom is eating a dozen had boiled eggs per day along with liver, venison, and cottage cheese, but is still skinny as a rail.
Great looking dogs all the way around. I have had 2 all white German Shepard dogs (along with others). We will get one again but you are correct they do take time but with that comes great loyalty to the family. Good luck. Dave
Pups just got back from the first vet appointment and the vet could not believe that none had worms. They had to be taught to use the dog house when it rained today as well. Now that they had first shots, we'll let the ones go if some folks want them home early. I like to wait until at least 8 weeks, but we have taken home pups at 5 weeks before. Sledge, the big grey, will be staying with us... To connect this back to ponds, the other male shepherd (he is neutered) was a lab born in the body of a German shepherd. He is stick driven and leaps off the dock into the water to retrieve anything thrown in the pond. He also has the nose of a bloodhound. We all notice the differences in our "children", but when they set up a perimeter, evenly spaced across the yard to set up guard when something goes bump in the night, their true nature is revealed. They are soldiers. Love this breed!