Doing Your Homework

The Search for a Breeder

By Christine Gajda

(originally published in USA magazine, Jan/Feb 2007)

The decision to purchase a German Shepherd Dog can lead a potential owner into a confusing maze of questions and promises. What should be a happy, stree-free event can often turn into a perplexing puzzle. Considering that the lifespan of a German Shepherd will be 10 years or more, this is certainly a decision not to be taken lightly. Poor choice of a breeder can leave you with an unhealthy dog or one with poor or questionable temperament. Finding a good breeder takes time and research, but it is well worth the effort. In buying a dog you are entering into a relationship with the dog's breeder. Their knowledge and choice of breeding stock, as well as 'customer support' after the dog goes home with you can prove to be a blessing or a curse! The following guidelines can help a potential buyer find a responsible breeder that best suits their needs.

KNOW YOUR BREED. Knowing the breed standard is a MUST! Not only will it help you ask intelligent questions of the breeder, it will help you 'read' their answers. Furthermore, recognize that there are many 'types' of the same breed, beyond the concept of working lines and showlines. Many countries have taken the breed in slightly different directions, and being aware of that will help you find a dog that suits your purposes.

KNOW YOUR QUESTIONS. Formulate a list of questions that you feel are important, and write them out to take with you when you meet the breeder. A responsible breeder will appreciate your thoroughness and not be offended. It is all too easy to get sidetracked when viewing kennels and dogs. It is important that you ask clear questions, and get clear answers. A good breeder will be happy to spend time with you answering your questions, as they will be looking for the best possible homes for their pups. Some important questions to include are:

Can I meet the parents of the litter? Your pup will inherit not only physical characteristics, but temperament as well. Meeting the sire and dam will help give you an idea of what you may have in your home in a few years. If possible, ask to see them work as well.

Are the parents certified to be free of hip dysplasia, and how far back does the certification go? Some registries require this certification, while others do not, but a responsible breeder will NOT breed dogs that are not certified. There is no guarantee that all pups will be free of hip problems, as there are a multitude of contributing factors, but only breeding certified parents reduces the risk of problems. Ask for the OFA or other certification numbers (such as the "a" stamp), and verify them on your own. Unscrupulous breeders may lay claim to certifications and titles that do not exist. This is research time well spent.

How old is the dam? Just because a female is able to produce puppies, does not mean that she should. Breeding a female either too young or too old is a sign of a breeder that is more interested in money than proper breeding practices.

How do you socialize your pups? A good breeder will have a well thought out plan for early socialization. The pups need a variety of regular human contacts, with people of all ages and sizes, as well as exposure to different surfaces to walk on, various noises, objects and situations. Pups should not spend all of their time in their kennel with their littermates.

Can I see the kennel? The entire kennel area should be available to see, and responsible breeders should be happy to show you their clean, humane facilities.

How many dogs are on site, and how many people do you employ? A high dog to human ratio implies that the dogs, although possible clean and well fed, are largely left to themselves. This is especially important when purchasing a puppy, when early human contact is of utmost priority.

Are you involved with showing, training, and titling your dogs and your clients' dogs? This is a sign of commitment to the breed beyond producing puppies, and allows a breeder to better know their dogs' strengths and weaknesses, as well as their temperaments. It furthermore shows commitment to continuing education about the breed and how it is developing, as well as confidence in the quality of their stock and the pups they produce. Ask to come watch a training session, and observe how the dogs work and are handled.

Why did you choose to breed these two particular dogs, and how do they compliment each other? A good breeder should have well thought out breeding choices, beyond choosing the most recent winner at a national event or Seiger show. They should be able to explain the rationale for their breeding choices in detail, not just try to impress you with the accomplishments of either parent.

KNOW YOUR TITLES. Breeders love to list their dogs' titles and awards, and certainly they are worth noting. Keep in mind however, that not all letters following a dog's name are equal - some denote temperament certificates, AKC titles (such as obedience, rally, and agility), flyball titles, instinct testing and certificates, and so on. The working titles from different countries and organizations alone can create confusion, as essentially the same routines can appear to be different titles (such as SchH, VPG, IPO, ZVV). Every title has it's place, but don't be fooled by a long list of letters surrounding a dog's name. Research what they mean. Determine what is important for you and what you plan to do with your dog.

KNOW YOUR PAPERS AND THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN GETTING THEM. If your dog is whelped in the United States, you will need AKC papers. AKC papers are not an assurance of quality, but simply a way of proving that your dog is purebred. They are also required for entry in many events. If you leave the breeder without the application of individual registration in hand, there is no guarantee that you will ever receive it. The AKC will not intervene in a breeder-client dispute, as it is simply a registry. If a breeder either decides to withhold or is ultimately unable to provide papers for your dog, it is a matter for a lawyer, not the AKC, and one that is not settled cheaply. Furthermore, many breeders sell their pups on limited registration. Be sure that you understand their reasoning, and that you are willing to accept that it may never be lifted. Lastly, there are many complicated scenarios involving imports and breedings outside of the United States that can delay the process of receiving papers. Ask for details and timelines, and realize that there are risks involved. Ethical breeders always deliver their papers, but you should make yourself aware of all details relating to your purchase.

KNOW HOW YOU WILL BE CHOOSING YOUR PUP. A good breeder is just as concerned with which pup you take home as you are, and will make every effort to make a good match. They will ask as many questions of you as you do of them, and should be able to describe what they have observed about various pups in the litter. They should be open to you spending time observing and testing the pups, and should have no problem with you bringing someone along with you to help select the pup, should you desire to do so.

KNOW YOUR CONTRACT. All reputable breeders will offer you a written contract, and it should be available for preview before you put a deposit on a pup. If you desire, you should be able to take a copy home with you to re-read. Many breeders post their contracts on their websites. The contract should be in plain, understandable terms, and not in need of excessive explanation. If you have questions, the breeder should offer clear answers and should be willing to put the clarifications in writing if you ask.

KNOW YOUR GUARANTEES. Most responsible breeders will offer replacement guarantees on dogs which evidence genetic problems such as crippling hip dysplasia. Know the fine points, such as where the diagnosis must be made and in what time frame, how the breeder must be notified, and if the dog must be returned in order to receive a replacement. Even if this is explained to you, it should be in writing, and signed by both parties. Ask if there are provisions in the event that a dog purchased for a specific purpose develops a physical flaw that prevents it's intended use (example, a 'top show puppy' that develops a disqualifying overbite). Good breeders ALWAYS stand behind the pups they produce, keep in mind however, that no breeder should be responsible for owner negligence, and most breeders have clauses to that effect.

KNOW YOUR LOCAL CLUBS. This will prove to be one of the best resources a potential buyer can find. Club members will be thrilled to share their good experiences with a breeder, and will warn you of bad ones. You may be able to see or hear about specific dogs that the breeder has produced that are older and achieving titles. This is time well spent. You will also get an idea of the kind of breeder support you may receive after purchase.

KNOW YOUR CHANCES. Call the Better Business Bureau. Call the AKC. Call the governing organizations for your breed. Ask if there have been complaints filed against a particular breeder. Chances are, there haven't been, but if there were, it's best to know in advance that someone was disgruntled enough to file a formal complaint. This doesn't indicate that the breeder is bad (the buyer may have been at fault), however, it does indicate that further research is needed.

Buying a pup should never be an impulse, quick decision, but rather done as a commitment to the dog for its lifetime. Taking the extra time to research prior to purchase greatly improves your chances of getting a dog that is right for your personality, lifestyle, and goals. There are extensive resources available to potential buyers, and it is important to utilize as many of them as possible. Hopefully the end result will be that the breeder, the buyer, and of course the dog (!) have a happy, long lasting relationship.

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Kids and Dogs, Are They Made for Each Other?

By Christine Gajda
(originally published in USA magazine, May/June 2006)

Today the sport of Schutzhund is experiencing a rise in the number of so-called family dogs that are participating in the sport. Many of the dogs that we see at training are also housedogs that live with families with young children. The ideal Schutzhund dog has solid nerve and temperament, is not a menace to society, and is safe around people and children. With the constant threat of breed bans and common misconceptions about the sport, it is more important than ever to educate our children about appropriate behavior around dogs, and to insist that our canines are good citizens and examples of the breed. While many ideas are discussed below, most of them can be summed up in one word: supervision.

As the leader of your home, it is your job to ensure that everyone behaves appropriately. Dogs and kids LOVE mischief, and can make quite a formidable team digging up gardens, eating food between meals, redecorating the house with toys, and all sorts of other forbidden activities. It's nice to know you can safely "leave the dog and the kids in the backyard together", but don't be surprised when they have redesigned the landscaping. Also very important to remember is that dogs are by nature social climbers, and children in your absence may behave entirely differently than when you are around. Who will be the boss in your absence? Dogs should never be the leader, and young children cannot. Keep the situations where your children and dogs are together under control and predictable, not just in their actions together, but even more importantly in their interaction with each other. If you take a break from being the leader, someone WILL fill your spot.

Don't allow children to take advantage of a dog's tolerance. Children are small, make quick sudden moves, fall unexpectedly, and may on occasion do many things quite innocently that can be threatening to a dog. It is wonderful to see a dog with a solid temperament that does not react, however, just because a dog will tolerate any and all actions does not mean that he should be expected to on a daily basis. A teething toddler may innocently bite a dog's ear. Kids may fall on the dog, run and jump over him, step on tails, all without malice, but they should not be allowed to do so, simply because the dog will tolerate it. It is wonderful to realize that your dog is a saint, but this is nothing to brag about ("My dog will take anything my kids dish out…" is heard all too often) as it shows a serious lack of supervision and poor attitude of disrespect for the dog.

Children should be taught to treat others - INCLUDING animals - with respect. It is the parents' job to instruct and enforce appropriate and considerate behaviors. Conversely, do not allow a dog to take advantage of a child's small stature. This includes allowing the dog to take things, such as toys and food, from the child, and being allowed to run boisterously through the house knocking small children over. A dog that lives in the house must possess manners.

Pay attention to your dog's health. An ear infection or cut paw may make a dog less tolerant than normal. A dog with arthritis may have mood swings dependant on the weather. A female in season may react differently than normal because of hormonal changes. Children will not necessarily understand this, and paying attention to your dog's health will minimize the risk of any abnormal reaction to a child by the dog. If a dog that is normally appropriate around children begins showing strange behaviors, take time to analyze what has changed. Could there be a medical issue? Perhaps a trip to the vet is in order. Obviously the dog could simply be "pulling rank", but a dog that is physically uncomfortable or in pain will show it in how he reacts to what normally is not a problem.

People have children, and children have friends. Remember that not all children who visit your home are comfortable around dogs. Likewise, not all children who visit your home know appropriate behavior around dogs. Your presence will help make the visit positive for all. Your dog is your responsibility, and this can be a fantastic opportunity to educate others about appropriate behavior around dogs. If the visitors are unreceptive, don't allow your dog or children to be placed in an uncomfortable situation. Do not allow other people's children to inadvertently intimidate or harass your dog. Out of fairness to your dog, do not place him in a position that he is forced to react, and then will be labeled "mean" by the neighbor's kids. When in doubt, crate the dog!

Watch for warning signs that a dog may give that a child will not pick up on - a stiffened posture, direct stare, hackles up, teeth showing, or growl. Be aware of what prompted the reaction, and deal with it accordingly. Also watch for innocent gestures that a child may make, that a dog may see as threatening. Running top speed through the house in full Darth Vader costume waving a toy light saber may be great fun for your child, but could easily startle and threaten for a sleeping dog. Being aware of what your children and dogs are doing minimizes and risk for "misunderstandings". If your children are ready for some wild play, and the dog is sleeping, crate the dog! Everyone will be happier.

Teach your children to respect the training field. For the future of the sport and breed, it is imperative that children must be exposed to and involved with our sport. Schutzhund training days should be, whenever possible, a family affair. Club days, however, are a time that people come together to exchange ideas, proof their dogs, try new skills, and prepare for trials. While having children around can provide excellent distractions (one never knows when children will be present at a trial or show), children should not be permitted to interfere with what club members are attempting to do with their dogs. Loud, boisterous behavior can easily interfere with both a handler's and a dog's focus. Additionally, children need supervision to keep them a proper distance from the training field, especially when dogs are working off lead. Although many club members may be willing to help, parents that bring their children to training, trials and shows should be primarily responsible for their supervision - it should not become a group babysitting experience. Training, although enjoyable, is also serious and should be treated as such and respected. Supervising your children makes them welcome at all events.

On the opposite side of this, for those who do not have children at training, remember that the children of today are the dog owners, voters, and legislators of tomorrow. Keep your behavior towards fellow club members and their dogs respectful. Frustrations in training should not result in a barrage of swearing. If someone's children are distracting you, let them know and ask them to keep their children quiet. Nothing is gained by "dealing with it" and then complaining later to other club members. Having clear club rules about what is expected if children are present at training goes a long way toward preventing problems. Another issue important to all of us in the sport is cleaning up after your dog. This is an issue not only of common courtesy that should be standard with all dog owners, but of is of extra importance if there are small children around.

Involving your children in the dog's care is a wonderful way to teach responsibility to your children, and additionally helps the dog maintain a proper place in the pack. This being said, however, do not place sole responsibility for the dog's care in the child's hands. Children live with their parents for a reason: they are not able to care for themselves. One can logically infer that they are not able to care completely for another living being. Yes, they may be able to brush the dog on their own, or help with mealtimes, but the overall care of the dog must rest on the adult in the house. An adult must be responsible for recognizing when the dog needs to visit a vet, when a dog is eating too little or too much, or any of a myriad of subtle issues that can arise.

Even seemingly simple tasks such as brushing the dog or putting the food bowl on the ground should be supervised, to ensure that it is being done properly. (Note: a great way to have a child feed the dog is to have them ask for a "sitz" or "platz" before putting the food bowl on the ground - it reinforces their status in the pack, reinforces training, and also helps keep the dog from enthusiastically knocking the bowl out of the child's hands and spilling kibble all over. It must be supervised though, as the dog may not initially heed the child's command, and the child will most likely put the food on the ground anyway, thus rewarding ignoring a command!)

Just as we teach our children not to talk to strangers, we need to educate them on how to act around unfamiliar dogs, especially strays. Not all dogs are comfortable around children - quite frankly, not all dogs are comfortable around people. A dog that has been abused and hit may react negatively if a child reaches to pet its head. A dog that has had bad experiences with children may be wary or defensive with all children. Teach children not to run enthusiastically up to strange dogs. Teach children to always ASK FIRST before petting another person's dog.

Teach children what to do if a dog threatens them. Teach them that running and screaming can incite a chase - either in fun, or otherwise. Just as the one-in-a-million person may not have the best intentions toward a child, the same may apply to dogs. Not educating children for this possibility, however unlikely, is neglect. Children that grow up with a stable, well-mannered dog will often assume that all dogs are the same way.

Being a responsible parent and a responsible owner go hand in hand. Allowing either your children or your dogs to be unsupervised affects everyone, whether it is a neighbor that finds your dogs annoying, or the club member that dreads having your children around. What better example of the breed can be found than a dog that is strong on the protection field, yet still safe around children? And what better way to encourage the future of the sport than to welcome children with their parents at clubs? These are important, but as owners, parents, and club members, we all need to take responsibility that behaviors of everyone involved, in all situations - whether it be at home, training, or out in public - are supervised and managed to the benefit of everyone. REMEMBER: the children of today are the future dog owners, voters, and legislators of tomorrow.

Free coloring books about dog safety and care can be requested from Monster Dog Equipment, www.monsterdog.net

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AKC Alert - Minnesota

MN Dog and Cat Breeders Act Aims to Regulate Breeders

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THE DISASTER AREA OF DOG LEGISLATION

1/13/07

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - THE DISASTER AREA OF DOG LEGISLATION.

by Tina M. Perriguey, USA General Education Committee

Timing really is everything.

During the first week in January, Randall Hoadley, Vice-president of USA, and several key USA Committee members were engaged in intense communication involving the threat of Breed-specific Legislation to our sport, our organization and our German Shepherd Dogs. Pursuant to this dialogue, and with the approval of USA President, Lyle Roetemeyer, a proactive agenda for the General Education Committee was approved.



These positive steps signal a campaign to bring the strength of USA’s 5,000 members to this critical fight. In terms of an organized effort, the AWDF, Al Govednik, and the hard-working members of the AWDF Legislative Committee have been doing the “heavy lifting” in this fight for a long time. In kicking off 2007, USA extends them our sincere gratitude, and proof that we realize we’ve all got “skin in the game.”



And just in case any of our members were still willing to sit on the sidelines, Jerry Abramson comes along and raises the stakes.

In the second week of January, Louisville, Kentucky mayor Jerry Abramson signed into law an ordinance that is frightening on two levels. Not only is it draconian, but it doesn’t even bother to mount the pretense of discriminating against only “dangerous dogs.” This NON-breed-specific legislation applies to ALL dogs in Louisville, KY.

This is an ominous precedent, sport fans. Please go to the USA Website for updates on the fight against this and BSL across the nation.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 91-PAGE ORDINANCE...

1. Prong, chain and pinch collars are prohibited. (Yes, you and I know that prong and pinch collars are the same thing. The wording here is an indication of how much research was done before drafting this ordinance).

2. Nuisance Law: If any of your animals (not just dogs) "irritates" or "perturbs" anyone twice within a 5 year period, you will be forced to give up ALL of your animals and will be prohibited from owning animals again for two years.

3. You must have your dog/cat re-vaccinated against rabies and re-licensed EVERY TIME you remove it from a kennel/cattery. This includes boarding kennels.

4. If you break any law (including walking your dog off leash) your dog can be impounded and must be altered before you may reclaim it.

(Refresh my memory. What country are we living in? Did Communist China take over while we were too busy celebrating New Year’s to notice?)

5. ALL impounded dogs must be spayed/neutered. The Director has discretion to reduce fees/fines if you spay/neuter your animal. The Director cannot waive the requirement to have your impounded animal altered before that animal may be released.

6. All unaltered dogs must be microchipped. You may not keep your unaltered dog in a house in which the windows are open and only screens present to prevent the dog from exiting.

7. If you sell, give away, or board (yes, board) your unaltered dog, you must notify the Director. You may not purchase an unaltered dog without the written permission of the Metro Animal Services Director.

8. If you show your unaltered dog, and travel with it for more than 3 days, you must notify the Director as to the change in location of your unaltered dog. The owner of an unaltered dog shall not be changed without notification to the Director of Metro Animal Services.

9. If you own more than 3 dogs, and you live on less than half an acre, you are in violation of the ordinance. There is no grandfather clause.

10. If you own more than 7 dogs and you live on less than 2 acres, you are in violation of the ordinance. Again, no grandfather clause.

11. Breeders who maintain more than one unaltered pet must purchase a $300 animal dealer license as well as a $150 Class A kennel license to sell a litter of dogs. The required licenses allow Louisville Metro Animal Services to inspect the breeder’s premises at any reasonable time.

The Louisville Metro Council decided to draft the ordinance last year after dog attacks in which two people were killed. The provisions, signed by the mayor on January 4, 2007, were approved by the Louisville City Council by a 16-8 vote on December 19th.

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