Frequently
Asked Questions
Question: Why should I buy a puppy through the Club?
Answer: A puppy that is purchased through the GSDCV Puppy Listing service comes from a breeder who is a member of the GSDCV, and has complied with all of the Breed Improvement Schemes and Breeding Guidelines. This will provide a greater assurance that you are buying a quality puppy, that will have less chance of suffering from the hereditary diseases that may occur in the German Shepherd Dog.
Question: What should I feed my puppy?
Answer: There are many different diets suitable for feeding puppies. The breeder of your puppy should provide you with a recommended feeding program (diet chart) at the time you buy the puppy. This is a requirement of all Breeders who sell through the GSDCV Puppy Listings service.
Question: How much should I exercise my puppy?
Answer: There is a mistaken belief that a young puppy (up to 12 months of age) should have “plenty” of exercise. This is INCORRECT, as a general rule up to 12 months of age “on lead” exercise should be very limited. Natural free running is the best form of exercise for a youngster, because when they tire they can easily stop.
For more information "Should You
Exercise Your Young Puppy?"
Question: From what age can I take my puppy to obedience classes?
Answer: The GSDCV encourages new owners to socialise their puppy from a very young age, and therefore hold puppy classes for puppies from 8 weeks of age. Please ensure you bring your puppy’s up-to-date vaccination certificate with you.
Question: How long does a German Shepherd live?
Answer: This varies greatly, but generally somewhere around 10 to 12 years.
Question: How much does a puppy cost?
Answer: Quality puppies range from $800 to $1,200.
Question: How do I obtain a GSD puppy?
Answer: We suggest that you contact the GSDCV Puppy Listings service, for Club Breeders who comply with the Breed Improvement Schemes. This gives a greater assurance that you are buying a quality puppy.
Question: What is the correct weight for my dog?
Answer: This depends on many factors such as the sex of the dog, the age, the height, etc. As a guide an adult male should weigh between 30 and 40 Kgms, whilst adult females should weigh between 22 and 32 Kgms.
Question: When should I vaccinate my puppy/dog?
Answer: Your puppy will have been vaccinated at 6 weeks of age (if you buy through the Puppy Listings service), and you will receive advice from the Breeder on further vaccination. As a guide your puppy will require the next vaccination at 12 weeks, with a “booster” at 16 weeks. After this your dog must be vaccinated every 12 months.
The GSDCV Branches will need to sight your puppy/dog’s up-to-date vaccination certificate if you are training at our Branches.
Question: When do I worm my puppy/dog?
Answer: Your puppy will have been wormed regularly prior to your buying it at 8 weeks. It is best to consult your local veterinarian who is aware of conditions in your area (as there are many types of worms), however as a basic guide:
Puppies should be wormed at 12 weeks, 4 months and then bimonthly, and Adults (from 12 months) every 3 months.
Question: What is a Long Coat / Long Hair?
Answer: A “long coat” has a long, wavy, soft topcoat not lying closely, usually with a parting down the back, feathering on ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail.
The “long coat” is a disqualifying fault within the Breed Standard, and as such is not suitable for Showing or Breeding. However this in no way detracts from it’s ability as a pet and companion, in fact many people have a preference for them.
Long Coats will generally be sold on a “Limited Register” Pedigree (see below).
Question: What is the difference between the “Main Register” and “Limited Register” pedigrees?
Answer: Pedigree registrations are issued by the VCA (Victorian Canine Association), after application by the Breeder.
The “Main Register” pedigrees are blue in colour, whilst the “Limited Register” pedigrees are orange in colour, and are both A4 size.
Dogs registered on the “Limited Register” may not be exhibited in conformation shows, nor can they be bred with, but can still be entered in Obedience Trials. Whilst dogs registered on the “Main Register” are eligible to participate in all of the above areas.
Question: Can the GSDCV assist me with Schutzhund training, or Protection training for my dog?
Answer: NO - The GSDCV does not support the training of Schutzhund, or any form of Protection training and do not believe this form of training is necessary.
It is a requirement of Victorian law that any dog that is trained to attack a person or animal must be reported to the authorities and will probably be declared a dangerous dog.
Question: Is Obedience training important for my puppy/dog?
Answer: Yes, it is your responsibility as a dog owner, to ensure that your dog is a well behaved, accepted member of the community.
Obedience Training will assist in teaching you how to work with your dog, and teaching him good habits, and if necessary overcoming undesirable behaviour.
A well trained dog is a pleasure to own, and please always remember to be considerate of other people who may not be dog lovers like us.
Question: Why is it important to Socialise my puppy?
Answer: A well bred puppy will have all the basics for the making of a sound, well adjusted puppy and adult dog, however this is just the foundation for the future.
Once you take the puppy home it then becomes your responsibility to continue the development of the puppy. This means exposing and reassuring the puppy to and around people, other dogs, the home environment, and the community environment, so as it learns to be confident in all circumstances.
Question: What should I look for when purchasing a puppy?
Answer: The most important thing when purchasing a puppy is that you get a puppy that is healthy, physically sound, and of good temperament.
A guide to assessing these things is that:
- the puppies must be clean, healthy, active, bright and outgoing (happy to see you),
- both parents must have PASSED all of the Breed Improvement Schemes,
- the kennel/yard must be clean and tidy.
The GSDCV recommends that you purchase a puppy through our Puppy Listing service as these Breeders have complied with all of these requirements.
Question: What is Tattooing and Micro-Chipping?
Answer: Tattooing is the only acceptable means of identification for all of the German Shepherd Breed Improvement Schemes.
If you have purchased through the Puppy Listing service your puppy will already have a unique tattoo in it’s right ear.
Micro-Chipping is not an acceptable identification for the Breed Improvement Schemes, however both Tattooing and Micro-Chipping are permanent forms of identification of your puppy, and will aid in the identification and subsequent reuniting of you and your dog if it becomes lost.
Question: What are the Breed Improvement Schemes?
Answer: The GSDCA (German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia Inc.) has introduced a number of tests for screening of adult dogs, for hereditary diseases. These schemes are Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Haemophelia.
Adult Dogs (over 18 months of age) after having successfully passed the above schemes are encouraged to be presented to Breed Survey.
Question: What is Hip Dysplasia, and Elbow Dysplasia?
Answer: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia are 2 separate diseases that cause degeneration of the hip and elbows joints, and can only be diagnosed by X-Ray.
Evidence of passing the HD scheme is an “A” stamp, and a “Z” stamp for Elbows.
Question: What is Haemophelia?
Answer: Haemophelia is a blood disorder that reduces the blood clotting factor thereby causing abnormal bleeding.
At this time these is only a test available for Males.
Evidence of passing is an “H-Neg” certificate.
This is no longer prevalent within German Shepherds, due to earlier identification of “problem” bloodlines, which have been removed from breeding programs.
Question: What is Breed Survey?
Answer: Breed Survey is an assessment of the animal’s conformation (body structure), temperament, and Breed Worth.
Evidence of passing Breed Survey is a Breed Survey certificate with either a “Class 1” or “Class 2” classification.
Question: Should I buy from a Pet Shop or Market?
Answer: It is against the VCA and GSDCV rules for Breeders to sell puppies from Pet Shops or Markets. There is very good reason for this.
Purchasing a puppy is a lifetime decision, and therefore should be carefully and seriously undertaken, not an impulse decision.
You will also have no ability to view the parents or the environment in which the litter was reared, and therefore cannot be confident of the background of the puppies.
Question: Should my bitch have a litter before she is speyed?
Answer: NO - It is a fallacy that a bitch should have a litter before they are speyed
Breeding is a serious responsibility, it is not simply a case of producing puppies. Breeders have a responsibility to breed quality, healthy puppies and to ensure all puppies can be found loving and suitable homes. It is the GSDCV policy to only breed with animals that have successfully passed all the Breed Improvement Schemes.
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