Isla just started her 3rd heat, considering breeding.

[Neenjah]

Isla, my 18 month GSD just starting her 3rd heat today and I am considering breeding her. I have several questions and things I need to address, so what better place to ask?

First off, I dont know if I have breeding rights through the AKC?? Can I purchase that as needed? I have several friends and family who would like a pup out of her and believe she posses many desirable attributes so I have no problem with breeding her, is she still to young? would you recommend waiting longer? For the remainder of the pups that are not spoken for what would be a reasonable price? I have her pedigre if anyone would like to take a look at it?

Thanks in advance!

[Emoore]

The first thing you'll want to do is wait until she's at least two years old so you can get her hips certified. A GSD without hip certifications shouldn't ever be bred, there are just too many hip problems with this breed.

Unfortunately, there are really too many "pet quality" GSDs being bred in this country, to the point that the shelters are killing the excess. "Pet Quality" dogs don't really need to be bred. Why don't you post her pedigree and we'll see if there's anything in there that would make her more worthy of passing on her genes to the next generation?

[Neenjah]

excuse my lack of scanner and primitive technique.. but here you go

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

We all LOOOOOOVE our first dogs:
Hello from Arkansas

Think they are the best thing since sliced bread (why that is so great I am not sure).

Have tons of friends and family who also think the same.

Who may or may not really want a dog, but love the idea of a dog.

You being in Arkansas are in an area where there are tons of dogs dropped and killed in places like Little Rock Animal Services.

People who breed have and hold themselves to high standards. If you are really interested, find a true breeder mentor, get your dog out and doing things that prove that she is breedworthy, do the hips, elbows, x-ray her back, do CERF eyes, check her thyroid, heart, and then foster a litter for rescue, get an idea of what is involved there...

People who produce puppies, do just that. You don't want to be one of those, you really don't!

[Myamom]

Remember that reputable breeders committ to their puppies for life...meaning..if ever a buyer cannot keep a dog they purchased from you...for whatever reason...throughout the life of the dog...you should be committed to taking that dog back. That should also be stated in the contract. That is a HUGE committment.

[BOHICA Bay]

What, specifically, is it about your dog that makes you believe she is going to make a positive contribution to the GSD breed?

[Neenjah]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

We all LOOOOOOVE our first dogs:
Hello from Arkansas

Think they are the best thing since sliced bread (why that is so great I am not sure).

Have tons of friends and family who also think the same.

Who may or may not really want a dog, but love the idea of a dog.

You being in Arkansas are in an area where there are tons of dogs dropped and killed in places like Little Rock Animal Services.

People who breed have and hold themselves to high standards. If you are really interested, find a true breeder mentor, get your dog out and doing things that prove that she is breedworthy, do the hips, elbows, x-ray her back, do CERF eyes, check her thyroid, heart, and then foster a litter for rescue, get an idea of what is involved there...

People who produce puppies, do just that. You don't want to be one of those, you really don't!

I live in southwest missouri now, but i understand what your saying. And I can already tell I will be skipping this heat and waiting till shes old enough to get all of those milestones (tests, x-rays) out of the way to make sure she's worthy.

[Neenjah]

Originally Posted by BOHICA Bay

What, specifically, is it about your dog that makes you believe she is going to make a positive contribution to the GSD breed?

I saw her parents and her breeder and she was not bred for size by any means and Iv ready that the oversized GSD's typically have the health problems.

[Emoore]

Your dog's paternal grandsire:
VA Commander von der Mäusespitz - German shepherd dog

Paternal Grand-dam:
Celeste Von Bisschofsheim - German shepherd dog

I wasn't able to find anything at all on the dam's (mom's) side.

Your girl appears to be a mixture of German Show lines and American pet lines.

She is probably a fabulous dog, but not a dog that really needs to be bred for a couple of reasons:

Neither her dad nor any of the dogs on her mom's side have any hip certifications. I looked on the OFA database site and they're not there. A dog with generations of un-tested parents behind them really shouldn't be bred. Even if your dog has good hips, there's a strong chance that they'll pass on hip problems to the next geneation.

It appears that none of her ancestors besides her grandsire have had any breed-related tests or competitions to prove their temperament. Again, your dog might have fabulous temperament but with generations of un-tested dogs behind her, the chances of her passing on some recessive temperament problems are very strong.

The GSD is not a rare breed. You can find GSD puppies in any newspaper or Craigslist for $200. Because of this, it's a breed that's riddled with structural and temperament issues. Your dog might be wonderful, but the chances that she has some recessive structural or temperamental problems that she can pass on to her offspring are very high.

I would encourage you to love your dog, get into a hobby with her like obedience, schutzhund, or agility, but not breed her.

[Emoore]

Another thing that you can do is contact a rescue or shelter in your area and volunteer to foster a pregnant mom or a newborn litter. Dealing with canine pregnancy and delivery and helping to screen for homes will let you know really quick if you're cut out for this whole breeding thing.