So, you want to be a
breeder
Well, not to
be sarcastic, but, do you really have the money, the
patience , talent, the sacrifice and the
knowledge? The GSD is THE most demanding breed of dogs
to breed, when done right as per the German's German
Shepherd rules? Can you and your dogs contribute
to the "Betterment of the Breed?"
Why are you
choosing the GSD? Why not a Poodle or Labrador?
The prices
of the good, worthy of being bred, GSDs are going up
every time I turn around. And just starting
out with an expensive puppy that looks good to you as an
adult dog, isn't simply what works in the real world.
It requires:
Passing Hip and Elbow certifications at 12 months of
age. That is the least of your expenses at $200
from the vet and another $100 to sent them in to the
Germans.
If they
don't pass, then forget about breeding your pup. I
don't care how good YOU think it looks and how sweet a
temperament it has...
If they
pass, then, unless you are a great quick trainer
yourself of the Schutzhund or IPO sports, you have to
sent your doggie away for it. That, put in
perspective, is going to cost as follows as of September
07 rates:
Shipping of
an adult sized dog minimum rate in Cargo is $1200 One
Way. Remember, your dog has to come back making it
$2,400.--
Schutzhund
Program, consisting of AD (stamina 12 mile run), BH
(basic obedience temperament test), SchH1 [tracking,
obedience, bite work] (for females) Kor (judges critique
and Show Rating) in Euros 2,000, that's
right now about $2,800.--
For males
who have to do the SchH3 program or you get a lot of
questions, that is nearly double.
Breeding
your female in Germany (when she's finished her
training) to a top rated male, is about $1,400 dollars
right now. With the risk she doesn't conceive
unless you know some one who knows the owner of the
male, so you can get two or three matings ensuring
conception. If you don't, you take a huge
risk. ONLY top rated females are offered three
matings. The other risk, Brucellosis, a
bacterial disease which the Germans don't test their
dogs for. Once a dog has it, it's stated as
incurable and your dog will not be able to whelp healthy
litters, death is likely eventually, and although I've
been reading about progress in treatments on the
internet, they have not sufficiently convinced me.
It could possibly infect humans if you handle an
infected dog.
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