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At birth, a German Shepherd puppy of a standard litter of six to eight pups would be expected to weigh approximately 1% of the dam's pre-pregnancy weight. This varies depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to genetics, size of litter, gender, and environmental conditions for the dam and pups during pregnancy and whelp.

The German Shepherd is currently listed as the third most popular dog breed registered with the AKC. This dog resembles that of its ancestor, the Wolf, and was originally bred to be the ideal hurting Shepherd and guard dog.

8 Dog Mouth Disorders You Need to Be Aware Of

Whenever people think about dog mouth disorders, they most likely think of gingivitis or just a bad case of doggy breath.  However, there are several problems that can occur in your dog’s mouth that you should be aware of. 

1)    Periodontal disease. 

This is a painful infection that occurs between the tooth and the gum.  It can result in tooth loss and if not treated, can spread to the rest of the body.  The most common initial symptoms include loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain, sneezing and nasal discharge.

2)    Gingivitis. 

This condition is an inflammation of the gums, caused mainly by plaque and tartar build-up.  To prevent it, you should try your hardest to inhibit disease-producing bacteria from invading your dog’s mouth.  Brush his teeth regularly and check them weekly.  Signs include bleeding, red, swollen gums and bad breath.

3)    Halitosis. 

Halitosis is also known as bad dog breath.  It is often the first sign of mouth issues and is caused by bacteria growing from food particles caught between the teeth or by gum infection.  If not treated, it can lead to more serious dental problems.  You can reverse halitosis by brushing your dog’s teeth regularly and getting them cleaned by the veterinarian.

4)    Swollen gums. 

These develop when tartar builds up and food gets stuck between the teeth.  They are also an initial sign of dental problems and can lead to more serious diseases if not treated.  You can also prevent swollen gums through teeth cleaning and regular visits to the vet for check-ups.

5)    Proliferating gum disease. 

This occurs when the gum grows over the teeth.  It must be treated to avoid further infection.  It can be treated with antibiotics and is common in certain dog breeds, such as boxers and bull terriers.  Usually, it is hereditary and you cannot do much to prevent it except for keep an eye on your dog’s mouth.

6)    Mouth tumors. 

These appear as lumps in the gums.  They must be tested by a veterinarian to determine if they are benign or malignant.  Surgically removing the tumors is the only way to treat this problem.

7)    Salivary cysts. 

Salivary cysts are large, unpleasant, fluid-filled blisters under the tongue or near the corners of the jaw.  To treat them, a veterinarian must drain them and remove the damaged saliva gland.

8)    Canine distemper teeth. 

This occurs most often in dogs that had distemper as a puppy.  The teeth are likely to decay and should be removed by a veterinarian if this happens.  Canine distemper cannot be treated and damage is irreversible.

Being aware of these eight dog mouth problems will assist you in providing your dog with optimal dental health.  It will be easier for you to tell when there is a problem so you can get veterinary help right away.

Locate top quality German Shepherd (Alsation) Breeders at GSDsite.

You should do a lot of homework before choosing a German Shepherd Puppy Breeder. Make sure that they offer a dog health guarantee.

Deutscher Schäferhunde

Many people say at 2 years is considered to be Adult GSD and fully mature at 3+ years old. Some people say the fear period as puppy GSD ends at 18 Months of age, meaning he is qualify to be as self-confident GSD like an adult dog.

When you're talking maturity there are many factors involved. Bone freeze occurs around 11 months. There will be no more "growth" after that, but they will "fill out" until the age of 2 and some, beyond that. In my experience, when they are 3, they are mature mentally.

Dogs will consider puppies as just that until about the age of 6 months, then all bets are off. This is when you may start to see aggression from an older dog toward the youngster. Sometimes, it will be just to put them in their place, but it can lead to injury and even death.

Physically, 2...mentally 3...to another dog, 6 months

Trained German Shepherd dogs have a significantly higher value than puppies. They are a wonderful asset to people who are not able to put in the time necessary to train a dog or raise a puppy.

Hundreds of training hours are needed before a dog can pass the stringent requirements of a training degree. They require obedience training and training should be ongoing and consistent. Trained German Shepherds can be used for protection, service dogs, schutzhund, IPO, and K9 German Shepherds.

Do be careful - Do NOT give your dog Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen).

Any dog, just like a human, is a candidate for arthritis. But the larger breeds, big dogs like Labs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Great Danes and Golden Retrievers, are the most commonly effected by arthritis and joint pain as well as often being genetically predisposed to shoulder, elbow and hip dysplasia. These joint destroyers can incapacitate our best friends unless we take care to take good care of them. While every dog is different and the type and progression of every dog's joint pain is different, there are easy and inexpensive things you can do to help.

Glucosamine truly IS the miracle joint lubricant they say it is! There is no way of telling if your pet will respond to glucosamine, but there is absolutely no harm in trying. Glucosamine, often combined with Chondroitin which you can purchase at GSDsite.com, helps to lubricate the joints, so they move more freely, and without the rubbing, sticking and scraping that leads to scar tissue, spurs and arthritic deterioration. You can get Glucosamine in various formulations from GSDsite.com.

Protect your dog's joints from unnecessary trauma. Great as it feels to see our big, strong friends gleefully jumping in an out of the back of our vehicle, etc., such motions put major stress on their joints and can cause muscle and ligament tears or even hairline fractures. While they may not like it either, it is far better for your furry friend for you to provide a ramp or stairway for them or help lift them in and out gently. This is especially important as they get older ... as well as when they are young and their bones and joints are still developing! Do your best to prevent your energetic puppy from jumping too much or too high and pounding on his newly forming joints and you will go a long way to preventing or delaying joint problems down the road.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Of course, walking him will get you headed in the right direction. But also be conscious of overfeeding and, especially, feeding him human foods. Proper quantities of the foods prepared for dogs are really all they need and are truly best for their long term health and well-being. Human foods add unnecessary calories to their diet and some, such as sweets and dairy, may directly exacerbate arthritis.

Give Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to help with the inflammation of arthritis, a good Omega-3 supplement can benefit dogs with arthritis and related conditions.

You should expect the following fees when purchasing a GSD import. Typically flying a puppy is $350.00 and an adult dog $450.00 which may or may not include the crate. You should also expect German shepherd import puppies direct from Germany with pink papers registered with the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV in Germany) and all the necessary paperwork for registration with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

German Shepherd Dog Agility Training

Agility training and dog obstacle courses were shaped after a Steeplechase in England. The first debut was in the UK at Crufts in 1978, and has become the fasted growing dog sport among both spectators and competitors because it is fast and entertaining. Dogs, too, love the sport; it lets them run, jump, and climb, exercising many of the behavior they enjoy. The sport also allows the dogs to have close contact with a handler, giving them all the attention they want. Agility is a great way to help build confidence in shy dogs, but only if you are supportive and enthusiastic.

If you've never tried German Shepherd agility work, or as we like to call it "play", you're missing a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, though, it is also a lot of hard work, but well worth it. Much like a combination Doggie Obstacle Course, agility training is comprised of multiple types of various obstacles that the dog must complete.

The dog sport of agility was originally developed by combining the sport of stadium jumping (with horses) with many of the different challenges that are unique to dogs.

The most important factor in this type of "work" is enthusiasm and positive reinforcement. Why should the dog cross the high walk or go through that collapsed tunnel? It is your job to convince your German Shepherd during agility training that it is okay to follow commands and that nothing will harm it by completing the agility obstacles.

The GSD's high intelligence, strong athletic physique and silky smooth movement have seen the breed excel at all kinds of duties.

German Shepherds are trained and considered invaluable in such jobs as seeing eye dogs, police work, search and rescue, herding, protection, bomb and drug detection and as guard dogs. They also relish activities which stimulate their acute senses such as tracking, agility, fly ball, endurance work, schutzhund and German Shepherd obedience training.

Dogs have their own set of behavioral problems. Lack of proper training methods may badly affect your dog's behavior and turn your beloved pet into a disobedient, aggressive or unruly dog. As a dog owner you should be aware of these problems and train your dog accordingly.

If your dog bites or tears up your furniture, this is not the dog’s fault. These are types of behavior problems that most dogs show signs of having and it’s up to you, the owner, to train your dog to know what is acceptable and what is not.

Aggression related dog behavior problems include biting, jumping, barking uncontrollably and not obeying commands.

Once a dog ages from a puppy to an adult, it will become much harder to train. Training should start from an early stage, so that these tendencies do not become dog behavior problems.

If your dog's stool is shaped like thin strips, her large intestine or rectum may be narrowed for some reason. On the other hand, very large stools may indicate a problem in the small intestine. Either way, a visit to the vet is in order.

Making the right dog food choices

Although dry dog food is convenient to store, pet nutritionists such as DogAware.com's Mary Straus say that canned food can be better than dry food, mostly because it contains fewer preservatives (because the canning process itself acts as a preservative). Canned dog food generally contains less grain and more moisture, which helps keep a dog hydrated and benefits the urinary tract.

Like canned foods, the best dry dog foods have high-quality proteins (named meat and meat meals), along with high-quality carbohydrates, such as potatoes and whole grains. Lower-quality products instead may contain corn, wheat and soy, along with glutens and byproducts. Experts don't consider such ingredients to be highly desirable, and brands containing them may not be very palatable to dogs. Pound for pound, the well-known brands sold in supermarkets and major pet-food chains are obviously a lot cheaper. However, many pet-nutrition experts say that the initial cost difference doesn't tell the whole story. They note that the higher-quality ingredients in premium food mean your dog will actually eat less compared to inexpensive dog food. An added benefit is that because more of the food is absorbed as nutrients, your dog will pass less solid waste.

Experts also point out that suggested serving sizes are just that -- suggestions. Feeding needs vary greatly depending on your dog's breed and activity level, and serving guidelines are merely a good jumping-off point. A dog that spends all day running around in the yard will obviously need more food than a sedentary dog. Observation will tell you if your dog needs more or less food.

Dog food for life stages

Choosing the proper food has become even more challenging since manufacturers started labeling their foods as being suited for certain life stages, such as puppy, large adult or senior, or breeds. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the body that governs and regulates pet-food labeling, there are only two true designations: a formula for puppies and one for adult dogs. Puppy formulas generally have more calories and protein. Products labeled "senior" or "large breed" mean the food meets requirements for regular adult food. There's nothing regulating those additional terms when they're used on dog food packaging.

Change dog foods periodically, and alternate between dry dog food and canned food. Many experts say you should change brands every few months as well, which will ensure that any nutrient deficiencies in a particular food won't have long-term effects. Find three or four foods your dog likes and alternate among them. High-meat-content canned foods are best used as a supplement to a high-quality dry food.

Look for certification by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). According to the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine website, "An AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement is one of the most important aspects of a dog or cat food label. A 'complete and balanced' pet food must be substantiated for nutritional adequacy by one of two means. The first method is for the pet food to contain ingredients formulated to provide levels of nutrients that meet an established profile. The alternative means of substantiating nutritional adequacy is for the product to be tested following the AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocols."

Choose a food that has whole meat or whole meat meal (lamb meal, chicken meal, etc.) as its top ingredients. Grain sources should also be whole grains, as opposed to glutens or other processed products. Rice and barley is better than corn or wheat. Avoid meat byproducts, particularly ones in which the meat is not named, and meat-and-bone meals.

Avoid BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin as preservatives. A better choice would be foods preserved with tocopherols (vitamin E) or vitamin C (ascorbate).

Observe your dog carefully when trying a new food. Some dogs need more protein and some need less, just as some dogs need to eat more than others, depending on activity level. Look for changes in coat and skin, along with stool consistency.

Pet-food safety is a concern. Past recalls of dog foods -- because of wheat and rice glutens contaminated with melamine -- have spotlighted some major issues regarding pet foods and their ingredients. Recent pet-food recalls have included ones for salmonella that have also made pet owners who had come in contact with the food fall ill. Although the majority of foods are deemed safe, this is clearly an ongoing issue.

The big day is fast approaching. You should have all of the supplies ready and waiting at least a week before the expected due date.

The whelping box is the single biggest item needed. It should provide enough room for the bitch to lay and stretch out comfortably without being so big that the puppies get 'lost.' For large breed dogs, it is also nice if a person can sit in the box with mom during labor and delivery and to play with the puppies later. The floor must be level and stable. The sides should be high enough to keep 4-week-old puppies in, but be hinged or have a door so the bitch can come and go. The sides may set inside the edges of the floor. This allows a blanket to be stretched tight over the floor and held in place by the sides. A safety rail is necessary around the entire perimeter. This allows the puppies to fit underneath in case the bitch lays down and they are in the way. It should be high and wide enough for a month-old puppy to fit under. The whelping box should be set up in a warm, quiet, safe location.

A heat lamp should be placed high enough that the bitch cannot contact it, but close enough to heat the area. It should only heat a corner of the whelping box, so if the puppies are too warm, they can move away from the heat source. The heat lamp light should be diffused with aluminum foil with holes poked in it with a needle. This protects the bulb from accidental contact and protects the puppies eyes from bright light.

Newspaper can be put in the whelping box during delivery. As it gets wet more layers are added. Once she is done whelping and is taken outside to relieve herself, the entire box is changed and dry paper put in with a blanket stretched tight over the top to give puppies traction.

Whelping supplies

Have large plastic garbage bags handy to place used newspaper, paper towels, and other garbage.

A laundry basket or box should be available to place puppies in while the rest of the litter is born. This protects them while the bitch paces and moves around during labor. A heating pad should be placed on the bottom with a fleece pad over it. (The puppies should NEVER be placed directly on heating pads, as they may be burned.) Another 1 or 2 towels should be placed over the top of the basket to keep the heat in. The fleece and the air in the basket should feel comfortably warm to your hand. If the puppies are moving around and crying, they are too cold or too hot. If they are bobbing their heads, searching, and crying, they are hungry. They should be put with mom as soon as possible to nurse. The puppies can be placed with the bitch between births to allow them to nurse and bond, and if necessary, be put back in the basket while the next sibling arrives.

A large stack of soft, clean towels should be handy to help clean off puppies if necessary. Large litters may require 2-3 dozen towels. White or light colored towels will show the color of any discharge or placenta. Have a laundry basket handy to throw them in as they are used. Wash as soon after birth as possible with detergent and bleach to minimize staining of the towels. An easy alternative is to use paper towel that can be discarded.

Other supplies to have on hand include the following:

1. Sterile hemostats and blunt-end scissors to cut the umbilical cord, if necessary
2. Alcohol and matches to sterilize the hemostats and scissors (dip the instrument in the alcohol, hold downward, light with a match - do not hold upward, as the alcohol (and fire) will go down your hand)
3. Heavy sewing thread, dental floss, or suture (to tie umbilical cords if necessary)
4. Lubricating (petroleum) jelly
5. Several pairs of sterile surgical gloves
6. Rubber pediatric bulb syringe or other suction devise to clear airways
7. Surgical antiseptic scrub/iodine
8. Tube feeder, syringe, bottle and nipple, and puppy milk replacer (such as Esbilac)
9. Gram or ounce scale depending on average size of newborn puppy for your breed
10. Stethoscope
11. Nail polish to mark puppies for identification (puppies look remarkably similar and the best way to identify them is with marks)
12. Thermometer – rectal to monitor the bitch's temperature
13. Household thermometer to monitor the air temperature in the whelping box
14. High-quality puppy food, cottage cheese, vanilla yogurt, and/or vanilla ice cream for the bitch
15. Fresh water for the bitch
16. Regular number for veterinary clinic and the emergency veterinary clinic number
17. Numbers for family/friends/sitter to watch the children during delivery and, if necessary, to go to vet clinic
18. Whelping books
19. Vetwrap to wrap the tail of a long-haired bitch
20. Flashlight with new batteries
21. Clock or watch to time the birth
22. Camera, film, and extra battery
23. Something for you to do while waiting – cards, magazines, etc.
24. Ink pen (and an extra) and note pad – mark each pup's arrival time, sex, weight, color, and markings (either natural markings or id mark you apply), and if placenta was expelled
25. Make sure the phone cord reaches the whelping box or that the battery for the cordless phone is charged
26. Cot for you to sleep
27. Newspaper – to help line the floor of the whelping box
28. Small Box or basket – to put the puppies in while another puppy is being delivered
29. Hot water bottles – milk jugs, two-liter pop bottles, etc... You can use these to help keep puppies warm when they are in the small box away from mom
30. Puppy Formula/Milk Replacer/Goats Milk – just in case there is a situation where mom cannot feed the pups
31. Snacks for mom – yogurt, cottage cheese, goats milk, vanilla ice cream. It is a good idea to give her some high in calcium snacks AFTER she has had the first puppy. If there is a break in between puppies, sometimes a little calcium will help get labor started again
32. Pen and paper – to record the puppy’s time of birth, weight, etc…
33. Puppy Scale
34. Vet and ER Vet Phone numbers –  You should have this info on hand in case a problem should arise where you need immediate vet assistance and your vet is not available (such as night time).

Size of the dish: A water bowl should hold at least a quart of water. A dog food dish should hold at least 2 cups of dry food.

Your dog may need bigger bowls depending on how much you feed him.

For puppy dishes, buy with your puppy’s adult size in mind. It doesn’t hurt to start with bigger bowls than he needs, but don’t fill his food dish to the rim. A proper diet includes reasonable portions for your puppy’s size.

Stainless steel is safer and more durable than ceramic or plasticThe best dog dish is stainless steel, weighted to be tip-proof, and has a non-skid bottom. Stainless steel is easy to clean, resists chewing, and is unbreakable.

Plastic bowls can develop jagged edges and splinter if your dog chews them. They can cause allergies in some dogs and the pigment used in the plastic may even discolor your dog’s nose over time.

A ceramic dog dish is easily broken and the porous material holds germs, which means you’ll need to clean it more frequently. Also, ceramic bowls made outside of the United States may contain lead and other toxic substances.

Buy separate bowls for food and water. Dishes that serve food and water together can be awkward to clean and you’ll often find kibble floating in the water dish. Separate bowls help keep your dog’s water fresh and make clean-up easier.