How to Breed & Raise German Shephards

Check over your dogs' health. The potential mom and dad should be checked for dysplasia, usually by an X-ray on the elbows and hips, and should be free from diseases and up to date with vaccinations. You may also want to research your dogs' lineage, and see if they come from compatible and complementary lines. This can be very complicated, depending on what you are aiming for, but as a basic rule both mom and dad should come from the same background, such as from a working line or from a show line.

Find a stud dog if you do not have your own male. If you are going to use a stud dog, contact local breeders and breed clubs, and see if an experienced breeder will guide you towards a suitable stud dog and mentor you through the process. You should see the medical papers of any potential stud dogs, and draw up a contract which covers all circumstances. How does the stud dog owner get paid? Do they have first choice of the puppies, or a cash payment? If there is just one puppy, what happens? Make sure you are covered for every eventuality.

Introduce your dogs while your female is in her fertile period. Your dog's vet will be able to work out when this is, if you are not sure. If the dogs know each other, they may begin to mate right away. Unfamiliar dogs may investigate each other first. If you are using a stud dog, you may need to transport your dog to the stud dog's home for your dog's fertile period.

Keep your dog calm after breeding. Provide her with a safe place to rest, such as a crate if she is used to one, and try to keep her calm and happy.

Schedule an appointment with your vet to confirm the breeding was a success. Your vet will check your dog's general health as well as perform an ultrasound to see if she is pregnant. If she is, you may be able to schedule a scan at a later date to count the puppies, or your vet may give you an estimate.

Look after your dog as normal, but avoid strenuous exercise or boisterous activities, such as climbing. Dogs carry puppies for around 63 days, so around the last days you may notice your dog slowing down a little and eating more.

Provide a whelping box. This should be a large cardboard box, big enough for mom to lie down in and move around easily with puppies, covered in towels. Place the box somewhere safe and warm. Allow the dog to sniff it and move things around at will. Remember that everything in the box is likely to get ruined by fluids during the birth, so do not use anything valuable.

Prepare a birth kit, to be kept by the whelping box. You should have sharp scissors in case you need to cut the cord, a telephone with the vet's number, a water bowl and water for your dog, and plenty of soft towels.

Allow your dog to lead the birth. She may become very restless, and look quite sorry for herself. Some dogs begin scratching, while others think they need the bathroom. If your dog goes outside, monitor her carefully, as she may give birth. Sit with your dog during the birth, comforting her if she needs it.

Wait until your dog has burst the placental sac from each puppy, and severed the umbilical cord. Clean the puppy very gently with a towel, and place it back with its mother. It is vital you do not touch the puppy too much, or keep it for too long, as this increases the chances of rejection.

Monitor your dog and puppies. When mom has stopped whelping and bonded with the puppies, she may go to find food and water. See how comfortable she is with you around her and her puppies. If she seems defensive, back off. Check that the puppies are feeding every two to three hours, and that all puppies are feeding.

Find somewhere secure for the puppies to play and explore when they reach four weeks. You'll notice them begin learning to walk, and they'll soon want to play. Check that wherever you put them is completely safe and secure.

Introduce the puppies to soft puppy food at about five weeks. This should be offered alongside milk from mom, as the puppies need to learn to eat, and will need more nutrients then mom can provide. Ensure you feed the puppies on a washable floor or mat, as they will be messy eaters.

Schedule the puppies' first injections for six weeks. Most vets will check over each puppy at this stage, too. After their shots, they can explore outside for the first time, if it safe for them to do so. You will also be able to identify their individual personalities from this stage.

Begin mixing the puppies soft food with dry food from six weeks. Alter the mix so that by eight weeks the puppies are eating dry food entirely. Continue to monitor the dogs to check they are all getting enough food and eating well.

Interview potential owners for the puppies around six weeks, ensuring that the puppies will be going to suitable homes.