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Category: BreedingStages of Whelphing a Litter of PuppiesYour dog being pregnant can be a nerve racking time for owners who have not had the experience before. Just like with human babies the first is the most challenging and if you intend on doing this often – don't worry it gets easier with practice... (Read more...)
ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS IN HOCKS - Revised 2007Osteochondrosis is a term applied to a number of similar disorders of the joints where bone (osteo-) and cartilage (chondro-) are involved. If they are inflamed we use the term osteochondritis. It is now a fairly common diagnosis in young limping dogs, the defects being found in one or more of those joints... (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 1Most breeders keep records (pedigrees) of their animals and their animals’ performance. Information such as litter size, milk production, and slaughter weight are collected when such information is of importance. The more information we have, the more informed and accurate our decisions become. This chapter will show us how to use the information at our disposal to make good decisions. (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 2PART 2 - Most breeders keep records (pedigrees) of their animals and their animals’ performance. Information such as litter size, milk production, and slaughter weight are collected when such information is of importance. The more information we have, the more informed and accurate our decisions become. This chapter will show us how to use the information at our disposal to make good decisions. (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 3Part 3 - Most breeders keep records (pedigrees) of their animals and their animals’ performance. Information such as litter size, milk production, and slaughter weight are collected when such information is of importance. The more information we have, the more informed and accurate our decisions become. This chapter will show us how to use the information at our disposal to make good decisions. (Read more...)
Will the True Working Dog Disappear?As most of you know, I have been involved with the German Shepherd Dog since 1947 as a trainer, breeder, judge, author, and teacher. My love for the breed is unquestionable and I count it an honor to have fought for its welfare and preservation for all these years. In my zeal for one of God's great gifts to man, namely, the companionship and utility of dogs, I may step on some toes once in a while. But it never from spite or greed or self-aggrandizement that I call a spade a spade, and wish to correct error. Lately I have been railing against the deterioration of character in the show dog and the unwillingness of the working-only faction in the sport to make peace and use "gentle persuasion" in bringing the two communities back together. (Read more...)
The Gap WidensIn the German Shepherd Dog world, and echoed elsewhere, we have long heard (and voiced) complaints about the schism that exists between the "show" (Hochzuchtlinie or high-breeding) lines and the "sport" or working-competition (Leistungs) lines. I'll speak to the issue of the non-standard (AKC, Alsatian) styles elsewhere, but first I intend to discuss the continued and even widening gap in the international type. Here, I will allude a little more to the history of the breed. You might consider this "Part Two", with an illustrated companion article (though not actually designated "Part One") having been made available under the title, "Will the True Working Dog Disappear?" (Read more...)
Immune System Problems in the GSD and Other BreedsThe German Shepherd Dog is a very popular breed. In fact, it is Number One worldwide although in the U.S. it ranks much lower partly because of AKC clubs' non-adherence to the international Standards - usually in the AKC top ten, though. As a result of there being so many GSDs, veterinarians and others typically see more cases of most disorders than they do in other breeds. Popularity has its drawbacks, and undeserved notoriety is one of them. (Read more...)
LEGG CALVÉ PERTHES DISEASEA disorder sometimes easily mistaken for hip dysplasia is Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, perhaps more frequently referred to by the dog fancier as "Legg-Perthes". This is an aseptic (not infected), developmental necrosis (dying of tissue) of the femoral head and neck, found almost entirely in toy or other small breeds. On radiographs, it often looks as if the bone is "rotting away", and lameness is the major or only symptom. (Read more...)
Hip Dysplasia, the LMX FormulaMany German Shepherd lovers have seen, known, or loved a dog that suffered great pain, even had to be put down at a young age due to Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). Though we love this huge breed, the question begs to be asked-Is it worth the risk to purchase and fall in love with a dog only to watch is struggle to stand up when it should be in the prime of its life? (Read more...)
Registration does not mean breeding rights and responsibilities.The genealogical table that we call a pedigree or Ahnentafel also contains a summary of the Körschein (Körung report — if it exists) for that dog. Included is the description of the dog, with its advantages and disadvantages, the good and less-than-good characteristics listed. (Read more...)
HD in the German Shepherd Dog — a Statistical StudyHD in the German Shepherd Dog — a Statistical Study. Jan Demeyere study & presentation of Hüftgelenksdysplasie (HD) in German Shepherd Dogs. Translation by Fred Lanting, approved by Jan Demeyere, and Fred’s own notes were then added: (Read more...)
Basic Genetics of Chocolate (Liver) Coloration in the Canine.Most black, brown, and yellow colorations are due to the presence of melanin class pigments. The word melanin is derived from the Greek word for black, and is commonly used to refer to the two or three known chemicals similar to each other, which produce the above color families. (Read more...)
Requirements for Breeding in and outside of Germany.There has been some heated discussion recently (late 2005) about clubs in the UK, USA, and Australasia adhering to the rules of the SV, the perpetual extending of the SV's "deadlines" to conform to world Standards, and allied topics. A Körung classification is required for registrable breeding in Germany, and it has always been encouraged for other members of the WUSV. If I may, I'd like to offer (my translation of) the rules as they pertain to a couple of the key arguments or statements in the current exchanges; I am sure these will clarify the matter in the minds of some of the people who've been in the middle of the discussion: (Read more...)
NASS - 2005 North American Sieger ShowThe largest Sieger Show in North America to date was held outside of Pittsburgh October 14-16, 2005. Known as NASS, for “North American Sieger Show”, it actually is one of four Sieger Shows held in North America, by as many “national” GSD clubs. If one were to give the pedigree (or “father-line”), acknowledging the sponsoring club, one might have called the event “the NASS of the WDA/GSDCA/AKC”, since that is the hierarchal lineage. The other U.S. club is the USCA (also known as USA, for United Schutzhund Clubs of America), older in holding Sieger Shows, but slipping behind WDA in recent years because of management and personality problems. Their pedigree is USA/WUSV/FCI but as a bastard offspring, because they failed to secure full WUSV membership in the beginning, forfeiting that honor to the GSDCA. There are also independent North American Sieger Shows held in Canada (GSSCC) and Mexico, which last I heard was still part of North America. (Read more...)
The Shoulder in the Working DogWhen we speak of a shoulder in a dog, we usually include a lot more than just the scapula (shoulder blade) — although the flat, broad bone is often the center of attention. No part of a dog exists alone, not even those “floating” bones such as... (Read more...)
Options in Treatment for the Dysplastic DogI am frequently approached by people who have bought “the love of their lives” or a show or working-prospect puppy, only to find out it does not have what most responsible fanciers would call “breedable” hips. (Read more...)
The Nature of Genetic DiseaseMany people label any problem that appears to be inherited a "genetic disease." However... (Read more...)
ELIMINATING MUTATION:
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAMThough it is not practical to eliminate all deleterious mutation, the incidence of affected individuals may be significantly reduced through a combination of intelligent breeding practice and the development of DNA tests. (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 5 (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 4 (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 3 (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 2 (Read more...)
Cryptorchidism in the German Shepherd DogThe most common congenital anomaly of the scrotum and testicles is the apparent absence of one or both gonads. I use the word “apparent” because the missing testicle(s) usually are actually present inside the body cavity of the dog. (Read more...)
Birth Defects: Cleft Palate Why and WhenHope that you never have a litter with cleft palates. But if you do, this may explain the cause of at least some cases. (Read more...)
Breeding SchemesBreeders often talk about inbreeding and outcrossing as though they were the only possibilities -- and generally with negative comments about the latter. There are other possibilities, and I have long been a proponent of assortative mating. It is not a theoretical concept that doesn't work in practice; I know several breeders who do it and achieve good results. This essay will attempt to explain why it is a good idea, but first I need to define the aternatives. (Read more...)
Purebred Dog Breeds into the Twenty-First Century: Achieving Genetic Health for Our DogsA correct and full understanding of these simple truisms is vital to the proper functioning of the entire canine fancy and to the health and well being of the animals which are the object of that fancy. (Read more...)
Back Pain in DogsDisorders of the spinal vertebrae and their associated backaches belong therefore to any list of most frequent illnesses in many breeds, particularly the German Shepherd Dog. (Read more...)
Canine Autoimmune Thyroid Disease And Symptoms OfMost of the confusion about the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease in purebred or mixed breed dogs today stems from the expectation that affected animals must show clinical signs of inadequate thyroid hormonal production (i.e. hypothyroidism) in order to have the disease. The term hypothyroidism has been loosely applied to describe all stages of this disease process whereas strictly speaking it should be reserved for the end-stages when the animal's thyroid gland is no longer capable of producing sufficient hormone(s) to sustain clinical health. At this point, the dog can express any number of the non-specific multisystem signs of thyroid dysfunction. But let's start at the beginning. (Read more...)
Autoimmune DiseasesThe term "Autoimmune disease" is currently making the rounds among dog breeders and exhibitors and in the veterinary community. Diseases caused by a defective immune system are of particular concern among many purebred fanciers. (Some people use the abbreviation AID for (A)uto (I)mmune (D)isease. Due to possible confusion with AIDS,(acquired immune deficiency syndrome), a completely different disease, I have not used this acronym.) (Read more...)
Angles Front and RearThe Front variously called the front assembly, forequarters, or shoulder, the whole combination made by the shoulder blade (scapula), upper arm (humerus), breastbone (sternum), and their related soft tissues is at the heart of much poor movement in German Shepherd Dogs the world over. (Read more...)
Anatomy of the German ShepherdFor breed judges, Koermeister and breeders the evaluation of the German Shepherd dog is a daily activity. For all others, it is likely of interest to know how a dog - especially your own - is evaluated. (Read more...)
HERPES MORE THAN A NEONATAL RISK?Until relatively recently, canine herpes seemed to be a problem only in the whelping boxes maintained by rank novices in breeding dogs. (Read more...)
"Swimmers"An infrequent, puzzling phenomenon is the litter in which many, if not all, of the whelps become strangely deformed sometime in the first two weeks of life. (Read more...)
Update on Hip Registries, 2003This article is slightly more than an update on the hip registries operating in the U.S. (and Canada, to a great extent). (Read more...)
First Presa Canario National Specialty Part 2 (Read more...)
First Presa Canario National Specialty Part 1The first national specialty show of the reorganized Presa club in America known as the United Perro de Presa Canario Club was held on the grounds of Purina Farms near St. Louis, MO. (Read more...)
Another Look at DewclawsSome breed magazines a few years ago carried a short article by Doctors Foster and Smith on dewclaws. (Read more...)
Let’s Talk Breeding and TrainingThe title of this article stems from a discussion list or website group in the U.K. with the name “Let’s Talk Breeding”. One of its subscribers said she couldn’t “sit by and listen to foolishness without speaking up.” (Read more...)
Fred Lanting "curriculum vitae"SEMINARS & LECTURE INFORMATION ON FRED LANTING (Read more...)
Update on North American Hip Registries 2002This article is slightly more than an update on the hip registries operating in the U.S. (and Canada, to a great extent). (Read more...)
The Ins and Outs of Pedigree Analysis, Genetic Diversity, and Genetic Disease ControlAs dog breeders, we engage in genetic "experiments" each time we plan a mating. The type of mating selected should coincide with your goals. To some breeders, determining which traits will appear in the offspring of a mating is like rolling the dice - a combination of luck and chance. (Read more...)
The use of Oxytocin during the Whelping of a litter.First, let me say that at this time, I am an infrequent breeder of working GSDs, having had 8 litters in the past 10 years. (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY PART 1Jay Lush, father of modern animal breeding, stated that variation is the raw material with which breeder works. The focus of this article is on the use of variation and measures of variation, in making breeding decisions. (Read more...)
BREED VALUE ASSESSMENT : HD What is it?The right answers to the most prevalent questions. "Where can I take my dog to have his breed value assessed?" , or "Which Breed Value is better, over 100 or under 100?" These are the questions about the Breed Value Assessment HD, that are put to the Head Office time and again. (Read more...)
BREED VALUE and the GSD - The SV Zuchtwert Program Part 3The application is very simple for the breeder. For his bitch, whose HD breed value he knows, the breeder can select from a broad offering of dogs that are qualified to breed — suitable stud dogs that also complement his wishes in reference to form and performance. (Read more...)
BREED VALUE and the GSD - The SV Zuchtwert Program Part 2Wide implementation of the method of Breed Value Assessment has been effective in the commercial animal breeds (food and textile). (Read more...)
BREED VALUE and the GSD - The SV Zuchtwert Program Part 1Many GSD fanciers (yes, unfortunately even breeders) have either not heard of
the Zuchtwert program or have almost no idea of what it is. (Read more...)
SABLES: GENETICS AND MYTHSSome time ago, a GSD breeder-judge in Germany wrote an article that was carried on the Internet, entitled “The Sable Shepherd… A Museum Piece?” (liberal translation). (Read more...)
Hip DysplasiaCanine hip Dysplasia (CHD)---the most common orthopedic problem in dogs---is caused by a loose hipbone-thighbone connection. (Read more...)
Dealing With Wrong Ideas about Hip DysplasiaThe important thing about hip-joint laxity that the people of Schnelles day knew intuitively in the 1930s, the OFA proclaimed via deductive reasoning... (Read more...)
The Genetic Cul-de-sac Dogs as an endangered species Part 2If both copies of the gene are mutated, then each gene can make the right protein about 5 to 10% of the time. Affected Dobermans are thus producing von Willebrand factor. (Read more...)
The Genetic Cul-de-sac Dogs as an endangered species Part 1Why the dog opted to share his fate with men, may never be known, we suspect it had something to do with filling his stomach, but when he did, mankind took on a moral and ethical obligation. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part VIII Surgical Management of Canine Hip Dysplasia-Part IIThis is the eighth and final article in a series on canine hip dysplasia. What follows is written from the perspective that the readers of the series are serious and conscientious breeders who are the guardians of the genetic pools that constitute their breeds. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part VII Surgical Management of Canine Hip DysplasiaSurgery may be recommended for suitable candidates, taking into account expected activity level, longevity and use and value of the dog. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part VITreatment of this disease must be tailored specifically to the needs of your pet, whether using conventional or alternative medicine. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part VAn evaluation method is needed that is not only diagnostic but which can predict the probability of canine hip dysplasia. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part IVThe Role of Orthopedic Registries in Fighting Canine Hip Dysplasia; Registries, although essential in documenting CHD, have not been used to their full potential. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part IIIThe authors assess the pros and cons of standard diagnostic methods for hip dysplasia. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part II - Causative Factors of Canine Hip DysplasiaOwners must separate fact from myth when examining theories on genetic, nutritional and environmental factors that influence CHD. (Read more...)
Canine Hip Dysplasia Part ITo understand this genetically transmitted disease, we must first understand
the workings of the normal canine hip. (Read more...)
So You Are Looking for a Brood Bitch? Part 2Your candidate’s Breed Survey should also be scrutinized to learn more about the potential purchase. When the survey was done and when it expires (in the case of a young bitch)are important details. A young female with her first survey under her belt will have to appear again before a Körmeister to be evaluated one more time before she receives the final survey “for life”. (Read more...)
So You Are Looking for a Brood Bitch? Part 1I once had a dog, an expensive dog, she was. An import, yes siree. Superb specimen she was, with an immaculate family tree, starting with a famous father and a mother who in turn was a daughter of another famous one. How could one go wrong? (Read more...)
THE DOWNSIDE OF INBREEDING:
IT'S TIME FOR A NEW APPROACHInbreeding (which, for the purposes of this article, includes "linebreeding") has been the rule in dog breeding for the better part of two centuries. (Read more...)
THE BREEDER/BUYER RELATIONSHIP: GUARANTEES AND ETHICSThe possibility of crippling HD manifesting in later months of a puppy’s life or past the dog’s middle age has been a bugaboo to breeders for a long time. (Read more...)
The World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs (WUSV) Breed StandardThe German Shepherd Dog is medium sized. With the hair pressed down, the height at the withers is measured by stick along the vertical as it follows the line of the elbow from the withers to the ground. (Read more...)
Breed Value Procedure for HDThe delegates at this year's SV National Meeting in May unanimously decided on the introduction of the "Breed Value Assessment" for the fight against HD. (Read more...)
Diseases of PuppyhoodBreeders’ responses to early puppy deaths vary. Some expend a great deal of effort, while others “let nature take its course” and stoically hope the next breeding will be more successful. (Read more...)
Volhard's Puppy Aptitude TestThis is the Volhard's Puppy Aptitude Test. You can download a printable copy as well. (Read more...)
Constancy and Repeatability in Hip EvaluationsSome questions have been raised about how long the PennHIP reading, and the two-year-old OFA (or one-year old "a" stamp, OVC, or GDC) results are good for. (Read more...)
You be the Judge.PennHIP: Misconceptions and Misinformation, OFA Update: The Issue of Joint Laxity and Stress Radiography. (Read more...)
What is a Breed Survey?For most people involved in the sport of Schutzhund, breeding is a secondary priority to training for and obtaining titles. Those with females may breed one litter a year, while the males may be used mainly for breeding to bitches within the same geographic area. (Read more...)
BREEDING CULTURE PROGRAMS AND PROBLEMATIC INFECTIONS FOR DAMS SIRES AND PUPPIES.The problem first became apparent when a champion bitch, 55 days into whelp, started producing green vaginal discharge. The bitch was rushed to the vet for a caesarian section; two of three puppies survived. (Read more...)
The 1997 WUSV German Shepherd Dog StandardSince the official establishment in Augsburg, within the German Canine Association known as the VDH (German "Kennel Club"), the parent club of the breed, the Club for German Shepherd Dogs (SV), is responsible for the breed Standard of the German Shepherd Dog. (Read more...)
HeritabilityPerhaps no term is more misunderstood by dog fanciers when talking about inherited characteristics and environmental effects than the concept of heritability. (Read more...)
BASIC GENETIC CONCEPTSMost of you are undoubtedly aware that color and certain diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are inherited — that is, passed down from one or both the parents. (Read more...)
Zuchtschauordnung (SV Germany) Conformation Show RulesBreed Show (SV Conformation Show) Rules, Germany 1997 version, translated by Fred Lanting. (Read more...)
Looking at OFA and PennHIP in 2003 and 2004Back in the early days before PennHIP had many years and studies under its belt, the first and third statement may have had a little credence, but never has the second, even though for a time... (Read more...)
Purebred Dog Breeds into the Twenty-First Century: Achieving Genetic Health for Our Dogs Part 3The foregoing prescriptions may sound like a canine revolution. If so, the revolution would consist mainly of integrating many facets of the fancy which now exist in ghetto isolation, or of importing good ideas from other parts of the cynological world. (Read more...)
THYROID CAN ALTER BEHAVIOR
BIZARRE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES?
CHECK YOUR DOG FOR HYPOTHYROIDISMAbnormal behavior in dogs can have a variety of medical causes; it also can reflect underlying problems of a psychological nature. (Read more...)
DDR Sieger & SiegerinDDR Sieger & Siegerin 1949 - 1989. (Read more...)
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