Historical of Keystone German Shepherds

Historical of Keystone German Shepherds

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Hi Everyone,

Today I’m posting an article about Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels in the Mannford Reporter written by by C.L. Harmon
Publisher:

Dean & Patty Heckathorn show off some puppies at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.

Dean & Patty Heckathorn and their former champion Kodi.

Dean & Patty Heckathorn show off some puppies at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.

Their names are Dean and Patty Heckathorn and they are a nice little secret tucked away in the country just off Hwy 48 South.Their secret is their success in breeding over 25 champion or grand champion Heidelberg Shepherds in the past several years.
Dean, a former biologist for the US Department of Fish & Wildlife for 18 years, raises, trains and cares for animals full time. Patty still works for the Wildlife Department as a secretary, but also works in the business as well as attending shows with Dean.

In 1996 while living in Daphne, Alabama, Dean started poking around the internet about a place where he could purchase a shepherd. His parents had had them and so he grew up with a fondness for them. After an exhausted search, he found a place with Heidelberg Shepherds in Springs, Texas. The next day, after a ten hour drive, the couple purchased a male and female shepherd.
Although, the couple initially only wanted a shepherd as a pet, they fell in love with the Heidelberg “brand” and decided to do a couple of breedings. They kept a few from the litters and then bought a few more dogs from the breeder in Texas and their kennel was born. In 1999,

Dean got transferred to Oklahoma. At this time the couple had 12 dogs and opened up shop here. Eleven years and several dog days later later, due to federal cutbacks, Dean was to be transferred again in 2010 to Albuquerque, NM. Only now they had several more dogs and uprooting wasn’t simply not feasible. What had been a hobby suddenly became a full-time business venture for the couple.

“I had always wanted my dogs to be available to everyone and so our prices had been $5-600 cheaper than our nearest competitor,” Dean said. However, he was forced to raise his prices in order to make the kennel a viable business that would make a living. They are still cheaper than their competitors, Dean said. Puppies sell now between $1,200-1,500.

One of the concepts the couple use in training is their choice to train family dogs as opposed to many types of shepherds which are trained for law enforcement purposes. They are trained home security, but are smart enough to know the difference between a kid climbing the fence to retrieve a football and the burglar breaking into a home, Dean said.

This breed is sweet natured and are very loyal have a natural herding instinct, Dean explained. “We raise family dogs that are loving family members and protective of the family,” Dean said. In their 18 years of raising, they have bred approximately 700 puppies.
The couple also offers several other services including: boarding, training, pet supplies, microchipping and even a free obedience class on Saturday mornings for all breeds to help teach them basic obedience and social skills.

For more information about Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels, call 918-261-4729, email [email protected] or visit keystonegermanshepherds.com

Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm.   We have several wonderful German shepherd puppies for sale that that are ready to go home.

Please call me at (918) 261-4729 if you would like to take one of puppies home with you.  Please visit our web page to learn more about these wonderful Heidelberg German Shepherds that we raise at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels. https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/

Sincerely,

Dean Heckathorn

German Shepherd Seasons

German Shepherd Seasons

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Hi Everyone,

I have learned that no matter how long you do something, you can always learn something new.  Albeit, sometimes, I just relearn those things I have forgotten.  Today, I’m going to write about German Shepherd dogs season or cycles.  For most German shepherd dogs, the female will have her first season or breeding cycle at or near 12-months of age.  Then the average German shepherd bitch will cycle every six months.

The length of the cycle is approximately 21 days, and begins with a light bright red discharge from their vagina.  This discharge can become heavy after a few days, especially during their first season at 12-months.  Subsequent seasons for some bitches can become cryptic unless you are a male German shepherd dog, you may never know your girls is in season.  While the season last approximately 21 days, the female will only ovulate and be receptive from one to five days during this cycle.  This should take place on the 10th day.

What I have learned is not all our female German shepherd dogs have read the text books.  We were having trouble getting some of our girls pregnant and even getting ties*.  We would start trying to breed the pair on the ninth day for a week (in case we missed the first couple of days that the cycle started), resulting in few ties and even fewer pregnancies.

I should mention that we do not place our breeding pairs in kennel and let nature take its course.  We actually assist the male during breedings.  Too much risk exist with the male becoming injured even breaking their penis bone if they are left on their own.  In addition, the male will breed every few hours after he has recuperated often resulting in infertile sperm and increase chance of uterine or vaginal infections.  Another reason we do controlled breedings is that we provide stud services here at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels, and if we did not actually assist the male, we would not be able to get breedings on a lot of the outside females that are brought in for stud service.

Two Heidelberg's tied together in a controlled breeding

Two Heidelberg’s tied together in a controlled breeding

Recently, I did something different by bringing Heidelberg’s Emmy inside as soon as her cycle began and kept her inside for entire season.  We had planned to breed her to our Grand Champion Kodi and he lives inside with us full time.  Nine days passed and Kodi could care less that Emmy was inside.  we tried to breed them for a week and we were on her 16 day of her cycle, when I made the comment that she must be having an infertile season.  We were enjoying having Emmy inside so we allowed her to remain in the house, and on 21st day of her cycle Kodi came home and was immediately all over Emmy.  We subsequently bred them over the next five days.  Emmy is now pregnant and due on June 30, 2015.  If Emmy were outside in her kennel, we would have never known that she began ovulating 11 days later when all the text books stated that she should’ve been ready to breed much earlier.

Emmy and Kodi playing at a dog show in Sullivan, Mo

A young Emmy and Kodi playing at a dog show in Sullivan, Mo

Emmy on the right with her friend Sasha

Emmy on the right with her friend Sasha

Grand Champion Heidelberg's Kodiak v Queridad, Certified Service Dog, OFA 24G Excellent, DNA  #V495166

Grand Champion Heidelberg’s Kodiak v Queridad, Certified Service Dog, OFA 24G Excellent, DNA #V495166

Obviously, I have made proper adjustments to how we judge the time our girls are ready to breed and look forwards to less frustrations and more pregnancies.  This information, should be helpful to other breeders of all breeds of dogs as well as owners that have intact female dogs.  For one, owners that are not wanting to breed their dogs and separate them during seasons had better keep them separated for the full 21 days.  Because unless you are having progesterone test performed by your veterinarian, your female may ovulate at any point during her 21 day cycle and an unwanted tie and subsequent pregnancy may occur.

Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm.   We have several wonderful German shepherd puppies for sale that that are ready to go home.

June 3, 2015 and it's starting to get warm after a very cool Spring
June 4, 2015 and it’s starting to get warm after a very cool Spring
When can we go to our new homes?
When can we go to our new homes?

Please call me at (918) 261-4729 if you would like to take one of puppies home with you.  Please visit our web page to learn more about these wonderful Heidelberg German Shepherds that we raise at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels. https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/

Sincerely,

Dean Heckathorn

(*Ties are where the dog’s penis swells to fill a ball shape cavity just past the entrance of the vagina.  Once this happens the dogs become locked together and are physically unable to separate until the swelling subsides).  

 

German Shepherd Seasons

Puppies For Sale

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Hi Everyone,

I’ve got some special female puppies out of Grand Champion, Champion, Certified Service Dog, Heidelberg’s  Kodiak v Queridad OFAA24G  Excellent, DNA #V495166 (Kodi) and Heidelberg’s Candee Fontana (Shae).  This is Shae’s last litter.

Kodi in Tulsa

Kodi in Tulsa

Traveling with Your German Shepherd Dog

Grand Champion, Champion Heidelberg’s Kodiak v Qeridad Ready for Another Road Trip

German Shepherds Will Protect Your Property From Strange Dogs and People

Shae

These special puppies, I’m only offering them to my faithful blog readers.  Actually I really do not want to sell them, but we must keep our breeding females below 9 or we’ll have to to submit to having the Oklahoma Department of AG out here telling me how to raise shepherds.  Personally, I don’t care to have anymore government intrusion in my life than that which is absolutely necessary.  Anyway, back to the puppies.

There were three puppies in this litter, 1 male and 2 females.  Smaller litters are common with older females.  Shae waited until her last litter to produce her best puppies.  I absolutely fell in love with all three of the puppies.  They are intelligent, confident, slightly independent, and alpha.  I’ve had them outside in the kennel with puppies that are two-weeks older, but there is no doubt who are top puppies.  While being dominant, they are not mean or vicious rather they are sweet even in their play.  They are natural pack leaders.  Sorry, the boy isn’t for sale unless someone offers me crazy money for him.  The two girls are priced at $1,500.00.

Heidelberg's Valerie Candee

Heidelberg’s Valerie Candeef

Heidleberg's Vega Candeef

Heidelberg’s Vega Candeef

 

Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm.   We have several wonderful German shepherd puppies for sale that that are ready to go home.

Please call me at (918) 261-4729 if you would like to take one of puppies home with you.  Please visit our web page to learn more about these wonderful Heidelberg German Shepherds that we raise at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.  https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/

Sincerely,

Dean Heckathorn

 

German Shepherd Seasons

Pups For Sale

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

We have several German Shepherd Puppies for sale.  The first that I would like to write about are two girl puppies out of Heidelberg’s Patriot v Atlantan whose almost a new champion and Heidelberg’s Winter Xandrac.  Winter is the classical female German Shepherd type.  She is not overly large, but when you look at her you know that she’s female and she is very beautiful.  Patriot is our largest male and could easily be 110 pounds lean weight at maturity.  Winter had three of the largest female puppies that I have ever seen at birth.  I’ve been doing this for over twenty years and have seen a lot of German shepherd puppies born.  Therefore, when I say the largest that really means something well beyond just big pups.  These three puppies have continued to remain unusually large.

Heidelberg's Patriot v Atlantan

Heidelberg’s Patriot v Atlantan

Heidelberg's Winter Xandrac

Heidelberg’s  Xandrac Carenf

However, the beast thing I like about these puppies is that they demonstrate flawless temperament with ornery personalities.   The one that we have sold, I was told is already barking at 10 weeks-of -age at strange cars and people coming to the door, which is what this elderly gentleman wanted was to be alerted to strangers coming on his property.

Xena and Xandra Winterx big puppies ready to go to a new home

Xena and Xandra Winterx big puppies ready to go to a new home

She also is protecting their property, he said that he saw her get into it with a giant crawdad that was crossing the yard.  (We have had an unusually wet Spring and everything is saturated) After being pinched on the nose several times, she figured out that she could pull a rear guard maneuver on this crawdad and safely dispatch this evil enemy that had invaded her owner’s yard.

We have her sister’s here available at https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/.  Priced at $1,500.00 for someone looking for beautiful, large female puppies that will also be protective.  These are breeding and show quality females, even though I have them priced as companions.

Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm.   We have several wonderful German shepherd puppies for sale that that are ready to go home.

Please call me at (918) 261-4729 if you would like to take one of puppies home with you.  Please visit our web page to learn more about these wonderful Heidelberg German Shepherds that we raise at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.  https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/

Sincerely,

Dean Heckathorn

 

 

 

German Shepherd Seasons

Fabulous German Shepherd Puppies Ready to Go Home

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

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Hi everyone,

We have several nice puppies available now.  I’ll write about them below, but first I’ll catch you up on what we’ve been doing lately.  I’m committed again to posting most everyday that I’m home and not at dog shows.  We had a very busy show schedule this going to Claremore, Grove, Stillwater in OK, Cortez, Colorado, Albuquerque, NM, and Garden City, KS.  We are preparing to go to Billings and Great Falls, MT.  We have managed to pick up several wins and including some major wins.  However, we should have done better, and were quite unlucky do to weather cancellations and last minute judge changes.  We have eight German Shepherds Dogs on their way to Champion titles.  Easily two to three year project to finish all.  However, Heidelberg’s Patriot, Jude, Ekko , and Daphne are close to completing their championship title.

Heidelberg's Jude v Renac

Heidelberg’s Jude v Renac

This Picture Taken In February of 2012 Shows Daphne's Perfect Gait

This Picture Taken In February of 2012 Shows Daphne’s Perfect Gait

A Two-Year-Old Patriot playing in Pine Bluff, AR at Dog Show in February 2013

A Two-Year-Old Patriot playing in Pine Bluff, AR at Dog Show in February 2013

Heidelberg's Ekko Quinnd with her owner, Riley Westfall

Heidelberg’s Ekko Quinnd with her owner, Riley Westfall

We have puppies available out of Jude and Grand Champion Kodi, please check out https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm.

Grand Champion Heidelberg's Kodiak v Queridad

Grand Champion Heidelberg’s Kodiak v Queridad OFA Excellent

Heidelberg's Jude v Renac

Heidelberg’s Jude v Renac

Below are some pictures of the puppies that we have available:

Victor and Vega on a Great Adventure

Victor and Vega on a Great Adventure

Wren a Kodi Who Loves to Be Held

Wren a Kodi PuppyWho Loves to Be Held

Aspen Letting Everyone Know that He's Special and in Control

Aspen Letting Everyone Know that He’s Special and in Control

Jude Puppies Playing, From Right to Left Aspen, Allen, and Annie

Jude Puppies Playing, From Right to Left Aspen, Allen, and Annie

Yancy and Yosemite Playing

Yancy and Yosemite Playing

Please call me at (918) 261-4729 if you would like to take one of puppies home with you.  Please visit our web page to learn more about these wonderful Heidelberg German Shepherds that we raise at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.  https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com

Sincerely,

Dean Heckathorn

 

 

 

 

German Shepherd Seasons

Basic Care Tips for Your German Shepherd Dog

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

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Hi Everyone,

There are some basic care for your German Shepherd Dog that every owner should be aware of and that is what I am going to discuss today.  While German shepherd Dogs are relative low maintenance compared to other breeds you will need to trim their nails at least once a month and while doing so you can check the dog’s body for other problems.  After doing the nails comb the coat thoroughly with a straight steel pin brush to remove dead hair.  Check the skin for abrasions, ticks, or other problems.  We sell top quality steel rakes and grooming brushes at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.  Often our prices are better than the big chain pet stores and we can ship.

A Happy Well Maintained and Healthy Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog

A Happy Well Maintained and Healthy Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog

If your dog is not eating well (it might be wormy) or if it appears to in ill health or not feeling well, take their temperature rectally for two minutes.  The normal temperature for a dog will be 101.5 – 102°.  If it is high or low you should consider contacting your veterinarian.

A Happy Heidelberg Puppy Litter Resting After Having Their Monthly Health Check

A Happy Heidelberg Puppy Litter Resting After Having Their Monthly Health Check

Heartworm preventive is a must for your puppy/dog or they can die of heartworms caused by mosquitoes. We use IVOMEC beginning at twelve weeks for puppies and of course continue their monthly dose for the rest of their life. Therefore it is a good idea to give them their heart worm preventative while clipping their nails and grooming every month.

It is a good idea to check for ear mites and ear infections every month.  If you see signs of ear mites then treat your German shepherd Dog immediately.  Although since we have started using Advantix and Frontline to treat our shepherds for pests such as fleas and ticks we have not seen a case of ear mites.  Whereas, ear mite infections used to be quite common.  Also, note if your shepherd seems to be holding one ear lower than the other, shaking its head, or pawing at its ear and you have ruled out ear mites as the cause, you may want to make an appointment with your vet immediately because ear infections in German shepherd Dogs are serious and can become life threatening. 

It's Time For My First Heartworm Treatment

It’s Time For My First Heartworm Treatment

The most common symptoms of ear mites: ears appear inflamed/red, ears refusing to stand, scratching on or behind the ear, shaking of head or holding head to one side, and/or visible dark dirt or wax in inner ear (actually ear mite poop).

Fleas and ticks: Nothing causes your dog more misery and disease than fleas and ticks!  The life cycle of the flea is as short as six days in an ideal growing condition.  In other words, a flea goes from egg through larval and mature state in only six days.  To put this in the proper perspective, only ten fleas can become TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY TOUSAND fleas in only thirty days!

While fleas carry less diseases than ticks, they do carry tape worm eggs that can cause your dog’s health to suffer.  Ticks carry several diseases that German Shepherd Dogs are susceptible to, and if not removed from your dog’s environment most assuredly will cause the death of your beloved shepherd.  We at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels used to struggle and spend small fortunes fighting ticks and fleas until they came out with Advantix several years ago.  Now we have no fleas or ticks on our dogs.

We treat monthly with Advantix and switch out the next month with Frontline and have successfully eliminated fleas and ticks from our property.  Even our wild rabbits and squirrels are tick free because they use the treated – shed fur from our dogs as nesting material.  

I Am Tick and Flea Free

I Am Tick and Flea Free

Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm.   We have several wonderful puppies that that are ready to go home.

Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion.   Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds

Sincerely,

KeystoneGermanShepherds