Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Today I am posting our wonderful new litter that will be ready to go home July 13, 2013.This is both young parents first litter; however, they have produced solid temperaments and big healthy puppies. These are the happiest puppies that I have produced in a long time. Everything is a game and the entire litter is laughing and smiling every time we are with them. The dam Heidelberg’s Carlie is from Champion Oliver and the Sire Heidelberg’s Texoma is from Grand Champion Heidelberg’s Kodi.Crossing Grand Champion Kodi with Champion Oliver lines has proved to be a solid breeding.We are currently accepting deposits on this litter.
Heidelberg’s William v Carliee Male Tattoo# HH1760 $1,526.00 Available
Heidelberg’s Wally v Carliee Male Tattoo# HH1762 $1,526.00 Available
Heidelberg’s Whitman v Carliee Male Tattoo# HH1763 $1,526.00 Deposit
Heidelberg’s Walker v Carliee Male Tattoo# HH1764 $1,576.00 Available
Heidelberg’s Waldo v Carliee Male Tattoo# HH1765 $1,876.00 Future Champion Available
Heidelberg’s Walter v Carliee Male Tattoo# HH1766 $1,526.00 Available
Heidelberg’s Whisper Carliee Female Tattoo# HH1767 $1,676.00 Available
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
We have some wonderful new puppies from Champion Heidelberg’s Bogie v Charisman and Champion Heidelberg’s Kelsey Queridad.On June 27, 2013, Kelsey had one male and one female puppy.Also, Grand Champion, Champion (GCh. Ch.) Kodiak v Queridad (Kodi) and Heidelberg’s Patience Ular (Emmy) had a new litter on June 30, 2013 Emmy had 5 male and 3 girl puppies. We are very excited about these two litters and know what to expect from these breeding since they are repeat breedings from last year.
Kelsey and Bogie produce large strong and confident puppies that do not come any more handsome.Likewise Kodi and Emmy puppies are solid medium temperament puppies that are confident, but not too dominant.Emmy is the only female that we can place in a kennel with all our other females and she will not get into a fight or have her position challenged.Emmy is a true joy to live with in the house because she never gets into things such as the trash.She knows her boundaries and follows them.
While we never showed Emmy, she easily could have been a Champion.Unfortunately, we cannot afford nor do we have the time to show all our females to an AKC title.
We will likely have a couple of champion prospects from these two litters. We will update the progress of these litters on this blog as well as our web page: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm
Emmy’s 2013 New Litter
Emmy’s New Puppies Keeping Warm
In addition, we have another litter from GCh. Ch. Kodi and Heidelberg’s Yasmin Paige due on July 7, 2013. Yasmin is a great producer and this is a repeat breeding from last year that produced some exceptional puppies.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Today’s discussion is anything but glamorous.However, it is an important discussion for the health of your German Shepherd Dog and possibly your family.German Shepherd Dogs are unusually clean and try to get as far away from their feces as possible, and often will choose one specific area in the yard to defecate.Our Heidelberg German shepherd Dogs will actually try to bury their feces after defecating. They do this by scratching soil and grass over their poop after they defecate. As the owner of a German Shepherd Dog, it is your responsibility to clean up after them.If you live in a subdivision consider your neighbors olfactory sensitivity especially in the summer. Be a good neighbor and pick up your dog’s poop daily.
German shepherd Dog Covering Up After Pooping
All dogs will get stomach worms and worms such as hook, tape, and round contaminate the environment with their eggs when your German Shepherd Dog defecates.Worms such as hook and round worms can infest your yard with their eggs for months and in some cases for years if you allow the feces to break down and spread into your soil. The infected backyard can become a low risk health hazard to small children that could become infected if they contact the infected soil and then stick their hands in their mouth.For hookworms a person can become infected by simply contacting the infected soil with bare skin.Fortunately, the hookworms cannot survive in the human body and soon die upon entering the skin, and thus become a slightly annoying rash for a few days. This rash is known as “plumbers itch”. In addition, if you allow your yard to become infested with worm eggs, your dog will continue to be re-infected costing you unnecessary money to treat your German Shepherd Dog for worms.
Grand Champion Heidelberg’s Kodiak v Queridad Enjoying a Clean Yard
Feces left in your yard will also attract and breed biting flies and the common houseflies.If flies drive you nuts in the summer then do yourself a favor and keep your yard clean and the number of flies around and in your house will decrease.
All the above can be avoided by simply picking up the poop every day.Most German Shepherd Dogs will defecate two to four times a day.It should take you no more than five minutes to keep your German Shepherd Dog healthy, happy and worm free, as well as keep your yard clean.
German Shepherd Dog Pooping
Purchase a Pooper Scooper at your local pet store.The average cost will be approximately twenty dollars, but is well worth it because it allows you to clean up fast and efficiently.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Choosing the perfect puppy with the personality that best fits your family’s lifestyle and needs can be quite easy once you have decided on the correct reputable breeder.First, you must ask yourself what you want.Are you a jogger that needs a running partner and added security while running public trails?Are you a homebody and not that active?Are you an entertainer and have several people over to your house on a regular basis?Do you live in a bad neighborhood and worry about being burglarized every time you leave your house?Do you live on acreage and have farm animals such as chickens?These are just some of the questions that you may want to answer before to choosing a specific puppy from a particular litter.While if the breeder has done his job well all the puppies in the litter should have the same general temperament, the puppies are individuals and will have different personalities and propensities for certain behaviors.
Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
The following analysis is based upon my interpretation of the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (Volhard).While I do not accept the theory that there are distinct puppy personality types, I do believe that there is a continuum of personality traits and those puppies can be graded on this scale with some degree of accuracy for discussion purposes.It also must be noted that different litters develop at different rates and that a puppy at eight weeks that grades as a submissive puppy may actually be a very dominate puppy if reexamined at ten weeks.We have used the Volhard for many years and believe it an useful tool for predicting personality tendencies. However, Volhard is not completely accurate in predicting the adult temperament of a German shepherd Dog because environment including training, socializing, life experiences, and time spent with the new owner is more critical for the final expressed personality of the German Shepherd Dog. The below discussion delves into personality types that the new puppy customer should observe and consider while selecting a puppy from a litter.
Cute German Shepherd Puppy Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
The more dominant puppy will appear to be the more rebellious puppy with a lot demonstrated independence.This puppy will not like being held for any period of time and the most dominant puppies will actually try to bite at the person holding them.Dominant puppies will resist the new owners attempt to be the pack leader.This is not the German Shepherd Dog for the new or inexperienced owner.These dogs will make excellent herding dogs and home protection dogs if properly trained.A more dominant puppy would be good for a family placing home protection as a priority or for a rancher wanting help with herding farm animals. However, if improperly trained these can be the dogs that chase cows rather than herd them.Also, for the jogger that is an experienced German Shepherd Dog owner, the more dominant puppy would be good choice.
The independent puppy will not grade as a high in dominance as the dominant German shepherd Dog.However, the independent puppy is dominant, but will be a little more accepting of an inexperienced owner and not look to take the leadership role every time the owner exhibits submissive behaviors.The independent puppy has high confidence and will readily try and explore new things.These self-assured puppies are naturally protective and are not generally too aggressive, but in improper hands may demonstrate dog and/or people aggression.
Cute German Shepherd Puppy Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
The docile German Shepherd Puppy is a good choice for most families and while the moniker of docile sounds derogatory it actually describes a solid, confident puppy that is willing to learn.The docile puppy will be protective, but accepting of strange animals and people. This personality type would be great for families with young children that have very active social lives.
How do I choose
The docile/affectionate German Shepherd Dog puppy will be much as the docile puppy, but requires more affection and reassurance from their owners.These also make excellent puppies for large active families with children.These puppies will often become involved in play or an activity, stopping suddenly to return or look towards the owner as if to ask permission to continue.These dogs would rate as low to medium submissive.
The last puppy personality type is the timorous or true submissive dog that lacks confidence or has very low self-assurance.These puppies are most suited for inactive elderly people that will spend several hours a day with their puppy.With the correct owner these puppies can develop self-confidence and become great companions.They should not be considered if home protection is a priority. These will be the puppies that will run or hide from new people after age of ten-weeks-of-age.
Our Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs’ personalities generally will range from low dominate to docile/affectionate, which is the personality types that most families are realistically looking for in a German Shepherd Dog. Unless you are a professional trainer that trains military or police attack dogs, you would not want a high dominant dog. The high dominant dog is rare and can become a complete disaster for the dog and new owner if in the wrong hands.
Before scrutinizing the litter you will be choosing your new German shepherd puppy from, you should have fair idea of the personality type that best fits you and your family. Start by getting the entire litter out and observe the litter as the puppies are playing around you. After observing and making mental notes for several minutes play with the puppies and pick them up while trying to recognize specific behaviors such as timidness and confidence. Also, note any aggressive behavior towards the other puppies. Notice any puppies that tend to wander off to explore on their own. These puppies are likely more independent and self-confident and may be a little more of a challenge to train. Ask the breeder his opinion of each of puppy’s personalities.Utilize his opinions because the breeder knows these puppies better than anyone.Also, if the breeder has employees that clean the kennels and feed the puppies and if they are present, ask them for their opinion.
Once you have narrowed your choice down to two or three puppies based on personality types, ask the breeder to put up all the puppies except your two or three choices.Only now start making your decisions on physical attributes such as structure, size, coat length, coat color, markings, etc., respectively.I recommend that you make your decision in the above order giving priority to structure over size, etc.Structure is the most important to form and function and the overall beauty of your German Shepherd Dog.
Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
Good luck and I hope that this has been helpful in choosing your next German Shepherd Dog puppy.
Because this is probably one of the most important discussions I can have regarding German Shepherd Dogs, I will be editing these three posts and adding to them over the next couple of weeks with the plan to add this discussion as a new page on my web page so please revisit these posts as they are refined and improved.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Choosing the correct German Shepherd Breeder is not an easy task with so many disreputable, incompetent, and misguided breeders. Since the presence of new German Shepherd Dog puppy is a twelve year investment and commitment, choosing the best place to purchase your next German Shepherd Dog puppy for you and your family involves careful consideration including life style and economics.Today, my discussion will focus on tell-tale signs of breeders to avoid.
First and most importantly, do not purchase your next German Shepherd Dogs puppy from a puppy mill.Dogs used for breeding in puppy mills have miserable lives and in many cases never live outside a crate, cage, or adequate kennel. Besides the obvious problems with the likely poor quality of puppies from puppy mills, the cruelty to the breeding animals is reason enough for a caring person to avoid puppy mills. In addition, avoid purchasing puppies from pet stores. Pet stores in general purchase all their puppies from puppy mills.While these types of puppy mills are somewhat better because they are overseen by the United States Department Of Agriculture and certain minimum living conditions are met; nevertheless, the breeding animals often have miserable lives with little to no love or socialization. Whereas, puppy mills that hide from the authorities and sell their puppies through the local newspaper, internet, parking lots, or even alongside the road are the worse culprits and largely are cruel places with harsh and often mentally ill owners. Do not support this cruelty.
Our Heidelberg German Shepherds Playing
How to recognize a puppy mill: First and most glaring indication of puppy mills is that puppy mills will breed several different types or breeds of dogs from Chihuahuas to German Shepherd Dogs.In addition, puppy mills will not readily let you see the parents or if they do so they will bring them to you so that you cannot see their living conditions.Often, they will place you in a room or fenced yard away from all their kennel operations and bring you the puppy one at a time or they may bring the entire litter out for you to choose from.The point being they will hide their dog raising activities from you. If they will not provide you with a tour of their entire facility, you probably should leave as quickly as possible.
Another blatant indication of a bad breeder and/or puppy mills are dog registrations with a parent club other than The American Kennel Club (AKC).AKC inspects all their breeders, and if standards are not met then that breeder’s registration rights are suspended.Puppy mills usually cannot stand the scrutiny of an AKC inspection. However, some Puppy mills do pass AKC inspections by moving sick animals off property and cleaning up their facility before the inspection. I wished that AKC would perform surprise inspections, but unfortunately at this time they schedule all inspections. For those breeders that are banned from AKC, they will often register their dogs with a club that is not familiar to most of us.We at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels have been told, over the years, by three different AKC inspectors that we have the cleanest kennels and best cared for dogs that they have ever seen.
Keystone Kennels in Winter
We at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels have devoted our lives to breeding and promoting the German Shepherd Dog.It has taken years to learn how to correctly breed our shepherds to produce the best possible puppy possible for our customers.Our breeding focuses on temperament, health, and appearances.For a powerful dog such as a German Shepherd Dog, temperament is absolutely the most important attribute.Perfect German Shepherd Dog temperament does not happen in a vacuum.By definition, backyard breeders randomly purchase German Shepherd Dogs from different breeders and then breed two different lines and types of German Shepherd Dogs. These breedings that put two random dogs together, mostly produce poor quality shepherds. Because the backyard breeder lacks basic breeding principles and knowledge, they have have no way of predicting the end product. These German shepherd Dogs are usually sold exclusively through advertisement in the local newspaper and almost always are the lower end of the price scale with puppies priced as low as $100.00 to $500.00. Avoid purchasing puppies from backyard breeders, that is if you can afford to go to a reputable breeder to ensure the highest possibility to acquire a healthy and good looking German Shepherd Dog puppy with the correct shepherd temperament.Although, on rare exception, you may find a good quality shepherd from a backyard breeder. However, more than likely, unless you are an expert in judging German Shepherd Dog puppies, you will end up with a puppy with serious temperament or health problems including an extremely structurally incorrect German Shepherd Dog that is just plain ugly.
To purchase a top-of-the-line German Shepherd Dog from a reputable breeder, you will likely have to spend approximately $1,500.00 or for a world class dog that turns heads, you may need to spend significantly more.
For years, we at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels have tried to keep our prices down around or below $1,500.00, but with the rise in cost of almost everything related to the operation of our kennel, we had to go up in our prices to where our average shepherd puppy is sold for $1,500.00.As the consumer of new German Shepherd Dog puppy, you should be aware of how expensive it is for a reputable breeder to consistently produce top quality German Shepherd Dog puppies. Doing things the right way and not cutting corners always cost more in time and money.
There are many bad breeders that are posing as reputable breeders and some clues to those that are legitimate and those that are not are provided below. The first thing you should ask is how long have they been breeding German Shepherd Dogs.While we all had to start at some point, longevity is a partial indication of legitimacy.More importantly, are they doing anything with their breeding dogs, such as AKC Championships, Herding Titles, Obedience Titles, proven Service Dogs, etc.If a breeder is not doing anything with the dogs he is breeding, this is an extremely strong indication that this is not a breeder that you would want to get your puppy from because they are likely only interested in selling puppies with little consideration for the dogs they breed. Not placing titles on the German Shepherd Dogs that you breed, in my opinion, is an inexcusable cutting of corner and indicates a lack professionalism. As the consumer, the only indication that these puppies are worthy of you and your family is the word of the breeder that has done nothing to prove their German Shepherd Dog lines.
A young Ch. Stefanie Being Shown
In addition, do they have a web page, and does it give the impression of professionalism.Do they readily state their guarantees and breeding philosophies? Be aware that breeding philosophies and guarantees are often rote and copied from reputable breeders by incompetent breeders. Also, If they are breeding and selling other breeds of dogs or other animals such as horses, this is indicative of a breeder that lacks dedication and focus on the German Shepherd Dog. Are they nut cases asking you to fill out applications and sign ridiculous restrictive contracts that threaten you with legal actions and fines? These are all indications of breeders that you may want to avoid. The only exception to signing a contract is possibly a non egregious show contract that clearly lays out the responsibility of the new owner and the breeder.
Legitimate breeders health screen and will be forthright about any health problem that they have observed in the dogs they breed.As the buyer, you need to be realistic and realize that all breeders of German Shepherd Dogs, overtime, have had certain health issues.If the breeder has been breeding for a number of years and has produced several hundred puppies over many years it is very likely they have most assuredly seen certain health concerns. This is just biology and the realities of the world that we live. What is important to you as the consumer is the rate of occurrence of these health concerns and the breeder’s willingness to discuss these issues with you.As a potential puppy buyer, you should realize that health concern discussions are going to be a touchy conversational subject for even the best and most reputable breeders. To be fair, save this discussion for an actual visit to their kennel so the breeder will know that you are a legitimate puppy buyer and not someone looking for information to disparage them or their dogs. Phone or email questions about Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) elbow and hip certification should be fine and readily addressed by the breeder.
Ask these questions when considering a breeder: Is the breeder knowledgeable about training, feeding correctly, and routine maintenance such as pest control, worming, and heart worm prevention? Do they take the time to share their knowledge with you?Do they explain how to correctly feed your new puppy so that the puppy grows correctly and fulfills its genetic potential?Do they convey a basic knowledge about proper nutrition for German Shepherd Dog puppies and adults or do just suggest a certain brand of dry-food without a detailed explanation for their recommendation?Are they available for questions and support after you have purchased your German Shepherd Dog puppy? Do they offer training? We at Keystone German Shepherd & Kennels offer several types of training including basic obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen training and testing, conformation training, Service Dog Training, etc. Our basic and obedience training and AKC Canine Good Citizen Training are free and included in the purchase of your new puppy. These are just some of the questions, you should ask when looking for a reputable German Shepherd Dog breeder.
AKC Canine Good Citizen Class at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
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