How Long Do German Shepherds Reproduce? 8 Things To Know
Perhaps you are new to the German Shepherd breed, or perhaps your dog escaped one day and you discovered she is pregnant.
Whatever the case may be, you may be thinking about breeding your German Shepherd but are unsure how to go about it. As the owner of a German Shepherd, I’ve often wondered about some of these issues.
However, how long do German Shepherds live?
Once female German Shepherds have their first heat cycle and males reach sexual maturity, they can reproduce for the rest of their lives.
However, depending on the sex of the dog, it is recommended that you stop breeding your German Shepherd when they reach the age of eight to ten years.
So, how does age factor into all of this?
How Can Age Affect a German Shepherd’s Pregnancy?
If you are looking to breed your female German Shepherd, you must first have a clear understanding of what is often referred to as her “heat cycle.” This is also known as the estrus cycle.
Your German Shepherd’s heat cycle can be compared to a woman’s menstrual cycle because it indicates when a German Shepherd is ready to breed.
Your German Shepherd will go through her first heat cycle when she is about six years old. This should happen twice a year, six months apart, for the rest of her life.
You can breed your German Shepherd from the age of two to eight, giving her breaks between cycles. Perhaps she should be bred once a year.
A female German Shepherd is sexually mature and more likely to have healthier pups at these ages.
However, as a German Shepherd grows older, her eggs become more fragile, and pregnancy complications for both the mother and her puppies increase.
The older she gets, the more prone she is to excessive blood loss during the birthing process, as well as stillbirths.
In addition, as your German Shepherd ages, she is less likely to produce milk while being continuously bred.
This is hazardous to both her puppies’ and her own health.
As you breed your German Shepherd, you should keep an eye on how healthy her pregnancies are between heat cycles.
Male German Shepherds can be bred for about two years longer than female German Shepherds before their sperm is no longer viable.
Always consult a veterinarian before breeding your GSD, regardless of the case or gender.
Why Should I Stop Breeding My GSD?
There are numerous considerations when deciding whether or not to stop breeding your German Shepherd. The health of your German Shepherd is the most important of these reasons.
The longer you breed your dog, regardless of gender, health becomes a major risk factor for your dog and their puppies.
As your dog grows older, his or her sperm and ovum will no longer be viable.
This means that they are no longer producing as many of them, and the quality deteriorates over time, just as it does in humans.
This means that your dog’s chances of having another litter become increasingly slim as they age.
As your German Shepherd ages, there are several risk factors to consider.
A mother’s pregnancy can be complicated in some cases. This category includes the age factor. That is, as a female German shepherd ages, she is more likely to have stillborn puppies and other complications.
You may notice that your German Shepherd develops health issues as well. You should be checking on the health of each litter before this happens. As your German Shepherd’s health deteriorates, the way the puppies are carried may change.
If your German Shepherd is expecting a litter and is exhibiting any health issues, Consult your veterinarian. Try to remember that this can affect not only your dog but also the puppies.
You should always take your GSD to the vet on a regular basis. especially if you intend to breed them for a long time.
Knowing When it is Time to Stop Breeding
As previously stated, your German Shepherd’s health should take precedence over all else during the breeding process.
When your German Shepherd reaches the age of eight, you should consider stopping breeding. When breeding after this age, both the parent’s and the puppy’s health are jeopardized.
We call this process “overbreeding” and “inbreeding” when we breed a dog too frequently or for too long, causing major health problems.
This can be done to both male and female German Shepherds, and it is something that anyone can see all over the world.
You’ve probably heard of a “puppy mill” puppy. These puppies are typically from litters in which the mother or father (or both) have been bred too many times and for too long.
As a result, when we purchase puppies from puppy mills, we frequently see these puppies as having health issues down the road that may be the result of malnourishment caused by a mother’s difficulty with lactation.
If a parent’s genetics are not considered before bleeding, these puppies may have health problems due to infection or even inherited diseases.
Regardless, we generally begin to recognize conditions in the parents before we begin to recognize conditions in the puppies.
German Shepherds are especially vulnerable to certain conditions caused by overbreeding, especially when age is a factor.
So, what types of conditions can result from inbreeding and overbreeding?
- Osteoarthritis has been identified as one of the most common consequences of overbreeding. This condition causes cartilage around the joints to deteriorate and is thought to be caused by breeding for specific traits, such as a sloping back.
- Hip dysplasia is a hip joint malformation that could eventually paralyze your dog.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: When the discs between the vertebrae herniate.The vertebrae move into the spinal cord space as a result. This can result in paralysis in severe cases.
- Elbow dysplasia is a medical condition caused by the malformation of the elbow joints. Canine hip dysplasia is similar.
Overbreeding is a good reason why we should give our dogs time to recover between heat cycles. You could even skip a cycle or two to give her time to recover.
Overbreeding is a widespread problem. Before you consider breeding your German Shepherd, educate yourself on the breeding process and how age can play a role in keeping these dogs as healthy and happy as possible.
History of German Shepherd Breeding
German Shepherds, also known as German Shepherd Dogs (GSD), were developed as a breed in the late 1800s.
Max von Stephanitz of Germany was interested in working dogs in his home country. They were selectively bred here to have the qualities necessary for herding and protecting a flock from predators.
There was a debate among dog enthusiasts at the time about whether a dog should be judged based on its appearance or its ability to work.
Max von Stephanitz started looking for a working dog for everything. Von Stephanitz finally found what he considered to be the perfect specimen at a dog show in 1899. He bought him and named him Horand von Grafrath (formerly Verein für Deutsche).
The Society of German Shepherds, von Stephanitz’s new breed club, registered this dog as the first. Horand von Grafrath sired a large number of puppies, including Hector von Schwaben.
Beowulf, a direct descendant of Horand von Grafrath, sired over eighty puppies.
Horand and his descendants inbred numerous times, resulting in the first German Shepherd dogs.According to several commentators, wolf crosses were among the dogs bred into this early, closed gene pool.
Recent genetic testing, however, would contradict direct wolf ancestry. While German Shepherds may appear more wolf-like than other breeds, their DNA does not appear to match.
Popularity
German Shepherds were first recognized by the AKC in 1919. Their popularity grew due to their appearance as a respected working dog during World War I, their utility as an early guide dog for the blind, and their stardom at the dawn of Hollywood.
During World War I, the military used the German Shepherd breed to locate wounded soldiers and carry supplies (especially medical supplies). Strongheart, a silent film dog, was a dog who worked for the Red Cross during World War I.
He paved the way for other dogs, including the other World War I dog, Rin Tin Tin, to have successful film careers. Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin are two of three real dogs with Hollywood Walk of Fame stars. (The third, of course, is Lassie, a
Throughout the World Wars, their reputation remained unblemished. Early inbreeding problems (circa 1920) that resulted in poor stock caused a temporary drop in their popularity.
The breed took on the Alsatian during times when Germany was an enemy, but the breed was simply too good to become an enemy. German shepherds were one of seven breeds chosen for wartime service in the United States.
Today, the German Shepherd is the most popular dog for police K-9 work. However, its work as a guide dog for the visually impaired has declined to 15%. Labradors and Golden Retrievers (and their hybrids) are now the most popular dog breeds, frequently surpassing German Shepherds.
The breed continues to rank highly in the United States as a show dog and as a companion animal. In 2016, the German Shepherd was ranked second in the United States (AKC) behind the Labrador Retriever and seventh in the United Kingdom. Rumor, a German Shepherd puppy, won “Best in Show” at the 141st Westminster Dog Show in 2017.
Colors and Patterns
Eleven German Shepherd Dog colours are recognized by the American Kennel Club.Blue and liver are considered serious flaws for confirmation, while white is a disqualification. The most well-known German Shepherd colours are sable and black and tan.
Pattern refers to where a colour appears on the dog’s body, and there are five pattern types: saddle and blanket back (black on a tan or sable foundation), sable, bicolor, and solid colour.
Temperament
Von Stephanitz described his beloved dog, Horand, as having a temperament or character that was equal to its great physical attributes. The dog’s “marvellous fidelity to his master” was noted by him.
His additional description of a dog with “zeal for life” and as a good family dog could be applied to the breed today. German Shepherds are frequently described as loyal, protective of their owners, and trainable.
This breed can be suspicious of strangers, and in poor stock, this has translated into a fierceness or even viciousness that is inconsistent with the overall breed.
The dog is described as having “confidence” in the breed standards. The GSD is a breed that can rightfully be described as assertive, as opposed to aggressive.
Energy and prey drive are frequently managed in breed programs depending on the dog’s ultimate purpose. Low-energy or less driven dogs with lower prey drives will be preferred over those required to combat crime in an urban environment.
Different Types of German Shepherds
Breeding German Shepherds has been very well received and executed over the last decades, with such a wonderful breed and huge popularity worldwide.
As people-pleasers, many people who are wondering how to breed German shepherds have decided to emphasize a specific aspect or difference that they enjoy seeing in their specimens.
As a result, German Shepherd Dogs have more variations than most other dog breeds.Some are for a specific purpose, but many are for show (all white, all black, bicolor, etc.).
Working GSDs
These dogs were bred to be working dogs, not show dogs. They continue to play an important role in military and police work. Von Stephanitz, the breed’s father, saw the new breed’s potential for military and police work from the start.
German Shepherds are the most well-known and widely used dog breed in K-9 work. They help police apprehend suspects, detect drugs and explosives, and perform a variety of other tasks.
From its inception until today, the German Society (Schäferhundverein of SV) has attempted to keep the breed useful, courageous, loyal, obedient, ready, and able to complete its task rather than simply conforming to a standard of beauty.
Many commentators will point out that American breeders look to German bloodlines for the best working dogs to import for their programs. It is not uncommon for American police officers to give their canine partners commands in German.
German Shepherds were the first sight-seeing dogs for the blind. Many people are being trained today to help the visually and physically impaired.
Although Labrador and golden retrievers have surpassed them in popularity for this task, there are still plenty of well-trained service GSDs assisting the blind and physically impaired.
Working German Shepherds are smaller, more focused, and energetic than show German Shepherds.
The original breed club in Germany will not certify a GSD unless it meets its standards for looks and temperament, passes hip dysplasia tests, and earns a title in Schutzhund, police work, or herding.
The FCI renamed itself Schutzhund Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung (or IPO); they test dogs on athleticism, tracking, protection, and obedience. Working GSD jobs frequently necessitate extensive training and expertise in these four key areas.
Show GSDs
Show German Shepherd Dogs have a much steeper top line than working German Shepherds. They tend to be larger than their working counterparts. In addition, they are bred to be calmer dogs with lower prey drives.
In general, these dogs make excellent companions and family dogs. There are no specific tests required prior to AKC registration. If both parents were AKC-registered GSDs, the AKC will register the puppies.
The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom has been embroiled in a controversy over the slope of the German Shepherd’s back.
The 2016 Crufts Best in Breed winner exhibited this trait, much to the chagrin of the more extreme animal rights activists. Surprisingly, Rumor, Westminster’s Best in Show winner in 2017, has a less noticeable slope in the back.
It’s unclear whether the two babies would exhibit this difference side by side or if the photography emphasizes the difference.
Many sources highlight the distinctions between show and working GSDs. This distinction dates back to the breed’s inception, when the breed’s creator established his vision of what a GSD should be.
The best specimen of a GSD should and can be one with all of the breed’s dimensions and colours, as well as the inbred characteristics that indicate it has the “stuff” to go out and do a job if trained in that direction.
Unfortunately, the breed has suffered as a result of its own success. In some circles, the term “show dog” has come to be associated with mass-produced German Shepherds, to the detriment of the breed.
Nonetheless, many good breeders base their breeding program on the breed standard and work to produce healthy puppies that show well in the ring and make a good addition to the family.
These dogs’ tempered energy helps to curb any destructiveness for the more laid-back environment of an average home rather than the streets of a crime-ridden city.
Black German Shepherds
Color and pattern (i.e., where the colour appears on the dog’s body) are genetically expressed in a dog, resulting in a completely black German shepherd dog.
These are recessive black genes.
Two dogs of different colours may have recessive black genes and give birth to a black puppy. Two black dogs will give birth to black puppies.
AKC standards are met by black GSDs. The temperament of the black GSD will be the same as that of any other GSD. There are no known health risks associated with the colour black.
The black GSD accounts for less than 10% of all GSDs in the United States. Because of this, as well as some popular misconceptions about them being better in some way, the price of a black German shepherd puppy can range from double to triple that of more common colours like black and tan. A black German Shepherd is frequently priced in the low thousands.
Other Breed Variations
Tina Barber of New York created the Shiloh breed in 1974. These dogs were bred to be larger than 100 pounds (males range from 120 to 140 pounds) and to be loyal, intelligent, and stable companion dogs. None of the major registries have yet recognized this breed. They do have a well-known breed club.
Shelly Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer founded the King Shepherd breed in 1995. Shiloh Shepherds and Great Pyrenees mix to create King Shepherds. These dogs should weigh between 130 and 150 pounds.
These dogs were bred to be intelligent companion dogs as well as sheepherders or service animals. King Shepherds offers both short and long coats.They are not accepted by the AKC or any other major registry. They do, however, have an active breed club.
White shepherd and white Swiss shepherd dogs are two other variations that have used GSDs as a foundation for breeding.
The AKC does not recognize either of these dog breeds as breeds. They are solid white dogs with longer fur, about the size of a GSD (about 70 lbs). They are primarily bred for companionship.
Health Concerns When Breeding German Shepherds
When breeding German Shepherds, you must ensure that your breeding dogs are free of any known health conditions. Every dog breed has its own set of diseases that are particularly prevalent in its members, and GSDs are no exception.
The list of the most common health conditions in German Shepherds is provided below so that you can DNA test your dogs for as many conditions as possible prior to breeding two GSDs.
Consequences of Inbreeding Practiced Early in the Breed’s Life
Captain von Stephanitz used a lot of line breeding in the early days of developing the breed to perfect the original gene pool of the GSD.
All of the puppies that were first registered at the newly formed Society for German Shepherds had a direct lineage to the progenitor, Horand von Grafrath. Von Stephanitz was dedicated to the breed’s long-term survival.
When health issues such as heart defects and hip dysplasia began to appear in the bloodline, von Stephanitz carefully bred these undesirable traits out to keep the breed as close to the ideal as possible.
However, as with all inbreeding, line breeding, and grading-up techniques, the consequences may not be apparent for decades.
GSD breeders may need to use a pinch of line breeding when breeding German Shepherd dogs, but this should only be done under the informed supervision of a breed specialist. Further reducing the gene pool may be detrimental to your entire bloodline in a few years.
Arthritis, Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a very common condition in GSDs. The ball and socket joint of the hip is malformed in this condition. Slippage in the joint and grinding of the bones against each other can result in arthritis and degenerative joint disease.
According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals’ 2016 breed statistics, the German Shepherd Dog has a hip dysplasia rate of 20.5%.
In other words, more than a fifth of the 118,891 dogs tested for hip problems had abnormal hips. According to the OFA, the German Shepherd is the 39th breed with this problematic health condition.
In 2014, researchers at the Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany, investigated the genetics of hip dysplasia in German Shepherd Dogs.The researchers were able to identify a genome that predisposed the dog to hip dysplasia.
Dogs who exhibit the condition (particularly on an OFA evaluation) may be carriers of the trait. The Hannover researchers have developed a genetic test for detecting the responsible trait.
Furthermore, the elbow joint can be malformed, which means that the connecting bones do not fit together properly, causing trauma to the elbow structure.
The OFA statistic for elbow problems showed that nearly 20% of the 43,399 dogs tested positive for abnormal elbows. The German Shepherd Dog came in 15th place for this issue.
These conditions cause the dog to move slowly and painfully. They limp, and only a course of steroids and pain relievers can alleviate their daily misery. Affected dogs may be given glucosamine to alleviate pain.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a genetic disorder that causes the spinal cord to deteriorate. It is a disease similar to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in humans.
Dogs lose their ability to walk, bladder control, and bowel control, and eventually become paralyzed and die. It is typically seen in older dogs over the age of eight years, but dogs as young as six months have been diagnosed.
According to veterinarians, the German Shepherd dog has a 2% chance of developing degenerative myelopathy.
The genetics of this disease in certain breeds, including the GSD, have been extensively studied at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Genetic testing for the GSD is now available thanks to a collaboration with the OFA. This test determines whether a dog is a carrier or at risk for the disease.
This is a straightforward mouth swab test that costs $65. The reliability of the results with GSDs makes this a particularly sound test to insist on before introducing new bloodlines into a program.
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding problem in dogs and is caused by recessive genes. A dog with this disease is unable to produce a protein that aids in blood clotting.
A dog may live a very long time without being diagnosed with this health issue. It appears when a dog undergoes surgery or suffers a trauma. Without veterinary intervention, the dog will bleed excessively and may die.
The German Shepherd Dog is one of the breeds that is frequently diagnosed with this condition.This condition can be diagnosed genetically, but there is no cure. Most dogs with this condition do not live shorter lives.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The pancreas produces enzymes that aid in food digestion and absorption. The pancreas does not produce enough of these enzymes to digest food, resulting in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
This condition is common in German Shepherd dogs. It causes the dog to have diarrhea, lose weight, and become malnourished. It is thought to be a genetic condition that can be detected with a blood test.
Pancreatic acinar atrophy, or the progressive destruction of the cells that make up the enzymes, is the most common cause of EPI in German Shepherds. It is estimated that the German Shepherd and related breeds account for 70% of all cases of this disease (e.g., Shiloh shepherd).
Susceptibility to Diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea causes dogs to lose weight. They can become dehydrated and malnourished over time. Chronic diarrhea in German Shepherd Dogs can be caused by Irritable Bowel Disease.
The inflammation of the bowel causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea in this disease. The disease is thought to be inherited, but the cause is unknown. Some breeds are more prone to IBD than others. Food allergies are more common in dogs with this condition.
It is also well known that German Shepherds have sensitive stomachs. The cause of the problem determines how the problem is treated.
Eliminating a food allergen may be enough to solve the problem in one dog, while another will require blood tests, stool tests, and IBD steroids.
Many German Shepherd Dog owners and breeders must pay close attention to finding food that will nourish and not irritate their devoted companion.
Diarrhea, which can be a serious problem in some GSDs, endangers the development of the puppies and, potentially, the dam. Anything that compromises the dam’s nutritional health raises her risk of birth-related complications such as stillbirth and eclampsia.
How to Breed German Shepherds
If you’re wondering how to breed high-quality German Shepherds, especially if you’re new to breeding GSDs, you’ll have a lot of questions. We’ve provided GSD-specific information below so you can be ready for your next German Shepherd litter of puppies.
Remember that all dog breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, are members of the same species and, for the most part, are the same when it comes to breeding. This is why we recommend purchasing a copy of The Dog Breeder’s Handbook, our best-selling ebook.
Average size of a litter
German Shepherd Dogs have large litters because they are a large breed of dog.The average litter size of German Shepherd puppies ranges from 3 to 11, with 7 being the most common. Many factors can influence litter size, including the dam’s age, nutritional status, and, most importantly, the genetics of the dam and sire.
In 2015, a long-haired white German Shepherd in Indiana gave birth to a litter of seventeen puppies, which made headlines. Three of the puppies, however, did not survive. A German Shepherd recently gave birth to a litter of twelve puppies.
Cesarean Section
Puppies must be delivered surgically for a variety of reasons. Primary uterine insufficiency occurs when a dam’s uterine contractions are too weak or irregular to push out the puppies. Because the problem is likely to reoccur, the first litter is usually diagnosed, and subsequent litters, if any, are scheduled for a c-section.
Dystocia, Pregnancy & Birth Complications
One of the issues that can arise with German Shepherds is the wide range of sizes among the dogs. The GSD was not designed to be a large dog from the start. The GSD has grown in popularity over time, particularly in the United States.
A sire in the large range mating with a dam in the low range may increase the likelihood of puppies being too large to navigate the birth canal. In the world of dogs, mating a large dog with a smaller chihuahua is not the safest way to produce a medium-sized dog.
Size dystocia is common in some breeds, particularly brachycephalic ones such as the bulldog.
The German Shepherd Dog was not considered high-risk for cesarean section in a study of 151 dogs involving over 13,000 puppies in the United Kingdom.A pregnant German Shepherd dam is much more likely than not to whelp seven or eight puppies naturally without the assistance of humans.
False Pregnancies
False pregnancy occurs in German Shepherds, as it does in other breeds. In this condition, a bitch displays pregnancy symptoms such as enlarged mammary glands, an enlarged abdomen, vomiting, and nesting behavior.
False pregnancy can occur even if no male dog is within reach of the chum. This common hormonal issue will resolve itself in a few months. It is rarely treated.
Stillbirth
A stillborn puppy is one that dies while still in the womb. An autopsy may reveal why a puppy is stillborn, but this is not always the case.
In some cases, having the cause of death checked out by a veterinarian may be beneficial, especially if it has happened before or more than once for a bitch.
A genetic defect could be to blame for the stillbirths. In this case, the buck may have to be retired from the breeding program, or a different sire may have to be tried.
Eclampsia
Eclampsia is not a common problem in German Shepherd Dogs, but the dietary regimens given to these dogs may have this unintended consequence.A healthy calcium-phosphorous ratio is required during pregnancy (1 to 2).
Calcium supplementation during pregnancy may result in eclampsia in the whelping or postpartum dam. Eclampsia causes high blood pressure, convulsions, and, if untreated, death.
Future of German Shepherd Breeding
We do not anticipate any significant changes in the near future because the German Shepherd and its close relatives are very stable despite their abundance. However, breeding German Shepherd dogs may change on a couple of levels over the next few decades.
First, show GSDs have recently been heavily criticized, so we expect show lines to have a less sloped topline, bringing them closer to working GSD lines. This will almost certainly occur in the coming years, as it will take several generations to correct the breed’s back topline.
Furthermore, persistent nagging from animal rights activists should hasten the process by coercing higher authorities to require registrations only when so-called defaults are corrected. However, kennel clubs have remained somewhat silent on this issue thus far, so this is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Second, because the breed is so popular, there should be many more hybrids, sub-breeds, or breed variations in the coming decades.
Breeds are branching out into smaller, larger, or different looks in general and across the board. Most people don’t care if these variations are true to the official breed standard, so as long as they are eye-catching, it seems like a surefire success.
The breed will undoubtedly remain popular for a long time, and breeding German Shepherds will require skills and a good reputation to stand out. Because GSD puppies are widely available at low prices, specialization is essential in order to get your kennel name out there.
Related Questions:
At what age can you start to breed a German Shepherd?
You can start breeding your German Shepherd when it is about 2 years old. When doing so, make certain to take all necessary precautions to ensure your dog’s health during and after her pregnancy.
How long are German Shepherds pregnant?
The gestation period of German Shepherds is slightly longer than that of smaller dog breeds. They are usually pregnant for up to 63 days. However, depending on your dog, the time span may vary slightly.
When should I have my German Shepherd spayed/neutered?
You should usually wait until your German Shepherd puppy is six to nine months old before considering spaying or neutering. If your dog is a male, he can be neutered at any time as long as you keep him happy and healthy.
I have been working in animal shelter for the past six years and I have been raising the puppies of different breeds. I have had experience in training the puppies in obedience, agility, and other dog sports.
My main objective is to train the puppies to become good family pets. They should be well-behaved and trained to be loving, loyal, and obedient.
Contact me:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (912) 634-3631
Address: 102 Village Way Crk Saint Simons Island, Georgia(GA), 31522
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