Is a working line dog right for you?

 

The joy of owning a working line bred German shepherd is immeasurable. However, such a companion and work mate that dedicates itself over to you so completely requires a significant reciprocal commitment. If you’re considering a Von Tannenblau, or any other working line breed, we ask that you consider these questions as part of your reflection.

 

• Do you have a fenced yard?

•  Are you able to devote at least 2 hours per day to exercising and training your dog?

• Are you or other family members  allergic to dogs? 

• Will your puppy be raised inside of your home as a part of your family?

• Do you currently have small children, infants or other animals in your home?  If not do you plan to in the future?

• Do you plan to crate train your puppy in addition to housebreaking?

• Are you prepared to feed a high quality food to your dog such as a raw food as a regular diet throughout its lifetime?

• Do you know the difference between the temperaments and character of a Working Line German Shepherd Dog over a show line or an American bred German Shepherd?

• Have you already consulted with a private trainer or know of obedience classes that are offered in your area that may be more specific to working dogs over an average all breed style pet training class?

• Do you understand the commitment required to adequately socialize your puppy so that he/she will grow up to be a well-mannered, well trained dog?

•  Are you looking for a puppy that you will specifically train as a personal companion, property/personal protection, canine sports, working dog competitions, or other specific intended purpose?

•  Are you prepared and committed to the annual expense required for quality veterinary care to include such things as annual health examinations, vaccinations...?

• Are you financially prepared to provide care for your dog and seek veterinary care in the event of an emergency that may require hospitalization of your dog?

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Spaying and Neutering

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We strongly discourage you, as stipulated in our sales agreement, from subjecting your dog to any medically unjustified surgical procedure and this includes spaying or neutering. Neutering or spaying is not a replacement for proper training. Those who see it as an easy way to tame certain undesirable behaviors should not be considering adoption of a working line German Shepherd or any other working breed. As opposed to a wide spread propaganda, politics and municipal bylaws responsible dog ownership has nothing to do with surgical removal of reproductive organs from a healthy animal. It is the owner's responsibility, however, to keep female in heat under constant supervision and on a leash. Never bring her near intact males or in the dog park during her heat period. Same applies to male dogs. They must remain on a leash during walks at all times when they happen to have a few weeks of sexual unrest (usually in the spring and fall).

 

Puppies are born perfect. Contrary to what many veterinarians recommend, surgical removal of reproductive organs, aside from risks associated with the surgery itself, will not make a puppy any healthier. Sure enough neutered male will never develop testicular cancer (very rare in dogs and usually always benign). Spayed female will never suffer from pyometra (acute inflammation of uterus).

Spaying or neutering, however, will have an array of negative health effects that can last the entire life of the animal. We do not want to pass derogatory judgment but some veterinarians often (intentionally) fail to fully disclose all the facts about spaying and neutering. The surgery and consecutive care a dog will need represent a major portion of their income. Onset of negative effects is usually gradual and often takes a long time, therefore dog owners rarely associate these disorders with the surgical intervention that took place in the past. 

Here are some diseases that are known to be associated with spaying/neutering:

• Cushing’s disease

• Hypothyroidism

• Immune system disorders

• Heart cancer

• Bone cancer

• Growth disproportions when surgery carried out before maturity onset.

• Increased risk of ACL injury

• Weak joints

• Loss of muscle mass

• Increased risk of hip and elbow dysplasia

• Lymphosarcoma, Hemangiosarcoma

• Behavior problems: Noise phobias, increased aggression (in spayed females), undesirable sexual behaviors.

• Mood changes, reduced physical activity

• Increased risk of urinary tract infection

• Increased risk of urethral blockage in males due to penile atrophy

• Incontinence in females

• Increased risk of diabetes

• Weight gain