The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively new breed. Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz was a German dog breeder who is credited with having developed the German Shepherd Dog Breed as it is currently known in 1899. He set guidelines for the Breed Standard, and was the first president of the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV). After reading his book, "The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Pictures" we joined other likeminded breeders working towards the "Total Dog." French's German Shepherds have joined many other breeders determined to follow the path of Max von Stephanitz. Visitors to this web site will find his quotations in numerous places.
A breed standard was developed based on mental stability and utility. The Captain's motto was "Utility and Intelligence." To him beauty was secondary, and a dog was worthless
if it lacked the intelligence, temperament, and structural efficiency that would make it a good servant of man.
"Show me your dog, and I will tell you what manner of man you are."
- Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
We believe in "Purpose-Bred
Purebred Dogs!" The German Shepherd Dog is the most
versatile of all canine breeds. This ideal canine breed
is known for its ability to do any job known to dog! In
order to preserve these fabulous German Shepherd breed
traits we are very selective about breeding, whelping and
placing puppies in homes. The mission of French's German
Shepherds is to breed intelligent, obedient, confident dogs
with good health and great temperaments capable of
high-level performance and conformation. As members of the
German Shepherd Dog Club of America and as ethical
breeders, we have signed the Club's Code of Ethics. We will
breed according to the German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard.
We will strive to breed multi-purpose and multi-disciplined
dogs for service that are attractive, functional, and sound
in mind, body, form and type. We will continually strive to
improve our lines and better the breed of the German
Shepherd Dog!" So we are "preservation breeders"
and make no apologies for our breeding philosophy...
When you study a dog's pedigree both vertically and
horizontally, it tells you of the dog's genetic potential
and the possibilities of what it could be. When you observe
and examine a dog, whether showing, working or performing
in an event or competition, it shows the dog's capabilities
and what the dog looks and appears to be. However, when you
look at that same dog's offspring and producing record
together with how its progeny's look, work and perform; it
is only then will you know what the dog really is, and what
it has to offer and contribute to the breed. - French's German Shepherds
"The breeding of Shepherd Dogs is the breeding of working dogs; and this must always be the aim, or we shall cease to produce Shepherd Dogs." and "Take this trouble for me... Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
Another book that has had a tremendous influence on our Breeding Program is "Born to Win, Breed to Succeed" authored by Patricia Craige Trotter. Patricia Craige Trotter is an expert Master Breeder, AKC Judge, Owner, Handler, Writer and Teacher. View one of her Videos... Some of her famous quotations are:
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"So You Want to be a Breeder: The ethical breeder lives for his dogs and not off his dogs." and "The ethical breeder is a purist who does not expect his animals to earn their keep through stud fees and puppy sales."
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"Breeders must be constantly dedicated and rededicated to the fact that the most important thing a dog can be is man's best friend. Breeders must keep in mind there are already too many dogs, and each breeding must be done with great care, no matter how inconvenient, or it should not be done at all."
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"Breeders must continue their struggle to produce the picture of perfection for the breed. The dog in their mind's eye must be sound of mind and body as well as the correct type for its breed."
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"The study of a Pedigree is an attempt to make order out of what is called disorder. It recognizes the genetic fact that every living thing is the sum of all its collective ancestors - for better or for worse."
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"When you look at an animal's pedigree, it tells you what it ought to be. When you look at an animal performing in the ring or some other event, it tells you what he seems to be. When you look at his offspring and producing record, it tells you what he is."
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"Breeder responsibility to other breeders is just as important as breeder responsibility to the public."
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"To be a breeder is as important a responsibility as it is to be a parent, not something that should be entered into casually. Every dog a breeder brings into the world is that breeder's personal responsibility and must be located into a secure home appropriate for it."
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"There is only one reason to breed a litter and that is to improve upon your breeding stock - not to sell puppies, not for show-and-tell, not to set records, and not to present a world full of unwanted dogs with more of the same" (courtesy of Betsy A. Leedy, Miniature Poodle breeder and judge).
Another book that has influenced us is "Breeding Dogs For Dummies" by Richard Beauchamp, a breeder and author of many canine books. Richard "Rick" Beauchamp (now deceased) was an AKC Judge for all Sporting and Non-Sporting Breeds. Although this book was written years ago, most everything he has written still applies today. Beauchamp makes the following checklist for Responsible Breeders:
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The Responsible Breeder is a member of the national breed club and participates in activities that support the breed. Conformation Shows, Obedience Trials, Agility, Performance Competitions, IGP/IPO/Schutzhund and Breed-Specific events.
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The Responsible Breeder does not release any dog, puppy or adult to a new home before it is sexually altered, unless a dog is specifically designated as show or breeding stock. (Please note since the time of the publishing this book, medical research has found that early spay/neutering can lead to numerous problems. Puppies are now sold with limited registration and with spay and neuter contracts or contractual breeding obligations.)
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The Responsible Breeder follows all breed-club recommendations for hereditary defect testing of all breeding stock.
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The Responsible Breeder does not release any dog, puppy or adult, who has not had an identifying microchip implanted.
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The Responsible Breeder takes all the necessary steps to insure that each and every dog bred is given all the socialization that's appropriate for the dog's age.
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The Responsible Breeder maintains proper housing for the breed with adequate room for exercise.
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The Responsible Breeder is vigilant in maintaining clean and conditions at all times.
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The Responsible Breeder is always prepared to make appointments for prospective buyers or those interested in breeding to view the dogs.
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The Responsible Breeder guarantees in writing the health of all stock sold.
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The Responsible Breeder is available for the lifetime of the dog to answer questions related to dogs sold.
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The Responsible Breeder will take back any dog sold if the buyer is unable to keep the dog.
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The Responsible Breeder uses a sales contract in all instances that clearly defines the rights and expectations of both buyer and seller.
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The Responsible Breeder has all registration and veterinarian documents relating to the dog available for inspection at the time of sale.
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The Responsible Breeder does not permit any dog to go to a home or environment that is not entirely suitable for the breed of the dog.
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The Responsible Breeder has completed all inoculations appropriate for the age of the dog being sold.
Beauchamp wrote, "If I were forced to select just one word to describe the characteristic that overrides all the other important characteristics of a good dog breeder, that word would have to be RESPONSIBILITY. So much that's involved in breeding dogs can be done haphazardly or not at all. Practically no laws or licenses exist that force anyone to be a good breeder. Other than those that are self-imposed, there aren't many sanctions for a lack of ethics in dog breeding."
Anything worth doing is worth doing well. - Aristotle
In addition to the different lines of
the German Shepherd Dog, there is a widening division in North
America between "Performance, Sport and Working Dog" advocates
and "Conformation Dog" advocates." Adding to these divisions are
the subjective personal preferences, likes, dislikes and kennel blindness.
All these dynamics can enter into the
discussions of lines/types of dogs. French's German Shepherds
appreciates the German Shepherd breed diversity. However, it seems
that in North America, the German Shepherd Dog
is becoming two different breeds. This is not just a division based on the "Drives, Character, and Attributes" of the German Shepherd Dog, but the goals and
philosophies of each side in these different worlds.
French's German Shepherds has joined the ever-growing ranks of breeders merging these different divisions and worlds in our pedigrees. We believe the "Total Dog" can encompass both of these worlds and bridge this division.
"It is imperative to produce who, with a more suitable body-build and accordingly greater capacities, shall surpass their ancestors, and shall, further, surely transmit their powers of service, with an improvement, as far possible, on their inherited qualities and talents." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
Our Breeding Methodology
Reputable Ethical Breeders take advantage of advancements in science and medicine especially as it relates to DNA testing. For our commonly used breeding animals, we use the Wisdom Panel to screen for 150+ Genetic Health Conditions, and EMBARK, a DNA Panel that tests for over 170 known genetic health conditions in 16 different areas. Often when we use DNA genetic screening for specific tests, we will use GenSol Diagnostics. We do not want the lines of our dogs to add to health problems so prevalent in the breed of the German Shepherd dog. This is in addition to having breeding animals registered by the Orthopedic Foundations for Animals OFA) by x-ray for hip and elbow dysplasia and making the results available publicly.
Canine DNA Testing
In humans, pregnancies are approximately 9 months. In canines, pregnancies are approximately 9 weeks. Canine heat cycles are in 4 stages: Proestrus, Estrus, Diestrus and Anestrus. Read More About Canine Pregnancies...
On this web site, you will notice in our 2nd generation litters we are merging Working Lines and our Show Lines. There are more breedings planned to be merged with our lines. This includes our other young puppies we have placed, but not yet proven and titled in competition or old enough for OFA health checks. We desire to continue the famous drive attributes the German Shepherd Dog has been historically known for. We are intentionally breeding proven national and world class, high quality West German Siegers and Schutzhund Working Dogs to strengthen the quality of our lines. This practice of using imported dogs is increasing and enhancing the genetic bloodline diversity of American Lines. We also use pre-potent proven high quality American Show Line Sires in our balanced breeding program.
We are practicing a variable of the breeding practice known as "Grading Up" to develop our "Total Dog" lines. We are breeding our titled females to male sires of the highest quality we can afford and obtain. The best females in each generation are then kept and again bred to a top sire from another outstanding bloodline. This is one of the tested, tried and true ways to improve the quality of dogs in pedigree lineages. Many breeders have started with average females from a good bloodline and have invested their resources wisely in breeding to high quality, outstanding champion stud sires.
Careful selection of top sires have in many cases produced a foundation of stock that go on to develop into a quality bloodlines. The American Dog Breeders Association has an excellent article explaining this entitled, "Establishing A Bloodline: Selection Of Brood Stock And Breeding Styles." Just as French's German Shepherds practice "Grading Up," and have been fortunate that other quality breeders have helped us improve our lines, we will also assist other breeders with similar philosophies as ours to "Grade Up" their lines from ours. We are additionally greatly influenced by the "20 Principles of Breeding Better Dogs" by Raymond H. Oppenheimer.
The most striking feature of the correctly bred German Shepherd are firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unshockability, tractability, watchfulness, reliability and incorruptibility together with courage, fighting tenacity, and hardness." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
When parents are titled in competition they become objectively judged, proven and tested publicly with standards. We generally require both parents to be titled or dogs with certificates. for breedings often with complementary strengths and multipurpose disciplines. In our breedings, we often refer to the "Strength of the Pedigree" in both depth and breadth, and try to better our American lines and the breed of the German Shepherd Dog. Pedigrees are an indication of the genetic potential each dog might have.
Often a pedigree is only as good as the quality of each individual dog on it. It has been estimated that genetics may account for approximately 35% controlled by heritable factors in a dog. The remaining 65% is attributable to other influences such as environment, overall care, training, management and nutrition. Included in these dynamics is the role of the whelping mother, her health and nutrition, and the feeding and nurturing of her puppies.
In our breedings with West German Lines, we often use sires that have received the breed evaluation of Köerklasse I (Kkl 1 - recommended for breeding) or Köerklasse II (Kkl 2 - suitable for breeding). LBZ is an abbreviation for "Lebenszeit" which means "Koered for Life." The first Koering is done at 2 years of age and expires after two years. Between the ages of 4 & 5 owners must Re-Koer the dog, then this becomes LBZ “Koered for Life.” Only offspring bred from dogs that have acquired the LBZ can qualify to go VA themselves.
Breeding to a great Sire, (which includes breeding to a great Dam) is not an absolute guarantee that the progeny of such breedings will be great. It only means that such breedings have the potential or increases the probability. Richard G. Beauchamp published an informative article entitled "Show Dogs and Stud Dogs." Read More...
We will not breed dogs with bad health issues or poor temperaments. The German Shepherd Breed has been given a bad
reputation by those breeding dogs with
genetic health problems, in poor health and
not having good temperaments. This is why we health test
parents of our dogs and participate in the
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) Program.
Read
CHIC information from the German Shepherd Dog Club of
America (GSDCA). Read More from the
GSDCA Health and Genetics Committee.
There is no such thing as the perfect dog and it is ridiculous to even think it is possible. Each dog inherits the total sum of its parent's genomes, the good, the bad and the ugly. Because offspring receive genes from both parents, the laws of genetics would require perfect genes from both the sire and the dam for a perfect dog, going all the way back through their ancestries and lineages. While each puppy always receives half of its genes from the sire and half from the dam, it does not mean that each puppy will get the same set of genes. So the reality is, even the best dogs have less than desirable genes in their genetic history.
The canine genetic “library” has now doubled to 5 billion bases, across 78 chromosomes. There are almost countless possible genetic combinations, epistatic genes, mutations, recessive genes, polygenetic inheritance, heterozygous genes, and other heritable dynamics that can appear unexpectedly in offspring. Every dog has many less than perfect genes and mutations. Breeders have no way to know about them if a dog has only one copy and they are not expressed. A dog's genotype is the set of genes it carries inherited from its parents whether they are dominant or recessive. A dog's phenotype is all of its observable characteristics, expressions, or characteristics of traits influenced both by its genotype and environment.
In Germany, breeders must adhere to rules, involving a Show Rating, a Schutzhund Title, an Endurance Test up to 13 miles known as AD as part of the Breed Survey followed by an obedience test, and an acceptable Hip Rating on each dog before being bred. The German SV has strict, mandatory Breeder and Breeding Standards to protect the integrity of the German Shepherd Dog. Each litter must be inspected and visited by a Breed Warden. In Germany litter registration is not even permitted unless the parents have met these criteria. This promotes consistent quality of the dogs being bred, and allows potential buyers to review generations of hip ratings, conformation, and working titles.
In America today in the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC) and other registries, these requirements are optional and voluntary. These registries will not include health or temperament issues, nor will they refuse to register a dog with registered purebred parents. This is why in the United States there are so many cheap, inferior dogs in poor health, and/or with poor temperaments and producing poor progeny.
We often use "prepotent" sires in our breeding program. Dogs with a proven higher-than-average ability to pass on favorable traits to their progeny are referred to as "prepotent." Generally, "prepotent" dogs can be expected to pass certain traits to their progeny. Prepotency is especially important for male stud dogs because males can be bred more often than females. In Germany sire and dams are not simply evaluated based on their pedigrees and their own accomplishments, but according to the uniformity and accomplishments of their offspring. In genetics, passing of these positive genes to their progeny become known as being dominant homozygous rather than recessive heterozygous.
We believe in the philosophy of "Complementary Breeding." This type of breeding in a "Balanced Breeding Program" is when one parent has weaknesses in one or more areas, and the other parent has strengths, or is "prepotent" in the same areas the other parent has weaknesses. A Complementary Breeding can balance, compensate while breeding out weaknesses in their progeny and offspring in polygenetic breedings. This is how lines are improved and heritable genetic health issues are bred out of lines. As other breeders have assisted us in "Complementary Breeding," we will in certain situations assist other breeders holding the same breeding philosophies desiring a "Complementary Breeding."
The characteristics of the shepherd dog, home protection dog (hovawart) and police dog are the same: i.e. joy in work, devotion to duty, and to master, mistrust and sharpness against strange & irregular things, docility & obedience, teachableness & quickness to understand, and in addition, immunity to weather, uncommonly acute senses with gifts for retrieving & seeking, assisted by his special gait by which he leaves nothing unnoticed & unsought. - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
Most all purebred breeds have common ancestors in their lineage if traced back far enough. An "Out-cross Breeding" is a term used when there are no common ancestors in pedigrees from either the male sire, or the female dam usually after the 4th or 5th generation in a pedigree. Sometimes out-cross breeding results can be unpredictable and problems can appear in progeny because of combinations of polygenetic inheritance factors and gene variants, or alleles that are heterozygous.
The first reason an out-cross breeding is often used is to bring into a line a characteristic that is absent, and to build on that strength and make a good trait – an exceptional one. The second reason is to mitigate any faults that are provoked by homozygous recessive genes. The third reason for outcrossing is when a breeding program may show a loss of vigor (sometimes referred to as inbreeding depression) as demonstrated by a lack of disease resistance or infertility. A successful breeder sincerely desiring to produce high quality puppies usually searches for a prepotent stud dog with an established history of siring outstanding progeny. It is generally accepted that these dogs pass on dominant genes because they are, in almost every case, the result of solid inbreeding or line-breeding. Genes always come in pairs. The gene pair is called an "allele." When the pair is identical it is called "homozygous." When the pair is not identical, is called "heterozygous." Because of this, they have the ability to impose their own characteristics over the recessive genes of the dams. Read More About Outcrossing...
Responsible "Line-Breeding" is usually only conducted by experienced breeders who have a full understanding of genetics and the depth and breadth of the dogs in their lines. Also known as "Inbreeding," this term is defined as the mating of dog when related ancestors are on each or both sides in a pedigree. Line-Breeding is often referred to in a negative sense. "Close Inbreeding" or "Most Narrow Inbreeding" as father to daughter, mother to son, brother and sister, and half brother and half sister, and aunts and uncles can be a disastrous breeding strategy. The German SV does not allow "Most Narrow Inbreeding" (incestual breeding). Read more information including what line-breeding numbers mean.
The benefits and the risks of inbreeding are a consequence of homozygosity of the alleles. A formula was devised that estimated the level of inbreeding that would result so breeders had a quantitative way of evaluating both the risks and benefits of a particular breeding. This is known as "Coefficient of Inbreeding" (COI). The original purpose of the Coefficient of Inbreeding was to give breeders a number that would indicate both the amount of benefit to be gained from inbreeding as well as the magnitude of the deleterious effects they could expect. The trick for the breeder then is to weight the benefits and risks of a particular breeding and judge what is an acceptable balance. A low (COI) will have low risk, but it will also only have a modest benefit. A high (COI) would produce more consistency and prepotency in the offspring, but there will also be a significant loss of vigor and health. The Coefficient of Inbreeding is not a measure of health, it is a measure of risk. Read More About the Coefficient of Inbreeding...
Some breeders will practice "Back-Breeding." Back-Breeding is when a superior male and superior female that excel in health, type, temperament, and conformation are mated. A female from this litter will be mated to her sire or her father. They will breed until they reach the desired results or until weaknesses become apparent. Back-Breeding has produced many of the greats in a variety of breeds and why they were dominant for producing their qualities generation after generation. "True Grading Up" has been defined by some as a father to daughter breeding. The United Kennel Club does not allow "True Grading Up;" and litter registrations of a dog mated to its daughter are prohibited.
French's German Shepherds do not practice Most Narrow Inbreeding, True Grading Up (incestual breeding) or Back-Breeding. The use of studs not owned by the breeder (i.e. external bloodline) is a variant of grading up that is not as efficient as true grading up, but avoids the inbreeding problem. It is cost-saving for the breeder not to own both the champion stud and the bitches. While external bloodlines may avoid the inbreeding problem it, also, exposes the breeding program to unknown genetic variables.
Dr. Carmen Battaglia Ph.D., past president of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, and American Kennel Club board member, judge, researcher and writer promotes "Brackett's Formula" as a more accepted type of breeding. In Dr. Battaglia's book, "Breeding Dogs To Win" and on his web site, "Breeding Better Dogs" he promotes a breeding formula. The formula Brackett preferred concentrated on genes in a pedigree. He did this by placing emphasis on the sire of the sire. In In a pedigree the same male sire appears on the sire and the dam's side of the pedigree. Brackett liked to use one important dog and have it appear twice in a three-generation pedigree. The basic formula he preferred can be stated as follows, "Let the sire of the sire become the grand sire on the dam's side." Stated another way, "let the father's father become the mothers grandfather." Read More... There is also the lesser known "Reverse Brackett Formula" which is used for outstanding dams, "the dam of the sire is the grand dam of the dam."
Dr. Battaglia also writes, "Each time a breeding occurs, it represents the cumulative effect of 2 pedigrees which involve 28 ancestors, 14 from the sire and 14 from the dam. Such a breeding results in a massive shuffling of genes, which produces new gene combinations. This shuffle of the sire's and dam's genes will either add or subtract from what is needed to produce desired traits."
"The more we emphasize the social and civil importance of Service Dog breeding, the easier it will be for all true friends of the breed to keep it sound... it will then be stripped of all which has grown through Indifference, Ignorance, Vanity, the Obsession for "sport" and a Greed for Money." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
Often people are concerned when noticing "Line Breeding" in their pedigree. These were likely breedings to increase prepotency and establish dominant homozygous genes. The term "Distant Inbreeding" may be defined as what may have occurred beyond the 4th generation on the same side or either male or female side of a pedigree. Any "Inbreeding" or "Line Breeding" past the 5th generation is usually considered insignificant. The understanding and knowledge about the science of genetics is a rapidly growing field. It will be used in the future to improve the breed of the German Shepherd Dog.
"The dog bred as a business is no longer bred for his service to the breed, but for his market value. The direction of the breed then is dictated by the desires of the market, usually Novices to the breed, who knows nor cares (nothing) of the weal and woes of the breed, knows nothing of the value or aptitude for work... he often only has eyes for Imposing, Remarkable, and even a Ruffling Swashbuckler." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed
It has been estimated that genetics may account for approximately 35% controlled by heritable factors in a dog. The remaining 65% is attributable to other influences such as environment, overall care, training, management and nutrition. Included in these dynamics is the role of the whelping mother, her health and nutrition, and the feeding and nurturing of her puppies. When breeders conduct Early Neurological Stimulation, proper socialization, good nutrition, and immunizations, there is a good basis for understanding how much breeders actually contribute to your dog. Read More...
A genetically well-bred, energetic, working dog may be "too much of a dog" for some owners to have. This is one of the numerous reasons why we have a vetting process for potential buyers and owners. The German Shepherd Dog is not for everyone.
In breeding, we ourselves often use Artificial Insemination (A.I.) instead of natural mating. However, realizing there are positives and negatives concerning A.I., we also do natural breedings knowing other breeders have that preference. A.I. is a way to improve the quality of a breed by overcoming limitations of both time and distance, also reducing the chance of stress, injury or spread of disease and infections. A.I. by Vaginal, Transcervical (T.C.I.), or Surgical Insemination or Surgical Implantation (S.I.) is becoming a norm for many kennels and breeders, making it possible to successfully breed with semen from sires from almost anywhere in the world whether fresh chilled or frozen.
When collecting semen for Artificial Insemination, often up to 30 to 50 percent more sperm will be released when a suitable teaser is used. Many dogs may have semen collected without a teaser bitch, but semen quality is generally better when an estrus teaser bitch (female in heat) is present causing the stud's libido to be higher. If no teaser is available, swabs that were used for vaginal cytology from dogs in heat are used that are kept refrigerated. Another alternative is the use of pheromones.
French's German Shepherds is a community of Reputable Hobby Breeders in located in South Central Iowa, with partnership connections to quality breeders and owners throughout the United States. We have a breeding program for producing sound, appealing, healthy German Shepherd dogs with show and working abilities. Our goal is to breed intelligent, obedient, confident dogs with good health and great temperaments capable of working performance and conformation. We are members of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and as ethical breeders have signed the Club's Code of Ethics. We breed according to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America Breed Standard. Read More About Breeding...
View French's German Shepherd H.E.A.R.T. Certification.
Some last thoughts to share... The internet is full of individuals, web sites, videos of self-proclaimed experts. We at French's German Shepherds do not claim to be experts, and instead rely on those who actually are the real experienced experts (not just simply organizational or club members) of the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the German SV, and the World Union of German Shepherd Associations (WUSV), and the United Schutzhund Club of America (USCA). In these organizations you can find and consult with real experienced and knowledgeable experts!
Who would you rely on for canine protection
knowledge - sports and club participants in controlled
environments never even having bred or trained a "National
Champion," let alone a "World Ranked" dog? Or those
with Nationally and World ranked and titled dogs and
well-bred and trained dogs owned by Special Forces Operators,
Veterans, Navy SEALs
and Special Forces Canine Handlers with proven "real world actual
life and death experiences" in war zones and uncontrolled
environments?
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Fun Facts: The German Shepherd Dog's work ethic appeals to people with high goals and great discipline. George Foreman,
former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist first saw the breed while he was a child watching Rin Tin Tin on television,
and he vowed to one day have a dog like that. Later, a German Shepherd Dog became his training partner.