Breeding german shepherd questions - Page 2

I asked you why you wanted to breed, which you never answered.  I mentioned the money factor because it is obvious you never bred dogs before and don't know the costs involved.  I'm not a breeder, but have friends who are gsd breeders.  This is a serious undertaking.  Just as Yogi and Dogshome explained.  

Here is a break down of my last litter.

Just happen to be doing my business taxes for year end:)

Hips and elbows X-ray- $348.92
Pre breeding check up and dewormer-$78.56
3 vet visits for chronic diarrhea in month 2 and antibiotics-$273.23
Whelping box construction-$123.67
First aid supplies,towels,scale,blankets,collars,etc-$243.45
 First 6 puppies born without an issue, next puppies born 6 hours after the last and then a trip to the emerge vet to see if there was more...Oxitocion given due to pup retained, still born pup- $356.76
Antibiotics for 7 puppies with Diarrhea due to intestine imbalance?$456.23- Ya i don't get this one either but it did help
Dog run purchased for puppies in basement along with wood shavings-434.44
Dewormer for puppies $76.56
7 puppies,micro chipped and first shots given-$656.74
23 bags of Orijen puppy at 74.34 a bag=$1709.00
Toys for puppies-$98.34

Grand total of-$4977.34

6 puppies sold at $800.00 and 1 given away to an Autistic little boy whos dog passed away-$4800.00
Makes that a total loss of $177.34 and i am sure there is stuff i am missing for receipts:) So whoever thinks that breeding is a money maker i wanna know how you are doing it:) Breeding is meant to better the breed not just wanna make some money. So i would think hard before you decide this is what you want to do>

Cleaning of the  dog runs and play areas a million times a day and playing with a socializing puppies-$ Priceless
 
 
 
 

just find a nice web site and buy a female puppy that has really  pretty parents. you'll be at the top in no time.

Wow. That's about all I can say after reading this thread. I am absolutely not an advocate of breeding, I discourage it every time the subject comes up, but this poster seems to have gotten his rear handed to him a bit harshly. IMO the op did much more than most by researching, and then coming here to ask honest advice. This was a great opportunity to give facts, teach about proper breeding, talk about the many shepherds awaiting death in a shelter due to over, and /or poor breeding, and show the poster why its not the best course of action. every breeder started somewhere, and many started because they got a gsd and fell in love with the breed. Should they all be condemned for that? Also if op did as much research as he claims he would be well aware there is no money to be made. **Kudos to those that gave advice, listed actual expenses, and discouraged kindly! :)

@ 4life,

Sorry to 1 up you but I paid $1300 for a c-section and lost 7puppies at the vet office (believe it or not they did not know to swing the pups, and i did not know that they didnt know that) (if that makes sense), 1pup with a deformity survived and was given away. 

@OP
Personally I would never breed an american line to anything but another american line.  Their lack of working ability far outweighs the working ability of the west german.  If you know anything of drives at all, even just a smigent you would know this to be true.

What would be the purpose of mixing the lines.  It could only be to one bring up the american line or two bring down the german line.

Lastly I can only imagine you truely know nothing of the GSD to even entertain the thought, or know more that what you lead on and are baiting people on the board.  I am not sure which.

But what i can tell you isthat once the working line is contaminated with the american line the furture lineage wil NEVER be working dogs, outside of any 1 to 10,000 odd genetic fluke, that would never reproduce its self.

further more among all of the GSD types their is a definate heirachy ranging from garbage (only good for pet or fearbiter) to generally great dogs.  American line are at the lowest end of this scale.  You are doing the GSD no favor at all. 

Honestly there are so many gsd in shelters right now does it make sense to breed? http://m.petfinder.com/s/4760/272?formSubmit=true&animalReq=dog&locationReq=delano%2C%20CA&breedReq=German+shepherd+&ageReq=Any&petSizeReq=All&petId=19993123&offsetString=60 The link is just 1 of many scheduled to die because there are not enough homes. Please reconsider breeding, and maybe give some consideration to rescuing and adopting out instead.

sorry missy, but wanna be breeders like this need their azz handed to them. maybe they'll learn something.

jmo,
Rik

As long as the process for getting a GSD out of a shelter or rescue is harder than getting a loan without collateral, then you are preaching to the deaf. Not interested in all the whyfors, the process is a big turn off to people, which also leads to the dogs staying in the shelter/rescue.
Back on topic....there is a lot to learn about breeding before you jump in, notwithstanding the dog's aspect, it takes years of knowledge to remotely be in a position. Somebody suggested getting under the tutelage of a mentor....this is excellent advice.

To more directly answer the question, asked.  Of course yes you can breed the dogs of different lines.  But, just because you can do it does not mean it is to be done.

Second answer, I believe the common thought to avoid continaul unplanned breeding you would seperate the two before she goes into heat.  Unless of you trust the dog not to breed because you say so. LOL

Curious if you would share just two profound facts that you learned during your research, that you did not already know.  I would love to hear that!

BTW if you follow through this breeding you should probable sell them for about 2 to 3 hunderd

Since you are getting the crap hammered out of you anyway, make up a list of goals that you would like to achieve in breeding within the next 10 years. Then post it and read through all the posts, good and bad. In there somewhere will be some information that you can use.

In your reading, remember that the breed was to be a working dog. 

One of my favorite stories was when Stephonitz walked out during the big show and fired a gun, and half the dogs freaked. 

You have to look at what you have and ask yourself what is wrong with this dog. What is right with this dog. Be as ruthless as you can possibly be. There are many many breeders out there producing all manner of GSD. What kind of breeder do you want to be ?