Frequent Questions
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept personal check, cash, and paypal. Paypal processes Visa and Mastercard payments for us, you can use our paypal payment function to send credit card payments to us without a paypal account.
What is the difference between an American line and German line of German Shepherd?
Captian Max Von Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog in Germany in 1889. The breed was originally bred to be a herding dog, but the breed's endurance, intelligence and trainability has led to many working careers such as guide dog, police dog, search and rescue work, etc. Captian Von Stephanitz created the parent club, Verein fur Deutsche Schferhunde (SV) as the club charged with safeguarding and developing the breed. A strong emphasis was placed on the working ability - mental attitude and physical utility over cosmetic appeal. This emphasis is woven into every aspect of the SV breed standard and requirements for the registry. The first German Shepherd was exhibited at an all breed show in the US was in 1913. The breed gained popularity both in the US and across Europe. After WW II and during the 1950's Americans began heavily inbreeding on a Pfiffer and Odon bloodlines and the breed standard became distinctly different from the SV breed standard. The AKC breed standard allows for a taller dog and generally the American bloodlines are bred with far more angulation in the rear legs. One of the biggest differences is the control the parent club exerts over breeding practices. In the US the AKC is simply a registry of purbred German Shepherds. Any health or temperament screenings are up to the individual breeder. In contract, the SV maintaines strict requirements demanding both health screening for hip and elbow dysplasia, and working titles demonstrating working temperament prior to puppies being registered with the parent club. This brings a more systematic and uniform approach to maintaining the breed in Germany then in the US. Some breeders in the US, such as Morgen Haus Shepherds, chose to adhere to the German guidelines in order to bring the consistent quality of the working dog to the US.
What health screenings do you do with your dogs?
Independant health screening of our dogs includes hip and elbow scoring through the German SV. Any dysplastic dogs are eliminated from the breeding program. In addition, a genetic screening for degenerative mylopathy is completed on any dogs that are not clear for the condition by parentage. In addition, we know our bloodlines and health and temperament are always a big part decisions for mating matchups for the litters we produce.
New Puppy Care
Should I use a crate for my puppy?
The short answer is yes! A crate is a very useful tool in helping your puppy fit into his/her new family routine. A crate, if not overused, can be a safe haven - a puppies den, when they need a bit of a break from family activity. It is also a great place for puppy when you aren't able to watch them fully. You may crate the puppy for a bit while you are taking a shower or preparing a meal. Puppies will choose those unsupervised moments to get into trouble! You man want to create puppy after meals (briefly) to help with potty training accidents. It is much safer for a puppy to travel in a crate then free in a vehicle. Puppies should never be kept for hours in a crate during the day, but teaching your puppy to be comfortable in a crate and perhaps sleeping there until they are mature enough to be trusted during the night is an appropriate use of a crate. For more information, see my blog post.
What should I buy in preparation for my puppy?
New families are often very excited about the new family member and buy a lot of toys and equipment they may not use. Talk with your breeder first to be sure you purchase the appropriate food ahead of puppy coming home. Rapid changes in diet are hard on a German Shepherd's digestive system and may lead to upset tummy and worse. While most families envision a new puppy going home sitting happily on someone's lap, a squirmy puppy may have other plans.
Be sure to have a towel or blanket you can cover a seat or floor space for the puppy to hang out on in the car for the trip home (what if puppy has an accident enroute?). You may also want to just invest in a small crate for puppy to go home in. If you have a long trip home and the puppy will need to be given a break during the trip, you will want an extendable leash. Puppies/Dogs often do not want to relieve themselves at your feet, and the longer leash allows them to choose their spot. Whenever I am traveling with a puppy I always have an emergency bag in case a dog is car sick or has an accident (bedding, wipes, paper towels disposalable gloves and a trash bag are very helpful.). Of course you will need food and water dishes, a crate for home if you are using one. Toys of course, but avoid toys with a lot stuffing in them. It is an expensive surgery to have that removed!