Posted by: Simon Wilby

Author: Jan A Ryan

The German Shepherd dog is one of the most beloved and honored dogs in the world. Though this breed is classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the herding group and began as a herding dog, German Shepherds perform many other jobs today. Because of their inherent courage, work ethic, intelligence, loyalty and overall trainability, German Shepherd dogs are commonly used in police work, as escorts for the blind, and as security for many families and businesses. There is no better protector than a German Shepherd.

German Shepherds are native to Germany. The first of the breed was a sheep-herding dog. This dog, given the name Horand von Grafath, became the first German Shepherd registered in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany in 1899. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1911.

German Shepherd breeders are common in North America due to the high demand not only for purebred German Shepherds, but for Shepherds with specific training. A German Shepherd breeder may specialize in training this breed for the visually impaired, for the police, and for use in tracking and protection. The Germans have a special training program for Shepherds to become “Schutzhunds,” or protection dogs.

There are a few precautions any potential German Shepherd buyer should take before making a purchase of a purebred German Shepherd dog. First, know what you are looking for. Second, know what purpose you plan to utilize the German Shepherd for. Third, know what it takes to care for a German Shepherd. Fourth, know where to find a reputable breeder.

Purebred German Shepherds have specific characteristics. They should also have registration papers or some form of pedigree, preferably from the American Kennel Club. Because German Shepherds are trained in various tasks and graduate from training programs, their lineage should reflect the rankings and accomplishments of their parents. The German Shepherd breeder should have his or her own kennel, and dogs should receive daily contact, grooming, socializing and training.

Unfortunately, a German Shepherd breeder may attempt to sell faulty German Shepherds. Make sure you obtain a complete copy of your German Shepherd’s medical records including health history, immunization records, results of blood tests, and any other relevant health information. This breed is prone to hip problems and a reputable German Shepherd breeder will give you some form of warranty or guarantee that your German Shepherd has been evaluated.

Now that you know basic German Shepherd traits and medical conditions, how to care for your Shepherd, what to look for in a German Shepherd breeder, and what purpose you will utilize your Shepherd for, it is time to find the perfect German Shepherd. Though many buyers want a purebred puppy, buying a purebred adult dog can be a good alternative. Adults are already trained, housebroken and socialized. Also, there are many adult German Shepherds who are far less likely to find homes than the adorable puppies sold by breeders.

German Shepherd rescue centers save Shepherds from abusive, neglectful or uncaring environments. There are bad breeders who try to sell fake dogs and there are even worse breeders who sell purebred, but often unhealthy, dogs out of puppy mills. Puppy mills are kennels where dogs are housed in small cages, constantly bred and provided with little to no socialization. Rescue centers re-socialize the dogs and foster or adopt them out to loving homes. Consider a rescued German Shepherd as an alternative when buying your dog.

Posted by: Simon Wilby

Author: Rosie A Allan

When on the search for a Pomeranian puppy, it is important that you take care in deciding between Pomeranian breeders. Look out for the warning signs and always check and double check a breeder before making any final decisions. There are many important questions you may want to ask a breeder before deciding to do business with them. How long they have been in the breeding business, how many types of dog they breed, and what they charge per puppy, all of these are going to be vital inquiries that will help you greatly in making your decision here. The bottom line is that if you want to find a good breeder you are going to need to ask the right questions and really care about what you are doing. Far too often people are in too much of a rush to get a puppy and simply do not care where it comes from.

There is no better pet than a dog, and if you are thinking of getting a new puppy, one of the first breeds you may want to consider is the Pomeranian. They are small, cute and affectionate, and adults and children love them. They make for a great pet, but know that the process of finding good Pomeranian breeders can often be tricky.

This is because there are lots of bad Pomeranian breeders out there, many of which are what are known as mass breeders. These mass breeders who are more interested in the financial aspect of breeding rather than the health and happiness of the dogs, and should be avoided at all costs. Rather you want to find good Pomeranian breeders who breed because there are qualities in the bitch that they want passed on and who care for the health and happiness of their dogs.

There are a few questions in particular that you are going to want to ask a breeder before agreeing to do business with them. One of the first and most important questions involves registration. You may come across a puppy that is not registered, and you will want to find out what the Pomeranian breeders reason was for this. You want to make sure that the breeder cares about the dogs and about what they are doing.

You will also want to question about the breeder’s background, asking for references and an experience statement. Be wary of any breeder who is unwilling to give you this information or who does not understand why you are asking for this sort of information. Also ask about the litter and why the litter was bred. You will not want to deal with any breeder who replies with an answer involving money. Remember that any good dog breeder is going to expect these sorts of inquiries and be agreeable to answer them.

Once you have had such questions answered by the breeders you are considering, you will find it much easier to narrow down the selections and make a final decision on one Pomeranian breeder. It may seem like a rather long and complex process, but the rewards you will receive as a result of taking your time here will be great indeed.

By asking the right questions and taking your time here, you will ensure that you are only dealing with the best breeders and therefore getting the healthiest and happiest dogs. Some breeders, those who do not take proper care of their dogs, will have puppies who have behavioral and temperament problems, problems which may not even be noticed until a few years down the road and which are usually incredibly difficult to treat. It is therefore going to be well worth it for you to put time and consideration into this process and find the best Pomeranian breeders you can.