BASIC PUPPY SUPPLY LIST
Food
Treats for training
Food and water dishes (stainless steel is the best)
Crate (replacing each time the puppy out grows one or get a Life Stages wire crate)
Puppy housetraining pads
Dog bed (train pup to sleep on that instead of furniture or bed)
Soft, adjustable collar and new ones as he/she grows
6 ft leash (no chain leashes)
Chew toys (the more the better)
Brush
Puppy Shampoo
Nail trimmer
OK AND NOT OK TOYS
NO-NOS:
Items with small or sharp metal parts
Long strips or fibers such as strings or thin ribbon. Nylon hose can be dangerous if swallowed.
Cooked real bones of any kind. Cooked bones break into tiny, highly abrasive fragments that damage the digestive tract over time.
Sheets of plastic film can cause choking.
Chewies made of large pieces or knots of rawhide. Swallowed pieces of these often cause intestinal obstructions.
Thin, squeaky-type rubber toys. Dogs who are vigorous chewers can swallow these toys whole, swallow large pieces of them or swallow the metal squeakers inside.
Soft toys with foam stuffing.
OK TO CHEW:
Artificial bones made of hard nylon
Balls and chew toys made of hard rubber. Many of these are designed to hide bits of kibble in and can entertain your pup for extended periods (Kong balls).
Knots of thick rope.
Artificial bones made of rawhide particles pressed together or of other material designed to be safely swallowed.
PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
From 7 weeks to 4 months your puppy goes through a socialization period that permanently shapes his future personality and how he will react to things in his environment as an adult. Gently exposing him to different people, places and situations now makes a huge, permanet difference. Proper socialization can prevent a dog from being always fearful of children or riding in a car. It will also help him develop into a well-mannered, happy companion.
HOUSEBREAKING/CRATE TRAINING
LIST OF HARMFUL PLANTS
ARGUERS, AZALEA
BOXWOOD, BUTTERCUP
CHOKEBERRY, CLIMBING LILY
DELPHINIUM
ELEPHANT EAR, ELDERBERRY, ENGLISH IVY
HEMLOCK, HOLLY, HYDRANGEA
JAPANESE YEW,JERUSALEM CHERRY, JIMSON WEED
LABURNUM, LARKSPUR, LAUREL, LOCOWEED
MARIGOLD, MARIJUANA
OLEANDER
PHILODENDRON, POISON IVY, PRIVET
RHODOENDRON, RHUBARB
SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, STINGING NETTLE
TOBACCO
WISTERIA
LIST OF POISONOUS HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
ASPIRIN, ECT., ANTIFREEZE
BORIC ACID, BLEACH, BRAKE FLUID
CLEANING FLUID, CARBURETOR CLEANER
DEODORIZERS, DISINFECTANTS, DETERGENT, DRAIN CLEANER
FUNGICIDES, FURNITURE POLISH, FERTILIZER
GASOLINE
HAIR COLORINGS, HERBICIDES
INSECTICIDE
KEROSENE
LAXATIVES, LYE
MOTHBALLS, MATCHES, METAL POLISH
NAIL POLISH, NAIL POLISH REMOVER
PERMANENT WAVE LOTION, PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPER
RUBBING ALCOHOL, RAT POISON
SLEEPING PILLS, SOAPS, SUNTAN LOTION, SHOE POLISH, SNAIL OR SLUB BAIT
TAR, TURPENTINE
WEED KILLER, WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, WOOD PRESERVATIVES
SUGGESTED FIRST AID KIT
RECTAL DIGITAL THERMOMETER
VASELINE TO LUBRICATE THE THERMOMETER PRIOR TO USE
ALCOHOL TO CLEAN IT AFTER USE
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO CLEAN WOUNDS
CLEAN TOWELS AND WASHCLOTHS
COTTON BALLS
ELASTIC ACE BANDAGE
GAUZE
ICE BAG TO REDUCE SWELLING OR PAIN
VET-WRAP (ELASTICON)
BENADRYL, FOR ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO INSECT BITES
EYE WASH
KAOPECTATE TABLETS OR PEPTO BISMAL TABLETS FOR UPSET STOMACH OR SIMPLE DIARRHEA WHEN NO FEVER IS PRESENT
NEOSPORIN
SCISSORS
SYRINGE WITHOUT NEEDLE
TWEEZERS
He is very imprudent, a dog is. He never makes it his business to inquire whether you are in the right or wrong, never bothers as to whether you are going up or down upon life's ladder, never asks whether you are rich or poor, silly or wise, sinner or saint. Come luck or misfortune, good repute or bad, honor or shame, he is going to stick to you, to comfort you, guard you, and give his life for you. -Jerome K. Jerome
Dogs that feel like an important part of a human family will guard and protect the family children with the same fearlessness and vigilance displayed by a mother wolf protecting her pups.
German Shepherds often seem happier bonding with people than with other dogs. Your German Shepherd should be a member of your family...In your house and by your side.
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. -Mark Twain
Don't be fooled by the neat, sleek look of a well-groomed German Shepherd. Expect your dog to shed year-round--especially in the spring and fall. The only way to keep his coat shining is to brush it yourself...every day!
Be sure to socialize your pup before he reaches thirteen weeks. After that, it's difficult to convince a dog to bond with a human.
A German Shepherd is born with three natural drives: to be social to humans and other animals; to chase what moves (and this must be curtailed if your pup begins to chase living things instead of toys); and to protect his family.
Understanding your dog and knowing how to control him, develop his potentials, and resolve behavior problems, emotional conflicts, and frustrations are no less essential than love and respect.
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America has been in existence for more than eighty-five years. It was founded by German Shepherd enthusiasts Benjamin H. Throop and Anne Tracy in 1913.
Don't be concerned if your German Shepherd pup's ears flop! It can take up to six months for the ears to stand erect. In the meantime, refrain from pulling or handling them too much.
Trainers advise that you begin to train your German Shepherd for obedience at four months of age.
Children growing up with pets they love and care for seem to turn out to be good parents and perhaps more selfless mates. -Roger Caras
COMMON DOG COMMANDS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
PEDIGREE: OUTCROSSING, LINEBREEDING, INBREEDING
These following links will give you great detail about this wonderful and multi-tasked breed, The German Shepherd Dog.
German Shepherd Standard
History of the German Shepherd
Dog owners guide to the German Shepherd
Agent: A person other than the owner responsible for bringing the dog to a show-usually a professional handler.
All-breed Club: A kennel club not focusing on one breed, but on pure-bred dogs in general.
All-breed show: A show at which every breed recognized by a kennel club is eligible to compete.
American-bred: A class for dogs bred in the United States.
Angulation: The angles formed by the bones at the joints of the legs.
AOAC: Any Other Allowed Color, a class division offered for some breeds.
AOC: Any Other Color, a class division.
Apple-headed: A dog with a high, domed skull, appropriate for dogs such as a Chihuahua or some of the brachycephalic dogs, but a fault in others.
Apron: The longer hair on a dog's chest, as a bib.
Armband: An identifying number worn by the exhibitor, usually on the left arm.
ASCOB: Any Solid Color Other than Black, used as a class division in Cocker Spaniels.
Bait: An edible treat, such as cooked liver or steak, used to entice the dog and achieve an alert look. May also be a squeaky toy, fur rat, and so on.
Balance: Correct proportions, such as head to body and angles of front and rear quarters. Also, dog's control of its body and position.
Benched show: A show where the dogs not in the ring must be on exhibit on a bench for the public to view throughout the show's duration. Now a rare event.
Best in Show (BIS): The top award at a multi-breed or all-breed show.
Best in Specialty Show (BISS): The top award at a specialty for a single breed.
Best of Breed: The top award in each breed, or overall top award at a specialty. In a multi-breed or all-breed show, this dog goes on to compete in group.
Best of Opposite Sex: The best bitch if Best of Breed is a male, or the best male if Best of Breed is a bitch.
Best of Winners: The better of the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch.
Bitch: A female dog.
Bitchy: A male dog that is overly delicate or refined.
Bite: How the teeth meet when the mouth is closed.
Blind courtesy turn: An optional maneuver for making an about turn, sometimes used in Junior Showmanship to demonstrate handling skills.
Bloom: The shine of a dog's coat in top condition.
Blowing coat: Shedding heavily.
Brachycephalic: Dogs with shortened noses, "pushed-in" faces, such as the Boxer and Bulldog.
Bred by Exhibitor: An AKC class for dogs bred, owned, and handled by the same person.
Breed: A particular type of dog, with similar characteristics passed from one generation to the next.
Breeder: Officially, the owner of the bitch being bred. Hopefully, an experienced, knowledgeable, and careful fancier of the breed.
Breed standard: A written set of specifications describing the ideal type, structure, coat, and color of each breed of dog, compiled by the national "parent" club for each breed.
Campaigning: Showing a dog on a fairly constant basis.
Catalog: Booklet listing all entrants, judges, awards, judging times, etc.
Catalog order: Determining the order of dog/handler teams entering the ring according to their order in the catalog.
CERF: Canine Eye Registry Foundation, an organization certifying a dog's status regarding genetic eye problems.
Champion (CH): Title awarded when a dog has acquired the necessary points or certificates to become a champion.
Circuit: Several shows in the same general geographic area over one weekend.
Class: A sub-grouping for competition within a breed, such as Puppy or American-Bred. Also the quality all handlers should exhibit by congratulating the winner and making no excuses for their own performance.
Class division: An optional breakdown of a class, such as into the three colors of Labrador Retrievers, usually seen at National Specialties.
Clip: A specific style for trimming a dog's coat.
Clipping: The back foot hitting the front foot when the dog is gaiting.
Close of entries: Date after which no more entries for an event will be accepted.
Cluster: Several shows at the same location over a weekend.
Condition: The general muscle tone and/or coat quality of a dog.
Confirmation of entry: Notification from a show-giving club that your entry has been received.
Conformation: The "dog show", in which it is determined how well a dog's structure matches the official standard for the breed.
Courtesy turn: A small circle often made by handler and dog before beginning an individual gaiting pattern.
Cowhocked: Inward-turning hocks, usually with the feet turned out.
Crabbing: The dog moving forward with his body at an angle to the direction of travel rather than in a straight line.
Crate: A portable kennel, wire or closed, for transporting and housing of a dog.
Cropped: Ears that have been surgically altered to force them to stand.
Croup: The upper back just forward of the tail, commonly known as the rump.
Dam: The female parent of a dog.
Dewclaws: Extra "toes" or claws above the paws, often surgically removed while the dog is young, but required for conformation in some breeds.
Disqualification: Some physical fault or transgression on the part of dog or handler that renders a dog ineligible to compete, banned from the ring for life.
Docking: Shortening or removing a dog's tail via surgery.
Dog: All members of the canine family, or males only, depending on usage.
Dolly cart: A flat wire platform on wheels, used for hauling show equipment.
Double coat: A long, coarse outer coat over a soft, short undercoat.
Drive: Strong, solid thrust of the hindquarters in movement.
Dropping (the front or rear): One method of setting the dog's front and/or rear legs for the stack, done by lifting the dog until the front of rear feet are off the ground, then letting them down gently.
Excused: Dismissed from the ring for a single event, often for showing a limp while gaiting.
Exercise pen (ex-pen): A portable enclosure that can be set up to contain a dog or dogs.
Fancier: A person ave in the breeding and/or showing of dogs.
Faults: Attributes of the dog that do not conform to the standard.
Finger works: Small movements of the exhibitor's hands to call attention to a dog's good points, sometimes used in Junior Showmanship.
Finish: To earn enough points to receive the title Champion.
Flank: The outer area of muscle between the ribs and the hips.
Flyer: A dog who earns a championship very quickly.
Flying trot: A fast, long-reaching trot, in which the hind feet reach forward beyond the front feet, and all feet are off the ground in each half stride.
Forequarters: The front legs, shoulders, withers, and chest, taken together.
Free stack: A pose taken by the dog, usually at the end of a gaiting pattern.
Front: How a dog looks head on, concentration on the front legs, chest, and shoulders.
Fun match: An unsanctioned event, at which dogs and handlers can gain experience but not win any points toward a championship.
Gaiting: Moving the dog around the ring, in various patterns, at a trot.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of a single dog, capable of being passed along to progeny.
Groom: To care for the dog's coat, by brushing, combing, trimming.
Grooming table: Elevated platform for easier grooming of a dog.
Group first: The dog awarded Best in Group.
Groups: A division of dog breeds by type or function into groups used for judging purposes.
Handler: The person working the dog in the ring.
Hindquarters: The hind legs, buttocks, thighs, and hips, taken together.
Hocks: The joints of the dog's rear legs between the second thigh and the pastern.
Indifinite Listing Privilege (ILP): A limited registration offered for purebred dogs without registration papers.
Intact: A dog retaining all of his or her reproductive structures.
Judge: The presiding official in the ring, who evaluates the dogs.
Judging schedule: A listing of each class, including the number of dogs entered and the estimated showing time.
Junior Showmanship: A class for younger handlers in which judging is based on the ability of the handler rather than on the quality of the dog.
Layback: The angle of the shoulder blade from the vertical.
Level bite: A bite wherin the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws meet edge to edge when the mouth is closed.
Level gait: A trot with no rising or falling of the withers.
Loin: The vertical surfaces of the dog between the ribs and the hip bones.
Major: A class where there are sufficient entries for the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch to be awarded three or more points at an AKC show.
Match: An event not counting toward a championship, used to prepare handlers, dogs, and judges for the more formal show.
Microchip: Form of permanent identification implanted into the dog between the shoulder blades.
Miscellaneous class: An AKC class for certain breeds in the process of being recognized by the AKC, but not yet fully recognized and placed in a group.
Multibreed show: A show open to more than one breed but fewer than all the breeds recognized by a kennel club.
Non-Sporting: One of the seven AKC groups; originally the only group other than Sporting, hence its name.
Novice: An AKC class for dogs not having won two firsts in a novice or higher class.
Occiput: The high point at the back of the skull, the peak of the dog's head.
OFA: The Orthopedic Foundation of America, a registry begun to track the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs, but now including other genetic defects.
Open: An AKC class in which any eligible dog may compete.
Padding: Lifting the front feet too high in compensation for overreaching.
Paddling: Throwing the front feet out wide to the side.
Parent club: The national organization representing a breed.
Pastern: The forelegs from the wrist joint to the paw.
Patella luxation: Dislocation of the knee cap.
Pattern: The configuration in which the dog is gaited, such as up and back, triangle, or around the ring.
Pedigree: The written record of a dog's lineage.
Pet quality: A dog not thought to be of quality necessary to do well in the ring.
Phenotype: The visible characteristics or physical appearance of an individual dog, not necessarily genetically capable of being passed to offspring.
Point schedule: The number of points awarded by breed and by region, depending on the number of dogs competing.
Point show: A sanctioned show, where a dog may earn points toward a championship.
Posting: A bad habit a dog can develop of leaning back, reacting to constantly being pulled forward into the stacked position.
Pre-entry: An entry sent in before the actual day of the match or trial.
Premium list: A printed pamphlet with advance details of a show, match, or trail.
Professional handler: A person paid to handle a dog in the show ring, often including preparing the dog for the event.
Reach: Forward movement of the forelegs when gaiting.
Regualr class: Classes included at all shows, from which the winner will be selected to receive championship points.
Schedule of points: The chart provided by a registry indicating how many points are earned by beating various numbers of other dogs.
Scissors bite: A bite wherein the back of the gront teeth in the upper jaw touch the front of the front teeth in the lower jaw when the mouth is closed.
Show lead: Very slender lead used to show the dog in the ring.
Show quality: A dog thought to have the conformation quality necessary to do well in the ring.
Sickle hocks: Sharply angulated hock joint, which is not free to move readily.
Sire: Male parent of a dog.
Slicker: A wire pin brush.
Specialing: Showing a dog, usually intensively, after the championship has been attained.
Specials: Best of Breed class, open only to the Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, and any Champions entered.
Specialty club: A club concerned with a single breed, working toward its improvement.
Specialty show: A show limited to a single breed.
Sporting: One of the orginal AKC groups of dogs originally bred for fieldwork.
Stack: To set up a dog in the best position by adjusting the placement of its feet and head to show off its good points and conceal its bad.
Standard: Official written description of the characteristics that constitute the ideal specimen of a breed.
Steward: The judge's assistant in the ring.
Stifle: The "knee" of the rear legs, between the femur and the tibia and fibula.
Stud book: Breeding records kept by the farious kennel clubs and registries.
Superintendent: Person hired as a professional to handle the many arrangements in connection with a dog show.
Sweepstakes: Classes offered by specialty clubs, often for puppies from 6 to 18 months old, sometimes for veteran dogs, in which the entry fees are divided among the winners.
Tail set: The relationship between a dog's body and tail, including position and angle of the tail attachment to the body.
Topline: The upper outline of the dog, viewed from the side, from the base of the head to the rump.
Unbenched: A show in which the handlers and dogs must only arrive in time to show and may leave when finished.
Undercoat: The short, fine hairs generally concealed by the guard hairs, providing insulation.
Variety: A subgrouping within a breed, usually according to color, coat type, or size.
Winners Bitch/Dog: The female/male chosen best among the winners of the regular breed classes and earning championship points.
Withers: The highest point of the shoulders.
History of the Siberian Husky
Siberian Husky Standard
The Siberian Husky isn’t for everyone.
They were bred to think for themselves and make their own decisions. This was a benefit to the people who needed them to help travel across difficult and potentially dangerous terrain.
Siberians are active, and need lots of exercise, but that exercise must be in a fenced area or on a leash, as they will wander off if allowed to run loose. This is a trait of the breed, and no amount of training can make these dogs 100% reliable off-lead. They love to run and given the chance they will and it could be his last. They need to be on a leash, in a fenced in yard at least 6 ft high, in a kennel or indoors. Never let one run loose, he will go to anyone and that could be the last you see of your precious Siberian.
They are intelligent and need early obedience training and an owner who can offer positive reinforcement while the dog is learning the house rules. The Siberian Huskies live an average of 12-15 years, so be prepared for a long lifetime commitment when wanting to own one.
Siberians don't like to spend a lot of time alone. A bored or lonely Siberian can be a very destructive one, digging large holes in gardens or sofas. Siberians are a gregarious lot and need the company of other dogs or of people at all times. If you work all day, or have room for only one dog . . . don't buy a Siberian.
Siberian Huskies have a double coat and shed - A LOT! Potential owners should understand this, and decide if it's acceptable to them.
The breed is generally good with children and other dogs, but may not get along with cats and other small animals that run away when afraid.
While capable of strong affection for his family, the Siberian Husky is also very friendly with strangers. So, if you want the fierce loyalty of a one-man dog . . . don't buy a Siberian. The Siberian Husky is not a watch dog.
To see the different coat colors go to www.huskycolors.com
A few interesting facts.
1889: The start of the gold rush in Alaska marks an unexpected rise in the market value of the dog, as demand for pack and sled dogs soars. Newspapers report dogs selling for as much as $1,000, while dog-theft in general spreads in the states.
1903: Jack London's Call of the Wild is serialized in the Saturday Evening Post, introducing readers to Buck, a sled-dog in the Klondike, and his "journey to transformation."
1908: Sled racing becomes a popular sport in Alaska.
1909: Arctic explorer Commodore Robert E. Peary is the first to reach the North Pole, using a sled-dog team. Likely, the Inuit beat him to it; but other than fellow American Frederick Albert Cook's claim on the Pole in 1908, Peary's feat stands, uncontested.
1910: Police dogs are used in Europe for the first time.
1917: Falax of Lewanno, a German Shepherd Dog credited with bringing 54 wounded soldiers to safety, is honored at Westminster.
1918: Lee Duncan, a U.S. Army corporal, rescues a German Shepherd pup from an abandoned German war dog station in Paris, in September. Named Etzel v. Ceringen, Duncan opted to rename the dog after a popular French doll of the time- Rin-Tin-Tin.
1921: German-born German Shepherd Dog, 'Strongheart,' debuts in the silent film The Silent Call.
1922: Rin-Tin-Tin gets his first starring role, in The Man From Hell's River- the first of 26 Warner Bros. films. Rinty's early popularity is credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy.
1925: Siberian Huskies race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, to deliver lifesaving diphtheria serum. Twenty teams relay the medicine 674 miles in 27.5 hours and become the inspiration for the commemorative Iditarod race.
1925: Some 24 German Shepherd Dogs achieve celebrity status in Hollywood, starring in 165 feature films and "chapter" series.
1926: American German Shepherd breeder John Sinykin, after training a guide dog for a senator, establishes The Master Eye Institute (a.k.a. His Master's Eyes)
1927: In March, Ohio businessman George Kimble creates the Balto Fund to rescue the famous team of Siberian Huskies from an uncertain future. On March 19, with help from the Western reserve Kennel Club and a young Maxwell Riddle, the dogs arrived in Cleveland to a lavish parade, and then are housed in the cleveland Zoo to live out their days in peace and dignity.
1927-28: Admiral Robert E. Byrd makes the first of five expeditions to the South Pole. His "Northern Husky" sled dog team included a mixed-breed dog, 'Chinook,' credited as the father of the Chinook breed in the standard today.
1929: Pioneering sled-dog driver Eva Seeley, known as "Short," begins her career as a musher.
1961: Walt Disney Studios makes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police an unusual gift: 34 Siberian Huskies, used in the filming of Nikki, Wild Dog of the North, in the Canadian Rockies. The RCMP then launched a new breeding program.
1973: The first Iditarod is staged, with 34 dog teams. Winner Richard Wilmarth travels the grueling course from Anchorage to Nome in 20 days.
1985: Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod, racing 18 days through an arctic storm.