Why Buy A Well Bred Dog?

"Why buy a well bred dog?"

That is one question I can guarantee you serous responsible breeder has heard. Of course, it is a good question and one that solicits a lengthy answer. In all honesty, there is no single clear-cut answer to that question. There are several reasons why you should purchase a well bred dog and we'll explain below.

Purebred does not mean well bred.

Over the years, there has become a notion that every purebred dog is well bred. To put it simply, that is entirely false. Not every purebred dog is well bred. In fact, most of the purebred dogs in the world especially those being bred and sold are not well bred.

Being purebred is only a portion of what being well bred means. Purebred simply means that your dog is entirely of the lineage of it's assigned breed - no more, no less.

So what does well bred really mean?

A well bred dog is one that has been raised by a responsible breeder who follows ethical breeding practices. These dogs are born from not only health tested parents of proper age who also have proven lineage, but have done years of research of what the genes in the bloodlines bring to the outcome in the new generations.

When you purchase a well bred dog from a responsible, renown breeder, you are not supporting unethical breeding practices.

Here at Southernwind, we like to say that you aren't just purchasing a dog - you're adding a member to your family who has been carefully bred and raised with love so they can mature into a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted adult.

There are so many aspects that must be taken into account when talking about a dog being well bred...

Conformation

Far too many people think dogs bred to the AKC/ FCI standard are bred that way just for the looks or the aesthetic. Conformation plays a vital role in the health and longevity of your friend!

Each breed has what is called a "breed standard". We like to explain that this is similar to a blueprint - but one for breeders to follow so we can ensure we are following what makes an GSD a GSD!

The GSD breed standard details the correct structure, color, temperament, and other details of a correct German Shepherd. And once again, these details aren't just chosen out of the blue or because they make a dog pretty. Each detail of a correct German Shepherd has a specific purpose. The SV Breed Standard

Take structure for example: correct structure allows a German Shepherd to do what it is designed to do - work! For many companion GSD, their "work" is playing fetch, practicing tricks, and going hiking with their family.

Dogs with severe conformation faults are at increased risk for developing arthritis or becoming injured while working. The purpose of breeding for correct structure is to allow the dog to work and move effectively. to be able to really learn about structure, movement and what a real German Shepherds should look like, Responsible true breeders should educate themselves thoroughly and one of the best ways is to assist at the yearly Sieger shows in Germany were they will have the opportunity of watching one complete week of dogs compete and can see offspring's and see the results of mating's from top breeders from all over the world, there are usually over 5,000 dogs competing in the Sieger shows. Link to learn about Sieger shows

Health

We all want our dogs to live forever, right? After all, they aren't just a dog - they are a family member and best friend. We want the best for them so our four-legged friends can live long and happy lives by our side.

Health testing not only plays a major role in whether a dog is well bred, but is also plays a role in the general health status and longevity of your companion.

The German Shepherd breed is prone to several genetic diseases as well as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and is one of the breeds included in the list of DM. These diseases and disorders are all too common among dogs who have been bred by breeders who were too careless to take the time to screen their breeding stock. Many of these diseases can be entirely or partially preventable. But never a 100% for the GSD is known to carry the genes since it was recognized as a bred in 1898. We have to remember that the breed was established in a time were there was no advance medical machines to do x rays nor to be able to foresee the results of mattings, and Capt. Von Stephaniz who is known as the father of the breed had no knowledge of the cause and effects of the breeding program he created by interbreeding tights family bloodlines and perhaps it may had been what propelled the Hip and Elbow dysplasia into the breed , and it has been carried from generation to generations.

All German Shepherds being bred should have all breed applicable health testing completed before ever being bred. This means dogs should be at least two years old before being bred. Genetic disease screening can be done at any age but OFA examinations of hips and elbows cannot be completed until two years of age.

On the other side, The SV/FCI which is what dictates the German rules for doing hips and elbows dysplasia, promotes GSD to have their hips and elbows done at 1 year of age, for this age we can really tell what grade genetically this dog has with hips and elbows

By testing our dogs and using those results to carefully determine breeding pairs, we can ensure the health and genetic status of your puppy. We never breed two carriers together.

In addition, all of our breeding dogs have their hips and elbows examined by the FCI/SV in Germany or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). While these results do not entirely eliminate the chance of hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia appearing in their offspring, due to the disorders being multifactorial, it does help us to make informed breeding decisions to enable the best outcomes for puppies.

As a breeder and friend of our puppy families, we also provide several tips for how to avoid external factors that can have an impact on hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

The science behind canine health testing is in an ever-constant state of development. As new genetic tests become available for the German Shepherd breed, we always update our testing protocols to ensure we are staying on top of the health of not only our dogs, but your Southernwind puppy's health as well.

Lineage

Another portion of a whether a dog is well bred or not is the lineage. (Gene Pool)

Lineage can give us an insight into many aspects of a dog by allowing us to examine their ancestors; their drive, energy level, temperament, health, and athleticism.

For example, in our breeding program we prioritize in every aspect what makes the best companion. Through examining bloodlines, we can specifically select dogs that have the traits we desire... such as low to medium drives, a reliable off switch, easy trainability and eagerness to please, as well as being able to succeed in a multitude of roles including service, therapy, show, performance, and being a wonderful companion on top of it all.

Every dog in our program brings something to the table - desirable traits that we want to see in their offspring. One of our favorite parts of being a breeder is spotting traits from each parent as the puppies grow and encounter exposures and socialization opportunities in our rearing program.

The Breeder

When purchasing a well bred dog, you aren't just working with anyone - you're working with someone that is devoted to the breed and loves your new puppy just as much as you do!

We breed because we are passionate about our German Shepherd breed and want to preserve the essence of what makes this breed so wonderful for years to come. Maybe we're a bit biased, but we believe German Shepherds are the ultimate companion and deserve to be bred and raised ethically and carefully.

As a breeder, we pour every bit of ourselves into the raising of our puppies. We will love them forever as they are a part of our family and we never lose that feeling. When you bring a Southernwind puppy into your home, we feel like you become family as well.

Since we are invested in the success of both you and your puppy, we are always here to provide advice and answer any questions. This breed is our area of expertise and we always try our hardest to guide families through the process of bringing a new puppy into their home, navigating through the puppy stages, and all the wonderful joy-filled years down the road.

After reading this, I hope you've learned a bit about what makes a well bred dog truly well bred and why it is so important to make sure your next family member is coming from a responsible breeder. As always, if you have any questions whether it's about us and our puppies, the breed, or what well bred means - contact us!