Shepherd Sight

GSD Puppy Ears

This video illustrates how a GSD Puppy’s ears might look at just under 4 months of age. Especially note how sometimes this puppy’s right ear is flat and pointed hard backwards, and sometimes it is flopping. The left ear is up nicely. This is all within the range of normal in my experience, especially based on what I know about my own bloodline. Particularly because that right ear is sometimes pointed back hard, that means the muscles are working, and in all likelihood that ear will stand. A good rule of thumb for me is, if they haven’t been up by 4 months, consider taping! Thank you to Connie’s new owner, for this great video of Connie playing with her Jack Russell family member. We will re-evaluate in one week!

GSD Connie and her a Jack Russell

Winston the Babysitter

At two years old, Winston’s temperament is superb. He is a half brother to Clyde and See See, who are 16 weeks old. He does a great job of playing gently with them, and they learned how to be respectful of a larger dog from their mother Jane.

Notice See See’s ears. They are not as strong as Clyde’s. I may have to tape them yet. They were both up last week!

Playtime with Brother Winston and Ears are Up!

**Left to right, Clyde, See See, and Winston**

**Check out the nice ear set on Loosy! They just came up this week.**

Clyde’s ears give him that cone head appearance. Sometimes See See’s ears do the same, and sometimes her left one sags to the side. But they are up most of the time, so it doesn’t look like tape is in their future. I heard from Connie’s owner too, and hers are also up.

Puppy training

A couple of the puppies that went to homes in the Richmond area came over on Saturday for some informal training. We worked on walking on a leash and coming when called. Of course, we had to have play sessions! My two short coats, Clyde and See See, got to play with Chief (formerly known as Mustang) and Loosy, both longhairs. Here are two videos to mark the occasion.

Another natural retrieve!

In her new home, Connie’s new mom checked out the natural retrieve instinct.

Here it is!

Those ears look good too!

Connie’s new family

I love the way Connie is already adapting to her new family! The Jack Russell and Connie are already curling up together. This was love at first sight! She settled in on Saturday, and these pics were taken on Sunday.

GSD puppy with baby stroller

Here is the puppy formerly known as Quarter with his new family out for a walk next to the baby’s stroller. And check out those perfect ears!

German Shepherd puppy as natural retriever

I love this video that one of my new puppy owners sent! It shows an 11 week old puppy doing a natural retrieve. Natural, meaning not taught, just pure instinct. This is definitely a big characteristic in my bloodline and something I’m particularly proud of. Natural retrieving is the instinct most highly correlated with trainability for guide work for the blind.
To test your puppy for this instinct, set him up for success. Try it in a familiar place, with no distractions, not even other people or dogs he knows. Try a familiar object like a ball, and an unfamiliar object. For an unfamiliar object I like to wad up a sheet of paper and toss it. Only throw a few feet away. Almost any puppies will chase, some will pick up, fewer will carry, and very few will bring back. So far, all my puppies that I have tested have brought back! When your puppy is successful, praise him a lot to encourage the behavior. And never force the object out of his mouth! Offer a treat, or another toy, and he will eventually drop it. Check out this puppy, formerly known as Mustang!

Long-haired female GSD available

Sadly, my friend who I was holding “Connie” for is unable to take her now, or to give me a time frame because of the health of her other dogs. So with Connie’s best interest in mind, I must place her. Just because she is the last puppy available out of a litter of 11 healthy pups, she is by no means the “last pick”! She has a very sweet and loving personality, and very nice conformation, which I wanted for my friend who is an experienced GSD owner. Despite this, I am selling her as a pet because of her long coat.
I did have Connie genetically tested, and she definitely has both recessive genes for long coat, and she does NOT carry the DM gene. I have been working with her on leash training and she has been accustomed to a crate for a couple of weeks now. The house training is going well. She plays like a normal silly puppy with her siblings and behaves appropriately around other dogs. She is up to date on shots and worming. She will likely be a large female, in the 75 to 85 lb. range. She will need frequent grooming to maintain that beautiful graceful look that is the hallmark of the longhaired GSD. As of tomorrow, she is 12 weeks old. Please use the contact form at bottom of this post to inquire about Connie. $1700 price includes guarantee and breeder as an information resource for a lifetime. Contract to review upon request.

Here are some pics of Connie, taken today:

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Goodbye to Quarterhorse

Quarter went to his new home today! All the way in Pennsylvania. I’m very pleased with this placement because the family is familiar with German Shepherds, having owned them before. And horses! They have horses! They will have to be careful with Quarter at first until he gets used to being around them, keeping him on a leash until he adapts. I especially liked this young couple because they asked lots of really good questions. This told me that they understood how to determine if I was a good breeder, and if Quarter had a suitable bloodline that would be most likely to have good health and temperament. Having two young children, they are home a lot and understand the supervision they will need to provide around a young playful puppy. Special thanks to Vera Symonds, Quarter’s sire’s owner, for this great referral.