Puppy Information

From the archives of Kathleen Salvucci, Pine Hill German Shepherds, Mohnton, PA

I am often asked about puppy availability, what “type” of dogs I breed, and my philosophy about breeding, so here goes:

The Philosophy

Quite simply, I breed for me.

I fell in love with this breed over 40 years ago and won’t be without a good one. I breed to the standard. That means no oversized dogs, no off-colors, and no other fad that comes down the pike.

I compete in the AKC breed ring and performance venues, and I want a stellar example of the breed by my side and sharing my home.

(If you aren’t familiar with the breed standard, please become familiar with it before considering a purchase.)

I am blessed that puppy homes are waiting, and this has allowed me to dream the next big dream knowing the puppies I don’t keep will land in terrific, loving forever homes.

Quality puppies, carefully started, are occasionally available from health-tested and certified parents. Pedigrees are closely studied and laboriously scrutinized, and health checks for parents are completed before a litter is contemplated.

To be considered for breeding, dogs and bitches must have outstanding temperament and beautiful, correct structure. Often overlooked, they must also be “easy keepers.”

In addition to passing recommended health screenings, that means good eaters, healthy dogs, no allergies or skin conditions, dogs who do well on good but not elaborate food, and dogs who look wonderful and the picture of health without a counter full of supplements and potions (let alone meds!).

Provided a dog is parasite-free, lovely coats come from genetics, not a bottle of this or a few sprays of that.

Serious inquiries are welcome, and reservations are taken from qualified homes. When a litter is on the way, I touch base with those who have expressed interest and, if we all feel it is a good fit, they are welcome to reserve a puppy.

I am a member and past VP/board member of the Delaware Valley German Shepherd Dog Club, a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, past national chairperson and signer of the Breeder’s Code of Ethics for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, an AKC Breeder of Merit, and a supporter of the PA and NJ Federation of Dog Clubs.

Litters are home-raised with an emphasis on early socialization (more on that below).

Pine Hill puppies are always vet checked with written health certification prior to new owners meeting their puppy. New owners receive a copy of the vet’s certification, current worming and immunization records, and suggestions for follow-up immunizations.

What makes a terrific puppy home?

Ideally, an individual or family with experience with GSDs or other large dogs; a homeowner with a securely fenced (non-electric) area; someone with a schedule that doesn’t require a puppy to be crated excessively during the day or who is willing to hire a dog walker; and an owner willing to attend, at a minimum, puppy kindergarten and beginner obedience classes.

Frequency of litters?

Generally, I will breed 1–2 litters per year. Raising a litter, caring for mom and puppies, and socializing the puppies well takes a tremendous amount of work and time.

Breeding, Pregnancy, Whelping, Early Socialization, and Weaning

Both dog and bitch complete pre-breeding testing, including brucellosis testing and progesterone timing, along with cultures for the bitch. Everything imaginable is done to ensure a successful, healthy pregnancy for mom, a safe delivery, and healthy, thriving puppies.

I will not x-ray as a matter of convenience for a puppy count since we know that can be harmful to a growing embryo, producing much higher incidences of some cancers.

Pine Hill is an AKC name prefix; I do not have a commercial kennel open to the public.

Once a gal is bred, doggy visitors are not welcome until puppies are six-plus weeks old, have completed their health checks, and have started their immunizations. After six weeks, those who have reserved a puppy schedule a visit, and we have a terrific time playing with the youngsters!

The first and obvious reason for the “no visitor” policy is that visitors could bring a bug with them from pets of their own and/or from other litters they may have visited. Mature dogs can be asymptomatic but still shed parasites and/or disease that can be detrimental — even fatal — to immature immune systems. Mom will only pass on maternal antibodies for things she has either been exposed to or vaccinated for.

Litters here are planned years (yes, years!!) in advance. Little lives are precious, some families wait more than a year for a puppy, and I simply won’t take the chance that visitors could bring something harmful to the puppies.

The second reason for no early visitors is that mom’s full-time job for the first few weeks is to lay with, nurse, clean, and carefully tend to her babies. She doesn’t want to greet visitors, and she certainly doesn’t want visitors looking in on the fragile new lives she is so diligently watching over.

I also don’t need mom jumping up from the whelping box at the sound of a strange car or the doorbell and, God forbid, stepping on and injuring a newborn puppy.

This policy may be contrary to what families shopping for a puppy, or wanting to get to know the breed, have been told they should do. But there are dog shows every weekend where breeds can be viewed, and breeders and owners — after their dogs are shown — are usually happy to speak with them.

My puppies are whelped in a private, climate-controlled area. I am always present. The first stage of labor can last more than a day, and actual whelping can be a day-long affair.

I use Sterilon bedding, washed and changed at least daily. Sterilon is white, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. White or very light bedding is critical since it enables the careful breeder to immediately spot loose stools from a puppy — and they can dehydrate in hours, which IS a grave concern — or notice any off-color discharge from mom that could indicate trouble.

I cringe when I see newspaper, dark bedding, and/or carpet remnants used for a mom and her new litter. How does one clean a carpet remnant, and who would want chemicals (VOCs) from carpet near a newborn? I don’t even want to think of an umbilical cord anywhere near newspaper!

During the first week, it is important to constantly observe mom, handle puppies, check that the newborns’ bellies are full, and monitor temperature in the whelping area since puppies cannot regulate their body temperature until two to three weeks old.

I’m self-employed and own an insurance business, which allows me to stay with mom and puppies and later watch their progress on monitors from my in-home office.

Puppies are handled constantly. On the second day, little nails — so soft from the amniotic fluid when born, now sharp as razors — are trimmed. I don’t want mom scratched, nor do I want siblings scarred!

By two weeks, the puppies are licking Royal Canin mousse from my fingers and, when old enough to toddle, several at a time are brought away from mom, littermates, and the whelping area into the kitchen/family room. There they become accustomed to a variety of household noises and floor surfaces, as well as meet one or two other dogs (terrific role models and babysitters!).

Age-appropriate toys are introduced and early potty training begins. Puppies learn to stand on a grooming table — naturally with my hand under their belly — and are quite content to have bites examined and ears checked.

Lately in the dog world I have heard the term “early neurological stimulation” bandied about. Those of us past a certain age just call this sound puppy rearing!

Puppies are offered weaning formula at three weeks, but mom always has access to — and an escape route from — her puppies and can decide how long she will allow them to nurse (sharp teeth are erupting!).

Mom’s company during the first eight weeks is critical. Pity the puppy who has its mother removed too young.

By four weeks, weather permitting, puppies play outside for an hour or two at a time and find a whole new world to explore!

Worming starts at two weeks and continues until a puppy leaves. New owners are strongly encouraged to bring a stool sample to their vet during routine appointments and begin yearly heartworm medication on the schedule their veterinarian recommends.

Visiting Day!

Finally, the day new owners have eagerly anticipated!

At six weeks, puppies are still very much babies. They will play for 15–20 minutes, then nap. They sleep soundly after a meal. I try to schedule visits well after mealtime and, where possible, alternate visits between the sexes, allowing puppies a break between visitors.

New owners receive an extensive puppy packet of information. We discuss food, and I ask that when they return in two weeks they bring two empty one-gallon containers so they can take some of my water home with them to minimize the chance of an upset tummy from a water change. I also ask them to bring a few old towels for the ride home and the inevitable drool.

I do not ship puppies. In 2014, laws were passed prohibiting breeders from shipping a puppy sight unseen to a new owner unless they were a commercial breeder. (I have no desire to become one!)

Off to Their New Homes…

At 8-plus weeks, puppies are ready to go to their new homes. Their health certificate, as well as two copies of their health records, will accompany them (one for the new owner and one for the new owner’s vet).

New owners will have plenty of questions as the weeks pass, and I am always only a phone call or e-mail away … FOR THE LIFE OF THE DOG!

Remember, I loved the puppy first. It was born into MY hands, and as much as a new owner may want a terrific experience, I want it even more.