CCShepherds

Colorado Bred
German Shepherds, Puppies and Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

Crystal Creek’s Sasha

Question:

A breeder I spoke with stated she does not breed German Bloodline Shepherds in order to keep her dogs from being too aggressive. Is aggressiveness exhibited more in the German Bloodline?

Answer:

I have bred both German Lines and American Lines. The other breeder you spoke with told you the partial truth. If I wanted a Shutzhund dog I would definitely look for German Lines. They are not bred to be more aggressive but the working lines are bred to be more intensely driven to take their role such as you dictate to them. If you want them to be more aggressive, then they will be.  If you want them to take the protection role, then they will gladly use their intense instinct to protect what they feel you need protection from. They are bred for this intensity where the American Lines are not. Of course they are still German Shepherds and will show all the traits most people attribute to the breed but not as much drive as the German Working Dogs. This is the reason I breed American Lines only now.  The German Lines, generally, are too intense for the average family. Of course there are always exceptions...

Question:

Why do I breed my dogs?

Answer:

My kennel is not a vocation but a hobby. I plan on a litter when I have enough reservations.  I will keep one or two pups out of the litter for show prospects.  If these pups do not live up to their potential for show then I will offer them up for adoption as an older pup. (4 to 6 months old) Although I breed for conformation dogs my primary goal is great health and temperament. The income I receive from adoption fees is applied to the care and maintenance of my shepherds.

Question:

About how long will I have to wait for my pup after I leave a deposit?

Answer:

The average wait time is 3 months. Of course I can’t see into the future and there are always exceptions. I do get a few cancelations so there is a possibility that there will be a pup available immediately. If you have a deposit with me then you will be able to come by with an appointment and visit/play with my dogs whenever you want. During this time, I might offer you to foster another pup until yours is ready to go home or to help socialize a current litter. There is always something to do around here if you really want to learn or get involved with the breed.

Question:

When will my pups ears go up?  They were up for a few days but now they are down again.

Answer:

This question always makes me smile. One of the most memorable times you will have with your pup is to watch their ears go up; then down; then cross; then lean; then down; then up again. This is all expected and can be attributed to teething and nutrition. They will begin this journey from about 8 weeks until 5 months.  If they aren’t up by 5 months then we will need to help them. I have also found that the the pups with a larger head will lag behind the smaller headed dogs.

Question:

I have so many questions to ask but I am not ready to fill out an application yet.

Answer:

I have put together a reply e-mail when someone sends in an application to me. There is no obligation and it only takes a few minutes. The e-mail will answer most of your questions.  Then you will be able to make a knowledgeable decision on why you should seriously consider a CCS pup over all others. There is usually a waiting list because our prices are very reasonable for the quality you receive. If you are still interested after receiving the information, we can schedule a time for a visit or answer your questions in more detail. Please understand, this is not a business, it is a passion.  Answering repetitive questions is less time I have to spend with the dogs.

Question:

Why don’t you tell me what the price of your pups are without submitting an application?

Answer:

Part of my screening process is to see if the potential adoptive family is willing to fill out an application without knowledge of price.  This lets me know how much they want a quality dog and what they are willing to do for one. Like I said, I am one of the lowest priced breeder's on the Internet with the best quality.  I breed as a hobby to produce my next show pup and not for financial independence. 

Question:

I read somewhere on your web site that you train the puppies?

Answer:

I will be happy to guide you to train your pup in basic obedience. Saturday mornings at 10:00 is when I schedule time for this.  I will show you what to do and ask you to practice the technique. When I see you have it down, you will then go home and practice until the following Saturday when I can evaluate your pup’s progress and proceed with his training.

Question:

A breeder proudly mentioned having bred over 100 Champions in over 25 years of breeding. My question is this - Does winning shows necessarily give an indication of a dog’s ability to learn or to work as in: herding, agility  or protection?  I want a dog with not just good looks but a very well working brain between her ears.

Answer:

Four conformation champions a year for 25 years? That is incredible!  To answer your question I would have to say no, unless we are talking double champions in a working title. In order for a dog to be a conformation champion you must assume that their temperament is solid.  They would be disqualified from the show ring if that wasn’t the case. 
In my breeding program I concentrate on health, intelligence, temperament and then conformation. I want to produce conformation dogs but I need to have satisfied clients that are looking for a great companion and not another problem. I try and keep the best pup out of every litter for show.  If I do not have families waiting for the others I could not have that litter.  The day I am faced with putting a pup down because I do not have an adoptive family waiting for them is the day I stop breeding dogs.  I enourage all CCS owners to title their dogs in anything they are interested in acheiving together.

Question:

One breeder feeds only raw food to her dogs, stating that this gives her more healthy dogs with better temperaments; this includes raw chicken with bones. She only gives her dogs’ rabies shots because they are required, no other vaccinations are given. What are your feelings towards this outlook?

Answer:

I have researched raw food diet (BARF) made popular by Dr. Ian Bilinghurst extensively.  If this diet is followed religiously, it is the best way to feed your dog. I would believe nothing of what I hear and half of what I see in this case. In order to feed this diet it can be very expensive when feeding many dogs.  What I do is feed a Grain Free premium dry food like Canidae and supplement with raw meaty poultry bones. I will add whole grain brown rice when breeding or lactating.  Also see my Basic Supplement that I feed all the time. This way I am satisfied that my dogs are getting a balanced diet and live raw food also.  This is what works for me and it is much easier to live with when feeding your pet.
VACCINATIONS: I have always given the first puppy vaccination because of the increase incidences of different strains of Parvo. The other breeder, if still in existence, will change their mind about vaccinations if Parvo hits them and they lose a litter of pups and have to stop breeding for at least one year to decontaminate their kennel. 
I offer 3 puppy vaccines.  That is what your vet will recommend. I do not follow the adult dog annual recommendations.  Read the article on vaccinations on the Health Page.  I vaccinate the bitch when bred with Neoparto increase, a strong Parvo vaccine, to increase her antibodies so she can pass them on to her pups when suckling. I will then vaccinate the pups at 6 weeks with Neopar.  Before you pick up your pup I will vaccinate with a full spectrum Puppy Booster.  You can then bring your pup back in three weeks for their third Puppy Booster for a $10.00 fee to cover materials.  I have worked this regimen meticulously with CSU Research Veterinarians and have had 100 % succes.

More To Come!