The German Shepherd Handbook: The Essential Guide For New & Prospective German Shepherd Owners (Canine Handbooks)

My son's family needs to learn about this breed so they can raise & train their puppy

bought for songood book

When I started to read “The German Shepherd Handbook” it reinforced what I was taught by a breeder I’ve gotten to know her name is Bobbi King. My mom found her after her rescue GSD had passed away. Low and behold the original owner was Bobbi King who owned him with another breeder. Whopper located on p. 225 he was a gentle giant and my kids and I loved him. The handbook speaks on any topic possible to owning a GSD, health problems that may arise, the importance of health testing, socializing, traits, anxiety, and skin allergies, etc. What stuck out to me was finding a good mentor if you are looking to breed your GSD. I had talked to Bobbi on occasion about this and she took me under her wing. First thing first we had the dam that I bought from her health tested. We went to a dog show where there were mobile vets to do the testing we needed. She stated it is more expensive when you go to a vet's office but mobile vets at a dog show tend to be cheaper. She hand walked me along with her dogs to be tested as well. We had hips and elbow, eyes, detention, thyroid, cardiac, degenerative myelopathy, and temperament testing. Then she stated when you have all that you will get a certificate from OFA showing everything you’ve tested for on one certificate. You want to make sure that both dam and sire are health tested it doesn’t mean they will not develop it but are less likely to. She then had me register with AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Program to show my GSDs are health tested even had me arrange their binder a certain way so when the potential buyers see the GSDs info it is appealing to them. Shows your knowledge and love of the breed itself. We talked about the positives and negatives of breeding: 1) costs, 2) vet visits, 3) training, 4) puppies/older GSD being returned at any time, and 5) full-time care of Dam and puppies, etc the list goes on and on. This book described what I went through as a GSD owner and breeder. This pretty much covers everything you need to know and then some. The fact it covered finding a mentor had me thinking about all the things I went through and why I do it. I breed to carry on the trait that I want in my future litters. Sadly I retired my dam but will pick up again when I am ready to start again with a future female I may buy. I will do it with the knowledge I gained from this book and from my mentor Bobbi who is also a great friend of mine! If you looking into getting a GSD whether it is a puppy, an adult, or a rescue GSD this is a great book to have in your arsenal of knowledge of GSDs. The first 3 pics are of my Redwood Run's "Echo" Vom Haus Drage and the last picture is of Whopper who is laying by my mom's bedside when he was first rescued by her.

I love how they tell you everything you need to know about your dog.( German Shepard) . There’s a lot I never knew, or thought about doing with Jethro ( German Shepard) ! I will continue to read and learn more about him ♥️!

My older parents recently purchased a German Shepherd several months after they lost their 13 year old German Shepherd. They have owned other German shepherds, but puppy is different. First of all he is huge and still growing. He's easy to train and super boisterous. Smart and stubborn. They needed something to refresh them on what to do with this cannily watchful inquisitive male.This book is just what they needed. This is giving them a fresh perspective on what to do with this new guy under different & unique circumstances - the COVID pandemic. He was not able to be socialized through puppy kindergarten or other safe ways to introduce him to many different people & circumstances. My parents acquired him right before our state was locked down. They would not have gotten him if had they had any idea what was going to happen. They would have waited. Of course they love him to pieces now and he is a gorgeous most black striking Shepherd. Yet they needed something to help with some bad habits he has picked up because they were not able to do the things they normally do with their pups.This book is able to provide some solutions to problems, suggestions of what can be done, and how to prevent some other bad habits from forming. He's strong and tall. The kitchen counters and the sink are his playground. This book is helping them and they are so grateful. They only wish there were color pictures.

Very diverse topics, short and to the point but long enough to pass on good information.Best overall GSD book so far and I'm through 6 now.Will keep as a reference book also.Well done.

This was a gift to new owners of their first GSD...a lot of insight for them.

Great book with many insights into the German Shepherd. Would highly recommend.

This is the BEST book on German Shepherds I have read and I've read sooooo many. I'm researching the breed as best I can before we get one and I'm also training to become a qualified dog trainer and groomer. I've read a LOT of dog books...Usually, a book on 'German Shepherds' is just another general dog book with a GSD on the front. Some of them go so far to discuss dogs but change the name of the breed within the text to 'GSD' and leave the rest of the text as is. I recently purchased a book that didn't manage to swap out all of the 'Golden Retrievers' for 'German Shepherds'... the author in question has around 20 breed specific books for sale that sound like they are all just one book with a teeny edit- badly done in the case of the GSD version.The German Shepherd Handbook is NOTHING like the others. It's fantastic. Throughout, breeders from the UK and USA (rare that we get UK perspective let alone both) give their combined wit and wisdom on EVERY aspect of German Shepherds alongside a very objective and informative author- from finding a breeder to selecting a pup, innoculations to feeding, working dogs vs show dogs/pet, puppy biting to grooming.I am so pleased I got this book and if I had bought it 18 months ago, I would have saved a heck of a lot of money on other useless titles.

If you are thinking of getting a GSD or are a current owner this is a comprehensive, ‘must have’ manual. It covers a lot of important aspects in detail, is well laid out and easy to read.I liked the way that the origins of the breed were discussed in relation to the way the breed has developed in certain countries and how that affects the attributes of the breed, rather than just being a brief history lesson. The use of expertise from breeders is particularly helpful, although I couldn’t agree with every comment made.When contemplating the purchase of a pup, there should always be a heavy emphasis on choosing the right breeder and the advice here was spot on, especially getting across the idea that if the breeder is not asking you a lot of questions then you should be thinking again! We took our time and talked to many breeders before finding the right ones. Whilst it won’t protect you from all heartache, knowing that the pup has been carefully bred from health scored parents, raised well in those critical early days and that you have a life-time of back up and support is worth it’s weight in gold.Just as important is finding the right trainer. No matter how many shepherds you have had, each one is unique and will present different challenges to you, plus the fact that training with other dogs as distractions is essential to building that relationship with your dog. Whilst all the breeders were advising training, it might be helpful to give some advice on how to find a good trainer as this is such a big industry now and not all trainers are equal!The health sections were great because they were focused on issues affecting Shepherds, included useful diagrams and pictures and explained diseases well. I also liked the fact that holistic and natural remedies and approaches were included.For anyone thinking of getting a German Shepherd and for current owners this is a comprehensive, easy to read book that I know I will be referring back to for it's many useful pieces of information and tips on handling issues.

I bought this book because I am soon to have a GSD puppy and I haven't had a dog for over 25 years. I learnt so much from this book about dog behaviour, modern effective training, health care, nutrition, exercise needs and puppy development. It is a purchase I have no regrets about making. German Shepherds have been in my family for a long time and yet I still found so much I didn't know.If you are considering adopting, rehoming or buying a GSD this book is a definite must have for your research. GSD's are a breed that you must research in depth PRIOR to acquiring because they need ++++++ exercise and mental stimulation

We felt privileged, to be asked by Linda , to help with this book on the German Shepherd.We must admit, that we approached this idea with some trepidation .this undertaking from her , was going to be no easy task, writing a book about what we consider to be the most incredible breed of dog in the world, after over 50 years of daily involvement in our Breed, we are very proud of it, and very, very protective of it.What Linda has done is write a book , that should be a must have, for anyone contemplating either a puppy for the first time , or replacing a much loved family member whereby the memories of the joys and perils of puppyhood are in the distant past. An excellent reference book with tips to help throughout the dogs life. We will ensure that no pup will be leaving us, in the future without a copy of this book in their puppy pack. So many congratulations Linda, on what you have achieved.

A very comprehensive handbook about German Shepherd dogs. Linda Whitman has researched & written in great detail about the many aspects that sets this breed of dog apart from other dog breeds.The book is easy to read & enjoyable. It covers many relevant topics from the early history of the breed through to present show & working line German Shepherd Dogs, plus the subdivision within these lines. The importance of training, health, diet, care & exercise. Plus the type of home & owner a German Shepherd Dog requires.There is excellent advice on choosing the correct breed line & a breeder who has the health & welfare of their dogs & breed standard at the forefront of their breeding ethics. Covering hereditary diseases, bad breeders & health screening of parents. Plus the questions you should ask the breeder & the breeder should ask you. How the pedigree & breed lines allow you to research the personality, health, drive, temperament & suitability of the dog to you.Linda covers the breed as a working dog of high intelligence & versatility that requires training, exercise & mental stimulation. The importance of early training, creating a bond with your dog & their relationship with you & others. The high intelligence & ability of German Shepherd Dogs means they excel in many dog sports such as IGP, Working Trials, Tracking, K. C. Good Citizen Dog Scheme & Obedience. Linda emphasises how this is a great way to strengthen the bond with your dog & gives your dog an interesting & stimulating life with you.My family have owned German Shepherd Dogs for over 40 years. Each of our 10 dogs we have been blessed with have all been very different, with a variety of drives & mixture of personalities. I am very lucky to have a dog breed by one of the featured breeders. When looking for a breeder I did my research, used the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme & was happy to wait for a puppy. I avoided breeders who didn’t have high breeding standards or could answer my questions sufficiently.A dog is for life & a BIG commitment. A German Shepherd Dog is an amazing breed & unfortunately as they require more than the average dog breed they sometimes end up in rescue centres. Linda has included a chapter on rehoming German Shepherd Dogs & details of rescue centres. Excellent advice & information about rehoming is given in great detail.I would highly recommend this book to those interested in German Shepherd Dogs & owners of the breed. It is filled with interesting information from the history of the breed, the life & work of German Shepherd Dogs, plus food, health, exercise, mental stimulation & training tips, facts & advice from breeders. The book takes you from fluffy puppyhood, the ‘teenager years’ & adulthood, through to ‘golden oldie’ German Shepherd Dog.An excellent book that has been a very interesting read. I will reference the health & diet sections & use the exercises & activities with my current German Shepherd Dog to keep her mentally stimulated & happy throughout her life.