FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will My Puppy Be AKC Registered? What Is 'Limited Registration'?

A: Your White German Shepherd puppy will come with forms to register your pup with the American Kennel Club (AKC) with a Limited Registration. A limited Registration allows participation in many AKC sanctioned events such as obedience and agility, but be aware the color white is an immediate disqualification in conformation competition. That means you will never see a WGSD take Best In Breed in an AKC sanctioned dog show. Other sanctioning organizations, such as UKC, CKC, and ARBA allow WGSD's to compete. Our Tiara has championship lineage in UKC. That being said, there are many people with 'show dog' quality animals that choose not to compete!

Q: How Do I Know My Pup Is Healthy?

A: Your puppy will come to you on or around 8 weeks of age. He or she will receive first vaccinations from ASJ White Shepherds ® at 6 weeks at no additional cost to you. In addition, we will worm the pups at least 3 times before you take delivery. Rear dew claws, if present at birth, will be removed. ASJ White Shepherds unconditionally guarantees your pup for 72 hours to assure you of a good, healthy pup at time of delivery. We strongly recommend a 'healthy puppy visit' by your veterinarian for baseline data and peace of mind.

Q: How Long Will I Have To Wait For A Puppy?

A: That question is typically answered by Mother Nature and when she gives us puppies ! We do have some past performance data we can share with you at time of inquiry, but, for obvious reasons, we cannot make guarantees as to what we might get in a litter, the size of the litter, and the timing. We take whatever Mother Nature gives us. 

Q: I Hear About 'Plush' Coat and 'Smooth' Coat Puppies. What Is This?

A: WGSD's come in three distinct types of coats, the third being 'Longcoats'. Our breeding efforts do not include Longcoats, but we do, from time to time, produce Plushcoats. These dogs have a longer, fluffier coat and typically show 'feathers' (loose, longer fur) surrounding the ears. A Plushcoat is a recessive gene; the standard, more prominent coat being the Smoothcoat for which we are all familiar. There is no difference in the coats other than length and possibly a softer texture. Check out the Gallery for White German Shepherd Plushcoat and Smoothcoat examples.

Q: When Will The Ears Stand Up?

A: This is a very common question. Ears will typically erect between 6 weeks and 4 months of age. AKC breed competition (Puppy Division) allow ears to be down up to 6 months of age. There is no telling exactly when ears will erect...and it can be a source of anxiety to wait for that special day....but inevitability they WILL erect.

Q: Why Can't We Visit The Newborns?

A: We take pride in our pups and our process: newborns are touched by human hands within the first 10 minutes of birth and that fact alone demonstrates the incredible trust our bitches have in us - we are here to help her IF she needs help. If she does not we allow Mother Nature to do what she needs to do. Puppies associate humans as 'pack leaders' right from the beginning.  
Unfortunately, MommyDog does not extend her trust to everyone. Her first instinct is to protect her pups at all costs. This, and the fact that newborn immunities take time to develop require us to enforce a 4 week minimum quarantine on newborns.

Q: How Can I Pick Just One - They Are All SO CUTE !!!!

A: This is a problem expressed by many. We 'temperament test' our puppies at 6 weeks of age to help determine which pup will be the right fit in your family. As far as picking only one....many families have come to us expecting to take home one and they leave taking TWO. It happens !

Q: So, I’ve placed a refundable deposit and there is a litter of puppies on the ground and one of those puppies will be mine. How do I know which puppy from that litter will be MY puppy?

A: We do something a little different here at ASJ White Shepherds™. WE do not pick your puppy, YOU do…..during Pick Your Puppy Weekend ®. When the puppies are six weeks old, we invite everyone in the Puppy Queue (waiting list) to come down and choose their puppy. For instance, the Pick of the Litter (male) will be the first one to arrive and will pick from all of the males from the litter, followed by 2nd pick male, and so on. We do the same procedure for all the females as well. Pick order is based on the date of deposit received at ASJ White Shepherds™ – oldest deposits get earliest picks.

That’s why it is important to get a refundable deposit in as soon as you are sure you want a puppy !

Q: Some Pups Have Black Noses and Some Have Pink Noses. What's Up With That?

A: Some dogs have heavier pigmentation than others. With regard to overall health a pink nose vs.a black nose matters not. Some pups will have a black nose in the summer and a pink nose in the winter - we call this a 'snow nose'!!!

Q: What Is OFA and Why Is It Important?

A: OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (http://www.offa.org). Hip dysplasia is a common genetic ailment in our beloved GSD's and we, as responsible breeders are committed to improving the breed by bringing healthy animals into the world to the best of our abilities. We encourage owner education in learning all about the efforts of OFA and how responsible breeding helps protect against perpetuating genetic defects.

Q: Let's Talk About MY New Puppy......What Should I Do When I Get It Home?

A: We believe the number one ingredient in bringing your new puppy into your home is to show it lots of LOVE !
Seriously - your new puppy will be extremely curious and a bit homesick. Lots of cuddles and an introduction into his/her own little 'quiet place' - which could be a crate (strongly recommended), a dog bed, or whatever serves as a place to 'escape' when the pressures of being a puppy get overwhelming! We especially encourage crate training as a GOOD place and NOT to have the puppy associate it with a place where puppy goes only when he/she is 'bad'. We also encourage attending 'puppy kindergarten' as a place for socialization - HIGHLY recommended for GSD's - and then Basic Obedience to learn the Six Commands Every Good Dog Should Know:
  • - Sit
  • - Down
  • - Stay
  • - Heel
  • - Come
  • - No

Q: Does My Puppy Come With a Guarantee?

A: ASJ White Shepherds™ takes great pride in bringing healthy companion dogs to loving families. We choose good breeding stock with characteristics and traits that produce healthy, well-adjusted offspring. We offer a lifetime guarantee on hips - more on that is included in your Puppy Contract. We also unconditionally guarantee your puppy's health for 72 hours after pickup. Remember, the longer the puppy is out of our care and control, the more influence your care and control impact the puppy. We recommend a wellness 'happy visit' with your veterinarian after delivery to record baseline health and to establish the veterinarian's office as a good place to be.

Q: Housebreaking. Any Tips?

A: Housebreaking can be a challenge with ANY puppy, but your WGSDpuppy is smart. There's a good chance puppy has, at 8 weeks of age, already been exposed to paper training here at ASJ White Shepherds. If your litter is a spring or summer litter, your puppy has been exposed to the outdoors and has observed Mommy doing her business on the grass.
Puppy see - Puppy do!
That being said, an immense amount of patience is still a great asset to have because, well, we are dealing with PUPPIES here and behavior modifications take time. Your biggest asset is CONSISTENCY. If you are paper training, leave a very small piece of soiled paper behind when you pick up papers so puppy has a scent to go to. If you are walking your dog, be realistic - puppy will NOT last 12 hours between walks (at least, not in the beginning) - so schedule accordingly and praise abundantly when puppy does well. They are smart. They will 'get it' very soon.

Q: What Should I Get For My New Puppy When He/She Comes Home For The First Time?

A: Although The Beatles had the right idea when they said 'All You Need Is Love' we found a few other items help:
  • We will start you off with a small supply of food to encourage continuity and help prevent gastric distress.
  • A dog bed and/or a crate will help establish your puppy's 'private space' when he/she needs to retreat to a quiet area 
  • Puppies love to chew! Have some dog toys and healthy dog treats to keep your puppy occupied and stay out of trouble.
  • And the last item is PATIENCE! Remember, your little guy is only a baby!
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