This page presents information and resources for breeders of German Shepherd dogs and other working dogs who want to use a scientific and humanistic approach to breeding their dogs. In this regard the merits of breeding will be considered based upon the latest developments in science and technology with respect to the humane treatment of canines, such that they are not abused or exploited by breeders primarily interested in making money or capatilizing upon their canine investments. This is because greed and politics too often play a role in corrupting the processes involved in breeding canines. Over the years and long history of breeding dogs this has not always had a good result. Poor understanding of the genetics and science related to breeding has resulted in many dogs prone to disease or subjected to conditions not represented of the best quality of life for canines. Also what is best for the breed and canines as a species should not be corrupted by people primarily interested in capitalizing on dogs.

Of course in the breeding of canines everyone is entitled to their own opinion and there are as many of these as there are breeders. Breed clubs and associations also often have their own guidelines and these are to be respected and utilized to the degree that they do not corrupt the process, hurt the breed or result in a deparvation of the quality of lives of either canines or their human guardians. This is not to say that the monetary value of canines, the benefits and rewards of showing dogs and seeking performance titles, should not be considered. It is simply to express the opinion that in the scientific breeding of canines an emphasis will be placed upon scientific principles of breeding and the humane treatment of animals; other considerations being secondary, only of merit in so far as these help to establish superior bloodlines and quality of canines and contribute to the health, welfare and happiness of canines and their human guardians.

Toward this end information and resources vital to the breeding of superior canines will be presented. By superior is meant dogs that are healthy, free of genetic disease, strong in structure, which have resistance to disease as indicated by strong immune systems and history of being free of disease, which are highly intelligent as indicated by their ability to learn, solve problems, socialize, and function as working dogs or in other capacity or duty, which have longevity as indicated by their survival and history, which have outstanding temperament as qualified by early temperament testing, and which in every way that it is possible to determine demonstrate high quality, vitality, merit and value with respect to all physical and mental qualities.

One of the goals in scientific breeding of canines will be to improve the breed by applying the latest developments in science and technology to canine breeding. This will include screening for genetic linked diseases, genetic fingerprinting and application of information about a canines genetics in the selection of canines for breeding. The goal will be to eventually identify canines which have superior genetic bloodlines and to qualify the strengths and weaknesses of various bloodlines based upon a sound knowledge of genetics. This also involves establishing an intimate knowledge of the behavior of individual canines through early temperament testing and observation of behavior as a dog performs in its role as a working dog. This may include formal recognitions of a dogs performance but in no way will be limited by this process which is too open to corruption and individual prejudices that are not necessarily based upon sound scientific principles or direct testing, observation, evaluation or knowledge of a dog's genetic makeup, its medical history and records and/or total potential for breeding superior dogs.

In the scientific breeding of canines application will be made of all knowledge, databases, registries and resources as they become available or are established. This also will include working with science and industry to apply science and technology to the scientific breeding of canines. It may, for example, include having individual canines participate in programs designed to determine their genetic potential or in working with research scientists and behaviorists to better evaluate the individual potential and capacity of canines. In other words, other criteria beside dog show performance will be used to establish which dogs are suitable for breeding.

The scientific breeding of canines also will incorporate the application of humane treatment of animals with respect to their proper health and care when used in breeding or other manners. For example, life style considerations will be emphasized such that over working or over breeding will not be advocated. Nor will poor living conditions or low maintenance programs be advocated in breeding given such operations lend themselves to puppy mill type operations.

Another perhaps controversial issues is the amount of time dogs spend crated in traveling for the sole purpose of participating in dog shows. It is recommended that crating be used as it is a safe and proven method to transport canines. Also crating has applications in house braking puppies and maintaining canines safely in homes during periods they can not be supervised or when they are receiving medical care. But the usage of crating can be abused and may have a detrimental mental effects upon some canines. In this regard application of scientific breeding principles should enable selection of dogs based upon their genetic makeup and superior temperament and other qualities which can be better determined through scientific methods than by a judging process which sometimes creats condition not suitable even for some humans, much less their canine companions. This includes crated, congested, often unsanitary conditions, environments with introduce increased risk factors for injury or disease and may which may not best serve all people's life styles.

A final consideration is the fact that in the scientific breeding of canines change is constant. Advances in science and technology occur daily. This is especially true with regard to applications in genetics and the applied science of veterinary medicine. Hence nothing is carved in stone and what may be sound advice today, could change tomorrow. A good example of this is how new drugs available in tablet form have revolutionized the control of diseases like heartworms or the control of pests like fleas. Today dogs maintained upon these preventive medications live longer and have a better quality of life than dogs just ten or twenty years ago. Hence it is the position that breeders should work in close association with their veterinarians and seek their advice with respect to all medical issues and the proper health, care and well being of their canine companions.

Toward these ends links to other sites and information will be added below. If you would like to suggest a link please contact: AGSDC Scientific Breeders Project. Note that in this regard different points of view will be respected and that the intend here is to provide a general resource base. Then individuals may filter through everything and hopefully be able to find the answers to questions or the information they need to make sound breeding decisions.