FAQ: About Kennels von Lotta and German Shepherds in General

Q: Yuliya, when did you start breeding German Shepherds?
A: My first litter was born in 1993, and I had bred a couple of litters since, but I only felt that I had enough knowledge and experience to establish a German Shepherd kennel in 2005. I've been crazy about German Shepherds ever since I was a little kid.

Q: What is living with a “von Lotta” German Shepherd like?
A: Expect your dog to be active, passionate about being with you and playing with you, moderately protective, and very easy to train. Each dog is an individual, but these are the most common traits. Our German Shepherd dogs do best when they are involved in daily family activities. For a large, active and protective breed of dogs like German Shepherd, extensive socialization and consistent training are a must when they are young. We really mean it. If you feel your life is too hectic to add several new daily activities, German Shepherd might not be the best breed for you at the moment, as they do not do well when they have to spend too much time in the crate, or alone in the back yard, or just left to their own devises running wild with the kids.

Q: How much do your German Shepherd Dogs weigh?
A: Our female dogs weigh 60-80 lbs, and our males weigh 80-90 lbs – in a very lean and fit show condition.

Q: How much do your dogs cost?
A: 8 weeks old German Shepherd puppies that we offer for sale are priced from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on their origin, show potential, etc. Older puppies trained in obedience and housetrained can cost $3,000 - $5,000. The price for dogs over 1 year old may vary greatly depending on their show/breeding potential, training, etc, and can be anywhere from “free to a good home” to a five-figure number.

Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located in Georgia, about 20 minutes south of the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) off of I-85.

Q: Where do you buy food for your dogs?
A: We buy our raw ingredients (chicken backs and necks, liver, tripe, ground beef, chicken hearts, rolled oats, organic carrots, parsley, onions, garlic, bananas, etc) at Dekalb Farmers Market in Decatur, GA and at Whole Foods Market in Atlanta, GA. We buy EVO and Wellness at "Pet Set" in Atlanta (where we also get Green Tripe by Solid Gold and treats). We also friquent The Hound & Puss natural and organic pet food store in Griffin, GA - they carry raw green tripe and organ mix that our German Shepherds thrive on.

Q: I would like to feed my German Shepherd dog raw, but I worry about salmonella and other bacteria – can I boil the chicken just to be on the safe side?
A: There is no need to worry – dogs have iron stomachs when it comes to things like that. They have a very high acidity content (4-5 times higher than humans!), which enables them to digest bones and to kill bacteria. Numerous times I’ve given my dogs meat that was “slightly off,” they loved it and were totally fine. Think about them burying their prey in the wild for a few days to finish it off later. Boiling the chicken kills the whole concept of feeding raw, plus, if it contains bones, they can become brittle and dangerous for your dog.

Q: Where can I find information about upcoming German Shepherd shows, trials, and other German Shepherd events in my area?
A: There are two SV-type organizations in the US that sanction shows, trials and breed surveys (including national SchH Championships and two Sieger Shows each year): GSDCA-WDA and USA. Go to their websites and look for the “Events” pages. You will be able to find events planned in your area. Often, hundreds of people attend these events, and newcomers and spectators are always welcome. They are a great place to meet other GSD enthusiasts and to learn more about GSD.

Q: What is the difference between imported German Shepherd puppies and puppies available for sale from German bloodlines?
A: Imported German Shepherd puppies come directly from Germany. Getting a puppy from Germany gives you wider choice of sires and dams, and if there is a famous stud dog whose blood you are hoping to add to your breeding program, for example, then an imported puppy is the way to go, as most top stud dogs live in Germany. Getting a German Shepherd puppy born in the US gives you an opportunity to choose your own puppy after looking at the entire litter, but you are still getting a puppy from parents who have the benefits of strict German breeding rules behind them (most of our breeding dogs are imported directly from Germany).

Q: I have a fantastic German Shepherd male and I would like to have a puppy from him – can I breed him to one of your females?
A: I (and most serious breeders will tell you similar), of course, would like to breed my females to the best stud dogs available. So I would only be breeding with a male that has hips and elbows healthy, certified by OFA or SV, and who has training, titles, and good show ratings. If you are interested in breeding your male, you would need to at least x-ray his hips and elbows and submit these x-rays to OFA for evaluation - the responsible thing to do. And then getting him titled and shown is really the only way to get an owner of a worthy German Shepherd female to be interested in breeding to him.

Q: Can a German Shepherd live in an apartment?
A: I raised and lived with a GSD in an apartment for 9 years. At times it was tough because no matter rain or shine, or you've got the flu - you still have to take the dog at least for a short walk three times a day. (Ideally, one of the walks should be quite long and give the dog a good energy outlet, such as running free on the beach or in the park, or chasing a Frisbee). My dog didn't mind living in the apartment at all. All she wanted was to be with me. So for a dog an apartment is not a problem, but you have to be dedicated enough to go for a walk three times a day, every day, for as many years as you live there with your dog. For me, after we moved into the house, it was very liberating to just be able to open the door and let her out to potty into our fenced yard instead of getting dressed for a walk, although I love nothing more than going for a nice walk with my dog.

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