All About Miniature German Shepherds
When we hear people mentioning the miniature Alsatian or the German shepherd, they are actually referring to the breed of dog that is similar to the actual German shepherd in its temperament and physical appearance, but is smaller in size. Miniature German shepherd dogs are so small that they can be considered as lapdogs. Many dog breeders also claim that this is one of the rarest breeds of dog and hence, they are priced higher. However, the first thing you need to take into consideration is that, no such breed called miniature German shepherd actually exists. It means, although you may find smaller German shepherd dogs, it is not a recognized breed of dog.
You should note that a German shepherd is 22-26 inches tall (males are 24-26 inches, while females are 22-24 inches). They are muscular, strong and heavy. They have a brown, tan or black-colored coat and brown eyes. They have a thick fur and a bushy tail. It is essential to note that a pure breed Alsatian is never short or miniature, unless it is either crossbred or suffering from dwarfism.
Crossbreeds
The German shepherds are often mated with the same variety to maintain their pure breed. However, there are times when breeders cross German shepherd dogs with other smaller breeds of dogs like border collies, fox terriers, poodles, etc. This results in having smaller breeds of German shepherds, which are popularly known as the miniature GSD or miniature Alsatian. As mentioned above, this is an unregistered breed of dog, and definitely not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Cross breeding between dogs is often looked down upon by those looking for pure breed varieties. Therefore, sometimes, the mini GSD is also tagged as a false breed of dog. So, if you are looking for a pure breed of the Alsatian, you should look for the original breed of dog, which is larger in size.
Dwarfism
Now, on the other hand, it may be a possibility that the miniature German shepherd, which you have seen is not a new breed, but actually a dwarf German shepherd. Dwarfism is a genetic disorder which leads to a short stature. This disorder is found in humans as well as dogs. If the German shepherd is suffering from this disorder, it may remain small in size and will not grow to its usual height. These dogs are usually sterile and suffer from severe hair loss at an early age. Pituitary dwarfism in GSD is quite rare and is accompanied with a series of other medical conditions. If dwarf GSD male and female are mated, they have dwarf puppies. It may be possible that this technique is used to breed dogs, which are known as miniature German shepherds.
Therefore, as there are two different possibilities, it is essential for the buyer to look for proper and thorough information about the dog breed before buying. Breeding a dwarf GSD is not an easy job as these dogs suffer from several medical conditions. On the other hand, you can go for a crossbred miniature German shepherd dog, if you do not mind having a crossbred pet.
Having all the information about a miniature German shepherd is essential before buying one. The mini GSD can be a good pet dog because of its good temperament; however, it is essential for buyers to not to be fooled by breeders who claim these miniatures as rare and hence, heavily priced.
Dogs
Dogs are social animals. They need lots of attention, exercise, and play. You can leave dogs home alone for periods of time during the day, as long as they are not puppies. The rule of thumb to figure out how long you can leave your dog home alone for is one hour for every month it is old. This may mean, if you bring home a puppy, you will have to invest in a dog walker or doggy daycare. If your dog is old enough to leave at home alone all day, you may still want to find a dog walker or daycare facility if you have to be gone for more than eight hours a day. This can be a large cost as it adds up over time. However, dogs love to walk and play and cuddle, so if you are looking for a pet that wants attention, and a pet you can play with or exercise with, a dog might be for you. Dogs are also incredibly loyal to their owners. If you are looking for a furry friend who will be with you through thick and thin, and who will always be excited when you come home, a dog is certainly that pet.
Cats
Cats are less social than dogs, which means they don’t need as much attention. If you leave food out for them, they can monitor their own eating habits, which dogs can’t do. They are also usually litter box trained, which means you don’t have to come home after a certain number of hours to let them out or take them for a walk. You do, however, need to keep up with cleaning the litter box, or things can get smelly in your home. They also don’t need as much exercise, so you don’t need to wear them out with activity like you would a dog. While some cats are cuddly like dogs are, some cats are not as social and do not like to be around people much. However, if you are looking for a relatively low-maintenance pet, a cat might be for you.
Making the Decision
Deciding whether you want a cat or a dog is a huge decision, but it is one that is up to you. When considering what kind of pet you want, you should think about your lifestyle and what you are willing to give up in order to bring that pet into your home and care for it like it deserves. If you are not willing to get home to walk your dog, you may want a cat. If you do not want to try to coax your cat to cuddle with you, you may want a dog. Once you decide, you should go to different places to see what options you have. Visit pet stores, breeders, and shelters and see what they have available. It is really important to meet your pet, or at least get an honest description of its temperament from a breeder before you bring it home. This can help you figure out which specific pet you want to welcome into your family. Plus, meeting the animals can be a great way to figure out which pet is right for you.
Tips for Raising Bantam Chickens
Bantam chickens are extremely curious and energetic birds by nature, hence you will have to be very careful with their food, water, and other needs to keep them composed. Take a look at the following points that will tell you exactly how to raise bantam chickens.
Food for Bantams
Although bantam chickens can survive on the same food as their keepers, they cannot survive on it for long. They need nutrition that is specific to their diet, which includes:
Whole grains
Greens
Protein
As a regular diet, whole grains are the best sources of nutrition for bantams; an enough supply of it should be available in the coop all the time. You can also find chicken feeds available at various farm feed shops where you can choose the one according to your budget and requirement. Make it a point to feed only whole grains against cracked ones as the former is way healthier than the latter. One good thing about bantam chickens is that they can search for food on their own unlike other chicken breeds. This will help you when you are out and cannot feed your pet. It will save a lot of time for other activities as well as you don’t have to keep monitoring the food timings of the pet, a frequent check is important though. Let them roam around in a fenced area filled with grass, weeds, and fresh green vegetable leftovers to feed themselves. As far as protein is concerned, bantams can obtain protein from insects, worms, and bugs in the summer, however, in winter their diet should include soy, milk, fish, etc., to fulfill the protein amount. Water is the most essential thing for the survival of chickens as it is for all living things. They need lots of water, especially when laying. A bowl of water should always be kept near the door of their coop where they can get it easily whenever they want. Make sure that you clean up the bowl every day and fill it with freshwater to prevent any disease.
Shelter for Bantams
Bantam chickens stay in a chicken coop. The most important thing to be considered while setting the coop is the temperature of the area. A heat lamp has to be placed above the coop so as to provide a sufficient amount of warmth to the chicks if they are not with the brooding hen. The placement of the lamp is extremely important for proper heating. If you notice that the chicks are huddled up beneath the lamp, you must understand that they are feeling very cold and if dispersed, then they are feeling hot. The standard temperature of the coop must be 90-95° F for the first week and a gradual decrease of 5° F for the following weeks. The chicks need to stay indoors for at least the first four weeks.
Protection from Predators
Every living thing is always at a risk of experiencing a threat from its predators and so are bantam chickens. It is the utmost responsibility of the owner to keep its pet animal protected from such dangers and provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for survival. Animals that prey on bantams are snakes and raccoons that might attack them on land whereas hawks, owls and others can attack from above. Hence, you should fence the bantam shelter properly, securing all the possible access points.
Caring Tips:
Although raising bantam chicks is a fun task altogether, if you have a broody bantam hen to do the job, it will be good for the chicks. She can provide warmth to the little ones, teach them to find and eat food, and show them what to do when they sense some danger. She will try hard to save her young ones from any predator by even risking her own life.
Bantam chickens can fly better than standard chickens, hence, if you want to keep them under control, a covered run is essential. Some keepers even trim their chicks’ feathers to keep them from flying. However, it is wrong because if they’re in danger, far away from their coop, they won’t be able to fly into a tree or onto a fence to save themselves.
Keep trays of hardwood ashes in the coop to allow the chicks to have a dust bath. This helps them get rid of the parasites. You can also spray roost paint on the chickens to prevent lice or any other disease.
All in all, raising bantam chickens can bring you a bundle of joy, provided, you take good care of them and offer them a comfortable atmosphere to live in. Also make sure that you attend your chicks well when they fall sick and arrange for proper medical treatment immediately.