Guide

Your first German Shepherd litter: whelping and rearing puppies

A first litter is won or lost on preparation. Ján Sudimák moves the female to the whelping place well in advance, keeps her calm and prefers to watch the delivery, helping only when it is needed. In his experience most puppy losses come from avoidable circumstances, not from weak puppies.

By Ján Sudimák International judge for conformation and performance, breed survey commissioner (Körmeister), with German Shepherds since 1963, founder of the Eqidius kennel in Bardejov, Slovakia.
Published 4 November 2026

What the book covers

Chapters XV to XVII of The German Shepherd – Simply Amazing cover how he prepares the whelping place, what he has ready on the day, how he cares for the female after the delivery and how he raises the puppies until they leave for their new homes, large litters included. Always have a vet you can call during the delivery; the book shows what decades of litters have taught him.

This is the author’s own practice. Agree deworming and vaccination with your vet.

Guide

Related guides

How to start breeding German Shepherds
Start with the female, not with the stud. Ján Sudimák, who has bred German Shepherds for 50 years, advises a first-time breeder to make sure the female is sound and typical, to learn to read her pedigree and to choose the stud for her in particular. Titles and points are not inherited; innate traits are.
When is the best day to mate a German Shepherd female?
There is no fixed day: every female, and every heat, is different. In Ján Sudimák’s experience a failed mating is usually not the stud’s fault, and he never relies on counting days alone. He reads several signs together and has the day confirmed by a veterinary test.
How to choose a German Shepherd puppy
Start with the breeder and the parents, then look at the puppy itself. Ján Sudimák wants a puppy that is healthy, well fed, lively and open to people and new places, and he advises against one that is fearful or shows no interest in play or contact.