Data relating to reproductive parameters of German shepherd bitches were co
llected from registered German shepherd dog (GSD) breeders with information
kept over a 25-year period (1982-1997). The information obtained was verif
ied using the East African Kennel Club records. A total of 594 bitches from
280 breeders were recorded. From these, 798 heals were observed, 594 of wh
ich were used for breeding, resulting in 3592 puppies. The mean age at pube
rty was 519.0 +/- 41 days. Pleats occurred throughout the year, although si
gnificantly (P < 0.05) higher and lower incidences were observed in October
and April respectively. Pregnancy significantly (P < 0.01) increased inter
oestrous interval, which was 247.8 +/- 99.0 and 183 +/- 52 days among bred/
pregnant and non-bred bitches respectively. Most bitches in oestrus (73.7 %
) were bred, and breeding was carried out throughout the year, with a distr
ibution closely related to that of heat incidence. Subsequently, whelping o
ccurred throughout the year and 95.5 % of the bitches that were mated whelp
ed. A mean gestation period of 60.6 +/- 5.1 days was observed. The mean lit
ter size was 6.4 +/- 0.4 puppies, and did not differ significantly between
months. The preweaning losses were low with 2.3 % stillbirths, 0.9 % culls
and 11.4 % mortalities.