How Can I Tell If My German Shepherd Is Purebred
Without papers, the only surefire way to know if your pet is indeed a purebred German shepherd is via DNA testing. As Vetstreet explains it, the entire process is fairly simple. Order a DNA kit from a reputable company and use the swab provided to obtain a sample of your dogs cheek cells.23 Sept 2018
Panda German Shepherds Health Depends On Their Lineage
A responsible breeder who genuinely cares about the outcome and health of their dogs will not breed dogs that are predisposed to health issues. However, there are certain health issues that German Shepherds can have due to their build. Such things as hip dysplasia can be bred out of a line but because it is so prominent, it can skip generations or even littermates. A common health issue among German Shepherds that cannot be bred out is bloat. This happens due to the size of the breed, and is found among other large and giant breed dogs with deep chests.
Food And Diet Requirements
Like most other dogs, GSDs require a nutritionally balanced food that meets or exceeds the AAFCO guidelines. However, because of their size, German shepherds will thrive best if provided with a food that is designed specifically for large breeds.
Weve discussed a few of the best foods for german shepherds before, so be sure to check out our recommendations before you pick a specific recipe.
Note that German shepherds are susceptible to a variety of digestive ailments, so it may be helpful to select a food that contains beneficial bacteria .
Most high-quality dog foods are fortified with probiotics, but you can also purchase standalone probiotic supplements if you prefer.
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Liver German Shepherds And Families
It is a common misconception that a German Shepherds size makes them a bad dog for families, but this cant be further from the truth. Sure, all German Shepherds are big dogs, but that doesnt mean they arent gentle. If anything, theyre one of the best dogs you can have around children.;
Due to their history and intelligence, German Shepherds make excellent working dogs, guard dogs, service dogs, emotional support dogs, and brilliant companions. You will often find that German Shepherds are trained to be emotional support dogs for people with mental health issues such as anxiety or developmental disabilities like autism. Their caring and protective nature mean they know how to spot the signs of a panic attack or meltdown, so they can keep their human safe.;
Their protective nature is what makes Liver German Shepherds excellent dogs for families. If you have raised a dog since it was a puppy, it will be loyal from day one. It might take slightly more time for any German Shepherd to be protective and loyal if you rescue or buy the dog as an adult, but this is only because it takes them a while to get used to faces and voices.;
The only thing you have to consider when looking for a Liver German Shepherd for your family is that they are highly energetic dogs that are both fast and strong. This means that they might not be great when kids are holding the lead, so make sure to always have an adult present when taking it for walks.
How To Find A Reputable White German Shepherd Breeder
Finding a reputable breeder is essential for any dog regardless of the breed.
Breeders, who have White German Shepherd puppies, show up unexpectedly in the litter, may want to get rid of the pups, and sell them at a discounted price.
Breeders who specifically breed for White German Shepherd puppies may charge more for their pups.
Start with a google search for White German Shepherds in your local area. Also, search rescue sites, clubs, or forums. Do you know anyone who can recommend a breeder?
If you find a breeder or a kennel, do more research. Do they have reviews or testimonials on their website, Facebook page, Yelp? Try to reach out and contact someone who has purchased one of their dogs.
To get you started, poke around The American White Shepherd Association. They have links to White German Shepherd breeders who are club members.
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Black & Silver German Shepherd
The black and silver German Shepherd is another common color combination. Even though they look more exotic than your average GSD, breeders still breed them, as theyve been growing in popularity.
Most of the time, color distribution may vary from dog to dog. However, they will typically have a silver base on the bottom of their body and black on the top half on their body.
The hue of black can range from a dark gray to a deep black. In some instances, the German Shepherd may have silver with multiple shades of black on the coat.
These dogs are truly spectacular in terms of appearance, and its not difficult to see why theyve been more prevalent among families in the United States .
The Origins Of White German Shepherd Dogs
White German shepherd dogs are known to be descendants of the traditional German shepherds.
They surfaced from German shepherd dogs in the United States and Canada belonging to the white-coat line.
Due to the unusual color of their coat, white GSDs are often disqualified in dog competitions and shows.
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The White German Shepherds Origin
The White German Shepherd was an important European farm animal because of its obedience and loyalty and its excellence as a herding dog.
Most early herdsmen preferred these canines because their pristine white coats blended into flocks of sheep and livestock, making it easier to spot black wolves among the flock.
White Shepherds are the direct descendants of the GSD, a purebred developed by a German army captain named Max von Stephanitz. Von Stephanitz first GSD, named Horand von Grafrath, is the genetic basis for the German Shepherd breed we know today.
Horand had a maternal grandfather named Greif von Sparwasser, a white-coated German Shepherd. Greifs white fur is caused by a recessive gene that has always been present in the genetic pool of all German Shepherds.
White GSDs today come from a line of white-coat German Shepherds that were initially from Europe and were later brought to Canada and the US. These dogs eventually spread out through the rest of the world.
Colors Of A German Shepherd Dog
Color black is just what is sounds like – completely solid black dog. In a classic German Shepherd genetic table – black is a recessive gene and to produce a solid black puppy BOTH parents must carry a black;gene.; Owners of Solid Black dogs are extremely proud of the color of their dog and many call it “rare”, as not always you can produce a Solid Black dog.
Solid Black puppies are born completely black and have no tan anywhere on their body. Small patches of white can be present at birth , but they will disappear;as;puppy grows.;
The bi-color is a classic pattern when the saddle part of the dog covers most of the body leaving markings on the feet and sometimes on the face like having eyebrows.
Image from the web
Below this text is a popular image that is circulating;on the web. Many off-color breeders are using it as a proof that their dogs are German Shepherd dogs of AKC recognized;”rare” color. Even so, we here at Vom Geliebten Haus, go by the German Shepherd Breed standard and only respect the desired colors of the German Shepherd Dog, that include: black, tan and red. These colors can be present in any of the standard;patterns: solid, bi-color, blanket back, sable and saddle.;
The coat color may vary although strong rich colors are preferred. Pale, washed-out off-colors and blues or livers are serious faults. A white dog must be disqualified.;;
Image from the web
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Are Isabella German Shepherds And Liver German Shepherds Similar
Most people cant seem to tell the difference between the Isabella color of a German shepherd and its counterpart, a liver GSD. Granted, they have a close resemblance but they are not altogether equal. Isabella German shepherds have a fawn color and are referred to as diluted livers or double dilutes. Unlike a liver German shepherd with one recessive gene, an Isabella GSD carries two copies of the infamous blue recessive gene as well as two liver gene copies. Both come at play during pigmentation. First, the liver gene prevents pigmentation resulting in a brown color. Next, the blue gene dilutes the resulting brown color giving it fawn color with a liver or pink nose. Some Isabella breeds have a dark gray nose. Physically, an Isabella has a rather light brown color compared to a liver GSD whose color is deep brown or reddish.
Any Health Problems I Should Know About
The answer is no. The health of a GSD has nothing to do with its color. If you think a liver-colored coat tickles your fancy, go for it. However, you should be careful when choosing your puppy. Some breeders are known for practices such as inbreeding and overbreeding, both of which can cause detrimental health concerns in any dog.
Generally speaking, a German shepherd is a healthy dog. If cared for properly, he will enjoy a long, disease-free life. However, there are a few health-related problems that this breed is predisposed to. Obviously, the health of a dog depends on his size, work type and level, the care offered, and pure luck. These include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Hemophilia
- Epilepsy
To ensure optimal health for your dog, be sure to offer him a balanced diet to boost his immunity. It is also your responsibility to be up-to-date with all his vaccinations. Finally, keep a close eye on your Fido. If something is amiss health-wise, bring him to your pet pronto.
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So Are Black German Shepherds Recognized By The Akc
Yes. The AKC recognizes black coated German Shepherds. This means that a German Shepherd with an all-black coat is permissible within the breed standard, permitted that the dog maintains other key breed characteristics and traits. Keep in mind that black German Shepherds are not a separate breed of dog, they are simply German Shepherds with darker coats.
Are White German Shepherds Purebred
If you are contemplating making the white German Shepherd part of your family, you may wonder whether they are a mix or purebred.
White German Shepherds are purebred. They are the progeny of the first German Shepherd bred in Germany in the late 1800s and developed to herd sheep and other livestock. Often, herders preferred the white coat, as it was easy to recognize them from the darker European wolves.
They were not bred to be companion animals; instead, they were bred to be working dogs. Their olfactory scent, intellect, work ethic, strength, bravery, versatility, loyalty, and speed made them ideal farm dogs. They were responsible for not only herding but defending flocks from predators.
The German Shepherd breed quickly grew in popularity before the 1900s and spread to other countries. It is said that white-coated German Shepherd was bred specifically by the kennels of the then Queen of Hapsburg, Alsace-Lorraine, Austria, as she wanted them to match the white horses that pulled her carriage.
This was due partly to the praise they received from returning First World War veterans and the success of German Shepherd movie stars Strongheart and Rin-Tin-Tin.
Sadly, the purebred white German Shepherd began to be considered a flaw by the Nazi regime in the 1930s, who saw the white coat as an undesirable characteristic and blamed it for causing coat paling across all colors and disease. They were subsequently excluded from breeding and disqualified from the breed standard.
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Appearance Of White German Shepherd
As far as appearance, white German Shepherds are typically solid white with a medium-length coat, although a light cream color is also acceptable. These dogs are not albinos. Albino dogs have no pigment, giving them almost translucent skin and pink or blue eyes; other than that, they are completely white. White German Shepherds typically have pink or black skin, with gold or brown eyes and dark noses. The recessive gene that causes the white German Shepherds coat color masks the dogs normal color. A white German Shepherd can produce standard offspring. A male should be approximately 24-26 tall at the shoulder, with the females 22-24. A typical dog should weigh between 75-85 pounds, with the female weighing 60-70 pounds.
Which Gsd Color Is Right For You
It really depends. If youre looking for a German Shepherd as a pet and companion, then personal preference should be the top criteria.
If you like how it looks, whether white, dark, or blue, then you should choose accordingly. There really is no wrong choice with color.
However, if you are considering breeding a German Shepherd or if youre interested in exhibitions, then your color selection should lean toward richer colorations that favor blacks and tans.
Unfortunately, white German Shepherds will be out of the picture, despite its aesthetic appeal. It sucks because Im a huge fan of white dogs.
Either way, coloration in a German Shepherd covers a wide range of options, and each of them are simply just colors.
No single color indicates better health, temperament, skills or anything like that. Instead, itll be up to you and how you train, treat, and raise the dog.
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Things You Should Know
Caring for a White German Shepherd should not really be that different from a GSD. After all, the recessive white gene only codes for the color of its coat, not its temperament; although there are also some slight differences in their size. Regardless, here are the things you have to keep in mind if ever youre pondering on getting a WGS.
Does The White German Shepherd Have Genetic Disorders
The answer is NO!
In fact, the founder of the German Shepherd as a recognized breed, Max Von Stephanitz rebuked this claim himself. In his book;The German Shepherd Dog in Word and Picture, published in 1923, he states: The coloring of the dog has no significance whatsoever for service.
Unfortunately, though, history has been unkind to this breed, and today people still have the idea that she is flawed genetically.
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German Shepherd Color Changes
Almost all German Shepherd puppies are born with a coat that looks nothing like their adult coat. As the puppies grow, theyre going to grow new hair and the color will change at the mark of 6 months, 18 months, and finally when the puppy is two years old.
Sable German Shepherd puppies change colors as they grow older. They will probably reach their final adult color when the dog is almost 3 years old. Black and tan puppies are usually born with pure black coats. They will start shedding the baby hair when the puppy is 6 months old, and the tan color will start to pop out.
However, some black and sable dogs are born with a lighter coat. As the dog grows, it will start to grow more black hair, darkening the overall color of the coat.
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The Berger Blanc Suisse Aka The Snowy Shepherd
The Berger Blanc Suisse breed, often called the Snowy Shepherd, possesses all its standard cousins power, strength, and trainability but is slightly different in structure. The steep angulation from the shoulders to the hindquarters that is seen in traditional registered German shepherds is less evident in the BBS. Instead, the line along the back is more even, giving the animals a look of greater strength and stability.
The Berger Blanc Suisse white shepherd also has a gentler, mellower nature than the GS but still retains its protectiveness of the home and family members. Very social and easy to train, these dogs make great family companions but require a considerable amount of exercise to keep them fit and happy.
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Its Disposition Is Unaffected By Its White Hue:
The color of a dogs coat has little bearing on its temperament, regardless of breed. On the other hand, White German Shepherds are developed to be friendlier and calmer than their multi-colored cousins. They may be an excellent family pet, particularly with children. White German Shepherds are also renowned for being devoted to and protective of their owners.
The Abcs Of Owning A Liver German Shepherd: 10 Faqs Answered
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With a muscular body, terrific work ethic, and the smarts, the German shepherd dog breed has become a favorite in many American homes. Besides supplying endless love and hugs, you can count on him to stay by your side till death do you part. Blondie, Hitlers famous dog is a good example of a GSD that stuck around until Hitlers death in 1945. Before committing suicide, the German dictator fed his cyanide poison to his dog first to test if it did work. Suffice to say, the dog died soon after ingesting the poison. Whether it is protection, cuddles, or loyalty, a GSD will not disappoint.
Like every other dog breed out there, there are several color varieties of German shepherds. Most people are acquainted with black red/black and black/tan varieties. Others include silver sable, tan, solid black, red sable, solid white, tan and liver, solid liver, golden, blue, and panda shepherd. In this guide, we will focus on the liver-colored GSD. Here are some common questions surrounding this specific variety and their corresponding answers.
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