need help from sable owners- or anyone that can help :) - Page 6

My trainer's GSD is sable. She has an OTCH, a MATCH, Herding Titles. Tracking Titles not only in ACK but also in UKC and ASCA, she is also a certified therapy dog.

One day a person ask her:  "What kind of a mix is that dog?"

Her reply: "Its the german version of a Heinz 57"

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked if my sable was is a wolf! I have 3 black and red shepherds and a dark sable female & have a new sable pup coming in a couple of weeks 

I take my dogs to the lake to swim and I'll get all kinds of dumb remarks said, your wolf gets along this your shepherds? Do you worry about your wolf hurting your grand-daughter? I have not held anyones head under the water as yet, but sure have wanted to a few times!!

I think the only people where I live that know she is a GSD is law enforcement...

I got it from both ends when I had Link, he was a plush sable.  Nobody would believe he was a GSD, got to the point I'd just walk away.  Once a guy asked me if he was part wolf after I told him he was pure GSD, I was tempted to say yes.  BUT, the best was last week, I had Drake at PetSmart and a guy in line asked if he was a "German Police Dog".  I explained that there is no such breed, many different breeds can be "police dogs" and they come from different countries.  He said he used to have a GSD !!  He then went on to say he now has little dogs and when I asked what kind he said "some kind of pinscher", then changed his mind and said "no, maybe they're Shih Tzu s.  The guy was totally clueless!!

But, it got me thinking where the "German Police Dog" thing comes from, I've heard that one many many times.  Since most GSD police dogs do come from working lines, they DO think it's a different breed maybe because they're not the typical b/t?!?!

You'll never get some folks to understand or believe your dog is a GSD.  I just had an arguement with my home owner's insurance over the dog I was fostering.  They sent me a letter advising that they were going to cancel my policy because I had (and I quote) "AN UNKNOWN TYPE OF PET OR ANIMAL ON THE PREMISES"  After a lot of conversation, we finally figured out that they were referring to my working line foster dog that they thought was a wolf!  They didn't have any problem with me owning GSD's just a possible wolf. 

I also run into this issue all the time with my White plush coated  oversized GSD rescue - They think he's a wolf or wolf dog  and with my B&T female that's in standard.  In her case, I'm always asked if she's drawf, puppy or a minature GSD.  I, also, get - she's really small for a GSD isn't she!

sometimes you and your dog are both better off if the general public has no idea what the dog is.  sometimes its better to reply, "he's just a dog."  depending on who i am talking to, my answer will change from one time to the next.  even some schh people i am not totally honest with because it may slant their view or surface some kind of prejudice.

some things are truly better kept to one's self.

pjp

My own grandma even calls them German Police dogs, but most people just say police dogs. All of my dogs are police dogs! You didn't know that? LOL I house the dogs for the local departments when the dogs are off duty! Ha Ha Just ask the kids down the street.

People are funny.

I just saw this thread and couldn't figure why anyone was asking about mink. LOL

I tell people that the sable color is more common in Germany than the US!   I believe it really is, that makes them

think you have a true German type dog.   It shuts them up!