Black and Red German Shepherds - Page 1

Posting this topic to see what all of you think of the black and red GSD "frenzy" (for lack of a better word!) I have had various people email me asking my opinions of this and that dog that they have purchased, or are thinking about purchasing, and send me photos that have clearly been altered! This is not referring to bad photography, as occasionally happens when you have a bad (LIKE MYSELF!) photographer, but glaringly obvious attempts to make the dog RED). I also love the black and red dogs, and breed them this way (you do occasionally have a pup out of black and red parents that is NOT black and red) but if they are not red, why make them something they are not? There is nothing wrong with a black and tan dog! If you look back at photos of the VA dogs from many years ago, they are NOT red like the dogs these days. I realize that people (esp. judges) like to see the really, really dark red pigmentation, but doing photo "color enhancement" on your computer to "enhance" your dog(s) is an injustice to the dog and only makes said "enhancer" look bad in the end.

Well said, colour doesn't make the dog...

I have noticed that also...why change a dog you are going to show or sell, then when everyone sees them I think they would notice the difference. Unless for the show you dye them..but for selling, I think the new owners might notice it's a different color..

I have a black and red male, that is REALLY RED. People email me and ask me did I retouch the photo and I truly have not. When they come out the house, they are amazed at his color. This dog has never passed this color on to his progeny. His progeny has excellent pigmentation, and rich tan colors. His pigmentation is not that great, because even the black is reddish. I do take a lot of pictures in the aftenoon/evening to take advantage of the setting sun, with my dogs, but never "retouch" the photos. The dog I mentioned earlier is even red at 12:00 high noon. That is why I go to the Sieger shows, so I can see every year the dogs with my own eyes, instead of relying on "retouched" photos. The dog I speak of is at the link below, if you are interested: http://www.svhunde.com/stud%20service.htm

I agree, black and tan is a fine color, I'd pick a black/tan dog with great conformation over a black/red dog with ok conformation any day. and for that matter...what's wrong with sables??? I wish there were more showline dogs that were sables, I personally love the sable color, and the bi-colors and solid blacks (although I know it's a lil harder to judge their expression or conformation when standing still...doesn't make them any worse of a dog at all though, and don't we learn more about the dog's conformation when it's moving anyways?) what really bugs me is white spots on chest and toes...my own black/red saddle male has them, doesn't affect his movement at all but still bugs me. Had a very respected long time breeder and good friend (not a GSD breeder) recommend that I use hair coloring to cover up his white spots...it is a tempting thought but I just don't feel that it's right, if someone wanted to use my male they should know that he has them so they don't double up on it, and if I don't want it I'll just work on trying to breed it out (that is...when I am breeding)

I'm a black and red fan, but a beautiful sable, Timo-style, can't be beat. The problem is, they are few and far between.

I have seen pictures of world famous dogs with white spots on their chests...Karo has one...Is that supposed to be a fault?

Timo is a nice sable, however i like dark/black sables.. Look at Eagle vom eichenluft for an example (GORGEOUS sable!) not to mention http://www.eurosportk9.com/galant.asp GORGEOUS conformation and coat IMO! :) Also don't trust or buy anybody who doctors up picturs... they're dishonest and might be hiding something from you. Heres a nice golden red coat pictures of my female that i did not doctored up ( I feel theirs no reason meaning to doctor up a picture, unless if you wanna put a headshot,etc on the picture) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/Spiritwolfz/Zambi/Stacked/1.jpg nothing but taking a nice stack picture in the afternoon when the sun is beating on the coat and making the coat shine right up :) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/Spiritwolfz/Zambi/Stacked/ZambiJake060.jpg another picture :) Theses pictures aren't doctored up.. just another great tool, THE SUN! :) including this ( None stack picture) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/Spiritwolfz/Zambi/IMG_0264.jpg