Picking a GSD pup from a litter - (Question about Pigmentation) - Page 1

Greetings!

I'm a first time poster here from Australia, I have always found this website informative and helpful, so I thought that I should ask my questions regarding pigment in a German Shepherd puppy here.

My last German Shepherd male, Maverick died in 2005 at 13 years of age. He was a dark pigmented boy, with a dark mask and had the most wonderful temperament. I have been researching for over a year to find the best kennel, and have finally found one here in Australia. I have had positive recommendations from friends who have purchased puppies from this breeder. The breeder only uses hip and elbow certified dogs and has the kennel has been assessed and surveyed through the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia, so I am very pleased about that. I have to pick a puppy out of the three males available who are now 4 weeks old.

I will go and visit the puppies in two weeks time when they are 6 weeks old, and then finally take one home another two weeks later when they are 8 weeks old. My question is, if I like the look of a dark pigmented dog, how would I look for these traits in a young puppy? My last dog was a rescue dog, however he turned out to be a very dark dog, so really I got lucky. I have heard to check for dark pigment on the toes, nose, lips, eyes and tounge as indicators of the strength of future pigment. I have had a chance to meet both the father and the mother before the puppies were born and they were very well tempered dogs with the father being an import son of Yerom Vom Haus Salihin, who has been extensively used here in the last 12 months and is a very dark boy himself. The progeny of this dog are very young, so I can't make a full assessment yet.

Regardless of what the puppy turns out to be like, I will love him as long as he is healthy and happy, so please don't misinterpret what I am saying. I am happy with all the procedures the kennel is taking in terms of elbow and hip testing, and just wanted the opinion of breeders and experienced posters as to what to look for in terms of pigmentation. Obviously it will come down to the dogs in the bloodline, but from what I have researched both parents have very good dogs in their lineage. I look forward to hearing your responses and learning more about this wonderful breed.
Regards;
Thomas :)

Gsdowner1980, dealing with gsds pigmemtation is sometimes confusing. However, i guess, your best bet is to seek advice from the breeder, who can help you, based on his judgement from previous litter(s). Again, you can still simply pick the darkest(that looks almost entirely black) pup. But i strongly suggest you seek advice from the breeder who may want to protect their name. Cheers.

Hi,
I guess that you are having lots of second thoughts about this puppy as you are posting on muliple forums. If you were buying from me I would be telling you to buy from someone else as you will be far too demanding.

Hi,
   GSDowner1980   Wow you can't even ask a simple question without being told by someone they wont sell to you what an additude on here.I would and have picked the darker faced one just go with your breeders recomendation and the one you are drawn to.Have a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!

If a breeder had a problem with me asking questions I'd be only too willing to go to someone else. What a poor intolerant attitude. dogshome9. I sincerely hope you'd have more tolerance with your animals than you show to someone with a genuine wish to gain knowledge.

 as other have said you would go with the  one that has a very dark face, the lighter face ones will get more color as they get older. but looking at a puppy is really a crap shot as they change so much in the first year, go with your gut and the darkest one- thats the best i can tell you.
Good Day !!   ( i use to live in austraila )

These have different markings but both have good pigment. One of them will be lighter sable due to the redish undercoat and the other one will end up darker, (black sable) However both have good dark pigment, just different colors
Also when you look at the picture in my avitar, the dog has red undercoat but dark pigment, the puppy on the left, will most likely resemble those markings.
Hope this helps! good luck with your puppy picking!


  

I agree, if you talk to the breeder and look at the pedigree of the dog you will get the best information. I wouldn't buy a dog from a breeder that doesn't tolerate my questions or refuses to get into every detail concerning the litter.

 "I wouldn't buy a dog from a breeder that doesn't tolerate my questions or refuses to get into every detail concerning the litter."

Me either!!

All the best in choosing your pup GSDowner :)

Dogshome9, I don't see what the problem is if I post on two forums. I posted this question on the dogzonline Australian forum, and just wanted to get more opinions on the issue from people who have experience, and I know some of the posters here have a lot of knowledge, since I have been on these forums for a while. I also don't see what's so bad about me being demanding, doesn't that show that I care about the puppy I am going to purchase? When I was checking if the breeder was up to date with elbow and hip testing, I was also very demanding, and maybe if other dog owners were like this, we wouldn't have as much problems with the breed, if you don't have anything positive to contribute, don't bother posting.