Liver and blue color - Page 1

Lets see the pedigree.

When I was real young, one of the most beaitiful GS I have ever seen was a Liver, . However, the first sight of that dog remains so vivid in my memory its like I saw it yesterday.  I can't understand why people condemn dogs because or their color. Why can't we put the dogs' abilities first and foremost, and not even consider the color. Also remember, its not only liver and blues shunned on. The white shepherd isn't  so desirable either. In all fairness, the white GS is making alittle progess on being accepted. Like Fantastic said, those odd colors have to come from someplace. Since the liver's ancestors come from Germany, that leaves alittle thought for the everyone. Who would have ever thought those colors would actually come from Germany. Isn't it in Germany they have breed wardens? Why would they allow these dogs who produce these undesirable colors continue to reproduce? I am not trying to stir up any bad feeling or any cause for anyone to get defensive. I am just trying to understand. So please don't be too harsh on me.. LOL!

   It's hard for folks who actually CARE about unusual colors to find buyers who what a GOOD German Shepherd, not just a "rare" color.  I used to raise Whites, and cringed when I saw poor quality dogs (conformation and/or temperment/ability) sold for HUGE price tags.  Nobody cared that a dog was OFA certified, had obedience degrees, did PPD, did Pet therapy.. all they wanted was a WHITE Shepherd.  There was little encouragement or reward for taking care, doing genetic testing and such.  The people today were fortunate that a group of breeders DID take the added care and cost.  There's even an entire Genetic data base for traits of WGSD's.  The headway that's been done on finding genetic markers for Spinal myopathy and cardiac issues was done largely on whites thanks to white breeders who put the future of the breed before their wallet.   Selling dogs with adds for "RARE WHITE SHEPHERDS"  or livers, or pandas, or whatever... does a great injustice to the dogs and the breed. Buy a pup cause it's Well bred, because it's a GOOD shepherd... no matter what color they are.

I'm not fond of blue coloration and would not buy a blue dog because of it - but I adore livers, especially the lighter colors of liver and tan.  I would buy one in a heartbeat if one passed my way withthe qualifications that I require.    I purposefully purchased my whites BECAUSE of their white qualities - they were slightly more laid back than colored dogs, and had a good history of genetic hip health.  Come to think of it, my youngest dog is almost a couch potato, while the other two are athletic, but not too high energy.  I would have to think twice or three times before I would buy a regular colored dog, just because I would have to be cautious of any breeding lines that produced a dog with too much drive - not a quality that I want.  I like the loyalty, I need the intelligence, I appreciate the eagerness to please, but I don't need or want a dog with too much drive.  The whites have been perfect for me with the work that I do. 

My dream color dog, though is the coloration of the Littlest Hobo.  With the pure cream cheeks - I love that look.  Like the Czechoslovakian Wolf Dog color - but I doubt I'll ever find one that meets my needs in that color. 

The littlest hobo dogs comes from questionable purebred . I believe I heard they started with a stray . That is what I think Molly has said .I find no reason not to believe her . I think they look part Husky or Malamute .

I found their web site awhile ago.   Can't for the life of me recall where now.   They were purebred gsds - but I don't think that coloration is very prevalent anymore.  I did see some that came close, though.  They now look like they were a mix - for sure, but I THINK they originated in Britain and were purebred GSDs.

We are all intitled to our opinions LDD .I do not think they are pure breds LOL .I find the color around the face to light ,not a desirable trait in a GSD . I also thought I read from sunsilver the parentage  on the Hobos was kept a top secret .

LDD, you are correct. I researched this once and found quite a few photos of purebred GSDs with that color pattern (which I love too). Alas, you hardly ever see it in GSDs anymore.