Piebald rates in GSDs - Page 1

Hello All.

I was wondering if anyone has any idea how often the piebald mutation occures in GSDs.  Is it really considered a mutation?  Have you all seen others?   I have been told it is rather rare.  I was also told that many or most Piebalds are culled at birth so an accurate count is very hard to come by.  I do not know if that last part is true, but after the way i got mine I can believe it.  Makes me a little sad.

I know the "Panda" shepherd folks do not sonsider their dogs piebald but is this true?  Could their dogs be the first to display that color pattern or is that just another piebald expression?


Anyway I was just curious and wondered what you thought or had seen

Have a great day

~Rooka

I like the look of them if am honest but someone will be along soon enough to rant and rave about what is right and what isnt.
No doubt their will be someone who thinks it acceptable to kill any animal due to its coat  I think those are the people who dont breed out of love but out of greed and they represent everything "Nazi" in the breeding world.

Sorry the word "nazi" was a dark word to use but it is how i feel. I am a strong believer that "No good dog is a bad colour" and no one should have a right to put a healthy dog down. Also am sorry about my rant and am sure someone will come along soon and hopefully help you out with your question.

I'm sure the reason they are culled is to hide the fact that their dog carries the gene.  The same goes for blues, livers and whites.  My first GSD was white and at that time, it didn't matter what other dogs you owned, if you had a white, you were shunned.  I also think it ridiculous but it doesn't gel with the sound of cha-ching and unfortunately, that is what counts with some breeders, not all.  On the other hand, I also don't agree with purposely breeding to attain those same faults.  in both cases, it's more to do with money than anything, very sad.

IMHO, the breeder who culls is just as guilty as the one who breeds for the odd colors.  If they're not honest about it, it's carried on through the litter mates and becomes a vicious cycle.  If more were honest about it, at least we'd know for sure which lines carry it and could make sure that the future breedings would produce less.  I'm sure it would still pop up, but would be rarer still.

I really did not want to start a pissing contest over coat color.  I am with the both of you.  I think coat does not make the dog.  I will not discredit others though in their quest for their idea of the perfect dog or the goal of attaining the superior standard for the breed.  Though I must admit I am kinda confused on what that is still.  I will google it again.  Abbie was with me 12 years and I would put her temperment, smarts, and behavior against anydog out there.

I was just really curious as what other experiences folks have had  with piebalds or how many they have seen.  I am guessing it is rare...though of coarse it would be my luck that i would shout "Give me the piebalds! do not cull the cuties!..." and end up with thirty pups on my door step in a week!   HAHAHAHAHHA  j/k.  I also agree that breeding for specific mutations only is not a good idea.  Genetics is a pretty tricky thing and diversity is key...NO DOUBT.

Anywho thanks again and have a good one

~Rooka

I will admit i have never came across them myself. I have never seen them advertised or even saw any hint of them on all the UK breeders sites i have looked at. Be nice to see one in the flesh though

Rooka, I'm agreeing with you, they should not be culled because they are GSD and deserve a good home.  Many have made the perfect companion, such as your beloved Rooka, and that's a good thing.  There's no reason to shun the dog and the gene does pop up from time to time.  All I'm saying is that it shouldn't be done purposely.  Doesn't matter that there are those that hate the look, all the better for those that like it.  Absolutely nothing wrong with owning and loving any mutated color, the dog inside is what should count.   But it shouldn't be a goal to produce the same.  When they do occur, allow them to bring joy to someone instead of destroying them.  And if that's what you like, no problem looking for one if you can find it, just don't breed them.  I have a feeling they're not as rare as some believe, they're just killed at birth which IMO is horribly wrong and done for the money the rest of the litter can bring.

In 100% agreement :)

~Rooka

Ok I have gotten a few PMs some are very sweet and others are pretty Snarky and I think there have been some misunderstandings regarding my inquiry"

A.)  No, I am not looking specifically for a piebald and no I do not want a Panda.  I am remaining neutral on the Panda situation but I do not promote trend breeds or breeding of trends.  That said, to each their own.  I realize Piebald is a Mutation and do believe the seeking of a mutation is a good idea.

B.)  The joke " Send me your piebalds, don't cull the cuties," followed by HAHAHAH J/K  was not a joke about culling.  I do think culling is a joke.  I do know it is sometimes necessary when an animal has birth defects.  and NO  I do not think coat color is a reason for culling.  The joke, if you actually read it was reference to the "rarity" of piebalds.  The fact that no one seems to know how many there are for sure because people bury their  births.  I said I would try and save them, these "rare" dogs and may end up with 30 dogs by the end of the week.  Sarcasm is hard to portray in writing.

C.)  YES, I would rescue or take a piebald from a breeder and give it a home.  Please look to the right and notice the picture of the dog.  Now see her coat?  Ya... ok?  I have no problem with nonstandard coats.  I would also take that pup that maybe has a bum ear or 6 toes if that was all that was deemed wrong after a month of life.  Go ahead contact me.  I'll give the little stinker a home :).  AND NO  I would not breed said dog.

This thread was just an attempt to feed the curiosities I had about the ratio of Piebalds in the GSDs.  No more, no less.  I know it happens and was just curious.  I meant NO offense and I am sorry if I did not express myself well enough and caused anyone any distress.  I hope this clears it up a bit.

Also.  To those of you who had information or just something nice to say I appreciate you taking the time to write me

~Rooka 

Rooka, I am not clear on the difference between pandas and piebald GSDs. Can you please explain?  Thanks!

From what I understand, Panda is kinda like a brand name.  The original "Panda" breeder has found a genetisist that says their specific "Panda" coat stems from a mutation in one of their dogs born around 2004.  They say it is not Piebald  but has something to do with how the colors of the dog arrange themselvse with the addition to white coloring.   They have the genetic report on their web site and if you google Panda shepherds you can read it.  Again "Panda" is a dog bred from that line.  "Panda" is their trademark name, like "Dupont," or "Procter and Gamble"  

I really do not want to comment on this decleration either way.  I got my dog in 1998.  She is not considered a "Panda."   She is a generic piebald...hahahah.  I hope that helps. 

~Rooka