SOLID BLACK???? - Page 1

LOOKING THRU THE "REQUEST TO BUY" ADS,I'M REALLY PUZZELED BY THE NUMEROUS REQUEST FOR "SOLID BLACK".WHAT CONSTITUTES "SOLID BLACK".....MOST BLACKS I'VE SEEN CARRY SOME SORT OF SHADING(INNER THIGH,BETWEEN TOES,WHITE CHEST SPOTS) THESE DOGS ARE STILL BLACK(I GUESS),I HAVE SEEN THE RARE BLACK DOG WITHOUT OR VERY LITTLE SHADING....BUT RARELY FROM THE TRUE WORKING TYPE.....I GUESS IF YOU'RE SPENDING YOUR MONEY THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET WHAT YOU DESIRE....BUT WHAT WOULD BE THE BETTER CHOICE(IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A TRUE WORKING DOG),COLOR OR ABILITY,IF I DESIRED A BLACK DOG ,I'D LOOK FOR ONE....BUT I DON'T THINK I'D LET A LITTLE SHADING OR A WHITE SPOT DETER ME FROM MAKING MY CHOICE,BASED ON PEDIGREE,DRIVES AND ABILITY.

the thing is, most black dogs develop the shadings on the inner legs, between toes, back legs, as they age.  The young black dog may be "solid black" but usually they do change as they age.  Still genetically they are black no matter the shading.  I don't mind when someone prefers one color, but if they put that over all other criteria then they are not thinking too clearly about finding the best puppy.

molly

@von der Ostsee:
While some dogs have shading, it is not true that you will rarely find true black dogs among "working type" (what is this type anyway?). I have seen many and my black 6 year old female still does not have any shading on her and her Paska children have not, either. The only thing white on these dogs is in the eyes. ;)
It is a matter of paying attention to these kind of details when choosing a breeding partner. Even though black dogs do not themselves display pigment, it is still important to look at progeny, ancestors etc.. Clues are the eye color, the gums, toes and shades of tan shimmering through. My guess is that these kind of 'blacks' with markings might genetically be lighter colored.
Chris

thanx for your input...understanding the  genitics of coat color is something i'm really trying to get figured out lately,with the great examples in the latest issue of "schutzhund usa" and the many resourses on the internet...very intresting subject.my "co-owned female"C-DEMERLINA VON SUDLICH platz" is, i guess what may be considered a "solid black"...no shading on inner thigh or toes,yet she does have a "half button size" white spot(brust fleck?) on the chest...still,a nice dog(bi-color sire x sable dam) my paska salztalblick son(S-NAVARRE VOM KRAFTWERK) is shaded(lightly) on inner thigh and between toes...yet again,a really nice pup,linebred on GILDO KORBELBACH...he's about what i'd expect as far as ability and working characteristics,but no white hairs on the chest...when i look at a great GSD (trial field or training),my first appreciation is for the natural  ability(black or otherwise)what concerns me is possibilty of a great pup being put aside for another selection simply because of "shading,chest marks,blk/blu spots on tounge or color between the toes....surely the more experienced breeder could delete(or breed away from) these coat characteristics...and i guess it is,or could be a deciding factor for some buyers....but my preference has always been ability/attitude over color(but i wouldn't buy,or own a pink  corvette or porsche) thanks for your input eichenluft and silbersee...have a great day! 

What I have found is that most people looking for "solid" black, want just that. A black GSD, not a bi-color or really dark sable, etc. They don't seem to mind the odd spot of white on the chest or small amount of lighter coloring between the toes. They are just trying to clarify they want a true black GSD. Of course this has just been my experience, yours may be different :)

vom ost see,
Solid black to me would mean solid, no noticable shade or marks.  Black is just that and most do have some shade between the toes or else where if you looked hard enough.
I've had a black that was indeed bi-color as well.
I guess its splitting hairs.
As far as the request ads, some people want what they want.   Let em do the leg work ...lol
BTW, I did look at your pups.  Let me know if you take some more pictures, good looking pups.

Moons.

Black is NOT rare in workingline GSDs.  It is recessive but can be found commonly enough.  Some folks would try to call their black dogs "rare" to inflate their prices, but this is just a silly marketing tactic. 

Now, the place you truly will NOT find many black dogs is among the showlines.  They have been selecting for the black & red (dark tan) coat for so long now to get that cookie cutter "type" I would be surprised indeed to see a black dog from purely showlines.

I have seen some beautiful solid black showline GSDs.
Very pricey I might add.
Don't know about abilities but they look nice....:)

Half of mine have white markings on the chest, very small, the rest do not have any white at all.
Out of eight pups there are two with white under the foot between the pads.
The sire has a white spot barely noticeable, the dam has some between the toes.

I don't think it really makes any difference if they have the ability.

I have never seen any black showlines. Two Moons, please give me some links!!! I want to see their pedigrees.
As a matter of fact, there was an advertisement for one from Russia, I believe??? some time ago. I posted the link to that dog's pedigree on the German board, and the accuracy of such a pedigree was questioned!
Jenni78, are you addressing me? If so, aging means that a dog would gray around his/her muzzle. Some start that at an early age, others not until 8 or 9 years old. Hope that clears any confusion for you.