The Sable German Shepherd is the purest breed in the shepherd dog family. The sable coat colour showcases the originality of a faithful shepherd dog. Although these pups look different from the other German Shepherds, they have the same characteristics and personality. One thing that differentiates them from German shepherds is their coat colour; otherwise, they display the same features and are loyal to their owners. Regular shepherds have tan and light brown coats, whilst sables resemble wolves, having lighter and dark blackish tips.
Military forces and the police usually own these dogs as they are best for investigating crime places. This is also the most intelligent breed, renowned as working dogs. Do you also crave such a kind of pet in your home? Or do You want to know more about this particular breed? This article briefly explains this dog’s history, origin, characteristics and appearance comprehensively.
Here’s a quick overview of everything we will cover in this guide. You can click the links below to jump ahead to any section:
- Interesting History and Origin Behind Sable Shephard
- Did Von Stephantiz Successfully Achieve the Breeding Results?
- Are these Dogs Friendly with Families?
- Sable German Shephard Facts and Features
- The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Shepherd: Key Points to Remember
- Final Words
- FAQ’s
Interesting History and Origin Behind Sable Shephard
This shepherd breed has a unique story. But before analysing their history, let’s examine how the idea of creating this hybrid Sable German Shepherd originated. The idea was first developed when Von Stephantitz visited a dog show and spotted a German Shepherd. He was so surprised to see the shepherd’s unique behaviour that he bred that dog to get the same traits. He believed the Shepherd was the best working dog due to its personality and characteristics, so he decided to adopt one of those dogs.
Did Von Stephantiz Successfully Achieve the Breeding Results?
Von gave that adopted dog a unique name, “Horand.” After that, Von bred Horand with other dogs resembling shepherds. Captain Max Von wanted a robust breed that possessed all the traits of shepherds but couldn’t find one among the continental Shepherds. He continued his breeding experiment to get a professional dog’s herding abilities and working characteristics in that new hybrid. After several efforts, Von got the desired results and the same breed outcomes.
Are these Dogs Friendly with Families?
Sable German Shepherds are considered aggressive and dangerous due to their work with military forces, which are similar to other protective breeds such as the Micro Bully. This fact is a complete misconception; as appropriately trained, they can be the best family pets. They are primarily a perfect match for families who give love and affection to dogs. Dog lovers can find similar qualities in Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Personality
Though Sables have dark colours, they never impact their personality. They are very good-natured and know how to impress their owners. Let’s move to some of the German Shefard’s personality facts.
- This purest breed of the Shepard is family-oriented, lively and intelligent. You might also find the Mini Bernese Mountain Dog interesting, as it shares some of these characteristics.
- They own confident characteristics. Also, they are very protective and safeguard their owners with responsibility.
- They usually love to play different games with their owners and want to spend quality time in various activities, like running and jogging.
Temperament
Although dark, they are not as aggressive as their coat suggests. They are extremely friendly, loyal, and devoted. However, depending on their parents, they can be distant from their owners. If trained adequately, they can interact easily with people, like a new pup. There are some facts to know about their temperament.
- They are family-oriented pets and are considered watchful dogs. They know very well that their job is to protect you whenever needed.
- They are preferred as working dogs have high energy levels and provide the best service to commanders and military forces. If you’re interested in other loyal and active breeds, the Golden Mountain Dog might also catch your attention.
- A critical consideration about these pups is that they should be kept occupied due to their breed nature.
- They can be badly tampered with when they don’t get enough attention when needed.
Sable German Shephard Facts and Features
Size | Females have 22-24 inches heights Males have 24-24 inches |
Lifespan | Sable German Shepherd’s life span is 9-13 years. |
Coat Colour Variations | They have the variation of Sable, Tan, Gold, Black, White, Liver, Blue, Parti, and Panda. They can also be a mixture of any of the two colours. |
Temperament and Personality | Loyal, Protective, passionate and Intelligent |
Suitable For | Military and Police Forces. If appropriately trained, they are good to go with families. |
Purpose | They are the working dogs and the best security workers. |
Weight | Their weight ranges from 57-73 lb for females. Their weights range from 75-95Ib for males. |
Health Risks and Diseases | Elbow and Hip Dysplasia, especially during old age. |
The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Shepherd: Key Points to Remember
Regular Exercise and Training
To keep any shepherd’s stamina in good form, arrange any activity or keep them busy for two hours of exercise. Your pup can’t run for longer durations if it is younger than seven months. However, adult dogs require a plethora of workouts daily.
- The sable breed is a prevalent grazing pup. So, provide an open playground for your dog to help him play, run, and do whatever he likes.
- Shepherds’ high energy levels demand extra attention, and they love to go for daily runs with their owners. So, arrange a time for them and take them for running. That will help them with their mental fitness.
- You can also consult a pet care centre for keeping shepherds their proper training and feeding instructions.
Grooming Practices
Grooming a sable German Shepherd coat is a time-consuming task. Brushing them once a week is sufficient; however, during shedding season, brush them daily. Below are some methods to maintain the cleanliness and brushing of your sable German Shepherd.
Procedure to Shed the Coat
- Due to their thicker coat, it is not recommended to brush them at home; however, take them outside and start shedding their coat with de-shedding accessories.
- Now, start the process from the back throughout the hind quarters. Then, move your undercut or shedding tool towards the sides.
- After this, remove the thick fur from the chest, legs, and belly. Don’t stop shedding after one move; do the process multiple times to adequately de-shed the fur.
- In the end, comb the coat of the whole dog to ensure the process is smooth and inclined.
Bathing
- Bathing a Sable German Shepherd is also a commitment. Due to their thick coats, cleaning the pup’s fur entirely takes time.
- Use a gentle shampoo deep into this dog’s fur and massage gently. Rinse thoroughly after massaging the coat.
- Use the best shampoo free from chemicals and preservatives to save the dog from irritants. A unique shampoo made for these pups can help remove excess undercoat.
- It is recommended to flow water from the coat twice or more until all fur becomes shampoo and conditioner-free
- After that, clean your pup with a towel and air dry their hair. Use low heat temperature while air drying the hairs.
Final Words
If you crave a protective, active, and intelligent canine, then The Sable German Shefard should be your choice. Not only does it display the actual traits of the natural breed, but it also bestows exceptional loyalty. But the query is, what makes them more unique? The loyalty in their nature and protective behaviour make these dogs more demanding for families. Nothing is wrong with saying they can be your ideal security guard. When fully trained, they participate in every activity and showcase loving behaviour and enduring presence. They portray a security frame like an army and catch attention with their fluffy appearances.
FAQ’s
Q1. Are Sable German Shepherds suitable as first-time pets?
Sable German Shepherds are perfect dogs for active pet lovers. Their optimal energy, protection and easy-to-train behaviour make them part of the family.
Q2. Are these Sable German Shepherds commonly found?
Sable dogs are rare and expensive compared to ordinary shepherds.
Q3. Can owning a Sable German Shefard harm anyone?
No, they are extremely friendly and loyal if they are appropriately trained. Owing to their high energy levels, they require more attention. Hence, they should be kept occupied, as they can be aggressive due to a lack of attention.