Sable German Shepherd – Interesting Facts, Traits, and History

The Beautiful Sable German Shepherd is an American Kennel Club Recognized German Shepherd breed. Sable German Shepherd is a standard German Shephard with a distinct color coat. The term is used to describe these dogs and is also used in art. Sable is a transitional color in which the fur is lighter at the roots and darker at the tip. A Sable German Shepherds typically has gray or light brown fur at the roots and black fur at the tips.
The most exciting thing about sable coloration is that the first ever German Shepherd dog named Honrand, developed by Max von Stephanitz, had a sable coat.

Table of Contents

Weight and Size

Males usually weigh between 65 and 90 pounds (29 and 41 kg), while females are usually between 50 and 70 pounds (23 and 32 kg). Males are also usually between 24 and 26 inches (61 and 66 cm) tall at the shoulder, while females are usually between 22 and 24 inches (56 and 61 cm) tall. Sable German Shepherd is a large-sized breed.

Breed Standard

The Sable GSD is agile, muscular, large, intelligent, highly trainable, confident, Loyal, and courageous The Sable German Shepherd is a traditional breed of German Shepherd. The breed is known for its loving personality and love of the outdoors. However, it can be prone to several health issues. Hip and elbow dysplasia are the most common problems, which can lead to a dog’s lameness and severe pain. The best way to avoid these problems is to give your dog lots of exercises.

This type of coat is similar to a wolf’s. It has bands of color on individual hairs and can range from black to tan or silver. In addition, this coat is an excellent choice for people who want a large dog with great energy. They’re also very trainable, which makes them an ideal choice for first-time dog owners.

Read : Full AKC Standard of Sable German Shepherd

Sable German Shepherds are medium to large dogs with a double coat layer. The top layer is coarser and protected by guard hair, while the undercoat is much softer and thicker.

This color variation of the German shepherd breed is attributed to a particular gene called the agouti. This gene contains four major DNA segments that give dogs unique coloration. Scientists believe this gene is responsible for sable German Shepherds’ unusual red or tan fur.

Temperament

Sable German Shepherds are beautiful breed with a distinct personality. They are direct and fearless. They are very sensitive, have a curious and playful nature, and a highly intelligent. They behave a little aloof to strangers and don’t become friends quickly. The dog must not be fearful, lurking behind its master or handler, or uneasy, gazing around or upward with a worried expression or reacting nervously, such as tucking its tail, to unfamiliar sounds or sights. A lack of self-assurance in any situation is not a sign of excellent character.

These dogs are highly active and playful and need lots of mental and physical exercise. If left alone, they can become bored and display destructive behaviors. The dog needs constant training to understand what is appropriate and what is not. Although this breed can bark at danger, it is not aggressive. They are overprotective of family and highly trainable, initially developed as herding dogs.

Sable German Shepherd Personality

The Sable German Shepherd has a thick, plush coat that can be short or long. The short-haired version is the more common variety. This breed is tall and heavier than its long-haired counterpart. Full-grown sable dogs fall somewhere between the GSD and smaller German shepherd breeds. A Sable German Shepherd needs lots of mental stimulation and physical exercise as a working dog. They are genius and can quickly learn new tricks and commands. You can keep their minds active by teaching them agility games or puzzle toys. If you don’t have time to devote to training, you can use puppy training as a reward to give them lots of praise.

Life Expectancy

Sable German Shepherds can live for up to 13 years, depending on its health. This medium-length dog sheds about the same amount as other breeds, so it’s essential to groom him regularly. The lifespan of a Sable German Shepherd is nine to 13 years, but some may live longer.

Sable German Shepherd Health Issues

Sable German Shepherds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are susceptible to specific health conditions.
One of the most important health considerations for a Sable German shepherd is its diet. They need a high-quality diet with high protein content. Because they are athletic, they also need a lot of energy. A popular diet for sable German shepherds is a raw-meat diet, but some raw foods contain only some of the vitamins and minerals that dogs need. A dietary consultation is essential to determine the best diet for your dog.

Another health concern for a Sable German shepherd is hip dysplasia, an abnormal hip joint development. Hip dysplasia can cause pain in the hip and make walking difficult. This condition is hereditary, but the dog’s environment can also cause it. Exercise will help strengthen the legs and make the dog less susceptible to hip dysplasia.

Exercise Requirements

This breed of dog does well as a working animal. However, they need a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise daily. This amount can be increased gradually. Initially, it’s best to exercise the sable German Shepherd at a lower intensity. This way, you can build up his physical tolerance over time. The German Shepherd loves to run, but running on hard surfaces can be stressful for its joints. Try looking for trails with softer surfaces instead. Similarly, don’t run on the same surface for a long time. Instead, look for soft grass or dirt trails. Also, running at a set pace can be repetitive for the joints.

Diet & Nutrition

The Sable German Shepherd’s diet is generally comprised of dry kibble. It contains 20 calories per pound of body weight. This equates to about 3 cups of food per day. However, the amount of food will depend on the age and size of the dog. If you need to figure out what amount of food your Sable German Shepherd should eat:

Consult the manufacturer’s directions.
Look for high-quality food that has animal-based protein listed as the first ingredient.
Make sure that the food is free of filler ingredients.

Common Traits

Affectionate With Family

Sable German Shepherds are excellent family dogs, impeccably loyal, and great with children. However, they can accidentally knock over small children when playing. It means that a good training routine is essential. German Shepherds do not generally have issues with cats or other household pets, but they must be properly socialized early on.

Good With Other Dogs

German Shepherds are inherently possessive about their territory. So, these Dogs are not much good with other dogs. They take other dogs’ presence as a territorial trespass. These dogs are also great with cats, but they need good training with cats.

They Shedd

The length of the outer coat determines the shedding level of a Sable German Shepherd. While some kennel clubs register both the medium-length and long-haired varieties, the AKC only registers the medium-length GSD. Brushing your German Shepherd at least once daily is essential to prevent excessive shedding. Regular brushing at night can also help reduce excessive shedding.

Conclusion

Sable German Shepherd is a beautiful and loyal family dog. This breed is favored as Guard and Working Dogs. Their unmatched loyalty, intelligence, and high trainability made them iconic dogs. They are protective of family and have a playful nature with children. However, they are highly trainable but need a deal of attention, commitment, patience, and time. It would help if you avoided harsh gestures with them during the training session. They need plenty of exercise and socialization. Socialization is key to molding their behavior with strangers; otherwise, they will be aloof.