3 week Puppy Photo update :-) - Page 1

Beautiful pups. I just got a black shepherd, are they rare? Although I knew shepherds could be black I had never seen one in my life. Now that I have one it's funny how many people argue with me about it. Most think he is a mutt. I'm half tempted to carry his papers with me. Mine has a tiny sliver of white on his chest which also makes people question him. Your web site is nice, the sire is so handsome.What a gorgeous head! He looks like a bear. Is there any chance the black ones will change color? Just curious, mine was the only black male in the litter, his sire was all black with the white spot also. Don't know much about the black ones, like I said they are very rare where I live. maybe I just never noticed them

Black GSDs aren't necssarily 'rare', but it isn't a color that seems to be found in  American lines.

People will argue that blacks, sables, and bicolors are 'mixes' because they aren't the cookie cutter saddle backs they are used to.  These are colors that are found in German lines, mostly working, and the majority of people just aren't familiar with them.

:)

BTW,...adorable puppies!!!

I get the lab comment alot also, even though both his ears are up. His parents are both German imports from working lines. The sire does have the white spot. Ever heard of early neurological stimulation? The Army uses this on litters. I don't know if it made a diff. but the breeder did this with the litter.His temperament is great, very calm when meeting people. Playful as can be, its like he knows the right time and place for play and manners. My concern now is one testicle isn't down. The breeder says it was down at his 7 week vet check. Is it possible to go back up? Or come back down for that matter? Although I'm not a breeder I'm on the fence with the neutering thing. Maybe I'm just ignorant but I feel it takes something from the dog that nature intended, and if trained properly should not be an issue. Since he is only my second shep. I am slowly learning. My last was not fixed and he was a great dog. He did not like other dogs but I think it was due to the lack of doggie socialization as a pup. (Not making that mistake this time) My vet says no big deal just a bigger incision.When I expressed my feelings over neutering I got the lecture about testicular cancer. (As I did thru out my last sheps life) It's ironic that at 9 yrs old my vet (diff. vet than now) told me he had a lump in his testicle, schedule him for prompt surgery, ran blood work. Sadly his liver #s were off the charts. After an x-ray and an ultrasound I found he had other issues but there wasn't a dam thing wrong with his testicles. Tumors on adr. glands, spleen. They said surgery very well might kill him but if he made it thru It would buy him 6 mos to a year possibly. I opted to do nothing, wasn't willing to put him through that for 6 mos. Fed him a special diet for his liver. Although his spleen tumor enlarged he went on to live for 2 1/2 yrs. You never would guess anything was wrong nothing seemed to change. In the end he died peacefully in my arms. I don't want to go through years of fighting vets again. Sorry to ramble on, don't mean to steal any glory from your original post : )  You must know alot about shepherds, thats why I ask. I envy you with all those shepherds. I don't know how many more I will be able to own in my life but I wish I had a pack! Thanks for reading my ramblings  I get on my soapbox when it comes to my late "Shane" he died in Feb. of this year and I miss him everyday. Harry is better than any meds! I'm loving him up, and plan on doing agility with him.

People who don't know squat about dogs sure do like to spout off about them, huh?  I had a blue merle collie once and got so sick and tired of people telling me I got screwed and should ask for my money back.  The only collie people know is Lassie and the only GSD they know is RIn Tin TIn.  It's more fun to mess with their minds.  Our last GSD was german bloodlines and she was within the standard for size but so many people are used to the larger Xtra big dogs we would get comments about how small she was.  My husband was always quick to tell them she was a new breed, a miniature GSD and very rare.  They ate it up and I'm sure some are still trying to locate one. 

Don't neuter him.  It's not necessary.

Sorry to hear about the loss of Shane.  We lost our old girl in November.  I don't know that it will ever stop hurting.  They do leave their pawprints on our hearts.

Good luck,
Deb

Oli, we have another trouble making Troll online.  Please remove the loser.  Thanks.

I told you guys it was a full moon on Sunday.
Always,
cee

The puppies are really nice and growing fast. Keep up the good work
Always,
Cee