German Shepherds may be classified as Sable German Shepherds. As the most dominant coat color of all Shepherds, Sable is the only color that fits the dog’s founding members’ strong ideas about a true Shepherd.

These dogs look different from other German Shepherds (GSDs), but they have the same traits and characteristics as other variations of the breed, including their loyalty. German Shepherd dogs are bred to be the perfect working dogs, and many have been employed by the military, police forces, and other service organizations.

We dive into detail about this dog’s history, characteristics, and care below.

History of the Sable German Shepherd

German shepherds, also known as Alsatian Wolf Dogs, were originally developed in Germany to herd sheep. Due to its strength, trainability, and intelligence, it has become a popular working dog for roles such as search and rescue, police, and military.

Herding sheep was one of the jobs that the breed was developed to assist with during the 1850s trend to standardize dog breeds.

Among the leading thinkers in this field was Max von Stephanitz, who specifically sought working dogs that embodied his ideal vision.

Breed Origin of Sable German Shepherd

We should look at the German Shepherd’s breed origin in order to understand the breed origin of Sable German Shepherds. Von Stephanitz discovered the German Shepherd at a dog show and decided this breed would make a great working dog. The German Shepherd Dog Society was created after he adopted one of these dogs and named him “Horand”.

As the first breed standard for the German Shepherd breed, Horand was bred with dogs with similar appearances to produce German Shepherd litters. In 1908, the AKC recognized them as the first breed of dog in the United States.

Sable German Shepherd Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Canidae
Genus	Canis
Scientific Name	Canis lupus

Characteristics of the Sable German Shepherd

These dogs carry the same characteristics and temperament as the standard GSD because they are not mixed breeds. However, sable German Shepherd puppies can be more expensive because they are often rarer than other colors.

Puppies normally come in litter sizes of five or nine. An average GSD puppy costs between $300 and $700. You can expect to spend between $800 and $1500 per puppy for a Sable GSD.

Appearance of Sable German Shepherd

With the exception of their distinctive coat color, sable German shepherds look just like most other German shepherds.

The German shepherd is a large breed. Males reach heights of 26 inches and weigh 75 to 95 pounds.

The females are a bit smaller. The average height of a crow is 24 inches, and the average weight is 55 to 75 pounds.

They have domed heads with long, square muzzles. Due to their alert, erect ears, and long necks, they appear even larger than they actually are. With a proportion of 10 to 8.5, the dog should be longer than it is tall. Ideally, its bushy tail should extend out in a hook-like fashion.

Coat

There are two types of coats on German Shepherds: medium and long. When they are out as working dogs, they have a thick guard layer and a softer undercoat, which keeps them warm.

Due to their tendency to shed, these dogs may not be the best choice for allergy sufferers. To reduce the amount of shedding and the amount of cleaning up, a proper grooming regime is crucial! Here is a more detailed discussion of this topic.

Color

Sable-colored German Shepherds have almost all of their hair with a black tip, while the rest of their hair may be a different color. Normally, this other color is tan, but the GSD can come in a wide range of colors. Whites, partis, blues, livers, reds, and golds are among these.

Temperament of Sable German Shepherd

Sable German Shepherds are even-tempered dogs. When they notice their owner is being serious, they turn into energetic, playful, silly creatures. They love to follow their owners everywhere like shadows and are people-oriented. Whenever they have left alone, they suffer from separation anxiety because they become so attached to their families.

Despite their reputation as aggressive dogs, they have a very calm temperament. Fear or harm can cause any dog to become aggressive. There is no difference between them and other breeds in terms of aggression.

Lifespan of Sable German Shepherd

Between 9 and 13 years is the average life expectancy of the Sable German Shepherd.

Health Issues of Sable German Shepherd

Sable German shepherds have historically suffered from elbow and hip dysplasia, like many large dog breeds. Dysplasia is a malformation in the joints and is very painful for like-breeds. 

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine for your sable throughout its lifetime to prevent hip and elbow dysplasia. The symptoms of myelopathy, a degenerative spinal disease, may begin to appear after seven years in sables.

These diseases are primarily caused by early inbreeding practices in sable German shepherds. Your sable will benefit from sleeping on an orthopedic pillow or bed as they age, as it will relieve pressure on their bones and joints. 

The life expectancy of a healthy Sable German shepherd is over ten years old. 

Daily Life of Sable German Shepherd

We now know all about the traits and characteristics of the Sable German Shepherd. Now let’s take a look at what living with one of these dogs on a day-to-day basis is really like. Their diet and exercise needs, as well as grooming, will be discussed.

Food and Diet of Sable German Shepherd

Due to the large size of the Sable Shepherd, they should also have a large diet. To determine the amount of food you should be feeding your doggie based on their weight, always check the back of the dog food packet.

According to experts, a Sable German Shepherd should consume about 1500 calories a day, or 20 calories per pound of body weight. The amount of food is approximately three cups.

Puppy food should be given three to four times a day as a puppy. There is a particular need for this in larger breeds as they are most prone to bloat, where the stomach becomes twisted and bloated. This is usually fatal. As an adult, these three to four meals can be reduced to two meals a day. If you lead a busy lifestyle, you may only need one meal per day.

Their food should be healthy and nutritious. A dog of this size should receive all the nutrients he or she needs, including proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Despite some dog owners feeding their pups raw food, high-quality dry kibble is an excellent option. Our recommended food can be found below.

Best Dog Food for the Sable German Shepherd

Adult Dry Dog Food Crave Grain Free High Protein

Sable German Shepherds should eat Crave Grain Free High Protein dry dog food. Dogs’ wolf ancestors ate a diet rich in protein, which is why this food contains 34% salmon protein. As a result of this high protein intake, their muscles remain lean and healthy, so they can stay active for a longer period of time.

The recipe does not contain grains, but it contains quality carbohydrates for energy. The formula also contains vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for a balanced diet for your German Shepherd. There are no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or chicken byproduct meals in this food.

Exercise

German Shepherds are working dogs and are often used as police dogs, so they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Considering this breed’s activity level and high exercise requirements, it is no surprise that they require a great deal of exercise.

Your German Shepherd should exercise for 60 to 90 minutes per day. This includes walks, playing, and mental games. When you live in a small apartment, your dog won’t be able to get the exercise they need if they have no backyard to run around in. Because of frustration and boredom, they can develop unwanted and destructive behaviors.

In addition to hiking and walking, these dogs also enjoy swimming, so make sure you have the time to spend outdoors with this breed of dog. They can make the perfect exercise buddy!

It is especially important to avoid overexerting these dogs when they are puppies since they are a large breed. Their skeletal development can be adversely affected by too much exercise. For each month of their age, you should only exercise them for about 5 minutes. You should exercise your GSD for twenty minutes if it is four months old, for example.

Family Compatibility

Sable Shepherds make excellent family dogs. As loyal dogs, they will want to protect you from anything harmful, making them excellent guard dogs. In order to keep them from barking for hours on end, you will need to train them from a young age that not everything is a threat!

There is no doubt that this pup needs a lot of exercises and will thrive in a family that is active and willing to play with them. A big yard for them to run around in and people who want to teach them tricks will benefit them both physically and mentally.

When introducing this breed to children for the first time, you will need to be careful as they have a high prey drive. The good news is that German Shepherds love children and will even take your children under their wings if properly socialized. Additionally, they get along well with other family pets, so there will be no problem there, and they will become beloved members of the family.

Training of Sable German Shepherd

It is very easy to train a Sable German Shepherd because it is an intelligent dog. Positive reinforcement and reward-based techniques should always be used to train them from an early age. Showing them that they are doing well can be achieved through verbal praise and tasty treats.

There is no need to punish or scold a German Shepherd, as they can be a little stubborn. They will also perform better if they have had a lot of time to exercise before you train them. It’s fun to hide treats and watch them sniff them out when they’re detectives!

Socializing of Sable German Shepherd

Our discussion of socializing your German Shepherd touched on the importance of socialization. As working dogs, they will believe that protecting you is their job. As a result of their prey drive, they can also seem aloof to children.

Your Sable Shepherd should be introduced to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people, and animals in a calm and controlled manner from an early age, so there is nothing to be afraid of. A well-rounded dog will benefit from continued socialization throughout his life, too.

Grooming

Having a double coat, the German Shepherd sheds a lot. You can expect more shedding at two times in the year and reduced shedding the rest of the time. You can always help them with this by brushing them properly. The coat of your dog can also be managed better by visiting a grooming salon.

Sable German Shepherds with medium coats may be able to tolerate two weekly brushings. To prevent knots and tangles from forming, you’ll need to brush your dog daily if they have long hair. In either case, they are not a good choice for allergy sufferers!

Dental chews can help keep their teeth clean, but brushing their teeth is the best way to prevent dental decay and gum disease. As well as checking their erect ears, you should check their ears for dirt and dust.

Conclusion

An excellent family member, the Sable German Shepherd is loyal and loving. Although they have a dominant gene that gives them a beautiful coat, these pups also have the same fantastic temperament as their GSD siblings and sisters and make excellent working dogs and guard dogs. GSDs can have high grooming and exercise needs, but they are excellent companions for running and hiking, and you will love spending time with them outdoors playing games. So, what do you think? Is a Sable German Shepherd for you?

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