Black GS tempermant question

[JennaMae]

I am curious what people have experienced with different colors of GS. I know whites are known to be more difficult for whatever reasons but what about black ones? There is a black one (1 yr/female) that needs to be rescued that I am considering. Thoughts?

[Lucy Dog]

Go and meet the dog if you're interested. Temperament is not decided by the color of the dog.

[chelle]

Haha you're going to get the white owners' panties in a twist!

I'll go with what the poster above me said.

[Chris Wild]

There are no temperament, or health, issues associated with any of the colors of GSDs. Not black, white, or anything else.

Temperament and health issues can arise from breeding that is over focused on one particular thing at the expense of others, which does occur with some breeders who are breeding specifically for one color (or coat type or angulation or anything else). But when that happens it has nothing to do with the color itself, but rather with unbalanced breeding.

[JennaMae]

Originally Posted by chelle

Haha you're going to get the white owners' panties in a twist!

I'll go with what the poster above me said.

OPPS! :x , for whatever reason the whites are never pulled from Animal Control and we have to reach out to Echo. I personally think they are beautiful. But the same happens to the black ones. My thoughts are perhaps because they are not mainstream colors. I have only owned or rescued Black & Tans or Sables so far.

[JennaMae]

Originally Posted by Chris Wild

There are no temperament, or health, issues associated with any of the colors of GSDs. Not black, white, or anything else.

Temperament and health issues can arise from breeding that is over focused on one particular thing at the expense of others, which does occur with some breeders who are breeding specifically for one color (or coat type or angulation or anything else). But when that happens it has nothing to do with the color itself, but rather with unbalanced breeding.

I know it has to do with breeding. I do not know much about breeding or how you get a black one, compared to a white one. I know recessive genes play a part. I had "heard" that black have less issues due to breeding but was not sure how people come that conclusion. I will be honest I have NEVER seen a black GS and I have been doing rescue of GS for the past 15 years. We just had a white come in it AC, she sat there forever needing rescue until Echo finally took her. I just do not understand the for lack of a better word "prejudice" of these colors. I do plan to go meet her.

[Freestep]

The only thing I've ever heard about any particular color, is that sables are more likely to regurgitate food for their pups. It was a study I read long ago.

[MicheleMarie]

i agree with everyone else. in general black GSDs have working lines which tend to have a higher energy and prey drive....however-that's not really a temperment problem. its definately dog to dog and breeder to breeder

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by JennaMae

OPPS! :x , for whatever reason the whites are never pulled from Animal Control and we have to reach out to Echo. I personally think they are beautiful. But the same happens to the black ones. My thoughts are perhaps because they are not mainstream colors. I have only owned or rescued Black & Tans or Sables so far.

Black animals in general are usually the last to be adopted. It's called Black Dog (or Cat) syndrome. Temperament has nothing to do with it however, it's just a general color preference of the public. I personally don't get it because I love black animals.

I would assume the reason why whites are pulled less is because many people want the "classic" look but everyone has their color preference.

[JennaMae]

Here is her picture.