[Shepherd Momma57]

Also premature white muzzle and chin hairs. She's a rescue. Don't know her background other than she had a litter of pumps between 1-2 yrs. Skittish of storms. Great dog!

 

[mnm]

Completely normal....

 

[Fodder]

@Shepherd Momma57 i believe what the OP was after (2012 thread) are solid black gsd with white color patches - typically on the chest or toes. since your dog is a bi color, the patches on her face are actually washed out tan markings. they premature grey is from aging and would also be different than color patches present at birth.

here is an example (from google images):

 

[tim_s_adams]

Completely normal....

It's that white spotting gene!

 

[Shepherd Momma57]

@Shepherd Momma57 i believe what the OP was after (2012 thread) are solid black gsd with white color patches - typically on the chest or toes. since your dog is a bi color, the patches on her face are actually washed out tan markings. they premature grey is from aging and would also be different than color patches present at birth.

here is an example (from google images):
View attachment 578839

So she must have had a stressful early life to have tan face markings already white? When she sheds her throat has undercoat that is white too.

It's that white spotting gene!

Thanks.

 

[Shepherd Momma57]

Completely normal....

Thanks. I love her just as she is!! Perfect disposition, little nervous of storms but improving. Adopted four months ago. Whitish undercoat in places. I LOVE HER!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

 

[Shepherd Momma57]

So she must have had a stressful early life to have tan face markings already white? 💔When she sheds her throat has undercoat that is white too.

Thanks.

 

[Kitty TN]

I have a black and white GSD. Here is his picture. He is 1.5 yrs.

 

[dogma13]

Handsome guy! Do you know what mix he is?The first thing that comes to mind is Newfoundland.

 

[deadBeetle]

Handsome guy! Do you know what mix he is?The first thing that comes to mind is Newfoundland.

Or cattle dog, but then the head is a bit like an Akita in the second photo. Cool pup

 

[LuvShepherds]

Bluetick Coonhound - The Breed With Long Ties To The USA - Animal Corner

The Bluetick Coonhound is a faithful breed that played an important role in the development of the USA! They've a long history of helping settlers & hunters

animalcorner.org

 

[Kitty TN]

Handsome guy! Do you know what mix he is?The first thing that comes to mind is Newfoundland.

100% pure GSD. He is considered a "piebald". Missing a gene that controls color. They are also sometimes called Panda GSDs. Those aren't his real teeth by the way. LOL.

 

[dogma13]

100% pure GSD. He is considered a "piebald". Missing a gene that controls color. They are also sometimes called Panda GSDs. Those aren't his real teeth by the way. LOL.

I know what a panda GSD is and the history behind the genetics. I think he's a really striking looking dogThere are some physical features that say there's some other breeds in his bloodline IMHO.No matter though, it's easy to see he's a content well loved family member.

 

[Kitty TN]

So Dogma13 on this thread says that she knows a thing or two about dogs and their genetic markers and suggests that Rocko is NOT full GSD. However, I had his DNA tested twice by two reputable companies and they both come back as 99.4% GSD / .6% wolf. Any comments on how this could be?

 

[KaymanPup]

My understanding is that the DNA tests will not show anything beyond 3 generations. So if there is another breed or breeds back there at the 4th, 5th generation or beyond it will not show up. The fact you have something showing within the 3 generations tells me more is likely back there beyond the 3 generations.

This is how less than reputable breeders claim their off color "GSDs" are pure bred when they are not, because the other breed will not show up if it is beyond 3 generations. There are some out there claiming to have brindle GSDs when that color has been extinct in the breed back to the early beginnings. They most likely mixed in a Dutch Shepherd further back to get that color.

 

[Kitty TN]

My understanding is that the DNA tests will not show anything beyond 3 generations. So if there is another breed or breeds back there at the 4th, 5th generation or beyond it will not show up. The fact you have something showing within the 3 generations tells me more is likely back there beyond the 3 generations.

This is how less than reputable breeders claim their off color "GSDs" are pure bred when they are not, because the other breed will not show up if it is beyond 3 generations. There are some out there claiming to have brindle GSDs when that color has been extinct in the breed back to the early beginnings. They most likely mixed in a Dutch Shepherd further back to get that color.

Thanks. I didn't know that it only went back 3 gens. Alas, I didn't get him from a breeder. He was abandoned at a truck stop in Texas and had been scavenging for food for about 3 months. He was brought to TN by a compassionate trucker from whom I made the adoption. The vet suggested that he was a piebald GSD, so we had two tests done, which came back as I mentioned before.

In either case, whomever discarded this dog was more than cruel. Idiots! He is so sweet and intelligent, it's insane. (Too intelligent sometimes) He could be a wonderful search and rescue dog. Yesterday he found my phone in the grass. I mow about 11 acres and it fell out of my pocket while I was mowing and I had no idea where. I never would have found it.
on my own.

 

[dogma13]

@Kitty TN my opinion remains the same.Rocko is a strikingly handsome dog.I'm curious about his ancestry.My curiosity is in no way meant to be confrontational.Members here are much more interested in sharing stories of our dog's adventures and antics.
The phone recovery!!Isn't it amazing how they can track?My husband dropped his work keys in deep snow and we searched with shovel and rake to no avail. The next morning one of our dogs went right to spot and dug them out

 

[Jax08]

I would agree that Dogma does know a thing or two about dogs. Yes, the DNA testing only goes back a certain number of generations so it really isn't an accurate measure of "purebred". DNA tests are fun but not the end all because of hte limitations. Did you do the health testing along with the breed? That would be more important.

I would not describe your dog as a Panda. I believe the Panda gene is completely different from the white spotting gene (Piebald) but someone can correct me on that if I"m wrong. And the white spotting gene is not within our breed. Any white as described in this post is called residual white. It's simply where the color didn't fill in before the puppy was born. Typically, toes and chest. I do think there is a genetic connection because I see it more prevelant in certain lines with generation after generation having residual white but they don't know of any gene that causes it at this time.

My experience with Embarking purebred, pedigreed, German Shepherds is it comes back 100% German Shepherd. Your result was "99.4% GSD / .6% wolf ". That tells me not purebed. High content but not pure. And I highly doubt wolf. Wolf hybrids are extremely rare and illegal in most states so the DNA test probably has any unknowns lumped into Wolf. Color would imply a different breed (you could search for breeds that have those patterns). I think definitely something with a white spotting gene but also with ticking from the look of his coat.

http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/white.htm

Regardless, he's beautiful and unique. He's lucky to have landed with someone who loves him so much.