I don't know anyone in your area but we also looked for a long haired GSD in Texas but with the idea that their dogs had to be worked / titled, health checked (not just vet approved) and we felt comfortable that the breeder knew the temperament of their pups. This is partly because my hubby's "heart dog" was a long haired WGSL. Of course the new pup did not replace his previous dog but is renewing that wonderful spark again. In fact, Hubby and the Half-grown-pup are tussling as I write this.

 

If you are looking for a deep red dog with a long coat, you are more likely to find one from a German show line breeder. Not too many working lines are longcoats, and grey sable is far more common than red.

 

Hey there! Thanks for your reply
Unfortunately I'm really set on a working line - so I expected it would be very difficult to find. But I know they exist! Cheers

 

I love the disclaimer in the first paragraph! But yes, secretly we have our preferences.
Happy puppy-searching!

 

I love the disclaimer in the first paragraph! But yes, secretly we have our preferences.
Happy puppy-searching!

Haha yes it's more because I predict the "you know you should really be focusing on temperment" type replies. Thanks

 

I agree with sunsilver. Just so long as you know that that combination will be harder to find. . . .

A long coat isn't a working coat, and therefore not correct by the breed standard. It's a fault. So reputable, good breeders of any line will not breed FOR it. Some breeders will go an extra step in using only coat-free sires, lineage to keep it out of their breeding programs.

Others may accept that a sire/dam may carry for it and throw it in a litter -- then place those puppies in pet homes.

Good breeders are not supposed to breed for color. Sable is dominant genetically; so that part is to your advantage. But the red + long coat are a different story.

Per the standard also, females are normally to be moderately smaller than males, including not just height but head and bone structure. And heavier, larger boned, overall bigger GSDs tend to have lesser fitness for work in many respect (speed, flexibility, agility, endurance) and lesser longevity.

Some lines do tend to show heavier bone. . . .

And some do have females with structure closer to the males.

Good luck to you!

I would look to verify that a breeder actually legitimately breeds working GSDs, as opposed to just saying that . . . with your specific preferences/requirements.

 

Hey I appreciate your reply - all good advice. I should have mentioned that I am an experienced working line GSD owner/buyer/trainer - though that was a long time ago and in a different country.
I said "long" coat but what I really mean is plush coat - just a bit longer than stock. Definitely not something deviating wildly from the standard.
I do see heavier set working females often, and also red sables, of course... It's the plush coat that is tricky... In no small part because people like them and those rare puppies get snatched quick.

I assumed it would take me a couple of years to find what I'm looking for...

Cheers!

 

Connie, the breeder of Wolfs Canyon, tends to produce long goats with the look you asked about. A lot of her likes are working line/showline crosses, which is where her deep red pigment comes from. I have also seen some long coats from woodwolf that fit the look you asked about wolf’s canyon is in Germany but she will be more than happy to ship the dog to you. Woodwolf is in the US. I don’t know her experience level with sending dogs to Canada. You’re temperament asks are pretty vague so…Good luck with your search.

 

I was going to say goats are really hard too keep lol

 

Put your pitch forks away coatie lovers, but I can’t see why anyone would want a long coat (besides being beautiful, and that lovely flowy regal look).. my GR would be the equivalent of a long coat I think.. Ellie is a slicker, she runs through the bush and comes back to me with a couple things on her.. Milo brings back the entire forest floor, a squirrel and 13 burs in his tail!! It drives me mad his coat maintenance is the same as his exercise time.

 

Bearshandler,

Thank you for correcting me: SV now accepts long coats with proper undercoat.

Mea culpa. Forgive my lapse, all. The older breed standards that I grew up with, including the SV, did not accept long coats, with or without undercoat.

AKC GSDCA breed standard still does not accept the long coat, with or without undercoat, as correct and desirable.

My family has owned one long coat, whom we loved very much. He was sold with this noted as a fault, a coat not as weatherproof and suitable in the GSD as a working breed.

While I typically focus on common ground between the breed standards, this is now a distinct difference.

While I do find long coats beautiful, I do not find them as working quality as the shorter stock coat.

To cite a friend and very experienced breeder referring to problems in various work that she's had her GSDs taken to do, it creates problems in SAR and field work, herding work, avalanche, guide dogs and service dogs, law enforcement, etc. Water to land, rain, snow, and weather conditions are not a great match with this coat. Pulling out foxtails, burs, things stuck in the coat are a problem.

On a personal note, this coat getting soaked and wet, taking forever to dry naturally, drying faultily or incompletely, then more water exposure made his coat mildew. Terrible smell. This transferred to your hands, clothes, everything.

Had we used a forced air dryer to groom him and spent significant time doing this, daily as would have been required, perhaps he would not have smelled like mildew. And this was a pet, companion dog. I can't imagine if we would have needed to take him into places (as I must do).

As a person with a disability, who uses working dogs, I prefer a coat in a GSD that is suited to all working and life conditions, any climate, any weather, any environmental factors.

 

Bearshandler,

Thank you for correcting me: SV now accepts long coats with proper undercoat.

Mea culpa. Forgive my lapse, all. The older breed standards that I grew up with, including the SV, did not accept long coats, with or without undercoat.

AKC GSDCA breed standard still does not accept the long coat, with or without undercoat, as correct and desirable.

My family has owned one long coat, whom we loved very much. He was sold with this noted as a fault, a coat not as weatherproof and suitable in the GSD as a working breed.

While I typically focus on common ground between the breed standards, this is now a distinct difference.

While I do find long coats beautiful, I do not find them as working quality as the shorter stock coat.

To cite a friend and very experienced breeder referring to problems in various work that she's had her GSDs taken to do, it creates problems in SAR and field work, herding work, avalanche, guide dogs and service dogs, law enforcement, etc. Water to land, rain, snow, and weather conditions are not a great match with this coat. Pulling out foxtails, burs, things stuck in the coat are a problem.

On a personal note, this coat getting soaked and wet, taking forever to dry naturally, drying faultily or incompletely, then more water exposure made his coat mildew. Terrible smell. This transferred to your hands, clothes, everything.

Had we used a forced air dryer to groom him and spent significant time doing this, daily as would have been required, perhaps he would not have smelled like mildew. And this was a pet, companion dog. I can't imagine if we would have needed to take him into places (as I must do).

As a person with a disability, who uses working dogs, I prefer a coat in a GSD that is suited to all working and life conditions, any climate, any weather, any environmental factors.

A long coat is inferior to a stock coat in terms of dealing with the elements. They pickup more debris, soak faster, and dry slower. That being said, the biggest limitation to a dog’s working ability I’ve seen are health and temperment. I wouldn’t recommend a long coat for a SAR job. They are fine most other places. Mine haven’t taken more than an occasional brushing. I do make sure to dry them with a towel whenever they are wet.

 

OP, I did not and do not mean to hijack your thread from my mistake to this discussion. I beg your pardon!

Long coats are beautiful. My preference and needs in life for a standard short stock coat are not yours. Carry on!

P.S. I consider a plush coat and a long coat to be two different things. I love a good plushier coat among standard short stock coats. (The GSDCA, under AKC, fully embraces the plush coats.)

 

to be two different things. I love a good plushier coat among standard short stock coats. (The GSDCA, under AKC, fully embraces the plush coats.)

Yup totally added "long" in there because I thought it would clarify - I see that wasn't too rational since anyone with the knowledge to help answer my question would know the difference anyway. CHeers!

 

Carter Smith, I love that photo!

What beautiful, happy dogs, living their best life, it shows!

 

The only dog I have boarded that took longer to groom than a long coat GSD was a doodle in need of grooming. That dog brought the entire woods back to the house.

I'm a working dog guy and I never saw a red or long coat GSD down range or in the kennels. Adding in the requirement "big boned" female makes this a genuine search.

I'm no coat length or color expert. My current dog has a longer coat than my Czech line military dog. I would think that this cost would be easier to find in the working line dogs.

Fama: Czech WL. Big for a female at 84 pounds.

Valor: DDR/Czech/WGWL. Male, 90 pounds. Much bigger boned and a little more red with a longer coat and bigger mane.

 

Long Coats lose their beautiful luster after spay and neuter. It's the very reason I would not have a long coated female of any breed since I would have her spayed eventually.

 

We didn't spay our long coat till 9 yrs old and after that her coat was thick and luscious, the best it's ever looked her whole life!! When she had her heats was when she looked shabby!! So maybe different dogs react differently to spay/neuter?

 

That's interesting. Maybe the late spay made a difference because of hormone changes in the estrogen levels? No idea though.

 

@purpleMongrel since red sable is subjective and plush & long aren’t the same - i’m curious….. do you happen to have a photo example of the type of dog you’re after?

 

I realized I never said "long" in my original post. I said fuzzy/longer which I thought would be more clear since I was under the impression not everyone uses the term plush.
I meant the kind of plush coat you sometimes see come out of reputable working line kennels. Within the breed standard but on the longer side.

I need a dog that can work outside in the winter for long hours (and don't worry I will ALWAYS be monitoring the dogs health) so what I need (with the plush) is a thick almost husky like undercoat (RIP presentable furniture and clothes) - not the glossy slick long coat you see branch out of american/german show lines.

By red sable I mean a sable with rich red pigmentation - though this is less important since I see plently of richly pigmented tan/silvery sables that I like.

Some examples (though the reds are more visible in the back of the dogs head rather than in these photos):

Cheers

 

My girls have a somewhat reddish cast to their coat, especially in sunlight. is that what you're looking for?

 

Just to be clear, my comment was light hearted I have no real issue with long coat, heck I may even end up with one one day, once I forget how much maintenance they are 😅

since we veered into beauty and utility though I really like the max von stephanitz quote “utility is the true criterion of beauty”. It really stuck with me, and think it applies to many aspects in life, not just dogs.

 

Happy looking. My guess is that you will find the perfect pup that will have few of your desired specs on coat. I've had coaties and loved them. One a large boned female working line. The next pup was another working line but with a very tight stock coat. I had expected to get another long coat. ... But for me it was temperament and health first. and a good thing because my pups' coats ended up quite different. Enjoy your search and best of luck in getting a perfect match.

 

So do you want a long or a plush coat? Those pictures are of long coats.

If I were you, I would reach out to Alexis or Sierra. Both have long coat, sables, in their lines.

Log in or sign up to view

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

www.facebook.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Neither are in Canada but both have the coats and colors you are looking for with solid temperaments in their dogs. And close enough that shipping would not be chaotic. Alexis would definitely be on my list. She has dogs are successfully training and trialing in many different venues.

And just to note - many breeders have told me that having a long coat in the lines is what often brings the plushier coats. True or not, I don't know but that is their observation so if it's plush, sable, I would still reach out to both of these ladies.

 

Another good breeder to reach out to - also a member of the board - and in Ontario. She may not have any litters planned right now but may be able to direct you to another.

UnlimitedGSD

von Tighe Haus German Shepherd Dogs

www.unlimitedgsd.com

 

My dogs are naked compared to long coat LOL

 

To me that's still tan.

When people say red (and black) GSD, they really mean the rich mahogany color of tan that some German Shepherds have. I have closeups somewhere of Harley's fur in the sun and there's definitely red in there but in the black!

These dogs have that rich mahogany tan imo

 

To me that's still tan.

When people say red (and black) GSD, they really mean the rich mahogany color of tan that some German Shepherds have. I have closeups somewhere of Harley's fur in the sun and there's definitely red in there but in the black!

These dogs have that rich mahogany tan imo
View attachment 602582

View attachment 602583

I think we are both right but speaking of different things.
You are thinking of the showline dogs that have that very vibrant red color.
I am talking about the working line dogs whos sable can lean from silver to red (but the red rarely gets anywhere near as vibrant as showline).

Cheers!

 

My dogs are naked compared to long coat LOL

Haha honestly

Is there no sable that has some b&t proponent to it? I know black and tan are different sables but I thought I read a sable can get it’s pattern from b&t? I dunno, maybe in way off

I haven't seen that defined black saddle on any working line dogs (that I can remember). They can get small spots that are as vibrant red/black as the black and tan showlines, but in my experience the difference in appearance between working and show lines is very distinct and immediately identifiable (once you take a little time to familiarize yourself of course). Cheers

 

Haha honestly

I haven't seen that defined black saddle on any working line dogs (that I can remember). They can get small spots that are as vibrant red/black as the black and tan showlines, but in my experience the difference in appearance between working and show lines is very distinct and immediately identifiable (once you take a little time to familiarize yourself of course). Cheers

Yes wl sl is more of a structural difference, along with the colour.. I was referring to the patterning of the coat colour.

 

Red sable in the summer. Black with red - which I believe is what the OP is asking for. All of his tan is more red.

and is Mom

 

Is no one going to pick on @David Winners for watching Outlander?

(I jest. Happy Thanksgiving!)

 

Is no one going to pick on @David Winners for watching Outlander?

(I jest. Happy Thanksgiving!)

I am really Jamie Fraser.

Ok maybe not but I'm definitely a ginger 😂

Not sure where the Outlander reference came from but I'm definitely a fan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Snowballs in the paw pads! Oh my my golden looks he’s been shot and he’s sneaking away. That’s a pain. Okay so +2 short coats 0 long coats, recommence.

poor OP is like please, all I wanted was a breeder who had red sable dogs!

 

Snowballs in the paw pads! Oh my my golden looks he’s been shot and he’s sneaking away. That’s a pain. Okay so +2 short coats 0 long coats, recommence.

poor OP is like please, all I wanted was a breeder who had red sable dogs!

With the way these threads can usually go, I think this one has been fairly educational. I think it’s also shown a textbook reason of why you should look at the utility of the dog and how it fits what you want before you get into the looks of the dog. The red here is a distracting term. The OP wants a dark sable dog. There’s 1000s of breedings producing those. The correct temperament is the part to nail down. Should have just come in looking for the good ole DDR shepherd.

 

Showline dogs tend to have plusher coats than working line as it makes them look pretty for the show ring. Star was much plusher than Eska!

I think Eska's sire, Condor, is a red sable:

Edit: Okay, I've never been able to figure this out - how do you get JUST the thumbnail to show up??

 

Not a GSD, but I am a fan of "Cerberus," aka "The Hair Missile," the Malinois with DEVGRU on Seal Team (early seasons, now retired in recent seasons), real life "Dita" a female (former police drug detection dog).

I loved watching that dog. She is a scene stealer!

Hollywood, you know, had to make even the dog a male, despite the real life 3 yr old female Malinois having impressed casting/producers.

Now they have Pepper, a female GSD, having determined that the audience can handle seeing a female dog in this tough canine job!