What are the two main reasons cited for the high perceived rarity of the black sable German Shepherd?
Answer
Visual confusion with solid black dogs and breeder selection against the pattern.
The perception that black sable German Shepherds are scarce is high due to a combination of factors that reduce their frequency in the observed population. First, there is significant visual misidentification; the dark overlay of a black sable can make it indistinguishable from a true solid black dog to the casual observer, leading people to incorrectly categorize the frequency of both. Second, many breeders actively select for specific, easily identifiable phenotypes, particularly the dominant solid black expression (via E^D), which inherently reduces the frequency of sable pups whose coats rely on the active Agouti gene expression within their litters.
Related Questions
What function does the Agouti (A) series of genes control in German Shepherds?Which dominant allele typically causes solid black coloration by overriding the Agouti gene?What specific feature defines a black sable coat pattern on the individual hair shaft?What visual characteristic creates a primary source of confusion between a black sable and a solid black GSD?What is suggested about the historical prevalence of the sable coat color in German Shepherds?What detail should an observer look for on the guard hairs along the back ridge to distinguish a black sable?Why does only one copy of the dominant E^D gene cause a dog to appear solid black?What are the two main reasons cited for the high perceived rarity of the black sable German Shepherd?What effect does a breeder focusing on uniform solid black dogs have on their litters?How does the undercoat of a black sable typically differ from that of a solid black German Shepherd?