09/29/2024
We have caused some controversy it seems with regards to our 'wolf masked' puppies, also commonly referred to as reverse masked or hobo masked, so for educational purposes, the German Shepherd dogs come with a huge variety of facial markings, called "masks". What we here refer to as a "Wolf Mask" (think tri color Collie, Doberman, or some Husky or Malamute masks) is actually a coloration that comes under the "Reverse Mask" distinction. Generally defined, "Reverse Mask" is any GSD that does not have a black muzzle. Some have a Wolf Mask, some a widow's peak type mask (think sable and white Collie or Sheltie) and still others have no mask whatsoever.
Notably, in the AKC standard, there is NO discrimination against, ANY of the Reverse Masks. In popular fashion, however, the Reverse Masks have generally fallen out of favor with preference being for a dog with a black muzzle. This has become so much the case that Reverse Mask GSD's are now actually being questioned by many as to their pure breed status! Sadly, even many present day GSD breeders are so ignorant of the breed's history that even they will staunchly proclaim that any Reverse Masked dog "Is not a purebred GSD!" Anyone interested is encouraged to research Reverse Mask German Shepherd on Google, the Pedigree Database, or Google Images.
That being said the sire of these puppies is multi champion, health tested, imported from Germany, he qualified for crufts at 11 months of age and showed to his Champion title here in the u.s handled by myself, along with his sire, who is now also IGP2. The money we had invested alone into importing, exporting, 2 years of showing, IGP clinics, training, health testing, show entries, travel and hotel, and handlers on this one dog alone cost over $30k in two years time! Everything we had, went back into dogs and improving them. The dam of this litter is a 4th generation bred dog by me, who is from 5 generations of health tested and show titled parents, including our Estrella, Ryker, Shenoa, Ocean, and others on the dams side of the Pedigree alone. Our dogs showed out and won over more traditional coat colors due to their preferred structure and movement. The amount of blood, sweat and tears we have tied up into the last 12 years of our breeding program is immeasurable. We do specialize in colors that are not the norm, but to say that we breed solely for that is ignorant at best. We have proudly produced dogs for similar programs to broaden gene pools in Germany, the U.K, Netherlands, France, Australia Canada, and others. We are proud of the work we have done here, and we are greatful for all of the wonderful breeders and owners we have met along the way. I hope this clarifies 'Wolf mask' to those who are genuinely interested in understanding the term.
Understandably, the world is full of different opinions and some will undoubtedly disagree with our program. To those people i say kindly.... I don't really care. π