I have a few questions on the coloring of my German Shepherd Libby.

First off, here's a photo of her (the clearest I have) at 3 years old.
http://www.geocities.com/ultimatecanineshowcase/mydogs/libby5.jpg

What is her coloring considered? Sable? Simply Black/Tan?

Secondly, she has a small patch of white - maybe the size of a quarter, on her chest. I heard thats relatively common...but she also has a few white hairs on her forehead which you can sort of see in the picture - a white speck on her head. Maybe 5-8 hairs that are just white. Is it common or even acceptable for them to have a few hairs like that?

And the third question - she's really lightened in color from when we got her at 4 1/2 months old. Here's the puppy picture we have...
http://www.geocities.com/ultimatecanineshowcase/mydogs/libbypup.jpg

She was fairly dark in color until she hit her adolescents - is it common for them to lighten in color?

NOTE: She's just a spayed rescue dog. These are just a few questions I've had about her, particularly her coloring. From the first picture, you can see her face has a semi-unusual pattern in a V-shape between her eyes. I've only seen that before twice - in a male and female GSD who we're later turned in to the same shelter and judging by their markings, age, and other shared physical attributes - we guessed they may have been Libby's siblings. Are facial markings like her's usual?

Thanks for any feedback! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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Auster has a similar V on her forehead.

http://sites.netscape.net/austersperson/pic/testpic.jpg" alt="Auster

Libby looks like a black and tan to me.

The b/tan dogs start out MOSTLY black, with a few tan markings on the face and feet. The tan "migrates" until about a year, when you will see the adult pattern. The color itself does change seasonally, and based on diet, but is mostly set.

As far as the few white hairs on the head, she might have a small scar there. The hairs often grow back white.

Pretty dog!

Thanks ... I appreciate the responses. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good point, Beth. LOL Stupid me forgot that until I read your post (and then remembered that is how freeeze branding works).