The male German Shepherd pup in the chair is categorized as a sable.  He will darken and the color will spread over His body as he grows.

On the other hand, Black & Tan German Shepherds will lighten considerably as they grow. Checking the skin color on the head can be a good predictor as to the amount a pup will lighten, because if the hair is turned backwards and blue skin is seen on the head, it should retain black hair. If you see pink skin, the hair should fade to a blonde. Courtesy of vom Haus Drage Kennel, http://pets4you.com/pages/vomhaus.html

The long-coated German Shepherd can have more bone and body than the correct and normal double-coated German Shepherd.  This young pup will never "shed out" it's attractive fluff.  Some people feel that using the term "plush" makes it more acceptable.  Long trim on the ears, possibly feathered on the back of the front legs, more of a lion's mane, and even tuffs of hair between the toes are all characteristics seen in the adult. This is accompanied by an increase in fur length throughout the body.  

This coat is not accepted in any conformation ring, but is allowed to compete in any non-breeding event such as Schutzhund, agility, obedience and more. The universally-accepted normal-coated GSD is most commonly seen, and all puppies do shed out their baby coat. Some just grow it all back again, and some have the sleeker appearance as adults.  Courtesy of vom Haus Drage

The all-black German Shepherd is just a color within the breed.  Unlike the all-white, it is possible to compete in the breed ring with a black GSD.  While it is not rare, it is a recessive gene. Rare qualities in the GSD can sometimes be due to undesirable traits, and should not necessarily cost you more.

Breeders may put restrictions in the sales contract regarding the reproduction or registration of dogs with unacceptable features; however, these dogs make perfectly good pets!  These restrictions will usually allow you to purchase a dog from a better bloodline, while still remaining within your budget.

Ease of training and the dogs' styles of working stock are based on their bloodlines, and neither is related.  Courtesy of vom Haus Drage

In the round pen, training is initiated to teach the back.  Two plastic baseball bats have several pieces of gravel inserted, and they can be rattled or tapped together, accompanied by the word "Back."  Most German Shepherds can be taught to work stock to some degree.  It is a wonderful form of exercise, and you can see how the reach and follow through of the correct stride is brought into play. 

Quid Pro Quo Jet vom Haus Drage is in his second week of learning behavior around sheep, and has been introduced to ducks as well.  AKC offers different levels of titles, including work with cattle.  What you see in this picture exhibits the new and lowest level soon to be in place at the AKC Trials - the Instinct Test.  It consists of: Entering a smaller round ring on a line; showing a stop or down; a recall on line; and interest in the stock, followed by a recall.  Courtesy of vom Haus Drage

This is Jonathan (7 years) with his dog Shasta (1 year) showing their stuff to the judge.  They earned the AHBA HCT title this day. (Shasta is a granddaughter of his precious dog Aria who had passed away.) 

Jonathan has gone on the earn the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test certificate and the AKC HT title with her.   Courtesy of vom Haus Drage