German Shepherd Puppy Stage Coat Changes
It is a known factor that your GSP color coating will change variant from birth until they are up to 2 years of age. I know that probably sound shocking to you but thats how unique these breed of puppies are they are even known to be called confused colored breed of dogs.
First Stage: You are going to notice changes in your puppies coating in regards to their color and hair length. If you are new to owning a German Shepherd dog these dogs carry medium-length coats and others carry long length coating, these are all-natural and all true breed.
The signs of this normally show within a months time period from the birth of your GSP, in that time period you will also know if your puppy will be a solid color or 2 colored like the majority. You will also start to see as the color changes on them that the textile of their coat tends to feel different as well.
Second Stage: This stage is where you will find the most obvious changes occur, most would call it the confusing stage. This is where you will notice the big color changes that will be taking place on your German Shepherd puppy, this minute the color shade on your puppy will get from light to dark or dark to light and its gonna keep changing.
After the two year mark, your GSP will not change much after, at that stage they have completed their color coating look and pattern in regards to the color tone. Most things at that age will come to a standstill in a Germans shepherd life in terms of maturity growth.
What Are The Different Types Of German Shepherds
There are different types of German shepherds which you can choose from if you are interested in this particular dog breed. The usual type is the one with a tan to dark-brown coat, while their other version has different colors like white, gray, or black.
The most common types of German shepherd dogs are:
Black German Shepherd Dogs They got their name because of their dominant color which is black. As mentioned, this type of German shepherd is rare to find.
Tan / Fawn German Shepherd Dogs This type of dog has a tan coat with dark-brown patches over the eyes and cheeks. They also have black noses with brown ears and tails that are darker at the top compared to the bottom.
Sable German Shepherd Dogs They have a dark-brown with a black overlay appearance, which is why it looks almost all black in some lighting. However, if you look closer, you will see the dog has tan and brown patches on its coat.
Wolf Sable German Shepherds This type of German shepherd is the most rare of all. They have a coat with three colors which are black, gray, and brown.
Do Black German Shepherds Change Color Or Have White Markings
If you notice your dog turning brown or getting white hair, he or she is not a Black Shepherd but a regular one. Black German Shepherd puppies usually come out grey, black, or white and then get their adult color at eight weeks of age. Take them home at nine to ten-weeks-old to be safe.
Some Black Shepherds can have patches of white or brown on their paws, legs, or chest. There are cases it darkens as they grow older, but it could also stay.
White spots doesnt mean this dog is not a purebred since its common for some Black German Shepherds to have them.
If youre worried that the markings might mean they are a mix, ask the breeder for papers to be sure youre bringing home a pure Black German Shepherd.
Recommended Reading: How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need
What Is The Best Color For A German Shepherd
The best color for a German Shepherd in the show ring is black and tan, followed by sable.
If you are not planning on showing your dog through the AKC, you can pick any color you like. As the breed founder, Captain von Stephanitz said, the coloring of a dog has no significance whatsoever for service.
In working circles, many owners dislike the white German Shepherds they are thought to be weak. This is not based on any actual working abilities though and more of a myth that has been passed on through generations.
Solid White German Shepherds
Not to be confused with the White Swiss Shepherd, White German Shepherds are caused by a masking gene that suppresses any dark pigment.
As a result of recessive genes, they can still be produced from breeding two normal-colored GSDs. This also means you can get a litter of puppies from White Shepherds without any white.
White GSDs can be AKC-registered and compete in agility or obedience trials, but they cant participate as show dogs. You may want to try with the UKC as they accept these beauties in show lines.
This solid color is completely banned in Germany that it got to the point where they cull white German Shepherd puppies. They believe that white causes hereditary issues and washes out the breeds rich colors.
Despite being disproved with modern science, this rule stayed.
You May Like: Can German Shepherds Eat Tomatoes
Original German Shepherd Color
The original German Shepherd color included color genes for both dark and white coat colors.
In German Shepherd colors sable, also called agouti, is the dominant color today.
Some purists regard sable as a German Shepherd color pattern rather than a color. On a sable GSD, each hair has multiple colors.
This means no two sable German Shepherd dogs will ever look exactly alike!
Red & Black German Shepherd
The red and black German Shepherd is something you dont see every day. Theyre spectacular specimens that are undeniably beautiful no matter what your taste in dogs.
In a way, the coat pattern of the red and black German Shepherd looks almost like a brindle or merle. In other words, youll usually get a GSD with a dark mahogany base coat, with patches of black around the coat.
The black color is most commonly found on the dogs back, tail, bottom and face .
The black is not limited to those areas of the body it depends on the dog and the parents. However, black color around the dogs muzzle is almost always guaranteed.
Read Also: How To Trim A German Shepherds Nails
German Shepherd Colors: All 13 Shades Of Shepherds
Many dog lovers know the black and tan German Shepherd. It is easy to spot one of these dogs. Sometimes they are faithfully standing by police officers sides. Other times they are on the big screen in Hollywood movies.
We see these black and tan Shepherds everywhere! Many people are surprised to discover that this is not the only color of German Shepherd.
More experienced owners may know about white, sable, and even black German Shepherds. But have they heard of liver or panda Shepherds?
German Shepherd colors are not limited to four or five shades. They can have 13 different coat colors! In this article, we discuss each color and give you a few fun facts about what makes that color so unique.
Article Contents
How Big Do Black German Shepherds Get
They are a large-sized dog that grows up to the same size or even bigger than regular German Shepherds.
The adult male Black German Shepherd has a height between 24 to 26 inches . The females are smaller with a size ranging from 22 to 24 inches .
The male ones have an average weight between 65 to 90 pounds while the female is on the lighter side, weighing 50 to 75 pounds .
Young Black German Shepherds mature and reach their full-grown size between 18 months to 2 years of age.
Also Check: Spragues German Shepherds
Do German Shepherd Colors Affect Behavior
No, the color of your GSD should not dictate how he behaves. Temperament is determined by breeding, care, and training.
Germans of all colors should embody the characteristics of an alert, protective, obedient, and calm type of dog that the world has come to know and love.
However, it has been noted that White Shepherds make better family pets as they have milder personalities and less aggressive.
How Do You Find This Information
Unless you want to study canine genetics understanding the root of coloring can be quite challenging.
When searching for a German Shepherd pup, our advice is to ask what his parents shade is, which will usually give the puppy a 50% chance of mirroring either mother or father.
Breeders will have this information available and will usually estimate the color that your dog will take as they grow.
Keep in mind, there are several German Shepherds variations, and each one of them has different physical characteristics .
Its also a matter of being aware of which GSD variation your puppy is and knowing their characteristics, coat patterns, and bloodlines color propensity.
Again, reputable breeders specifically can provide this information. If you have a GSD adopted from a shelter, you can always get a canine DNA test to be sure.
Also Check: Why Are German Shepherds So Smart
Do German Shepherd Colors Affect Health
The color white has long been associated with deafness, but a good breeder will always make sure their dogs are free of genetic defects before breeding them.
With that said, we believe that this is the only time that color should be a concern.
As a large breed dog, they are prone to shoulder or hip dysplasia, and bloat. This is due to the breed itself and NOT due to their coloration.
What Makes The Black German Shepherd Special
The black German shepherd is a new type of breed that was first bred in the 1970s. In general, this type of dog does not differ too much from other types of shepherds. They have the same traits, appearance, color variations, and so on.
However, what makes them stand out is that they are rare to find due to their dominant black coat. This means that it takes a lot of effort for breeders to produce this type of German shepherd puppies.
Aside from being rare in general, black German Shepherds have that strong, powerful yet elegant look that is perfect for anyone looking for a good-looking pet dog.
Read Also: Can A German Shepherd Freeze To Death
Do Black German Shepherds Change Color
Black German shepherds are one of the color patterns that you see in this dog breed that does not change over time. Unlike the other colors you see in German shepherds, a black German shepherd will be born black and remain black.
Many people are afraid of all black dogs and sometimes will not want a black German shepherd. Dont let this color pattern fool you! Black German shepherds have the same temperament as any other color German shepherd and will make a great companion for you.
If you are wondering if your German shepherd puppy will be all black, simply look at the parents. If the dam and sire are black or have a mostly black coat, then there is a possibility that some of the puppies will come out all black.
Black German Shepherd Dog
When it comes to pet dogs, the black German Shepherd dog is the perfect breed to have. This is because this particular dog has very unique features, making it stand out among all other breeds of dogs.
And with its pretty much all-black coat, theres no way you can miss it when youre in public, giving off an impression that its a serious type of dog that will let nothing go wrong.
The black German Shepherd dog got its name because of the color it possesses. Being mostly black, you can definitely see this breed clearly compared to other types of dogs, making it very attractive for anyone whos interested in owning one.
Don’t Miss: Is The Furminator Good For German Shepherds
German Shepherd Colors Sable
Their sable color means that almost all of their hair has a black tip. The rest of the hair can be of any other color. Generally, this other color is tan. There is a range of colors in which they come. These colors include parti, white, liver, red, blue, and gold. They have one of the two coats a medium coat or a long coat. Both are double coats. Their coat has a
more dense guard layer. They have a softer undercoat. A softer undercoat helps them to keep warm when they are working dogs. They are not the right dogs for someone who has allergies. They shed a lot. However, proper grooming is essential to reduce shedding.
Why Do German Shepherds Lose Their Puppy Coat
The primary purpose of a dogs coat is to provide protection. So, it makes perfect sense that it naturally develops according to the dogs needs.
Thick, downy fur helps puppies regulate their temperature within their first few months of life. However, their needs will change as they develop into adults.
The GSD adults double-coat offers ample protection through the changing seasons.
In the spring, German Shepherds blow their undercoats in preparation for the warm summer months. They will again shed heavily in the fall to develop a thicker and possibly darker winter coat.
Don’t Miss: German Sheperd Colors
German Shepherd Coat Colors
The Genetics of German Shepherd Coat Colors
Concerning German Shepherd coat colors and various coat patterns the breed standard from the SV specifically states that:
“The color of the GSD is in itself not important and has no effect on the character of the dog or on its fitness for work and should be a secondary consideration for that reason. The final color of a young dog can only be ascertained when the outer coat has developed.”
Of all undesirable things to try to eliminate and to consider in a German Shepherd Dog before bringing it home with you, coat color should ALWAYS be at the bottom of the list.
Good pigment should be sought after but many factors such as health, happiness, movement and temperament should always be so much more important than coat color itself.
Coat color, in and of itself, should always be subordinate to structure, gait, type, and character and should never take precedence over the working abilities of the dog. Eye color should be dark and nose pigment should be black as well.
I have owned, been owned by and/or bred German Shepherds since the late 1970’s and I can tell you that my basic selection criteria for my German Shepherd puppies EXCLUDE the actual color of the puppy. Qualities I look for in a new GSD puppy include the following in order of priority:
-Temperament -High vitality / good health -Good play drive -Smooth gait / movement -Well put together pup -ColorWant to learn more about the German Shepherd? Check out my book below!
Black & Tan German Shepherd
This color combination is the bread and butter, so to speak, of the German Shepherd. For most people, when they picture this breed, its with this color. But even with this common color, there is plenty of room for variation.
The tan fur can range from deeper hues to a shade that almost approaches silver along the edges. The black color usually appears as a saddle-like pattern along the back and can vary quite a bit in size.
Something to keep in mind is that GSDs born with this pattern usually begin life darker and slowly lighten as they mature. The best way to get an idea of how a pups coat will develop in adulthood is to meet the parents .
Darker, especially black, coloration is recessive in the German Shepherd. So if both the parents display the black and tan coloring, then the pup is more likely to as well.
Also Check: How Much Do You Feed German Shepherd Puppy
Black Sable German Shepherd Color Changes
Any sable German Shepherd puppy will naturally grow in a darker coat as the puppy grows up. This sometimes continues throughout life.
This is especially true for black sable German Shepherd color changes. The sable coloration may shift and change periodically.
The overall coat color will darken as your puppy becomes an adult.
How Does Gsd Coloring Change
However, The American Kennel Club recognizes several different colors of German Shepherds.
Some German Shepherds are born entirely white, such as the White Shepherd, bred in the United States. Although sometimes, as the White Shepherd grows, they will change from purely white to a saddle color, gray, or other color variations and mixes.
It is somewhat of a mystery how genetics works in dogs because there is no exact rule to determine the pattern or color your puppy will maintain into adulthood.
Yet, there is a way to predict your GSDs colors loosely.
You May Like: German Shepherd Barking At Night
What About Breeders That Say Rare Colors Should Be Standard German Shepherd Colors
One reason there are so much debate and controversy regarding German Shepherd coat colors is that breeders cannot agree on whether less-common coat colors reflect genetic fault.
For example, K-9 Pines German Shepherd breeder is a kennel that actually chooses to specialize in breeding colors that are commonly viewed as genetically flawed.
This breeder focuses on the blue, brindle, white, piebald, liver, and fawn coat colors and color patterns.
Part of the controversy arises from how the American Kennel Club issues AKC papers to German Shepherd puppies.
As long as the breeder can prove that the puppys lineage all came from purebred AKC-registered German Shepherd bloodlines, the puppy is eligible to be registered as a purebred AKC German Shepherd dog.
This is why there are German Shepherd breeders that are breeding purebred AKC-registered German Shepherds that have coat colors that would be judged at fault or not even allowed in the show ring.