How Do You Tell If Your German Shepherd Is A Sable
Sable German Shepherds only differ from their fellow GSDs in coloring.
Although normal colored GSDs can be multicolored, a sable coloring refers to when the individual hairs specifically have distinct and separate bands of color running through them, rather than just separate patches of different colored fur.
If youve got a sable on your hands, then the majority of their hair should come with a black tip, with the rest of the hair being a different color. This second color is usually tan but can be blue, red, liver, white, or gold, with some interesting combinations possible.
There are no behavioral differences between sables and other German Shepherds, nor do they look any different visually besides the obvious color distinctions.
You can expect them to have the same loyal, protective and intelligent personality as any other GSD, though their desire to serve as your guardian might be strong, being as sable is the color of those initial service dogs from hundreds of years ago.
Red Sable German Shepherd
The red sable German Shepherd color is another variation on their sable coat which is due to the dominant agouti gene.
These genes however are not diluted like in the gray Shepherd, in this coat, a deep reddish-brown replaces the usual tan in the sable pattern.
This coat coloration has intermingling of red and black over most areas of their body.
Long Haired German Shepherd At A Glance
The Long Haired German Shepherd is a courageous love bug who is much more interested in playing than protecting.
Long Haired German Shepherds are very similar to the standard German Shepherd but they are typically much more outgoing and friendlier with everyone they meet. These pups require some extra care in terms of grooming but are loved for their beautiful personality and appearance.
- Popularity: #2.
- Personality: Courageous, loyal and affectionate.
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More Information & Facts About The German Shepherd Dog Breed
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Home » Breed Info » German Shepherd Coat Colors: The Different Colors, Patterns, & Genetics Of Colors
What Are The Best Grooming Tools For German Shepherds
Double-coated dogs like the German Shepherd will need an undercoat rake to remove unwanted and loose hair from its undercoat especially during shedding season. Deshedding shampoo and conditioner is also a good thing to have on hand. If you are looking for easier loose hair removal, high-velocity dryers such as those from K9 Dryers have become an essential grooming tool.
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Your Guide To German Shepherd Shedding
Intelligent and easily trained, a German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds among dog lovers. German Shepherds are active, courageous, and excel in almost all activities. If you already own one, you will already know how protective they are. You may also know how much they tend to shed.;
If you plan on becoming a German Shepherd owner, you should be prepared for your dogs shedding. In this article, we will discuss how to deal with your German Shepherd shedding and how it should not be a big problem.
What Is A German Shepherds Neck Size
Measuring your German Shepherds neck is important to help you find the perfect collar size to ensure that they are secure and comfortable.
To do this, use a measuring tape to measure loosely along the base of your puppys neck. Ensure that you can slide two fingers in between the tape and your puppys neck. The neck size of a German Shepherd is 18 24 inches
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Gsd Coloring When Born
Newborn German Shepherds are generally born entirely black. Soon after they are born, small patches of their future coloration become visible.
As they continue to grow, their markings become more noticeable and distinct. Their coat color may entirely change at six months, again at 18 months, and then between 2 and 3 years of age.
Things To Look Out For
Its good to be very observant with your GSP, its common to hear people say not to worry about your puppy coating stage but there are signs to look for to see if you should visit your vet about your dog. German Shepherds shed a lot but dont confuse the hair peeling off for shedding.
If you notice that your GSP hair is falling off and leaving pitch-patch spots on your dogs body then you should go see a vet at once. These dogs arent pitchy-patchy when shedding or changing their coat the hair will be always replaced at the selective areas.
Make sure when getting a German Shepherd puppy that you get one from a reputable breeder and make sure to get as much information you can get about the breed types and the background from which they were created from. This will better let you understand your puppy, the changes may be different depending on the breed line they come from.
There are early bloomers and later bloomers in life it is the same with these dogs so you need to know what to look out for so you need not worry yourself.
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How It Affects Sable German Shepherds
The only reason why sable German Shepherds have their unique fur color is because of the agouti genes. Luckily, agouti genes are not associated with any negative behaviors or health conditions.
In general, sable German Shepherds are just like standard German Shepherds. They do not differ from the breed standard when it comes to their physical & mental abilities, as well as anything health related they stay true to the breed standard.
Just like standard German Shepherds, Sable GSDs work in the police force and the military, where the sable appearance is irrelevant.
Do German Shepherds Still Grow After Being Neutered
A common question among puppy owners is whether your German Shepherd will continue to grow after being neutered or spayed. The question is not so simple to answer. If you neuter your puppy, your puppy will continue to grow until he is an adult.
However, new science has indicated that if you neuter your puppy before he is fully grown, there is a greater risk that your puppy will develop hip dysplasia, arthritis, and even cancer in some dogs.
So, while neutering your German Shepherd when hes young will not stop him from growing, it might harm them in other ways.
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How Big Should A German Shepherd Be
The size that your German Shepherd should be will depend mostly on the dog himself. Looking at the size of his parents, you should have a general idea of how big you can expect him to get.
If you dont know how big his parents were, there are other factors to take into consideration.
When it comes down to it, you should be less focused on the averages and more focused on proportions. A German Shepherd should have a length-to-height ratio of 10:8.5 So if your German Shepherd is 28 inches long, he should be about 23.5 inches in height. You find this figure by multiplying his length by .85.
Weight-wise, you should be able to see his waist easily as well as find his ribs without trouble. If you cant see the waist, he is overweight. If his ribs and spine are jutted out, he is underweight.
What Time Of Year Do German Shepherds Shed
Your German Shepherd will shed in the late fall when the days get shorter. They will be losing their summer coat which is a finer hair. In the spring, your German Shepherd will have their “blow out” shedding. It will be the clumpy, thick hair from the thick winter coat. In addition, they will also shed all year round because of their double coat.
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Sexual Maturity Period: 6 Months 16 Months
A German Shepherd puppy between the ages of 6 months and 16 months will reach sexual maturity. If you have no intention of breeding your German Shepherd, it is during this phase that you will want to have your dog spayed or neutered.
Talk to your vet about what the right timing is for spaying and neutering as well as what the risk is of your dog inadvertently mating. It is dangerous for a puppy to get pregnant, because her bones will not have fully developed.
How Long Are German Shepherds Pregnant
German Shepherds are pregnant around 63 days on average, measuring from the time of conception to the time of birth. Since German Shepherds are a large breed, sometimes, their gestation will take a little bit longer than other breeds, but it depends on the dog.
You should be able to keep track of conception as long as you have knowingly bred your dog, so have an exact date of conception to work from to get a better idea of the due date.
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Changes In Color With Older German Shepherd Dogs
These dogs color coating stage may seem like a never-ending stop however they do but with old age, there will be changes that starts to occur again in the body. These changes are very similar to human changes, from our births to our adult age and again in our golden stages which would be old age.
The color changes that you will see is their color coat becomes subtle and you will see that the color on them will tend to become duller, you will also see gray hair on their eyes and muzzle as well. Changes like these are totally normal to go through as they get older or should I say as they get in their golden age stage.
All these are nothing to be worried about just try to keep them in the best of shape and grooming them on a regular basis. This is just the old stage faze, More shedding, your GSD having a dull look, thinner coat, hair loss is all apart of aging.
On the other hand, you can always tell when something is just too much so if you think your GSD is Losing its hair too fast or super shedding then it would best to visit your vet so that they can analyze the situation and future guide you on whats going on.
Do German Shepherds Coats Change Color As They Grow
There are many different colors of German Shepherds that are recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Each color has its own specific traits and uniqueness.
However, there are some interesting facts about the coloring of German Shepherds that make them even more unique than some other breeds of dogs.
German Shepherds are one of the few breeds of dogs whos puppies change color as they grow to adults.
This is a trait that is common in only a few other breeds of dogs, and it makes German Shepherds unique and extra interesting.
These color changes can, however, make it challenging when you are puppy shopping, especially if you are looking for a particular color.;
Here are some common questions about the coloring of the German Shepherd dog.
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How Much Shedding Is Too Much
If you notice your German Shepherd shedding more than normal outside of their seasonal coat blows and you cant identify the cause from the above list, its always a good idea to get a professional opinion from your vet about whether your dog is shedding too much.;
If you notice any bald patches, excessive scratching, visibly inflamed skin, or dry/brittle fur, its definitely time for a vet visit.
You are your dogs best advocate, so its up to you to keep an eye on shedding levels and take action if you suspect a problem. However, as weve said time and again, German Shepherds shed prolifically, so dont be alarmed when you can pull out gobs of fur with your hands during shedding season.
When Do German Shepherds Lose Their Puppy Coat
The GSD puppy coat doesnt shed all in one go. Instead, it sheds and changes continuously from birth to around 6 months. During this time, the appearance of your German Shepherds coat will change drastically.
Once your German Shepherd turns 7 months old, the changes to their coat color will be more subtle. Nevertheless, it will continue to transform until they become adults at around 2 years old.
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Are All Puppies Born With Blue Eyes
Well, yes, all;puppies are born with blue eyes or at least some tint of blue. A puppys eyes remain closed for the first few days, typically between;8-14 days. From week two, they begin to slowly but gradually open their eyes.;
As a dog owner, youll notice that your puppys eyes are of some tinge of blue when they first open their peepers. This tone will remain until it starts transitioning to a permanent from week nine. Typically,;a puppy will have blue eyes color from when they were born till they are 8 weeks old.;
German Shepherd Coat Colors
German Shepherds can have a variety of different coat colors. The most common coat color is black and tan, followed by black, and then sable. White German Shepherds have a controversial coat color, where some people argue its not even an actual member of the breed. They can also have blue coats, which are more accepted, but also rarer.
Regardless of their coat color, there is no difference in shedding frequency amongst the breed. What matters more is the length of their coat. Both Long Coats and Short Coats will shed the same amount, but longer or fluffier coats will definitely show more around your home due to the length of their coat. This is important to keep in mind when adopting a puppy. Look for a medium-length coat thats less fluffy, and the fur will be less likely to show around your home.
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Digging To Seek Comfort Or Protection
Lastly, German Shepherds can dig just for a safe, comfortable place to relax.; Dogs need to feel safe and protected just like humans do.;
In the wild, dogs would dig holes to lay in because it made them feel more secure.; If your dog has anxiety or just needs a secure place to settle while outside, you may find them digging a hole to lay in.
What If My German Shepherd Is Growing Too Fast
The most common cause of a puppy growing too fast is his diet. If you overfeed your puppy, your puppy will gain too much weight, but there is a bigger problem. Puppy food is so high in nutrition, that when you give a puppy too much, he will suffer from over-nutrition.
The puppies will take in too much protein, calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus and grow too quickly as a result. Since German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, growing too quickly is dangerous for them. Talk to your vet about getting your puppy back on track.
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Should I Worry If My Dog Has Blue Eyes
Most adult dogs have brown eyes color; however, it isnt uncommon to find blue eyes randomly in the litter. If your adult dog has blue eyes, it doesnt necessarily mean anything is wrong. It could be due to any of the factors listed above.;
However,;you shouldnt breed a Merle dog with another Merle, as this could pose serious health concerns. You should also worry if your dog suddenly starts developing cloudy blue eyes. This is usually indicative of eye problems such as;Cataracts;and Glaucoma.
How To Help My German Shepherd Lose Weight If He Is Overweight
Excessive weight can lead to health complications in your German Shepherd puppy. If your German Shepherd is overweight, the following ways can help them lose weight:
- Reduce calories first, you need to know the right number of daily calories your German Shepherd should be eating according to their age. Reducing between 10% and 20% is recommended, but you should seek advice and help from your vet when reducing the numbers.
- Reduce meals if you are free-feeding your German Shepherd puppy, you should start feeding them at scheduled mealtimes. If you feed your puppy several times per day, ensure that you reduce the amount you are feeding them. Use measuring cups and evenly space mealtimes.
- Exercising ensure that your German Shepherd is getting at least 1 hour of exercise every day then progress to 2 hours. Walking and jogging are some of the good exercises for your German Shepherd.
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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.