Coat Lengths, Colors, and Color Patterns
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The German Shepherd Dog varies in color and coats. Colors include, black and tan, black and red, bi-color, black and cream, solid black, solid white, sable, and black and silver. The coat can be short to long in length. Strong rich colors are preferred.
The vast majority of German Shepherd Dogs are some variation of black and tan with a black mask. The tan markings can vary in color from pale fawn and silver to rich red and mahogany. Most fall somewhere between these extremes.
The amount of tan markings also varies a great deal, with some dogs having very few markings and appearing almost black, to other dogs that have very little black The sable in German Shepherds is the color that is genetically known as agouti or wolf gray. The sable or wolf color, can also vary a great deal with dogs that are almost silver in color with black tipping to the hairs, to dogs that are gray, golden or mahogany sables. All of these sables have guard hairs that are banded in color and tipped with black.
Solid black and bi-color are also a very acceptable colors, but it is less often encountered. A bi-color dog is mostly black with tan legs. The solid black dog is seldom completely solid, with most dogs showing at least a few tan hairs between the toes and around the rectal area and under the tail.
Though white is a disqualifying color in the AKC standard, there is a breed called the White German Shepherd. White German Shepherds are recognized by the United Kennel Club and is exhibited at their shows as well as at the Rare Breeds shows. They have quite a following of fanciers and are very stunning in appearance.
Rare colors include Liver, Blue or Steel Blue, Solid Red or Cream. These colors are not common and even though "frowned upon" in the AKC show ring, they are beautiful.
Summary Below:
Coat Colors
o Solid Black (recessive)
o Solid White
o Independent of other color genes-on different portion of chromosome.
o Considered a disqualifying fault by the AKC by not by other organizations.
o Black and Tan
o Black and Red
o Black and Cream
o Black and Silver
o Sable
o Genetically dominant
o Also called “Agouti”
o Red Sable is a sable that carries the recessive gene for redder tan.
o The tips of hairs on a sable dog colored with varying amounts of black, with the rest of the hair being any shade of tan, red, gray, etc.
o Blue-
o Double recessive color gene-rare.
o Dilute gene, meaning it dilutes all the black pigment in the dog.
o Considered a disqualifying fault by the AKC.
o Liver-
o Double recessive color gene- rare.
o Blocks all black pigment.
o Considered a disqualifying fault by the AKC.
Markings/Patterns
o Solid color-recessive gene.
o Saddle back-looks like the dog has a “saddle” of black fur.
o Blanket back-similar to saddle back, but extends to the elbows.
o BiColor-the saddle covers most of the body, with markings only on face and feet.
o Bitch stripe-grey frosting along the back of a female or neutered male.
o Striping-black striped markings on the legs, usually of a sable.
o Pencilling-black markings on the toes, usually of a sable. May indicate the presence of the black recessive gene.
o "Tar heels"-black coloring that “runs” down the back of the legs, or between the toes, usually of a sable.
COATS:
According to the AKC, the ideal GSD dog has a double coat of medium length. The outer coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. A slightly wavy outer coat, often of wiry texture, is permissible.
The head, including the inner ear and foreface, and the legs and paws are covered with short hair, and the neck with longer and thicker hair. The rear of the forelegs and hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock, respectively. Faults in coat include soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly and an 'open' coat.
The long- haired German Shepherd Dog is often referred to as a " Coated Shepherd" and consider a "fault" by the AKC Standard. However; Long-haired German Shepherd Dogs are beautiful dogs to behold. Long Hairs have bushy tufts behind the ears, the big fluffy pantaloons and big bushy round tail, and long fringes along the backs of the legs, and longer hair between the toes. A puppy can often be identified as a Longhaired if it possesses ear fringe or tufts. If you don't intend to show your dog in conformation, there's no reason to avoid the long-coated GSD. Long-coated GSDs can and do compete in obedience and other working disciplines.
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Some owners say that the Long Haired German Shepherd's personality is also different than the normal coated dog: sweeter, calmer, gentler, more mellow or more comical! You should be aware, however, that the longer coat does require more attention when grooming.
Summary Below:
Coat Lengths
o Short-short and smooth
o Standard Long
o No undercoat
o Long soft fur
o Considered a “fault” by AKC
o Long coat that has an undercoat.
o 'Feathering' of hair on the ears and the backs of the legs and tail.
o Not a “desired” coat length - in AKC show ring; but popular with fanciers.
o Not technically a coat type.
o Longer and fuller than a short coat.
o Still considered a 'stock coat', meaning it has an undercoat.
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| BrightStar's Cosmo- Liver Sable |
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| All About Coats and Colors - Great Description and basic overview of GSD coat colors and the genes that control them. Great PICS! |
Want to learn more about coats and colors? Another good overview with picutures. |
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