German Shepherd Colors – List and Facts

The most desired colors for a German Shepherd are tan, black, and red.

But other German Shepherd colors are rare but equally exquisite.

We have put together a complete list of the GSD dog colors for you.

 

German Shepherd dogs have six main colors for their coats. They are black, sable, black-tan, red-black, sable, and grey. Rare hues are the white, blue, and liver colored German Shepherds. The rare colors, except white, are not recognized by the American kennel Club.

 

Black, tan, and red are often what we consider as the different colors of German Shepherds.

But some German Shepherd dog puppies are born with rare coat colors that are considered as genetic defaults.

Before we get to the GSD colors, first we look at what causes this rare coat pigmentation.

 

GSD Coat Mutation

The coat color of GSD dogs is determined by two melanin pigments; red (pheomelanin) and black (eumelanin).

All other coat colors are derived from these two pigments.

 

 

 

 

Secondly, melanin cells known as melanocytes determine how rich the coat color will be.

These cells anchor to hair follicles and add melanin to the hairs as a German Shepherd puppy grows.

As more melanin is added to the hair follicles, the richer or darker the coat color will be.

 

The production of melanin is not always at a steady rate. This is why the topcoat can be a lighter shade while the base coat is darker.

-Lynn Buzhardt, DVM, VCA Hospitals

 

Thirdly, dog genes manipulate the two main coat pigments, red and black, to create the various colors of the German Shepherd.

Gene mutation occurs within an area in the chromosome called locus.

 

Generally, 8 genes determine the different colors of German Shepherds;

1. Agouti (A) Locus- creates different color patterns on coat
2. Extension (E) Locus-responsible for the dark muzzle in German Shepherd dogs. Also influences yellow and red coats
3. Dominant Black (K) Locus-responsible for the all-black GSD coat. Also creates brindle and fawn colors.
4. Brown (B) Locus-creates brown, liver, and chocolate coat colors
5. Dilute (D) Locus-lightens dark shades. Turns black to gray or blue and brown to pale brown
6. Merle (M) Locus-causes irregular shapes or patches of diluted colors on the coat. Affects black pigment only.
7. Harlequin (H) Locus– creates a solid white coat with black accents. Teams up with Merle locus to create color combinations
8. Spotting (S) Locus– responsible for a pure white coat. Also creates coat patterns like parti-color and piebald

 

Colors of a German Shepherd

 

Aside from being obedient, loyal, hardworking, and protective, German shepherds are well known for their majestic appearance too.

 

You have definitely seen a bi-color German shepherd already (with the black and tan combination as the most typical colors of a German shepherd), but did you know that there are different colors of German shepherds aside from this one?

 

The interesting thing is, these German shepherd coat types which vary from white, blue, tan, and even a black and red German shepherd, have nothing to do with their behavior, health conditions, and temperament at all.

 

Most common colors of German Shepherds

 

The most common colors of German shepherds include:

• black
• gray
• sable
• A combination of black and tan
• blue
• A combination of red and black
• A combination of black and silver
• brown

A black and tan bi-color German shepherd is the most common coat color, wherein the “black” usually appears on their back and looks like a saddle, while some appear on their face and look like a mask.

 

Another example of German shepherd coat types is the combination of black and red. A black and red German shepherd actually resembles the black and tan combination, except the tan-colored areas are replaced by a reddish-brown pigment.

 

Of course, the reddish-brown pigment is definitely clearer (and bolder) than the one that is tan which appears “paler”.

 

A couple of blue, brown, and solid silver German shepherds are usually considered by kennels as “purebred”. Meanwhile, those that are solid blue, pure white, or those that are spotted are not considered purebred at all.

 

There are also those which are considered faulty or unaccepted colors. Do take note that when we say “faulty”, this means that it does not match the breed standards for dog shows.

 

These colors include:

• dark blue
• yellowish-white
• light and dark brown

 

Here are the different colors of German Shepherds you should know of;

 

Black and Tan Shepherd Dog

This is the most common German Shepherd color.

 

The Agouti and Extension loci are responsible for this coat color.

The black color appears on the face as a mask and a saddle-like patch on the back.

 

Black accents are maintained on the tail and neck too.

 

Tan colors are commonly on the underbelly, legs, chest, and neck. German Shepherd puppies can be born with light or dark tan tints on their coat.

 

Black and Cream Shepherd Dog

Here the coat is a pale brown, or cream, color with dark saddle accents.

 

The Dilute gene locus is responsible for this coat mutation.

 

Most German Shepherd breeders and enthusiasts consider this an odd color.

 

Black and Red Shepherd Dog

This coat resembles the Black and Tan coat but the tan is replaced with a mahogany-red hue.

There is more red melanin in the hair follicles creating the “deep red” accents.

It is the richest coat on a German Shepherd and the most revered by GSD enthusiasts.

 

Also, the red accents have a lighter shade that mimics strawberry blonde hair.

 

Pure Black Shepherd Dog

Like the red German Shepherd coat, the all-black coat is equally striking.

 

To achieve this coat, both parents should possess the recessive black gene.

 

It is extremely rare to come across a pure black German Shepherd dog.

 

Breeders or owners of pure black Shepherd dogs are usually proud of their achievement.

 

Blue Shepherd Dog

This is another rare Shepherd dog but not as popular as the black shepherd.

 

A Bluecoat on a shepherd is considered a genetic defect, therefore, not recognized by breeders or official Kennel clubs.

 

The Dilute locus pales the black Shepherd coat to a bluish or grayish color.

 

Gray Shepherd Dog

Gray Shepherd dogs are a washed-out version of the sable Shepherd.

But there is no distinctive version of the grey coat and sometimes, blue and silver shepherds are confused as grey.

 

Though grey is not common on a Shepherd, it is still recognized by the American Kennel Club.

A unique feature of grey shepherd puppies is their enchanting blue eyes.

 

Sadly, the gorgeous blue turns to light or golden brown as the puppy matures.

 

Sable Shepherd Dog

The Sable shepherd dog coat is considered a classic because it resembles that of a wolf.

At a glance, the coat looks greyish but on close inspection, you notice an array of banded colors.

The hair tips are pure black while the base is greyish or reddish.

 

There are many other variants of the Sable Shepherd dog;

• Black sable
• Tan sable
• Red sable
• Silver sable

And that’s the tip of the iceberg.

There is bound to be more Sable-variants of the Shepherd dogs out there.

 

Liver Shepherd Dog

A liver-colored German Shepherd is another rare sighting.

What we describe as a liver-colored coat is more of a rich brown leather hue.

The nose and paws of a liver colored German Shepherd have a rich brown color as well.

 

This color is not recognized by the AKC either.

 

White Shepherd Dog

A White Shepherd is often confused as an albino.

But this is not the case because his coat does not lack melanin.

It only lacks enough melanin to influence coat color.

 

Scientists believe the white German Shepherd is birthed from a recessive gene from both parents.

The only way to achieve white shepherd puppies is to mate a white male and white female.

The white Shepherd dog is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club as well.

 

Bi-Color Shepherd Dog

The dominant color is black with tan accents on the face, neck, and back.

In the dog’s genetic makeup, the ratio of black to tan color is 9:1.

 

Bi-colored shepherds are born all-black.

But as the puppy grows, other colors begin to show on the coat albeit minimal.

 

A Bi-Color shepherd dog can inverse the 9:1 ratio rule.

For example, a German Shepherd Rough Collie mix has a bi-colored coat with more brown than black color.

 

Panda Shepherd Dog

His name says it all. He has a coat color that looks exactly like that of a Panda.

 

A Panda shepherd is achieved by breeding a pure black mother and a black & tan father.

 

This gene mutation is so rare that the Panda Shepherd is considered a bloodline.

 

Puppies are born with black and tan colors.

But if the puppy has a Merle or Harlequin gene, tiny spots of white start showing as the puppy ages.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

What color would you love your German Shepherd dog to have?

Besides the usual Black and tan color, a German Shepherd has other color variants like Black-red, Black-cream, and Bi-Color.

Rare colors on a German Shepherd include liver, gray, blue, pure white, and pure black.

 

See Also

• 15 Dog Breeds That Look Like German Shepherds

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