Types of colors of shepherd dogs

A shepherd is a dog that is perfectly adapted for life in a metropolis. She may be a working dog, or may be kept in the apartment as a companion. Devotion, helpfulness, obedience - all these are the character traits of a purebred shepherd.

And, of course, every dog ​​lover wants to become the owner of a true representative of the breed that meets the standards. After all, it is in such individuals that all the best qualities are manifested. You can determine the standard by the color of the pet.

The color of these dogs is determined by three genes: a - black, aw - zoned, at - black. All other color variants were formed as a result of a mutation. In the case of a significant deviation from the color, the individual is rejected.

Many works on the genetics of shepherd dogs were created by Malcolm B. Willis. He indicates that differences in color depend on the presence of a pigment - melanin, which may be present in the form of eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin provokes the formation of a black or dark brown hair in a shepherd, and pheomelanin affects the development of a yellow or reddish color.

In addition to color, when an individual is included in the breed standard, the type of cover is also taken into account. It can be short-haired or long-haired dogs. It is impossible to predict in advance how long the animal will have hair, only after a few molts will the length of the cover become clear. It is impossible to cross two individuals with different types of wool. Valuable include "Germans" with a rich dark nose and a faint gray undercoat.

The standard includes four options for acceptable colors for dogs of the breed presented.

The most common color. This is a traditional option, although such dogs are inferior to some other specimens in their working qualities. Black is called color, meaning the presence of a large dark area in the form of a V-shaped mantle on the back, falling to the sides to the elbows. Black, gray and blackened versions of black-blotch color are distinguished.

Also, this color option can be divided into deep and weakened shabrack. The lightened area is called a tan, it can be red, brown, gray or yellow. Color saturation may vary. Such dogs are characterized by a dark mask on their faces.

The chest in this case can be completely black, partially black or with no black coat. Each black and tan individual has an individual pattern of these areas.

It was this color that the most ancient ancestors of German shepherds had. Each hair coat is painted in several shades, which are in the following order:

• the plot is light;
• the black;
• yellow or brown;
• the black.

Different combinations and color saturation determine the type of color, there are only two of them - zonal gray (wolf) and zonal red. In the first case, gray and dark gray shades and a whitish undercoat prevail. The peculiarity of red-headed dogs is the presence of black, red and red patches with the preservation of a light shade and ring-shaped hairline.

The gene inherent in dogs with a zonal color is dominant. This means that when mixing two different stripes, puppies will definitely get exactly this color. This color has lost its popularity after the active breeding of black-eyed dogs, although it is animals with a zonal type of coat that have some advantages:

• these individuals are superior to other shepherd dogs in their working qualities;
• this is the most successful option for improving pigmentation during selection;
• from zoning-gray individuals there are no long-haired cubs.

This type is characterized by a black shiny coat without other shades. This is a very rare color, only 0.1% of the "Germans" have a black coat. Most often, representatives of the black variety are used as working dogs, they practically do not participate in exhibitions.

Obtaining such a puppy is possible only by crossing two of the same shepherd dogs. The fact is that if only one of the parents is black, then the genes of his partner will dominate in the color of the cub, since black is a recessive color when breeding sheepdogs. These dogs are very much appreciated.

An even rarer color scheme. This suit looks like this: its predominant color is black, and the tan is formed on the cheekbones and eyebrows, on the chest, on the legs, under the tail. The color in some cases can be compared with the color of the Doberman coat. Black and tan instances are used for service only. This option is not always considered as an independent color, since it is derived from other shades.

Such individuals can be classified into dogs of a darkened, weakened color and with a coloring like that of a Doberman. In the first case, the puppy is born almost black, but under the tail you can notice a gray, red or fawn area, as well as spots on its paws. The color of an adult looks like black-eyed, only darker shade.

Cubs with a weakened tan are born completely black, but with age they develop a brown or yellow undercoat, light areas on their paws - these signs form a beautiful, impressive tan. However, the inheritance of this color is very unstable, it leads to a weakening of pigmentation in young. Even if you cross such an individual with a dark partner, the offspring will be significantly lighter.

In the third case, we mean the color under the Doberman, when the animal has gray or yellow uniform areas on the legs, on the chest, under the larynx. Light arches above the eyebrows and on the cheekbones look spectacular, the mask is often very weakly expressed.

The color options below are rare and are considered marriage. Such dogs must not be bred, nor sent to participate in the exhibition. However, such puppies by nature remain equally faithful and obedient, therefore non-standard dogs are bred as companions.

• White. The appearance of a white cub is possible if the recessive gene responsible for the color of such coat comes into play in both of its parents. These shepherds do not belong to albinos, they have the same black nose, eyes and claws as those of individuals admitted to the standard.
• Ginger. These are very spectacular outwardly individuals, but they are not recognized by the standard. At the same time, a red tan or zon-red color may be allowed.
• Grey. This color is achieved when the gene responsible for the black color is weakened. Sometimes gray shepherd dogs are called blue.
• Golden. Animals called golden have a light fur coat. This unusual shade is formed due to the presence of a certain pigment.
• Spotted. The hair of these individuals has numerous pigmented areas throughout the body, spots are located in a chaotic order in all parts of the body. Commonly spotted are mestizos or mutts.
• Roan. The dog can get such a coloring due to old age. The older the dog becomes, the more gray hair appears on his hairline. When gray hairs cover a large part of the body, then you can call the color rosary.

Many dog ​​breeders want to become the owner of a unique shepherd dog, but before you get yourself such a pet, it’s worth remembering that special coat color is not recognized by the standard. If the dog is needed exclusively as a friend, then for these purposes a dog of a non-standard suit or a mestizo is quite suitable.

The following video will tell you about the types of colors of shepherd dogs.