German Shepherd Colors

No good dog is a bad color
~Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed on German Shepherd colors

German Shepherd Colors

German Shepherds can vary widely in coat color and length. Long haired German Shepherds are commonly seen in Europe serving as working dogs.

Solid black German Shepherds, along with Black & Tan and Sable are the most popular GSD colors in the United States.

In Germany, Black & Red is the predominant appearance.

GSD coat colors can come in the following variations:

• Black
• Black & Cream
• Black & Red
• Black & Silver
• Black & Tan
• Blue
• Liver
• Sable (aka agouti or wolf gray)
• White

Blue, Liver and White German Shepherds are considered a fault, according to AKC breed standards. And White German Shepherd Dogs are recognized by the AKC as the American White Shepherd.

Do Not Judge a Book By Its Cover

The poor dog, in life the firmest friend, The first to welcome, foremost to defend
~Lord Byron

The color of a dog is not an indicator of either excellent or poor health. While the AKC considers blue, liver and white to be faulty GSD coat colors, this has no impact on the health of the dog.

Choosing your puppy carefully, using criteria other than color will pay off ten-fold in the long run.

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.
~Unknown