Sable German Shepherd
aka Wolf Gray
A sable German Shepherd is not as popular as
a black and
tan even though the sable gene is dominant.
While a black and tan is the most commonly
seen German
Shepherd, this color pattern is recessive to the sable or agouti gene.
German Shepherd Sable - Agouti Appearance
Sable GSDs go through a variety of color changes before
they mature at the age of three. They can periodically appear lighter
or darker, and
tend to darken with age. And many will have a mask as their facial
hairs become predominantly dark.
The hairs in a sable coat are often tan with
black tips.
But this can vary greatly from one GSD to another. The tips can vary in
the amount of black on the ends. The rest of the hair is another color
(or colors).
Many sable shepherd puppies are born all tan
before
the trademark black tipping appears.
The sable, or agouti appearance, refers to
the color
bands on the individual hairs. While this color is also referred to as
wolf gray, this color banding results in a large variety of
shades and colors which can run the gamut from:
- gold
- gray
- mahogany
- red
- silver
- tan
Rich colors of sable are preferred. By contrast, washed
out colors and shades
of blue or liver are considered faults. The eyes should be dark and the
nose black.
As always, coat color should not be the
predominant
reason in choosing your GSD. Temperament and health should be the
primary considerations.
The information and
products recommended by german-shepherd-lore.com are not intended to
take the place of expert veterinarian care. Please consult with your
vet and ask about using a natural and alternative approach for the
healthcare and treatment of your pet. Find a holistic vet.
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