Questions about GSD and Great Dane colors.

[PWCorgi]

I have seen pictures of so many different color GSDs, do certain colors come from certain lines?

I normally think of this as the color of a GSD
But then there are some like this
And dark like this
Then there is one in my dog class that is this color (I know that isn't a GSD )
For some reason I tend to think of the darker ones as Schutzhund dogs more than the first pic, but it's quite possible that I made that up in my head
I hope that makes sense, lol


And great danes...if I'm correct, merle is not an aceptable color for a show great dane. I don't really understand how it couldn't be when it is for other breeds like Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Aussies. I know that not all breeds have the same acceptable coat colors and I can totally understand why a "silver" lab and stuff like that isn't allowed, I just don't understand why it isn't for great danes.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Lauren

 

[whatszmatter]

the sable color dogs, the wolfy grey and darker colors, are the dominant colors of the GSD. The black and tan or black and red saddle patterns are "prettier" in the show ring and those tend to be bred for their pattern. The sables show up very often in working line dogs because color and color pattern are not top of the list in breeding criteria, hence it makes sense the dominant color pattern would be seen most often. However, it's pretty rare to see a sable in showlines, they aren't "pretty".

ETA: Here's a link that explains it pretty concisely

 

[PWCorgi]

Thanks, that clears it up
Am I missing the link?

 

[DanL]

I don't see the link either.

You can have different patterns on the black part on GSD's as well. Blanket pattern has more black over the back and legs, like they are covered in a black blanket, while saddle pattern is like a saddle shaped black part and will have more of the tan/silver coloring on the legs and head. Our Gunnar is a blanket. He's also got a lot of sable coloring on him now as he gets a little older, like on his chest. Someone said he's a "black sable" but I don't know if that is a color scheme or not.

Here's a side view where you can see the blanket pattern:

I don't know why the blue merle Dane isn't accepted- they are cool looking. Our breeder had a merle male who was 2 weeks old- the only pup in the litter, he was huge already! She said that some breeders actually cull the merles. I think they carry some bad genetics with them so you don't want to breed them but they are a common color variation.

 

[whatszmatter]

http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard/07_Colour_&_Pigment/Colour_&_Pigment.html

sorry

 

[showpug]

Since the merle great dane should not be bred then it makes perfect sense for it to not be accepted as a recongnized color for the show ring. The show ring is for showing breeding stock. If a merle should not be bred then it would be pointless to show it in AKC as acceptable breeding stock etc.

Merles still make wonderful pets however.

 

[Tankstar]

GSDs also come in solid black and solid white aswell.

 

[PWCorgi]

Thanks for posting that link, it was very informative. I thought the part about the muzzle pigmentation was especially interesting, and I would love to see a brindle black and tan it's too bad they're extinct.

Dan, did you take a look at the link that whatz posted, there was a black sable on there, but I don't think it looks much like Gunnar (who is gorgeous btw )

Do you know if there is a preference in the show ring as to whether the dog has a blanket or a saddle pattern? I know that it's darn near impossible to finish a black-headed tri corgi due to judge preference.

She said that some breeders actually cull the merles.

I've heard about that too, although I don't think it's as popular as it used to be, now most just place them in pet homes.

Sorry about all the questions, I'm just trying to learn more about a breed I don't know that much about.

 

[PWCorgi]

merle great dane should not be bred

Does it usually result in health problems?

Is it safe for some merle breeds to breed and not others?

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

Sables, Black/red, and black are the main GSD's colors (although some consider bi-colour to be a color while others feel its a pattern).

A picture of a bi-color (bi-colors have tarheels and toe peciling). http://www.gsd-rabbits.de/at-aron.htm

There are many different variations of sables (red, black, silver, wolf-gray). Then their are bi-color sables (my ABSOLUTE favorite) who have the bi-color pattern. There are also saddle pattern sables. Sable is the most dominant color.

Black/red can come in blanket backs and saddle backs (both ranging in size). Ryot is a Black/red blanket back GSD (these pics are really old but he has not changed much, just his coloring to changing to a more reddish tone versus the tan)

Solid Black is the least dominant and are fully black.

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

These are the first pics I found, I did not look at anything other than color. This is what I feel these dogs are, but I'm sure some can see it differently. There is NO WAY to tell what color scheme falls under the different "types" of coloring (that didnt make any sense).

Black Sable (VERY dark)http://www.vomlinmarc.com/html/ddr_german_shepherd_durbas.html

http://www.vomlinmarc.com/html/ddr_german_shepherd_peddy.html

Saddle sable (poor example)

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/20964.html

Red saddled sable (borderline medium blanket)
http://www.sablerockkennels.com/zantiastand.jpg

Grey sable
http://www.hiddenhaus.com/studs/Dan

Bi-color

http://www.gsd-rabbits.de/at-aron.htm

Extended Blanket B/T
http://www.workinggermanshepherd.com/fullimage.htm?/images/hawk/hawk-l.jpg

 

[wehkah]

Here's a link for more information about the merle and harliquin colors of danes.

http://www.6stardanes.com/colors.html

and

http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/great-dane-colors.html

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

that was very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

 

[PWCorgi]

If breeding merle to merle Great Danes results in the same thing as breeding merle to merle Aussies, then why is it an accepted Aussie color and not Dane?

Thanks GSDluver and wehkah!

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

Great site on GSD coloring

http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard/07_Colour_&_Pigment/Colour_&_Pigment.html

 

[Psyfalcon]

From what I understand, merle is a disaster in an otherwise tan breed. The tan color can apparently cover up the merle, which could result in double merles.

 

[Jynx]

just thought I'd throw in a pic of my bicolor boy Dodge. He is out of a black sable sire/black&tan dam

 

[PWCorgi]

From what I understand, merle is a disaster in an otherwise tan breed. The tan color can apparently cover up the merle, which could result in double merles.

That makes a whole bunch of sense, I think I am beginning to understand, thank you

Jynx, he is absolutely gorgeous *drools*

 

[Jynx]

thank you, he's a wonderful ambassador of his breed.

I also have aussies. One is a bicolor (technically a tri, he has very very minimal rust on his feet) he is the result of a merle x merle "oops litter".

In aussies, I believe it's 1/3 of puppies from a merle x merle, are usually affected with blindness/deafness/lethal white or all. Out of my aussies litter of 6, 2 were lethal whites/deaf , 2 I think froze to death (whole nother story)
and the remaining 2, Mine , and another blue merle, were the most "normal".
Mine has had some weird "ear" thing, altho he is not deaf, and get's fungus infections, the merle has stomache problems (who knows if that is a genetic or the result of)..

In aussies, some breeders will intentionally breed merle x merle (tho it's rather frowned on) kind of like line breeding, hoping to get the "best" of the two, while culling (which I do not agree with), the so called "inferior" puppies.

with such a diverse bloodline and aussies being so abundant, I'd rather see breeders stay away from those merle x merles breedings..

Diane

 

[tinies12]

Out of all the shepherds shown I prefer the true black sable, and the true bi black. The washed out sables and black and tans do nothing for the breed. Mind you in MOP color means nothing. Structure, type, health solid mind strong nerves means the world over and above color. No matter the breed