Coats and Colors of German Shepherd Dogs

The German shepherd dog is a registered breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC). The dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, courage and natural aptitude for training. They are routinely used by the police, security organizations and the military. The AKC has established standards for the most desirable type of coat and color for the purpose of show competitions. The length and colors of the coats of German shepherds can vary and should not be a factor when judging the worth of a particular dog as a companion or for professional use.

  1. Coat

    • This breed sheds often and needs daily grooming.

      According to AKC standards, the German shepherd dog should have a double coat of medium length. The outer coat should be dense, short and harsh and should lie close to its body. The AKC accepts a slightly wavy outer coat with wiry texture. The hair around the dog's neck, rear forelegs and hind legs should be longer than the hair on its head, legs and paws. If the dog has an outer coat that is too curly, wooly, silky or soft, it is considered faulty by the American Kennel Club's standards.

    Colors

    • This breed's coat varies in color but the most common shades are black and tan, sable, which is a dark gray, and solid black. Other colors include black and cream, black and red, as well as black and silver. Blue, liver and white are additional colors found in German shepherds' coats. Most colors are permissible according to the AKC standards. However, rich strong colors are preferred. The club considers coats faulty if they are blue or liver-colored. It is also a fault if the color looks washed-out. German shepherd dogs with white coats are automatically disqualified by the AKC.

    White-Coated German Shepherd Dogs

    • The pure white German shepherd dog has been recognized as a separate breed by some dog organizations. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale, based in Belgium, recognized it as a "Berger Blanc Swiss," or "white Swiss shepherd." It was referred to as "Swiss" because it was first recognized as a separate breed in Switzerland. The White Swiss Shepherd Dog Club of Australia also recognizes the white-coated German shepherd as a separate breed. The American White Shepherd Association has established its own standards for the dog. The ideal color for this breed's hair is pure white. Very pale cream to biscuit tan colors are acceptable but not preferred. Both short and long coats are equally acceptable. To the general observer, this new breed looks exactly like the German shepherd dog except for its hair color.

    Considerations

    • German shepherds are loyal companions.

      A German shepherd's coat sheds small amounts of hair daily and more heavily in season. It should be brushed daily to keep it in optimum condition. A well-trained German shepherd can be kept in an apartment; however, it requires some strenuous exercise daily, such as playing with a Frisbee, as well as the usual walks. This confident, intelligent breed serves well as both a companion and a watch dog.