What is a Blue German Shepherd? Here are the Facts

Most people have heard of the German Shepherd Dog breed. This medium-large dog is a popular breed in the United States. However, not everyone has heard of the Blue German Shephard and if they have, they may not know too much about this particular type of dog.  While the White German Shepherd is more common, here is what you need to know about the blue German Shepherd.

Color Variation

A blue German Shepherd is simply one color variation of the German Shepherd Dog breed. They are distinctive as their coats are a blue/gray color and they also have blue eyes. There are actually three variations of a blue German Shepherd Dog as they come in blue and tan, blue and sable, or blue and black.

Genetics Plays a Role

The color of a German Shepherd Dog is determined by genetics. This breed of dog has two types of genes that dictate the color and appearance of a dog. The first of these genes decides the color of the fur and the second gene dictates whether or not a dog has markings and how these are distributed across the fur. For example, some German Shepherd Dogs are a solid color while others are bi-color.

The blue German Shepherd Dog is created the dog inherits the double blue recessive gene. Another color variation of this breed that inherits its color in this way is the liver German Shepherd Dog as this is also created when the dog inherits two liver recessive genes.

Difference Between The Colors

The difference between the two colors, apart from their visual appearance, is that the blue gene only partially blocks the black gene while the liver gene blocks the black gene completely. This means that a blue dog can have lighter black markings while a liver dog will have no black markings at all.

A blue German Shepherd Dog pup will differ from the rest of the litter as it will have lighter colored eyes that are usually blue. However, some blue dogs have yellow or amber eyes. The color of their coats is immediately obvious after they are born,

Breed Standards

The breed standards for German Shepherd Dogs according to the American Kennel Club state that blue dogs are a serious fault when it comes to showing them in competitions that are based on the dog’s appearance. The same applies to liver colored dogs.

There is a preference for darker colored German Shepherd Dogs in shows. Only white dogs are disqualified from competitions based on their color. Paler colored dogs, like blue and liver dogs, are considered a serious fault.

Health Issues and Temperament

In the German Shepherd Dog breed, the blue coat color is not an indication of any problems that the dog may have inherited. In some breeds, the blue coat color means that the dog is more likely to suffer from certain health conditions.

It can also indicate particular traits in the temperament of a dog. However, that is not the case with blue German Shepherd dogs as it is simply their color and the fact that they are blue does not impact on their health or temperament in any way.

Blue German Shepherd Dogs are more rare than other color variations of this breed. Sometimes they appear randomly in a litter and sometimes they are bred in specialist breeding programs. Their rarity can push up the price in comparison to other color variations of this breed. Prices can vary significantly from one breeder to the next.

Limited Market

However, the market for those wanting a blue German Shepherd Dog is limited to those who are keeping them as a pet. This is because people who show dogs do not want this type of German Shepherd Dog for showing in dog competitions.

People who want to own a blue German Shepherd Dog may find a dog in need of a good home from a rescue center. There are plenty of blue German Shepherd Dogs out there who are in desperate need of a comfortable home and a loving owner.

The other option is to buy one from a reputable breeder. It is important to check out their credentials first and check that the blue German Shepherd has been bred by an experienced breeder who can show that the dogs they are selling have lived in good conditions and whose parents have been cared for properly.

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