The 5 Rarest German Shepherd Colors

1Panda German Shepherd

Panda German Shepherds are one of the rarest dogs in the world. The panda pattern of German Shepherds is called a tricolor and it is a symmetrical white, black and tan pattern. Panda German Shepherd’s coats also vary in colors such as blue and silver.

To produce a Panda German Shepherd, they inherit the KIT gene. When they inherit the KIT gene in a transmuted state from both a male and a female German Shepherd, the Panda German Shepherd won’t survive.

However, if only one of the male or the female German Shepherds passes the transmuted KIT gene then this will produce a Panda German Shepherd without any health issues.

2Liver German Shepherd

One of the rarest German Shepherds is the Liver German Shepherd. Liver German Shepherds have thick coats that are a soft texture and the colors of their coats are both black and tan. On their faces, black is the most apparent color. Throughout the year, Liver German Shepherds shed their fur regularly.

For German Shepherds to have a liver coat, either the male or the female that produces the Liver German Shepherd needs to have the recessive gene, the B Locus. Liver German Shepherds are also referred to as dilute types which come from their genes. The genes add to the black color which then makes their fur browner.

3Sable German Shepherd

Sable is the first color of the German Shepherd species. The sable color of the German Shepherd's coat is from a dominant gene. The majority of their hair has black on the ends yet the rest of the coat of the German Shepherd is not always the same color. The variety of other colors that their coats include are red and even gold.

When they are first born, Sable German Shepherds have black fur and around the age of eight weeks, the color of their fur will become lighter. Throughout their lifetime, the sable color of the German Shepherd can change numerous times yet whilst the color of their coat can change, their markings remain the same.

4White German Shepherd

White German Shepherds have not always been known to be purebred. Two White German Shepherds need to be bred to produce a pure white German Shepherd. If a male and a female German Shepherd have the recessive white gene, E Locus, then this will produce a White German Shepherd. If both the male and female German Shepherds don’t carry the E Locus gene then this won’t produce a White German Shepherd and they will be born in another color.

Historically, White German Shepherds were thought to be albinos. It is possible for White German Shepherds to have the albino gene yet most don't carry it. There is also another breed of White German Shepherd in Europe that is called the White Swiss Shepherd. White Swiss Shepherd's coats are mainly pure white, whilst the original White Shepherd can have other colors in their coat.

5Black German Shepherd

Black German Shepherds are the result of two German Shepherds bred together and they are a pure breed. If a Black German Shepherd is bred with another Tan German Shepherd, this can still produce a Black German Shepherd. Black German Shepherds are rarer than other German Shepherd dogs but they have the same personality traits.

Black German Shepherds have thick coats and they can have up to two coats. The top coat is the thickest and is protective of them both. Their coats can shed and there will be two main times in the year that this will occur. Throughout the remainder of the year, they don't shed as regularly.