Kerstone Shepherds - GSD Colors, page 1

COLORS, pg 1

White

White
Regalwise Jeromeo ~ Photo courtesy of Ronda Beaupre, Regalwise Shepherds
Most White Shepherds have black pigment. Some have what is called a "snow nose" where it is dark in summer and
lighter in winter. This particular dog has VERY black pigment, including black toenails and "black" skin. Both parents were white.
Sire was a champion. Pedigree contains quite a few champion and working titled whites.
(Offpring on this page: Regalwise Rachel v Raebark, Regalwise Dunkin Destiny, Regalwise Dot Com Kerstin)

Regalwise Wheat'n'Rye ~ Photo courtesy of Ronda Beaupre, Regalwise Shepherds
Many people think that a White GSD must be PURE white to be called white.
If the dog is not pure white they make up other names for them such as "buff", "biscuit", "blonde", etc. Dogs that
are any of these off "colors" on them are still genetically WHITE (not some "rare color") and they are COMPLETELY acceptable at WS/WGSD shows,
but not preffered. However, correct temperament, movement, and structure are far more important than being pure white.
White is a 'masking' gene and covers up the dog's true color. That is why 'white' dogs often have cream, or blonde tint to their coats.
Pictured above is a white long-coat with lots of cream. Her dam is a black & tan short-coat, sire is a white long-coat with cream in the coat.

Red

Red
MI Paren's Cherokee Red ~ Photo courtesy of Kellie Mintern, Mintern's Shepherds
Most "reds" have black masks like this dog.
I'm not sure if "red" Shepherds are actually just solid red. They are probably red sables with very little black on the body.

Cream

SureFire's Dancing Destiny ~ Photo courtesy of Rhonda McMahan, SureFire Shepherds
This dog is an EXTREMELY light colored (little black), long-coated, cream sable.
The dam of this dog is a black and tan. The sire is white. Both parents were short-coats.
Littermate to "Surefire Adan'ti Goldfield" (silver sable), "SureFire's Zen" (red sable).

Liver

Hershey ~ Photo courtesy of L. Gonzalez
The liver gene dilutes the coat & pigment color from black to a brown, chocolate, or cinnamon color called 'liver'.
Hershey is a long-coated solid liver out of solid black parents.

Merlin ~ Photo by Dirk Hogerwerf, Netherlands
Merlin is a long-coated liver and tan.

Black

Black
Unic de Zennevallei ~ Photo courtesy of Marcy Blank, Landschaft Shepherds
Solid black is a recessive gene. Both parents must carry it to produce it.

Blue

Zeke (black & tan), Bella (powder blue & tan), Zeph (solid steel blue) ~ Photo courtesy of Judith Schaad
The blue gene dilutes the coat and pigment color from black to 'blue' or 'grey'.

Orlagh (left), Yahto (right), and their pups ~ Photos courtesy of Lineke Wegman, Shepherds of Yentl's Yard
(1) Orlagh, a solid black, with her solid black & solid blue pups. (2) Solid blue next to solid black. (3) Sire of the litter, Yahto, solid blue.
All of the above are long-coats.

Steel Blue
Tan w/ Steel Blue saddle and a Solid Steel Blue
Pinewoods True Blue Destiny & Trailwinds True Blue von Ace ~ Photo courtesy of Kathy Stone, Trailwinds Shepherds
Blue & Tan and Solid Blue.
Some steel blues are so dark that you would have to stand them right next to a black to see any difference.

Powder Blue

Bella Blue Star (adult) & Trailwinds Heavy Metal (pup) ~ Photo courtesy of Judith Schaad
The adult GSD is a powder blue & tan and the young pup is a solid steel blue.

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