Red Sable German Shepherd – Everything You Need To Know
There is a ton of interest surrounding the Red Sable German Shepherd and for good reason. This specific coat color and pattern makes for an illustrious and stunning wolf-like GSD that will definitely make you look twice. Although not the rarest of the sable color patterns, you probably won’t see one anytime soon. A lot of breeders don’t sell them because it is very hard to predict specific colorations. However, you can find them on occasion with a few select breeders. This article will take a look at the pattern and tell you everything you need to know!
What Is A Red Sable German Shepherd?
A Red Sable German Shepherd is a GSD that has a a rich brownish red coat that is accentuated with black tips on the fur. Each hair on the dog’s body fades from red to black producing an amazing sheen similar to wolves.
The red pattern is one of the five main colors. The other four are black, gray, silver and tan. All of them look amazing but the red in particular stands out, leading to its popularity.
Aside from the red coloration and pattern, their appearance and temperament are the same. Like the traditional black and tan German Shepherd, they can come in short and long coats.
What Causes The Red Sable Color Pattern?
Sable GSDs are sometimes referred to as “Agouti” German Shepherds. So what is “Agouti?” Well, besides being a giant species of rodent that lives in the Amazon jungle, it is also the scientific term for the color pattern found in many species of animals that features hair with at least two pigments of color.
The agouti gene is what causes the coloration. It is passed down to the puppies when both parents carry the dominant allele (variation of the gene) or one parent epistatically passes it down to their offspring.
Every dog carries two “alleles which will establish their color pattern. A GSD can be homozygous dominant which means they carry two dominant alleles, homozygous recessive which means they carry two recessive alleles or heterozygous which means they carry one dominant and one recessive allele.
Black is a recessive gene that dilutes other colors.
Here is a simple chart to explain various outcomes:
| Parent A | Parent B | Offspring |
|---|---|---|
| Two Dominant Sable Alleles (aw aw) | Two Dominant Sable Alleles (aw aw) | Sable and carry both Sable genes (aw aw) |
| Two Dominant Sable Alleles (aw aw) | Two Recessive Black and Tan Alleles (as as) | Sable and carry one of each gene (aw as) |
| One Dominant Sable and One Recessive Black Allele (aw as) | One Bi-color and One Black Recessive Allele (at a) | Half Sable but carry Bi-color and Black gene, a quarter Bi-color, and a quarter Black |
Knowing the genetics of two German Shepherd parents can help you predict the color outcome of the puppies. Breeders can do this by using a DNA test. However, breeding specifically for a certain coloration or pattern is not recommended as it can lead to health and temperament issues later on in your GSD.
Are Red Sable German Shepherds Rare?
Yes, this specific German Shepherd is rare because to be born with this pattern, the “Agouti” gene must be present. However, red is not the rarest of the sable GSDs.
There is an all-black version of the sable pattern that is very rare. It doesn’t have the double tone hairs but still carries the dominant sable genes. It is often hard to tell the difference between black and dark and the color is subjective.
Does A Red Sable German Shepherd Puppy’s Coat Change?
It is hard to predict the exact color of a German Shepherd based on their coloration when they are born. Most Sable GSDs come into the world with a rich dark brown coat. They then proceed to develop a lighter sandy brown coat.
This gradual lightening of color continues until they are 4 to 5 months old at which point the coloration begins to go back to the darker version. The darkening continues until they reach their full coloration at the age of two years old.
Many enthusiasts believe that you can predict their future pattern by keeping an eye on specific parts of their body as they grow.
Potential Indicators:
- Dark pin stripes between the toes.
- Stripes that run down the front legs.
- Jet black hair present on their belly and chest.
Even with these indicators, you can never totally predict their adult color. The best way to predict the outcome is by looking at the parent’s coloration via their pedigree.
How Much Does A Red Sable German Shepherd Puppy Cost?
This particular German Shepherd is a bit pricier than your standard GSD. If you buy one from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay up to $3500 for the unique coat. The price is higher because most breeders don’t specifically breed Red Sables because it can have an impact on their health and personality.
Red Sable German Shepherd Breeders:
There are only a handful of breeders who sell the red version of sable due to their focus on health and temperament instead of colors. In our opinion, the best breeder for securing a GSD with this wonderful coat is Ruskin House of Shepherds.
Tina Daly, the owner, has been breeding German Shepherds for over 35 years. All of her dogs are AKC registered and she has a wide variety of colors and coats available. She is very informed on the breed and can give you a lot of valuable information if you are interested in purchasing one of her GSDs.
In Closing:
The Red Sable German Shepherd is definitely stunning and one of the prettiest coats out there. But underneath it all, they are the same smart, loyal and loving dogs that make them one of the most popular canines on the planet. They are easy and fun to train, they make great family pets, and they won’t let you down! Stick around for more exciting new articles on German Shepherds!
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Have you ever had the chance to see this particular coat pattern? Let us know! We would love to hear your personal experience!
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