Zonary color of the German Shepherd: what is it? Photos of shepherd dogs with different types of zonal color

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

German Shepherd's birthday is April 3, 1899. Her "father" was the German cavalryman Max von Stephanitz. This man was seriously interested in selection. And dreamed of a universal dog. To be smart, and beautiful, and perform her functions.

The German Shepherd was born as a result. Only the dogs were not at all the same as we see now. First of all, the zonal color of the German Shepherd was very different from the current bright one. But let's not beat around the bush. Getting to the main topic of the article.

A Brief History

Before we talk about the zonal color of the German Shepherd, we need to find out what the representatives of the breed were like in the past.

Now we see very beautiful, bright dogs. They are good for everyone, only the croup is very strongly sloping. This is the so-called show-breeding.

The line of "show people" originated in the 70s of the last century. We will not delve into history - this is a long time. Note that show dogs are different from the German shepherd of the zone color.not only color. Also anatomy.

The first dogs bred by von Stephanitz had an absolutely straight croup. And they looked like a wolf. And their color was "wolf" - sable. These dogs still exist to this day. These are the working lines that professional cynologists are engaged in.

Color of working shepherd dogs

To have a better idea of such a dog, take a look at the photo below of a German shepherd puppy of a zone color. What does this color look like according to the RKF description?

The underside of the coat is light. Slightly higher wool black color. The "saddle" is followed by a yellow-brown shade. It alternates with gray. And the finishing touch is black.

This color is most reminiscent of a wolf. Among dog lovers who love working breed shepherds, he is called wild.

Zonary gray color

Zonary color of the German Shepherd was very popular in the XX century. More precisely, zonarno-gray color. Now such dogs can be found only in a certain cynological circle. "Zonariks" gave their popularity to dogs of other colors.

What does the zonal gray color look like? It is darker than the classic zone. The back and sides are a rich gray-black color. A dark mask on the muzzle is obligatory. The chest, belly and paws are light.

Zonar red color

Zonary-red color of the German Shepherd is not recognized by all cynologists. Although it is included in the list of colors approved by the RKF. It's just not for every dog owner.this color.

What is it? The animal has dark gray, closer to black, back, head, upper part of the tail and sides. A "mask" of the same color is allowed on the muzzle. Front paws, chest, abdomen, hind legs - brown-red. The redhead can be found behind the ears and on the muzzle.

Below is a photo of a German shepherd with a red-colored color.

Color changes

Is this even possible? To completely change the color of the coat - no. The older the puppy becomes, the more pronounced the pigmentation.

How does the German Shepherd's tan color change? In a very small puppy, an additional color is pale red. Or pale brown. With age, it begins to acquire its brightness.

The most interesting thing is the zone-gray dog. Quite small, it resembles a dirty rag. Forgive us lovers of this color. And already as the baby grows up, we can observe how the "rag" turns into a charming teenager. And how the rich color of the coat manifests itself.

Showline colors

Above, we told you what the zonal color of a German shepherd is. The photo was also provided in our review. And now let's talk about the colors of show dogs.

These comrades are fundamentally different from their worker counterparts. They are brighter and attract attention. Yes, and in the city it is more common to meet such a dog.

The most common color among show dogs isblack-backed. This is the same black "mantle" on the back and sides of the animal, as in working breeding individuals. But the tan can differ significantly. Ranging from brown to orange, more reddish.

Above was a photo of a German Shepherd puppy of working breeding. Below you can see what the zonal color of a show class dog is like.

Black "Germans"

They are very rare and few in number. What can be seen at German Shepherd shows has nothing to do with a true black color. Why? Yes, because the representatives of the breed are black and brown. That is, visually their color seems black, but if you look at each hair of wool, you will find a brown pigment.

A black German Shepherd should not have any impurities in coat color.

Black and tan dogs

We got acquainted with the zone color of the German Shepherd of both lines. And what do black and tan representatives of the breed look like?

They have pale red paws and belly. Tan may also be present on the muzzle: eyebrows, eyes, cheeks. Sometimes "pieces" of red color can be seen on the ears.

White Shepherds

Do these exist? Yes, but white coat color is not standard for the breed. This is a defect and a dog with this color cannot be shown or bred.

Although the white shepherd is quite a beautiful dog. Take a look at the photo below and see for yourselfthis.

Red Shepherds

There are also such representatives of the breed. They completely lack the "mantle" on their backs. The dog is completely red. Moreover, the color can vary from pale to saturated.

This is a deviation from the standard. Such individuals are not allowed for exhibitions and breeding.

Spotted Sheepdog

Another deviation. A very young puppy shows this mutation. The spots are scattered all over the coat. Of course, this is considered a vice. And the road to the exhibition is closed.

Types of wool

Speaking of the colors of the German Shepherd, one cannot but mention the types of its coat.

Representatives of the breed are smooth-haired or standard. And they are long haired. The latter are found among show lines. "Dlinniki" resemble teddy bears. Only with the psyche they have problems, as a rule.

Longhaired Shepherds can be overly cowardly or aggressive. The former hide their cowardice behind passive-defensive behavioral reactions. That is, such a dog can bark threateningly and pretend that it is about to bite. But it is worth swiping at him, as the dog tightens his tail and crouches to the ground. It looks especially terrible at a monobreed exhibition, when the animal passes the mud test. In other words, bites off the sleeve.

The latter have irrepressible aggression. In the city with such a pet is very difficult. He tries to taste everything that moves. And this should never be allowed. If such a dog once feels superior toperson, there is a high probability of losing control over it. The pet may stop listening to the owner.

Who is better: a working dog or a show?

Controversy continues on this issue. Supporters of working breeding argue that there is no one better than their dogs. Those people who love show shepherds consider workers to be very ugly and vicious.

Is it? The family, as they say, is not without its black sheep. And among the working dogs you can find pronounced choleric. These choleric people are extremely aggressive. And if you do not direct their energy in a peaceful direction, expect trouble. Such dogs require constant exercise.

Among the show dogs there are quite worthy individuals. No matter how the breeders of the working lines scold them, saying that the "ginger" is inferior, this is not always the case. Sometimes show shepherds outshine working brethren on mud tests.

But there are a lot of dogs with a weak psyche among the "showers". This is hidden by many breeders, for dogs are a profitable business. Puppies cost from 30,000 rubles and more.

Why does this or that person need a shepherd dog? If for sports with a dog, then it is better to choose a working breeding. For exhibitions and for the soul - pay attention to the show level.

Price of a puppy

We noted above that an exhibition puppy costs from 30,000 rubles. This is the minimum, the weakest and inferior, let's say so. The better the dog's blood, the more expensive it is. The price can go up to $2,000 for a puppy.

Working breeding is more expensive: the minimum price for a puppy starts at 50,000 rubles.

You need to buy an animal in a nursery specializing in breeding a particular line.

Conclusion

In the article we examined what the zonal color of a German shepherd is. You can also find photos of individuals in our review. At the same time, we found out what colors are in general. We talked about the types of dog hair.

We touched on the topic of show dogs and working breeding, revealing the features of both lines. We hope that now it will be easier for readers to choose for themselves, in case such a need arises, a shepherd dog of a zone color.