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by ILGSDs on 09 September 2011 - 05:09
I have two black and red showline female german shepherds and their saddles have both faded. I have seen pictures of their siblings and it dosnt seem like their siblings saddles have faded as much as my dogs. They eat taste of the wild. Does anyone know if anything enviornmental contributes to fading saddles or if its all genetic. Thanks
by dogshome9 on 09 September 2011 - 06:09
The saddle colour on all of my females often fade but it always comes back even on my old girl, she is almost 11.
by Stumpywop on 09 September 2011 - 10:09
I think it could be genetic. Hving said that, what's the weather like where you are? My black/gold sable bitch has faded but is blowing her coat right now and in the winter she sems to be a very different colour to the summer time.
I'd suggest her coat is changing and doubt it's anythign to worry about. I'm sure more experienced GSD owners on here will be able to tell you if there is. Or you could ask her breeder?
I'd suggest her coat is changing and doubt it's anythign to worry about. I'm sure more experienced GSD owners on here will be able to tell you if there is. Or you could ask her breeder?
by Mystere on 09 September 2011 - 17:09
Check the food! I had a half show-line bitch whose saddle faded to the point that it was nearly completely gone and she looked like a funny-looking malinois. I asked one of the local show breeders about it, and the first words out of his mouth were, "are you feeding Precise? That is what is doing it--they changed the formula." I was feeding Precise at the time and checked the ingredients. They had removed biotin from the ingredients listed on the label. I switched kibble to one with biotin and the saddle came back.
There is a genetic component to "grizzling" of the saddle in show-line bitches, supposedly coming down from Uran. But, I would look to the food first to address the fading saddle.
There is a genetic component to "grizzling" of the saddle in show-line bitches, supposedly coming down from Uran. But, I would look to the food first to address the fading saddle.
by SitasMom on 09 September 2011 - 20:09
do you have photos?
are they turning silver 3" on either side along the backbone?
are they generally turning orange/or yellow?
what is "fading" to you?
by Dog Bum on 09 September 2011 - 20:09
This phenomena is often described as "washout", found in many species. i.e. peacocks v/s peahens, turkeys, lions, and mostly birds etc. Pigment used by males competing to attract females. The saddle in the female GSD usually is the most noticed area. As far as red pigmentation, that is mostly attributed to genetics. However, if a dog has a genetic predisposition for red pigmentation, some breeders would add foods high in beta-carotene, known to enhance the red. (Carrots, broccoli, etc) The Germans had a dry food supplement "Karotin" intended enhance red pigmentation. If your dogs are healthy, I wouldn't worry about washout.
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