Final Color - Page 1

I know this sounds like a stupid question but, I cannot remember.  About what age do most of the gsd's reach their final adult color?  i.e. no more black turning to tan/red, etc?

Thank you in advance.

I would have to guess at about 2 years old, My sable boy Theo, has changed alot 
in his coloring, from pup to adult!

Theo as a pup 5 weeks, pictured all the way on the left.

Theo at 13 weeks

And Theo at 23 months

He has such a cute serious expression in the middle picture!  Nice pup.

Veronica

GSDFANATIC,

I am not sure about the Blk/Tan dogs, my guess would be around 1.5 yrs, when my female starts shedding, she always gets the gray guard hairs on her back, then once she is done, they go away.  Sable dogs, never are the same, every year they seem to be a little different then the last. 

Mirasmom,

Theo is a very handsome boy.   I love the changes sables make as they age.

KIM

I'm glad to know the colour can get darker again! My pup had a lot of black on her at 8 weeks, but it has gradually faded. She is just now shedding her puppy coat, and the fur that's coming in is making her look quite washed out. She has a pronounced bitch stripe down her back and across her shoulders, and her saddle is now interspersed with a lot of  reddish tan hair. I hope she doesn't stay this way! 

Sables tend get darker, B&T's tend to get lighter (more tan) with age.  However, I would not expect to see drastic differences after 2-3 years old.

Thank you ladies.  I just keep noticing my my girls changing and couldn't for the life of me remember when they stop!  Mine are both black and red and I guess I'm anxious to see the final picture (even though I don't want to rush their aging). 

I also like the post where someone asked about when they stop growing.  My not quite 9 month old seems to be outgrowing my one year old!  But then, I think my one year old is a tad on the smaller, more athletic side.  I attribute that to her working lines.  My younger is so clumsy right now.  All of a sudden, she's turned into this crazy, wild thing that will shoot out the door, out of the kennel or what have you and just about run your butt over (or anyone else in her way) in the process.  She knocks chairs over with exhuberance.  It really takes a lot to get her to calm down when she first gets out!  Yes, they get plenty of exercise, she's just all of a sudden gone wild.  My yr old female looks at her like she's an idiot and a clown (which, in fact, she does remind me of). 

It's funny how different two dogs can be.  My yr old female is very serious and very obedient.  My 9 mo old is a goofy clown who doesn't want to listen.  I have to really work to get her attention.

Anyway, thanks for the answers.

Have a great day!

Sunsilver,

What is a bitch stripe? I have noticed my female pup (7 mo old) has a dorsal stripe of grey hairs (she's black & tan) ,but didn't know if this was just her or was typical.

Inslee

Inslee,

You are correct. It is common for a bitch to have some "sableing" running down her back.  Meaning that it is not solid black hairs anymore, but hairs that have some tan in them also. some think that it is cause by hormones. Although I have seen males with this charateristic also. It's just more rare in males.

I have never known a black/tan/red to turn darker with age.  Yes, it is normal for a sable to darken and even change back and forth from season to season.

Hope that helps.

Debby

ebinezer052899@yahoo.com http://castlebrookshepherds.net/enter.html

As proof it is hormone related, my male, who had a very dark blanket, now has silver hairs interspersed with the black since I had him neutered in February. The silvering is confined to a strip running down his spine, exactly like a bitch stripe.