Silver Markings... - Page 1

Hi: 

I have a almost 6 month old male german shepherd puppy. He has silver markings on his back ( on his spine ). Also I feel like his coat on his back is a bit rough and not soft as it should be.. I have tried suppliments for his coat but a bit concerned. wanted to know if this markings are going to fade by aging or they going to stay?!!!

HI there

I have a 7month old who came to me with silver painted toes...They actually call it penciling:) She has pretty much lost all of it now.
I would say it will change as he contibues to change in the next year or so.

The coat on a shepherd is not really soft unless they are young puppies. They have a courser hair than other dogs. What you are feeling is his adult coat.
If it is dull looking you can put salmon oil on his food, otherwise its just part of a Shepherd.
 

thanks for your reply:

the reason I think he hasnt got his adult coat is that his coat is not as thick as adult coat is, is it possible that it goes back to his genes?!

Many thanks,

Is your puppy neutered already? Is he a sable or black and tan/red? I'm not sure what you mean by silver along his back--do you have a picture you can share?

Puppies shed out and change coats several times in their first year--likely he is in yet another coat transition--keeping the dog on fish oil can help the new coat that comes in to being shinier and smoother feeling. If it feels harsh and "brittle" sometimes that is a sign that they are shedding one coat and growing the new topcoat in.

Christine

thanks christine for the reply...

he is a black and red and where I mean is exactly on his spine... I am also wondering of they get a richer color as they age?!

Many Thanks...

THE COLOR USUSLLY GETS RICHER AS THEY GET OLDER, OR AT LEAST MINE DID. HE IS ALSO BLACK AND RED.

Many GSDs have silver/gray hairs in the spinal area (also down the shoulders), starting at the withers and extending to the base of the tail area. It is called bitch stripe- nothing to be concerned about. The bitch stripe normally stays the same color and can become more pronounced with age. THe color of the bitch stripe has nothing to do with the color of your dog. If he's generally black and red now everywhere else, he will continue to be and his colors will probably get richer. As for his coat feeling different he is probably changing coats right now, as others have mentioned. It will never be a soft as it was when he was a young pup.