GSP’s Unique Color

These beautiful dogs are loved by so many dog lovers worldwide. They have a super obedient nature and have become the favorites of families as well as hunters for their gentle spirit. Not only are they great working dogs and pets they have beautiful colors.

This article will explore the unique colors of German Shorthaired Pointers enabling you to recognize this beautiful breed from a distance. Some information was shared from the article here on gspowners.com.

What is the rarest German Shorthaired Pointer color?

Before we dive into the subject, here is a color chart recognized by the AKC:

Black Liver White
Solid color Accepted Accepted Not accepted
White patches Accepted Accepted /
Black Patches / Not accepted Not accepted
Liver patches Not accepted / Accepted
Roan Accepted Accepted Not accepted

Solid colors are rare in German Shorthaired Pointers, but they do exist. The solid black coat is an attractive color for this exceptional dog.

Solid black German Shorthaired Pointers may be rare, but the kennel club may not recognize them. It can be considered to have a recessive gene causing the black color that has at some point been caused by breeding with another dog bearing different genes.

However, there has been genetic testing on black GSPs, and the dogs were found to be purebred!

You may wish to check with the kennel club if you intend to breed and sell your black GSPs.

Over the years, the roan pattern has become the hallmark of this breed of dog, making the pattern in demand and making solid colors rarer.

If you come across a black and white German Shorthaired Pointer, it’s considered to be a patched dog.

Does dog color affect temperament?

Source:nosamkennels.com

Amazingly there is a school of thought that dogs with solid colors are harder to train, and black dogs tend to show more aggression.

Is this the reason you see fewer black German Shorthaired Pointers than their roan brothers and sisters? It’s an amazing fact that could be a possible reason for this breed’s rare sighting of the color.

While we mention temperament, it’s recognized that particolor dogs are more mild-mannered. Indeed, the roan pattern dogs of this breed are gentle-mannered and a pleasure to have as family pets and working dogs.

What does roan mean in a dog?

Roan is a coat color found in many dogs and other animals, including cats, antelope, and horses. The color is defined as a mixture of white and pigmented hairs that are not affected by gray as the dog ages.

What are the typical colors of the German Shorthaired Pointer?

The most common color is the liver. The liver can be a dark brown and shades in between, and the second most common color is the back roan.

Roan is a color interspersed with white to create this mottled pattern that is so attractive; there are white hairs in both dark coats, be they liver or black roan.

The main pattern is on the chest, belly, and legs but can be all over, and the white areas are also called ticking. It is Complicated, but the overall outcome is a beautiful color dog.

The kernel club has recorded all white dogs, solid black, and lemon bit; these are exceedingly rare.

Is there a solid brown German Shorthaired pointer?

Source:dailypaws.com

Yes, there is, and it looks very handsome, but the breeder seems to produce more of the patterned dogs than anything else.

German Shorthaired pointers are easily recognizable; they have floppy ears and almond-like eyes that are dark and intense.

Brown and liver German Shorthaired Pointers have a long snout and a big brown nose that will always give you a wet welcome. But the Black GSP has a black nose, and never has that changed.

There is something that makes the GSP indistinguishable from other breeds across the globe: their markings and color combinations.

Can you breed two liver GSPs and get a black puppy?

No, Black is a dominant gene, and if one dog carries the black gene, then the puppy will be born black.

Your liver-colored dog has two liver genes by the very fact that its color is liver. This means it’s impossible to produce a black dog from this color combination.

Can German Shorthaired Pointers be gray?

Source:akc.org

Gray is also called blue in the dog world, it is possible for a GSP to be blue/ gray, but it would be a dilution of the gene pool the dog was bred from.

It is not a standard color for the breed and consequently would not be recognized by the kennel club, but if you did find one and fell in love with the dog and the dog is healthy, then, by all means, take the dog home with you.

Blue GSPs are similar to liver GSPs regarding the way the coat develops, and it is understood that they will not develop or can have black patches due to the composition of the genes.

Interestingly their nose and eyelids, and lips will be blue/ gray

Do German Shorthaired Pointer puppies change color?

Yes, they do. GSP puppies start to spot after about five to six weeks after being born. The puppy will change its color over time, and you should have a good idea of the color and markings after eight weeks.

You can start with a completely white dog; over the years, the color will change, and by the time the dog is mature and around eight years old, it could be roan.

Does your GSPs color affect its health?

Source:diamondpet.com

No, GSPS is a healthy breed of dog, and despite the genetics of the color of the coat, it remains there.

But you should be concerned about your dog’s health from the moment you take it home with you. The best way to ensure you have a healthy dog is to deal with a reputable breeder who has been recommended or has accreditations and is a kennel club member.

The color of your dog has been bred into the breed over decades due to its desirable aesthetics. The GSP was once the dog of the aristocracy and the well-heeled, which would have dictated many of the dog’s colors.