If you’re thinking about which colour German Shorthaired Pointer to welcome into your home, you’re in the right place. This guide will give you all the details about the different colours and patterns of this remarkable breed, making it easier for you to choose.
Looking at buying German Shorthaired Pointer? While GSPs come in different colours, one thing you need to know is that this breed, like many others, has common standards that stipulate key characteristics of their appearance. These standards also include their colours.
Only certain GSP colours are recognised as the common standard and could discount dogs from being officially recognised by the American Kennel Club or equivalent organisations. So what are the recognised German Shorthaired Pointer colours?
The common German Shorthaired Pointers have two main colour bases; black and liver. Colour is one of the determining price factors of GSP puppies as per enthusiasts’ demand. The most common German Shorthaired Pointers colours are:
For more information, here is a detailed guide about the most common colours for German Shorthaired Pointers.
German Shorthaired Pointer puppies come in several colours that differ from breeder to breeder. The most common shades are liver, white, and black.
You can distinctly tell what colour a GSP puppy will be at a very young age because the head shows the primary colour. The body will most likely be a solid colour or possess white hairs that form various patterns.
Here are the colours GSPs come in:
A solid liver-coloured German Shorthaired Pointer is such a stunning dog to look at! From head to toe, this dog is covered in a solid dark brown coat colour.
One of the most common colours for a GSP is a liver dog with white roan markings over the body. These constitute a significant portion of GSPs worldwide, making them one of the most popular colours.
A black German Shorthaired Pointer could have some white patched markings all over its body. On the other hand, some GSPs are just solid black throughout the whole body. These are a little bit hard to find and are considered a rare breed.
White patched liver dog coats are also standard on this hunting dog. The coloured patches could be specks or roan patterns. In addition, you can sometimes find a primarily white GSP with liver hairs on specific body parts.
The German Shorthaired Pointer colours recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council include a solid dark brown/liver. Alternatively, white markings or specks are also accepted, including roan and white with liver patches. One of the rarest colours recognised by the ANKC is a black-coated German Shorthaired Pointer.
The ANKC also accepts white German Shorthaired Pointers if they are roan or have other markings and coat patterns.
Coat colours can be more important than you might think. For example, if you would like to participate in dog sports categorised according to different dog breeds, satisfying the colour criteria of German Shorthaired Pointers is paramount.
In a non-competitive light, the colour shouldn’t make much difference unless you are planning to parade your dog in shows. GSPs do not tend to be predisposed to certain health conditions due to their colour, and it has no effect on their personalities or any other factors. Just offer them high-quality dog food and regular grooming, and they will be the perfect family pet.
At times, the coat colour could even directly impact the price of this hound. For example, rare colours might be slightly more expensive than standard shades and patterns. No matter the colour you choose, you will still end up with the most amazing companion!
Do these gun dogs experience significant colour changes as they grow older?
Since the German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat colours adapt at a young age, there aren’t many significant differences between the puppy and adult pointers’ coats.
For example, GSP puppies with the liver gene will continue to grow a liver coat as they get older. So, their colours might get darker as time goes on when compared to what it was in puppyhood.
If you want to own one of these beautiful GSPs, carefully assessing its coat colour could verify whether or not it is the real deal. This is vital if you want your pooch to compete in dog shows. The colours for this hound differentiate it from other breeds and set high breeding standards. However, if you want your dog to take part in the German bird dog tradition or just to be a family pet, whichever colour you choose is completely up to you.
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