While one of the more popular standard colors out there, the red and black German Shepherd is still a standout choice for many dog owners, myself included, but why exactly is that and should you get one yourself?
Well, a red and black German Shepherd doesn’t have any particular traits that make it excel over other GSD coat color representatives, but his aesthetic simply feels like an upgrade over the more common tan and black one.
Other options exist, sure, but it all boils down to personal preference, plus, a black and red German Shepherd is still more affordable than some of the rarer color options out there that may not be worth the price bump.
If you want to find out more about this particular color, how it appears, what other colors are there and whether they’re something you’d be interested in, feel free to read on.
What Do Red And Black German Shepherds Look Like?
The black and red GSD is relatively similar to the black and tan one with little to no variation in their fur or skeletal structure.
They’re still somewhere between a large and medium sized dog breed with the average height of 25 inches for males and 22-23 inches for female representatives of the breed.
Their adult weight comes in at about 70-80 pounds on average for males, floating more on the higher end.
For female German Shepherds, though, it drops down to around 58-63 pounds.
The similarity in height but rather sizable difference in weight makes the females look leaner in comparison to the males which makes it easier to spot the difference at a glance.
As for their actual build, they have the same head shape, featuring that imposing profile with the elongated and well defined muzzle with pointed ears raised up, paired together with proper posture and perfection one often ties to German engineering.
The nose is darker and matches the mask the dog often has around his nose, mouth and eyes and on the inside of his ears at times with the rest of the face containing this redder tan, like that of the bark of a mahogany tree.
The forehead is still domed which further accentuates that imposing stance they always have as it makes their brow appear constantly furrowed.
They still possess a double coat made to help them withstand the colder climate and one that’s primarily mahogany red in color with black blotches here and there, the prevalence of which depends on how strong the recessive gene is in the particular specimen.
All of that is capped off with their nice, long and bushy tail.
Now, what is particular about the black and red GSD is that their fur can be anywhere from short to long, the latter of which may seem a bit off-putting for some, but I feel like it adds to the German Shepherd’s charm.
The Red And Black German Shepherd: How Is One Created?
Well, a black and red German Shepherd is the result of a recessive gene being present and the lack of the liver color gene.
The mutation isn’t as uncommon as some of the others though, so the price doesn’t vary from the usual tan and black too much.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Red And Black German Shepherd?
According to various breeder listings, the prices for red and black GSD pups go anywhere from $500 all the way up to $2000, a mere $100 difference from the standard with a $1200-$1300 average.
Does The GSD’s Coat Length Affect His Cost?
It, in fact, does. Most short haired German Shepherds will be more expensive than their long haired counterparts due to being in higher demand.
The short haired ones are the usual price of anywhere between 800 to 2000-ish dollars, but some particular mixes or bloodlines can almost double that price.
On the other hand, with the long haired option, you get a slightly lower average as their minimum starts at $500 or so while reaching a potential peak of around $2500.
The average comes out at around $1400 to $1600, but more thorough research can yield better and more affordable results.
Their cost too is affected by bloodlines and various other genetic factors as well as the quality of the breeder in question.
Of course, the short hair GSD is considered to be the standard as well, hence the higher average asking price as it is the popular choice, as stated before.
That said, if you’re only interested in a red and black GSD regardless of coat length concerns, it’s better to go with the long haired option.
Not only will it make him more affordable, but the longer hair gives him a more unique and distinguished look, especially if you take regular care of him.
What Other GSD Coat Colors Are There?
Aside from the black and red, there is a large variety of other coat color options, even though we rarely see them out in public, or they’re too similar to the black and tan one for us to really recognize.
They’re split into standard and non-standard ones, as determined by the AKC (American Kennel Club).
The standard ones are registered as normally occurring ones and are allowed entry into AKC-sanctioned conformation shows.
The non-standard ones on the other hand are considered to be faults or too rare and thus dogs carrying those colors aren’t allowed to participate in officially sanctioned dog shows.
The standard colors are as follows:
- Black and Tan
- Black and Red
- Black and Silver
- Black and Cream
- Black
- Bi-color
- Sable
As for the non standard ones, if you’re not a person who gets a GSD just for him to end up being a show dog, you have a variety of other options to pick from too.
Here are most of them:
Though, most, if not all of these colors can also come out lighter, seemingly washed out as well while still qualifying as a unique color.
And, do keep in mind that you’re not endangering your German Shepherd’s life by choosing a non standard color like you would with a few other options.
That’s because the color of the GSD’s fur isn’t tied to an increased likelihood of being prone to some specific diseases.
The Grooming Needs Of A German Shepherd
People interested in particular coat types and colors are also likely to want to know about maintaining said coat.
Thankfully, German Shepherds aren’t the most demanding breeds out there (not in this department at least), so you won’t have to work too hard on maintaining his image.
They are relatively moderate shedders with two periods of heavy shedding due to them blowing their whole undercoat in place of a new one.
When it’s not shedding season, brushing him once every two days should be the norm, increased to daily brushing during the heavy shedding period.
As for baths, those come as a standard that every other dog is managed after, once every 6 to 8 weeks or so on average should be good.
Any more and you’re putting his coat at risk of getting its natural oils stripped and the hair follicles damaged.
Trust your dog to groom himself naturally instead.
The only time you would need to increase the bathing frequency would be in case of a skin infection or other issue where the use of a medicated shampoo is prescribed like a tick or flea infestation.
Is Getting A Black And Red German Shepherd From A Shelter A Viable Alternative?
While a good budget option in case getting one from a reputable breeder may seem too pricey, German Shepherds obtained from shelters and rescues are often a gamble.
They may not have received the initial necessary behavior training which will net you a lot more work in trying to get them to listen to commands and curbing their natural instincts like their high prey drive.
Sure, you’ll be doing the doggo a big favor, but don’t go in there blind without being prepared for the potential extra work you may need to put in as opposed to getting one directly from a breeder.
On top of all that, finding a red and black German Shepherd in a rescue specifically can make the alternative a bit harder to realize.
In Conclusion
A red and black German Shepherd isn’t the most uncommon coat color variation out there, but it may still take you a bit to find a breeder that gives you the option to pick said coat color over the standard tan and black one.
Many owners wonder if it’s even worth the effort considering the close similarity the red and black has to the tan variant, but I am of the belief that if you’re someone who appreciates a bit of variation and nice, subtle, and warm colors, the red and black GSD would be a good fit for you.
Until next time, pet parents.
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