There seems to be some confusion and a touch of negative stigma around the Black German Shepherd (AKA Black Shepherd). In this post, my aim is to tell it straight and debunk the myths that circulate about this dog. I will also provide some useful information on how to look for a reputable breeder.
So stay with me and find out 7 things you didn’t know about this black beauty.
The Black German Shepherd Photo Gallery
1. The Black German Shepherd is the same breed as the German Shepherd
Sometimes people think the Black German Shepherd is a different breed to the German Shepherd. This is not true. It belongs to the same breed but is referred to as the Black German Shepherd because... well, it's entirely black!
2. The Black German Shepherd and the standard variety have some different physical differences
What's the same?
- They have a large, muscular build
- They have a fluffy tail
- Their ears are erect
- They have a double coat
- They are heavy shedders
What's different?
- They are a solid black color
- They can be larger
- They often have a straighter back
- Their coat can be longer, sometimes with a flowing mane (around the rear of the neck), skirting (on either side of the body between the front and back legs) and feathering (long hair on the ears, backs of legs and beneath the tail)
3. Black German Shepherd puppies are born black
All German Shepherd puppies are either born black, gray or white and can change color as they grow. Their true coat color can usually be determined at about 8 weeks of age. Black German Shepherd puppies are born black and will stay black through adulthood.
So, if you are looking for a solid Black German Shepherd puppy, you will want to get her at this age, and not before, in order to be sure she is indeed a solid black color.
4. A German Shepherd that is not black can produce Black German Shepherd puppies
Yes, you heard right. A German Shepherd that is, say, black and tan, can carry the recessive solid black gene and produce Black German Shepherd puppies. However, both parents must have the recessive gene for solid black to appear in the litter. So if you go to meet your puppy (not before 8 weeks of age, remember) and see that the parents aren’t solid black, don’t be surprised! It can happen.
The second way solid Black German Shepherd puppies are produced is by mating two solid blacks. This mix can only produce a solid black litter.
5. The black color has NO negative effect on the dog
Here's where that negative stigma comes in; people can sometimes fear this dog due to its striking black color. The color of this dog does not affect its temperament. The Black German Shepherd is just as loyal, alert, active and intelligent as the standard variety and is not predisposed to aggression. She is often aloof at first, but once you bond with her, she will be your companion for life.
Black German Shepherds are also incredibly trainable and are used as police and military dogs, disability aid dogs, and obedience dogs.
Look how obedient this 11-month old Black Shepherd puppy is:
Just like any German Shepherd, their protective instinct can be strong. These are dogs that were used to herd and protect livestock, and they will do the same with their human pack! In the case of your family coming into danger, have no doubt this dog will defend you.
As a companion dog, however, you want her to recognize that not all people are a threat. Make sure you socialize her from a young age so that she gets on well with people in adulthood.
6. They can be pricey
Black German Shepherds are quite rare and for this reason tend to cost more, especially if they have the long, luxurious coat. While for a standard German Shepherd puppy the price ranges from $300 - 900, for a Black German Shepherd puppy you can expect to pay between $700 - 2000.
7. Like all German Shepherds, they are prone to health problems
The German Shepherd breed can, unfortunately, suffer from numerous health issues. The number one concern for this breed is hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. This condition occurs when the ball and socket joint is malformed and can result in arthritis or even lameness. This can be helped by maintaining a healthy weight in your dog.
Other potential health problems include:
- Heart disease
- Spinal disease
- Eye diseases
- Digestive problems
- Allergies
- Cancer
Finding a reputable Black German Shepherd breeder
When buying any dog, finding a reputable breeder is imperative. One way you can do this is by asking for referrals from your veterinarian, friends, contacting local breed clubs or going to professional dog shows. Alternatively, you can search for breeders online.
How to recognize a responsible breeder
A responsible breeder will want to meet you in person and ask you questions to find out if the puppy is a good match for you. When you meet, they should be happy to show where the puppy was raised and you should also be able to meet the parents of your puppy. Make sure you inspect the health of both parents and the litter before buying.
Black German Shepherd breeders
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous Black German Shepherd breeders who are in it just for the profit. This invariably means that they are less concerned about the quality of the dog, and the puppies can have health problems.
If they are a reputable breeder, they will be able to show you the history of the puppy's parents and detailed information on their health.
Lucky for you I have done a bit of research myself on trustworthy Black German Shepherd breeders and am going to share the fruits of my labor.
Firstly, you can check out what puppies are available on AKC Marketplace, where you can search by breed, see pictures of the puppies and read about the breeder.
And here are some reputable German Shepherd breeders who breed Black German Shepherds, all of whom are registered with the AKC:
Conclusion
The Black Shepherd is a beautiful variety of the German Shepherd who is just as loyal, energetic and trainable. She is born a solid black color, has a straighter back and sometimes has longer hair than the standard variety. Remember, she can be a bit pricier, especially if her coat has the longer, luxurious look.
Like all German Shepherds, Black Shepherds are prone to numerous health problems. You should make sure you buy from a reputable breeder who can ensure your puppy is healthy and will live a long life.
Are you considering buying a Black Shepherd or do you already own one of these black beauties? Leave a comment below!
Black German Shepherd Review
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- Dog Friendly
- Good for Novice Owners
- Easy to Groom
- Easy to Train & Intelligence
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Hi, we have recently gotten a black German shepherd puppy. Her ears are not standing yet (she’s about12 weeks old). Where her ears fold near her head the hair seems thin and you can see her skin. Around her eyelids the hair is also thin. Is this normal? Her vet said they checked for mites. The skin doesn’t look irritated. We’re just wondering if we should be concerned.
Hey! I have a 7 month old black German shepherd and he was a “late bloomer” w his ears. But no worries they eventually perked up beautifully. I wouldn’t stress about the ears yet.
It’s completely normal. The fur will fill out and her ears will stand up.
I’ve had a couple German Shepherds, it took 6 months for his ear to stand up 100% of the time, I had another where the ears were standing at 3 months, I did a lot of research and asked a lot of breeders and all said same thing, every dog is different, do t worry his ears will stand up.
Ours came up at 14 weeks and hes a beauty
No worries…. some dogs with pointed ears don’t get fully erect ears for some time and very often one will come up before the other by a week! Don’t worry…. if it’s a Shepherd, it will happen. Thin fur around the ears and eyes is normal in some individuals although it’s more common in dilute colors like blue and fawn in most breeds. If your vet did a skin scrape to check for demodex mites which are commonly found in young dogs and it seems to get worse… have your vet repeat the scrape again to check. Sometimes those suckers don’t appear until it looks worse.
As all have said here no worries, however be sure not to let people really go near the ears and be aware that the ears and teething are in direct correlation to one another. Also be sure to give your pup lots to chew on as this will make the jaw muscles stronger thus helping the pups ears to go up. My black gsd is just a little over 5mos and one ear stands while the other tips over at the tip, but she is really losing a lot of her teeth on that side so it stands to reason. Also I got Fiona at 12 weeks and both ears were flopped over. Good luck with your new baby!
My black German Shepards ears were up at 5 weeks , all are different some come early some come late .
Hank the tank
Hey there done worry about the ears lol ! They will atand up the black german is alot stonger then people realize it takes quite a bit longer to grow then thw normal german shepard. There can be 8 to 12 months diffrence in last grow spert.. i have a little guy his ears seemed to be taking along time to come up fully then aroubd 5 months they stick up mega!! Also ve perpared because when everone elses puppys slow down keep feeding your black gsd because they need it mine grew in hight in 32months old… yup.. 32.. if your got a pure breed black gsd… good luck because they will grow bigger then you exspect and have way more energy then most dogs. Be ready
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Nice article..I have two german shepherds(not pure) one tan and the girl black…she is too adorable…eventhough the male tends to bark a lot n shes d quiet one, sometimes i think that she has more animalistic side…n she is very intelligent
We just brought a 18mth old fixed male black german sherpard yesterday & intertroced him to my fixed 3 leggered female collie cross, she growled at him, he took no notice but we gave them time to stiff, get used to each other outside while hving the leads on. We took them inside, dog chased the cat, we growled at him & he sniffed around & then settled dwn fr the night. Later on he was sleeping nxt to her fr ages but after waking up, he attacked her, bit into her ear & ripped a hole into the side of her cheekbone which bleed of cause. I tore him away frm her & put him outside. This morning when she went out to go out to the toilet, he pulled forward on his train & barked at her in which made her drop to the ground & shake like anything. I had to carry her inside the house & calm her down & now she won’t go out the back section. Plz help?
@ Nat- are you still having issues w/your female collie cross & your GSD? Have you consulted a trainer?
I have a black German Shepherd puppy and I absolutely adore him! Never thought I’d be lucky enough to come across with one!
I purchased an 8 week old puppy from local animal shelter. I was told she was border collie lab cross. However as an adult she has all the characteristics of a black german shepherd. She is a beautiful dog.
I have an 8 month on black German shepherd with beige below the knees in the inner thighs are white, I got him on PetFinders. He is very sociable and very relaxed compared to my black and tan female that I got. They’re both beautiful but like Night and day I think the black and tan is ADD and the black it’s just Joe cool . I love them both and would not trade them for the world !!!
I’m just starting to research the breed. I know that well informed dog owners know who the good, and less reputable breeders are of their purebred of choice. I’m hoping to maybe get pointed in the right direction. Thank you
We have a black boy, gs who is magnificent. He is four years old and so sweet and affectionate. He is
a protection-trained but no one would ever know it. The only problem we have right now is that he is
grieving the recent of his companion. He has placed himself in vigil over her grave and will only come to
me. They were very close. We have tried to socialize him with the other gs’s but he won’t have any part
of it. I am devastated to have lost Emily to renal failure. I am currently his companion but I also grieve
her loss. He is older and quite large which is going to make it even harder to find another friend for
him. If anyone has any ideas please contact me.
I have a black German shepherd she is nine months old and her ears have not pricked she does. prick them sometimes when out playing when she was about four months she had one of them pricked and the other one three quarters up for a few months she did this why won’t they prick
We own a black GS and love her so much. Is actually adopted her from an individual that had found her abandoned on the side of a road at 4 weeks old. This individual saved her and then I adopted her at 12 weeks old. I love that she’s all black and not the “typical” German shepherd colors. She’s beautiful, kind, playful, intelligent. and super protective of my and my children. I couldn’t ask for a better dog other then our other dog who is a rotti/shepherd mix. We don’t need “full blood” breeds to love our dogs. They are both just as wonderful as any full breed is. I’m just happy we found the dogs we have because they give our family so much joy and security. I can’t imagine not having them. They will both be a year old this month.
I have a black German shepherd as well , but it’s not all black. The under neath of her chin is white. I didn’t know if it changed its breed as not an all black or if it’s kind of like having a birth mark not changing you. She has a straight back and her ears stand straight up, very well trained. But I have no idea if she’s what we think she is because of the white part under her.
Magnificent gsd black w white
My boy is pure black with a white chest, white toes and chin. He is magnificent and so good with dogs and people. He is a trained therapy dog that visits hospitals. He is no less a great gsd than if pure black. He is 7 and people who have not seen him in 6 months swear he is still growing taller. Those of you with black gsds enjoy them for who they are.
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We have a pure white German Shepard and he’s a wonderful dog. We just purchased a black German Shepard a couple of days ago. (our fourth German Shepard. We’re addicted to these dogs, love them) She’s 7 1/2 weeks old very adorable and so far seems very smart. Can’t wait to see how the rest of our journey with her goes.
I have breeding GSD for 46 years.
Solid black GSD for 20 years.
This is a FACT
You can tell if a German Shepherd puppy is solid black and if it’s going to stay solid black all its life at a few hours old no ifs !!!
If there is going to be any,
any other color besides black(tan, red, creme, silver, grey)
It will show up around the anus of the dog all the time zero, zero exceptions.
No Ifs !!
Yoi do not have yo wait until 8 weeks or even 1 week
Iy can be determined within
hours, hours after birth
where are you located will be interested in buying an all black g.s. in the future no rush i have an 11year old now.. and what is your price !!!!!
Hi just got a black beauty puppy male what a great dog!!
Hi, my husband has wanted an all black german shephard his whole life. we currently have a pure yellow lab but she is going on 13 yrs and im not sure how much left she has 🙁 I really want a rescue… any chance there is a black german shepard that is still a puppy and needs to be rescued???? that way we compromise… if anyone knows of one, please email me at [email protected] and keep my info please for the future!!! thanks!!!!!
Black GSD owner
I have a long haired pure black GSD.
The best dog in the world.
She is somewhat of a princess and people are scared of her but I cherish every day with this magnificent creature.
We love our GSDs!!
They are. Out there!
Yes! You can rescue a bgs puppy! We did and he is the sweetest! They are out there. Tell your local shelter you are looking for one!
I just got a black German Shepard puppy. She is 6 weeks old. Eating on her own. My question is she looks like a lab puppy. Is this normal? The parents are full blooded with mom having the general markings of brown and black. She is short haired and the dad is white and he’s really tall. I just am confused because she looks like a lab.
Yep it's possible!
The gene for all black is recessive, so two parents with that gene who are grown can make a black puppy. My black gs sometimes looks lab like to people but she’s all Shepherd!
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Hi i just have a question i have a black german shepherd he is 1 1/2 when i got him he was solid black but now that hes older his legs are changing colors looks kinda like light brown will he change solid black again or why do they change colors
My guess is age.
When we got our black gs she was pure black. If the sun is on her you can see a little brown underneath and she’s getting white hairs now too. Just age!
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Years ago I purchased a black german shepherd for my then 4 year old grandson. She was 5 months when I purchased her. She was extremely large for a female and the sweetest dog. She was protective of the family but got along with other dogs and people as long as they didn’t appear to threaten the family. The only person she didn’t like the was the mailman. In her mind he was taking something from the house. She live to be 13 years old. My grandson, my daughter and myself were with her when she passed. It was one of the saddest days I had experienced.
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Lovely dog
We have a 6 year old solid black female. Beautiful dog and a lovely temperament. Big for a girl and has a straight back but still has one bad hip which she has supplements for. Great with children ( tho does try to ‘save’ them if they are in the pool or sea)
She follows us around the house and is so gentle with our cats. She’s perfect.
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While not all BGS are from German Working lines…most of the better ones are. European lines are better because the governing dog associations know how to control breeding. To breed in Germany the dogs go through a rigid set of evaluations concerning temperment, dna, blood lines, and confirmation. In the US…no so much. Thank you AKC.
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[email protected]
I have a question… I have a beautiful black shepherd my daughter rescued from a kill shelter. He is about 7 years old… he has come down with Discoid Lupus, does anyone have any suggestions on a homeopathic treatment? Right now he takes 6 Doxycycline and 2 niacinamide every day. I feel like I’m just poisoning him… any suggestions?
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Love my BGS
Just adopted a 1 1/2yr old BGS male. He’s been in foster care for months after being found on the streets. He’s super smart, well trained and very affectionate. Great companion for our 2 yr old Lab female. He’s great athlete but very thin and lanky compared to the Lab. Wondering if this is due to his lack of long term home. If he’s like everyone else in house, I’m guessing he’ll fill out. Lab eats Acana, he’s been eating Blue Buffalo grain free. Any suggestion for best food to help him stay lean but muscle up?
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Hi Ella, please check out this article: https://animalso.com/dogfood/breed/german-shepherd/