Prepare to be astounded by the breathtaking blue-hued beauty of the Blue German Shepherd—a unique and alluring dog breed that will undoubtedly win your heart! Imagine the legendary might and wisdom of a classic German shepherd. In the 1890s, a breeding program in Germany gave rise to the German Shepherd, a breed of stronger, more intelligent working dogs. These creatures have been deliberately bred throughout time to develop unique colors and patterns that distinguish them from other shepherd breeds. You’re in the right place if you want to adopt one of these exceptional beauties. They are affectionate, industrious dogs that immediately show their owners their affection and dedication.
History of the Blue German Shepherd
Though their original purpose in breeding was herding, German Shepherds have proven to be excellent working dogs over the years, serving as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, watchdogs, guard dogs, police, military, and even as companion dogs! The German Shepherd comes in a variety of color varieties. One of the rarest varieties is the Blue German Shepherd, and its exact origins are unknown. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes German Shepherds; however, the Blue German Shepherd’s blue hue is considered a major flaw. The German Shepherd with a liver hue is the same in this regard.
Physical Characteristics
The medium-to-large blue The German Shepherd breed is distinguished by its noble, self-assured, and brave personality. Their body is well-muscled, and their expression is alert. They can have a black mask, silver to slate gray coats, and beige or tan splotches on their legs, chest, neck, and muzzle. Although they often have dark brown eyes, they occasionally have lighter colors like yellow or amber. Its upright ears and tapering tail both contribute to its noble appearance. Blue German Shepherds are extremely intelligent dogs that learn quickly. They are great companions for busy people who want a devoted friend by their side because they require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Are blue German shepherds rare?
Rare are the German Shepherds that are blue. Since they are a recent addition to the breed’s approved coat patterns, not many breeders are now aiming to produce these kinds of litters. Finding a breeder that is producing Blue German Shepherd litters may require some work, but if you are determined to get a dog with one of these coat patterns, the search may be worthwhile. Since blue German Shepherds are not a rare breed, you will still need to find a breeder who claims to be able to produce litters in this color.
Appearance
The Blue German Shepherd will have the same traits as any other German Shepherd, with the exception of coat color. The weight range for the boys is 65 to 90 pounds. Known as the withers, they will be 24 to 26 inches tall from the paw to the shoulder. The girls’ withers will measure 22 to 24 inches, and they will weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. The German Shepherd can have coats that are gray, sable, white, black, red, or any combination of these colors in addition to blue.
As previously stated, “blue” is not actually blue. It appears to be a shade of gray. Consider the scenario when you unintentionally spill a sack of flour over your black German Shepherd. That’s how this stunning hue appears. The AKC views his color as a major flaw, despite his charm.
Temperament
The only thing blue German shepherd dogs care about is pleasing their owners. They are extremely devoted to them. These canines instantly win over everyone they come into contact with, thanks to their endearing nature. They are adept at almost everything, incredibly versatile, and the ideal learners.
However, when left alone for extended periods of time, their owner-pleasing trait may cause them to become extremely anxious or destructive. It’s crucial to remember that blue shepherds can be somewhat aloof around outsiders and extremely possessive of their owners. This is a holdover from their herding days, when they would watch over their flock. If they had no flock, humans, especially young ones, would inherit this trait. Even though it’s a bad trait, it can be controlled with early socializing. Give your dog lots of praise as you encourage them to play nicely with others. People from many walks of life choose Blue German Shepherds because of their well-known and steady temperament.
Grooming
The medium-length outer coat of the blue GSD is frequently paired with a rich undercoat. He should be brushed two or three times a week because he is a heavy shedder due to his undercoat. To keep his coat manageable during shedding seasons, you should brush him every day. In addition, bathing him every six to eight weeks will help keep him clean and promote shedding. You can buy specialized shedding products to help with coat maintenance. Although carrying a longer coat is not as usual as wearing a medium-length coat, he can still pull it off.
Diet
A blue A German Shepherd’s nutrition is something that owners should think carefully about. To keep healthy and strong, these enormous, active dogs require a lot of nutrients; nonetheless, there are certain nutritional considerations that should be made when feeding them. The mainstay of a Blue German Shepherd’s diet should be premium dog food that is tailored to the breed’s size and activity level. Maintaining optimal health for your pet can be achieved by feeding them wet or dry food that contains the right quantity of protein. Additionally, you might want to think about including occasional delights like cooked eggs or tiny portions of lean meat, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Consistency is essential when it comes to feeding practices. In order to prevent your dog from overindulging in unhealthy snacks and from maintaining appropriate energy levels, make sure meals are given at regular intervals throughout the day. The amount of physical activity kids may get from walks or plays should also be taken into account when determining the daily amount of food they should eat.
Color
The coat of the Blue German Shepherd is, as you may undoubtedly assume, blue! Nevertheless, these jackets’ appearance gives the impression that they are more gray or black than blue. Recall that a GSD’s coat color has little bearing on their temperament or personality—a topic we will discuss shortly.
Exercise and Training
The blue German Shepherd, like all German Shepherds, needs mental and physical stimulation on a regular basis to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high level of activity, these dogs require regular walks, playing, and training sessions in order to stay mentally and physically well. Hiking, retrieving, agility training, and utilizing a flirt pole are a few of the fun and energetic activities you may do with your Blue German Shepherd.
These smart dogs need structure and direction, so training should begin early and be constant. When training a Blue German Shepherd, positive reinforcement techniques like praise, rewards, and toys work best. Because of their high level of intellect, you can keep them interested and motivated to learn by providing them with tough tasks or advanced training.
Food and Diet Requirements
German Shepherd in blue Throughout their lives, dogs should be given a large-breed formula. The most well-known brands of dog food are available for both adult dogs and large-breed puppies. Given the breed’s high risk of elbow and hip issues, adding glucosamine to your dog’s diet might be a smart move. Find out from your veterinarian which vitamins would be best for your dog.
Energy
- Since the Blue Bay Shepherd breed was intended for companionship rather than work, occasional days indoors are acceptable.
- They do require a rather active lifestyle, though.
- These seem to be people- and pack-oriented canines that take pleasure in living inside the family. They should be able to enjoy a well-fenced yard because of their moderate-to-high energy requirements. Food and Dietary Needs
- A high-quality, high-protein kibble that supports the Blue Bay Shepherd’s bones and joints should be fed to him. For food selection, a veterinarian can offer advice depending on your pet’s size, age, and other dietary needs.
They need proper health testing.
In order to lower the likelihood of inherited disorders, reputable breeders of blue German shepherds will evaluate their breeding canines for health issues. German shepherds can occasionally have degenerative myelopathy, hip and elbow deformities, and vision issues. Breeders are able to selectively produce the healthiest canines through testing. Prior to purchasing a blue German shepherd puppy, request documentation of health tests.
Health and Conditions
German Shepherds are susceptible to many problems common to large breeds due to their size. Apart from these conditions, the breed exhibits good health. Blue German Shepherds don’t often pose any particular health dangers. Having said that, unethical breeders might cross-pollinate related dogs in order to produce more puppies with this coloration. German Shepherds that are inbred are more susceptible to hereditary conditions, including elbow and hip dysplasia. This type of breeding may also result in greater behavioral issues in the dogs, such as a higher incidence of aggression.
A Blue German Shepherd Price
Blue-colored German Shepherds are extremely uncommon. Although breeders are not interested in growing these pups because they cannot compete in shows, dog enthusiasts greatly enjoy them for their gorgeous hue. Additionally, there is a very uncommon chance that both parents will carry the “dd” gene combination, which can result in children with blue coats.
These all contribute to the increased cost of these animals. The price range for blue shepherds is $1,500 to $2,500, contingent on the pedigree and repute of the breeder. Costliers are the champion pedigree dogs.
They need proper socialization
Any German shepherd puppy benefits from early socialization as they develop into stable, self-assured adult dogs. Beginning at 7-8 weeks of age, expose your blue German shepherd puppy to new situations, people, animals, and locations. German shepherds that have had proper socialization are amiable to outsiders and are less likely to exhibit problematic behavior. Enroll your puppy in obedience training to increase the opportunity for socialization.
They are protective of their owners
The inherent loyalty and protectiveness of the blue German shepherd make them wonderful companions and guard dogs with the right upbringing and training. They and their owners develop close relationships. Given their stature and natural suspicion of strangers, early obedience training and exposure to a range of people, animals, and environments are crucial.
Sociability with Other Pets
Does owning a Blue Bay Shepherd require a family to have only one pet? Can you trust this nearly wolf-like dog with other animals? The owners state that their Blue Bay puppies get along nicely with both cats and other dogs. It is best to raise them with other pets and ensure that they receive sufficient socialization. But this isn’t unique to dogs with wolf-like appearances; it happens to all dogs.
In final words; The American Blue Bay Shepherd is a promising breed, even if it is still developing. The dog’s stunning appearance is probably what draws attention at first, but closer inspection reveals a creature more like a dog than a wolf. They are loyal members of the family and appear to be free of the behavioral issues that wolfdogs are known for. It’s obvious that this breed is one to watch as it continues to grow.