Blue German Shepherd dogs are large breed dogs. Interesting is not just their breed but also their name. German Shepherds belong to Germany, which originated in late 1800. They are one of the most intelligent and responsive breeds among dogs. They were created from the local shepherd dogs for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. Also, these dogs have a dome-shaped head with a long, square muzzle. That’s how this breed ended up with the name German Shepherd.
Blue German Shepherd results from a gene mutation in the parent dogs because of the dilution of Black German shepherds. The following gene pairings, Traditional Black German shepherd DD/dd and traditional black German Shepherd Dd, result in the Blue German Shepherd.
Blue German Shepherds are popular breeds worldwide, especially in the USA. Generally, German Shepherds are found in the colors of black or tan. However, blue German shepherds found with blue-colored fur are rarest. Want to cuddle a blue dog? Hold on and read more.
The blue coat in German Shepherd is not pure blue but a shade of intense dark blue mixed with opaque black. The variations for the coat of Blue German Shepherd are between subtle to dramatic blues and blacks, depending on the parent dog.
It is precisely unknown when the Blue German Shepherds came into existence, but they result from a gene mutation. The gene decides the color and pigmentation in the dog breeds. When genes are paired together, they are called genotypes. This genotype is responsible for the blue coat in the German Shepherds. Also, the genes are of two types: Dominant and Recessive. When the pup adopts the dominant gene from the parents, it has a standard black coat. But, if the puppy adopts recessive genes, it leads to a Blue German Shepherd. The only difference between the Standard German Shepherd and the Blue German Shepherd is their coat color. Otherwise, they share the same characteristics.
Table of Contents
Blue German Shepherd: Pros And Cons
Pros
Cons
Great working dogs
Sheds a lot
Very intelligent
Aggressive
Loyal
Needs a yard
Intensely trainable
Prone to specific health conditions
Blue German Shepherd: Basic Information
Name: Blue German Shepherd
Height: Male -26” tall & Female-24” tall
Weight: Male: 75- 95 pounds & Female:55-73 pounds
Coat: A medium coat or long coat
Color: More gray giving a dark blue shade, blue and tan, blue and sable, blue and dark
Standard German Shepherd v/s Blue German Shepherd: A Comparison
The Blue German Shepherd is not a mixed breed and is simply a variation of the Standard German Shepherd. There are not many differences between the standard and Blue German Shepherd except their coat color and they share the same characteristic, temperament, and health conditions.
Blue German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, kind-heartedness, bravery, confidence and can be close- confident. Over the years, the Blue German Shepherd has become a family’s favorite for those who are lucky to own them. They are loving, affectionate, and very protective of those they love. Being working dogs, they need to work. In the absence of proper mental and physical stimulation, they become anxious. They are possessive of their owner, and their need to protect their owner results in undesirable traits like barking, growling, and sometimes aggressiveness. However, one can avoid such undesirable traits with proper training and socialization. German shepherds are the most lovable, intelligent, caring, affectionate, and faithful companions when an appropriate amount of time and energy is invested.
Blue German Shepherd either has a medium coat or a long coat. However, they have a double coat with a dense under layer, soft under the skin, which keeps warm as they are primarily out as working dogs. Commonly, Blue German Shepherds have lighter colored eyes. They are usually light blue, golden brown, or yellow. They have dome-shaped heads with long, square muzzles. Like any other dog breed, they also have a pointy head, officially called the occiput that protects the dog’s skull. Their ears are long and erect. As being called a strong breed, they are also said to resemble their wolf ancestors.
The male Blue German Shepherd has a height of 24 to 26 inches, while females stand about 22 to 24 inches. Blue German Shepherds share the same weight. The male dogs weigh about 65 to 90 pounds, and the female dogs weigh about 50-70 pounds. Blue German shepherds are large and belong to the herding and working group. They are great guardian dogs.
Blue German Shepherds love to play with children if trained well. They are compatible enough to protect the children as their siblings. Also, they love their families unconditionally. They are adorable, friendly and make an excellent companion. Blue and Standard German Shepherds are generally good towards other dogs. They are very adaptable and friendly towards other pets of similar size and temperament.
Blue German shepherds have an average life span of 9-13 years. However, they can live up to 20 years with the proper exercise and healthy food. German shepherds also live past their average life like any other dog breed. Female German Shepherds live an additional 1.4 years on average than males. Generally, female German Shepherds live to a median of 11.1 years, while male German Shepherds have a median life of 9.7 years. The factors that affect the longevity of Blue German shepherd dogs are unethical breeding, overfeeding, insufficient exercise, and incorrect training.
The barking levels of these dogs are frequently loud. For example, according to a study, the Blue German shepherd was louder than a moving truck that emitted 86 decibels of sound.
Blue German shepherds shed throughout the year. But, especially during the spring and fall, you can find a handful of hair. With a Blue German shepherd guardian in your home, it is impossible to live without hair all around you.
Friendliness Overview
Affection Level
High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
High
Pet-Friendly
Low
Strangers-Friendly
Low
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Low
Good for Apartment Living
Medium
Sensitivity Level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Heat Tolerance
Medium to High
Cold Tolerance
Medium to High
Blue German Shepherd Temperament
Blue Germans shepherds are one of the most intelligent dog breeds globally. They make great family pets with proper training, given their kind-hearted and protective nature. Male Blue German shepherds are more territorial than females. They are very cautious about their environment, making them the perfect guard dog. Best suited as police dogs, and they carry out the instructions perfectly. Male Blue German shepherds are more severe than females. The female Blue German shepherds are more affectionate and good with human babies. Also, they are more independent than the male Blue German shepherds. One should always note that both the male and female Blue Germans shepherds are wary of strangers.
Blue German Shepherd Training
Blue German Shepherds are known to be highly intelligent dog breeds. They can be trained to do any task and be taught at a very young age. Also, they are very obedient, which makes them easier to be trained than any other dog breed. All one needs is 15-20 minutes per day to teach them from as young as six months of age.
Blue German Shepherds require plenty of activities to optimize their health and wellbeing. They need a lot of attention, play, and exercise to keep themselves happy and healthy. Activities to keep them engaged include walking, swimming, flyball, herding, tracking, playing fetch, and obedience training. These activities satisfy the natural “ working dog” instinct instilled in them. In addition, games and activities keep their mental health stable and prevent anxiety in dogs.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey Drive
High
Tendency to Bark or Howl
Medium to High
Wanderlust Ability
Low
Mouthiness Tendencies
High
Blue German Shepherd Exercise Needs
Blue German shepherds need exercises of 90 minutes per day. The training can be of various sorts, including walking, running, and playing. It can also be spread across the day and need not be continuous.
Although the exercise needs for Blue German shepherds vary based on age, intake of food, etc.., regular exercise keeps the Blue German shepherds mentally stimulated, healthy, happy, and in good shape. It also improves their behavior and wellbeing.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
High
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
High
Intensity
High
Blue German Shepherd Grooming
Blue German Shepherds are easy to groom compared to many other dog breeds. Most Blue German Shepherds have a double coat with a thick undercoat and a smooth, short-haired outer jacket. The shedding season is usually early spring and in the late fall. Blue German shepherds need regular brushing once a week, which keeps the dog’s coat healthy and shiny. Brushing helps remove clump hair and pull out the loose fur during shedding. One of the essential parts of grooming is bathing which keeps the dog clean. However, frequent bathing causes dry skin and itches. Bathing your dog once in 6-8 weeks using shampoos with ph. balanced for dogs and pet wipes will keep your dog’s coat fresh, clean, and shiny. Both the German shepherds need to be groomed well. They had to be groomed 3-4 times a week. Brushing is a must for these dogs as they shed hair throughout the year. It has to be noted that German Shepherds do not need regular bathing.
Blue German shepherd’s teeth need to be cleaned regularly with a brush. Their teeth are prone to develop plaque and tartar due to their food, and it needs to be checked frequently. Never brush the teeth with a stiff brush as it will harm the gums and teeth. Also, make sure to use dog-friendly toothpaste.
Trimming toenails is an essential part of the grooming procedure for a Blue German Shepherd. Their toenails need to be checked once a week as longer nails may harm and injure the dog. You can trim the toenails with a commercial dog nail trimmer or with the help of a vet or professional groomer.
Blue German Shepherd’s ears should be checked and cleaned regularly once a week. When poorly groomed, the ears tend to develop excess wax and debris. They can be cleaned using ear drops, wiping off the wax, and a soft cloth or cotton pad. Cleaning with water leads to infection as the water gets deposited in the ear canal. Always remember to clean your Blue German Shepherd in a quiet and uncrowded place.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
High
Tendency to Drool
Low
Easy to Groom
High
Blue German Shepherd Health
Blue German shepherd dogs are also prone to health issues. Most of the health-related problems are the same as the other German shepherds. The health conditions of Blue German Shepherds are the same as the standard German shepherd dogs. The best way to have a healthy pup is to buy from a reputable breeder. Blue German shepherds being very active dogs develop health issues due to unethical breeding practices. Unethical breeding causes hereditary diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, chronic eczema, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), dwarfism, and flea allergies. It is necessary to follow high standards in the breeding process to avoid the various genetic disorders in the litter.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium to High
Weight Gain Possibilities
Low to Medium
Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder, specifically affecting the part of the spinal cord that carries information to the brain regarding the hind legs. Dogs with DM behave as they don’t know their back legs and cannot move them well. The disease progresses to a case where the dog cannot walk. There is no cure most of the time, and the dog is put to rest. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is related to a lack of vitamin E or vitamin-12. If this is the case, vitamin supplements might uphold the situation.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is a pancreatic genetic disease in which the cells that produce digestive enzymes are damaged. As a result, the dog cannot digest and consume food. The first signs are gas, weight loss, loss of appetite, and change in stools. The dog becomes lean and very hungry. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is diagnosed with a simple blood test, and treatment is simple as the pancreatic enzymes are added to the dog’s food. With proper medication guidance, most dogs recover.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly called bloat, a life-threatening disease that affects large, deep-chested dogs like German Shepherds, especially if fed one large meal a day, eat fast, drink large volumes of water after meal, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is swollen due to pressure with gas or air and then twists. The dog cannot vomit to get rid of the excessive air in their stomach, and the average remit of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure falls, and the dog goes into shock. Without prompt medical attention, the dog can expire. Suspect bloat if your dog has a swollen abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. They also may be restless, lethargic, depressed, and weak with a rapid heart rate. It’s crucial to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable disease common to large-sized dog breeds. It’s caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow, causing joint loosening. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend medication to control the pain or even surgery to correct the problem.
Elbow Hygroma: An elbow hygroma is a fluid-filled (usually yellow to red) swelling occurring over the elbow joint. This problem is more commonly seen in short-haired, large breed dogs such as German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, mastiffs, and Great Danes. These dogs frequently lay on hard surfaces, such as tile, hardwood floors, or concrete which repeatedly causes minor trauma to the dog’s thin skin over a bony prominence. They can grow about two inches in diameter. Regardless of size, hygroma is generally non-painful. If allowed to become large enough, your dog may experience pain and discomfort to the point of ulceration and abscessing. Your dog will probably not show any signs of illness or distress unless the hygroma becomes infected.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint where the socket portion does not entirely fit the ball portion, resulting in an ascending risk for joint dislocation. Hip dysplasia may occur at birth or in early life. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Some dogs exhibit discomfort and lameness on one or both rear legs. The Orthopedic Foundation does x-ray screening for hip dysplasia for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia should not be bred.
Allergies: Few German Shepherds suffer from various allergies, differing from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergies in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your German Shepherd dog is scratching, licking at their paws, or rubbing their face a lot, suspect that they have an allergy and take them to the vet.
Bleeding Disorders: Blue German Shepherd is prone to bleeding disorder. After several diagnostic tests, the surgery is performed depending on the type.
Hyperadrenocorticism: This is caused by the malfunction of adrenal glands that produce excessive steroid hormones. The condition develops gradually and may be ignored, but one should be aware of the symptoms to prevent necessary damage. Symptoms include increased appetite, drinking, and urinating than usual.
Cancer: Blue German Shepherd has a higher life expectancy than the other breed, so they are prone to cancer as they grow older. Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. It is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier.
Anal Gland Problems: The area around the anus becomes inflamed or develops sores. Blue German Shepherd is more prone to this long-term disease. Symptoms include constipation, bleeding, licking of the area, straining or apparent pain when defecating, and smelly discharge around the rectum. Treatment includes lifelong medications and surgery.
Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease among dogs. Blue German Shepherd has a higher vulnerability than other breeds. In diabetes, the dogs cannot metabolize blood sugar, causing increased drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Treatment includes medication and insulin injection.
Cataracts: It is a common cause of blindness in older German Shepherds. The lens of the eyes become cloudy and opaque. Treatment might require surgery for good results.
Pannus is a disease in which the inflammatory cells penetrate the cornea (the clear part of the eye) and darken when exposed to ultraviolet rays, causing blindness.
Epilepsy: It is of three types—reactive, secondary, and primary or idiopathic epilepsy. Reactive seizures are caused by the brain’s reaction to metabolic problems like low blood sugar, toxin, or organ failure. Secondary seizures are due to a brain tumor, trauma, or stroke. If the above condition is not present, the disease is primary or idiopathic epilepsy. The signs of seizures begin as early as six months and three years of age.
Dental Disease: It affects 80% of pets by the age of two. It causes tartar build-up on the teeth, infection of the gums and roots, and in extreme cases, loss of teeth and damage to the kidneys.
Infections: Blue German Shepherds are prone to bacterial and viral diseases such as rabies, parvo, and distemper. You can prevent the viral infection by vaccinating based on the dog’s age.
Parasites: Blue German Shepherds can be infested with worms, bugs, fleas, and ticks that can get into their systems through unclean water, contaminated soil, or bitten by an infected mosquito. It can also be transmitted to you and your family. Symptoms include discomfort, pain, and even death.
Obesity: It is a significant health condition in Blue German Shepherds. Excess weight can cause joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart disease. The best way to prevent this lifestyle disease is a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It eliminates the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Blue German Shepherd Diet and Nutrition
Blue German shepherds are medium-sized dogs. They need high nutritional food that provides them enough energy that helps them to thrive. Depending on weight, age, and activity, they need about 1740 and 2100 caloric intake per day, on average. Therefore, it is recommendable to use the calorie calculator tool.
Protein and fat are the two essential ingredients for a Blue German shepherd dog. The puppies need 22% of the protein in their food, whereas the adults need about 18% of protein. Blue German Shepherd puppies need 8% fat for growing puppies and 5% for maintenance. Protein-filled diets like chicken, lamb, fish, and lamb helps the dog’s brain and muscles work correctly. Also, omega-3 DHA fats from food like fish oil and vitamin E add to the good fat value for the puppy’s brain development.
Blue German Shepherd Living Condition
Blue German shepherds are not suitable for apartments. They need outdoor space, preferably a yard. They are inactive indoors, and outdoor space best suits their athletic body. Female Blue German Shepherd is independent by nature, while male Blue German Shepherd needs to be accompanied.
Adding a Blue German Shepherd to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding
Blue German Shepherds are bred primarily for their color. Hence, there are things to keep in mind before breeding.
A Blue German Shepherd is a breed with double recessive (dilute gene) responsible for the grey coat that gives a blue shade.
Blue German Shepherds are from diluted Black German shepherds with inactive genes accountable for the gray-blue skin.
The Standard German shepherd and the Blue German shepherd don’t differ except for their coat color.
They are the same breed with the same characteristics.
Blue German Shepherds are much rarer because of the odds of the pairing up of two recessive genes.
Ensure to get a Blue German Shepherd pup only from a trustworthy breeder. They ensure the wellness and happiness of both the puppies and their parents. In addition, they should provide health clearance documents and gene tests for a vaccinated pup.
Cost of a Blue German Shepherd Puppy
The Blue German shepherd puppy costs anywhere between $1200 and $1500, although the price depends on the breeders.
