Blue German Shepherd

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The Blue German Shepherd is not actually blue but dark gray.

Blue German Shepherd Summary

Blue German Shepherds are purebred German Shepherds who possess a pair of genes that dilute the black pigmentation of the fur, resulting in a bluish-gray coat and, sometimes, lighter eye color. Their coloring does not have any sort of adverse effect on their temperament or health.

Blue German Shepherds originally came from Germany. Just like other German Shepherds, they were bred by a German man named Max von Stephanitz to create the ideal herding dog. These dogs were introduced into the United States in 1906. However, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Blue German Shepherds have been at the center of controversy with some people saying they should be classified as their own breed, while others maintain that they are simply the result of a genetic mutation.

If you are looking to adopt one of these rare beauties, then you are on the right track. They are hard-working, lovable dogs who readily shower love and devotion to their owners.

Different Types of Blue German Shepherd Mixes

Chow Shepherd (German Shepherd x Chow Chow)
Shollie (German Shepherd x Collie)
Shepweiler (German Shepherd x Rottweiler)
Saint Shepherd (Saint Bernard x German Shepherd)
Golden Shepherd (German Shepherd x Golden Retriever)
Sheprador (German Shepherd x Labrador Retriever)
Beagle Shepherd (German Shepherd x Beagle)
Gerberian Husky (German Shepherd x Siberian Husky)

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Blue German Shepherd

Pros	Cons
They have a beautiful, enviable coat. Blue German Shepherds have a gorgeous diluted black color with a blue tinge to it. They are a rare variant of German Shepherd which makes them highly sought-after and majestic to behold.	They have separation anxiety. Blue German Shepherds are devoted to their owners to a fault. They do not like being left alone for extended periods of time and will develop separation anxiety. This leads to destructive behavior and health deterioration so if you spend a lot of time away from home, consider getting another dog.
They are excellent guard dogs. Blue German Shepherds were bred to protect and they do their job really well.	They are highly energetic. Blue German Shepherds are working dogs so they require at least an hour of physical fitness every day. They love to play and run around so they are not good pets for someone who doesn’t live an active life.
They are easy to train. These dogs are hard-working and very intelligent. They like a challenge and learning new things is fun to them.	They don’t like strangers. Blue German Shepherds are not typically accommodating of strangers like some other breeds are. These are guard dogs whose focus is protecting their family. They are usually disinterested in strange faces which is why they should be socialized as soon as possible.

Blue German Shepherd Size and Weight

Blue German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs, similar in size and weight to other German Shepherds. The males are 24 to 26 inches tall and 65-95 pounds, while the females grow up to 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 50 to 70 pounds.

Height (male)	24-26” Tall
Height (female)	22-24″ Tall
Weight (male)	65-95 lbs, fully grown
Weight (female)	50-70 lbs, fully grown

Blue German Shepherd Common Health Issues

Blue German Shepherds come from a healthy stock and usually live long, healthy lives. However, they are still prone to some health conditions that affect medium and large dogs.

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Some of the most common disorders that these dogs experience are hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a hereditary condition that causes ball and socket joint malformation in the elbows and the hips. Although this disorder is inherited, it can be worsened by environmental and dietary factors, especially in the dog’s early stages. It is vital to not overfeed your dog so as to not strain their joints. Also, proper exercise can help a dog with this condition. Other conditions that can affect your pup are bloat, aortic stenosis, diabetes, bladder stones, cataract, and thyroid issues.

In total, Sable German Shepherds commonly suffer from:

Hip Dysplasia
Bloat
Aortic Stenosis
Diabetes
Bladder stones
Cataract
Thyroid issues

Blue German Shepherd Temperament

Blue German Shepherds are mild-tempered dogs. They are friendly, fun-loving, and hard-working. They crave human companionship and dote on their owners. Having a Blue German Shepherd means having a shadow follow you around everywhere at all times of the day – including into the bathroom. When you aren’t there, they can experience separation anxiety and exhibit destructive manners.

These dogs are people-oriented and great with kids. They make excellent playmates as long as the children are instructed on how to interact with them as animals, and the dogs are trained properly. Blue German Shepherds grow to be bigger than small children so they may unintentionally cause harm because of their size.

German Shepherds are usually painted to be an aggressive breed but this isn’t the case. They are just very protective of their families and are not known to cause trouble unprovoked.

How To Take Care of Blue German Shepherds

Adopting a Blue German Shepherd means you have to put in time, effort, and money into making sure they are raised well and taken care of properly. They are easily trained, hardy, and they love to spend time with their family.

The Best Dog Food For Blue German Shepherds

Blue German Shepherds are large dogs which means they will need to eat large portions of food. As puppies, they should be fed about three to four times daily, and this number should decrease to about twice daily when they become adults.

Blue German Shepherds also need a diet that complements their vigorous lifestyle. High quality dry kibble has proven to be one of the best choices for them, in addition to meat. Cooked vegetables can also be added to their portions for even more nutrients. You should make sure to not overfeed your dog. You should be able to feel your pup’s ribs and their waist should be tapered. If you’re not sure how much to feed your dog, then you can check the back label on the food packet for daily calorie requirements based on your dog’s weight.

The best food for Blue German Shepherds is low in fat, and high in protein. We recommend the Royal Canin Breed Health Dry Dog Food. This food is specially formulated for German Shepherds. It is made with high quality ingredients that are guaranteed to boost your fur baby’s muscles and joints and provide it with its daily nutrient requirement.

You can check for this product on Chewy or Amazon.

Best

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd

Rich in fiber
Supports muscle and joint health
Boosts immunity and muscle and brain growth
Especially formulated for German Shepherds

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Blue German Shepherd Maintenance and Grooming

Blue German Shepherds are easy dogs to maintain. They require the standard grooming process, which includes weekly brushing sessions, routine nail trims, and teeth and ear cleanups. These dogs are quite active so their nails should wear out naturally. If not, however, you can just trim them, but learn proper nail trimming technique first to avoid injuring your pup.

Blue German Shepherds are prone to shedding. They have double coats which means they shed like crazy. They are not the dogs for people who suffer from allergies and people who dislike shed hair. While these dogs do shed, it can be managed by proper grooming which means brushing them at least twice weekly. However, they have two shedding seasons a year which means even more hair.

A good way to minimize the amount of shed hair from your Blue German Shepherd is by opting for an anti-shedding shampoo. At A-Z Animals, we recommend that you use Wahl Shed Control Pet Shampoo. This shampoo contains natural ingredients like oatmeal, sage, and aloe vera to hydrate your dog’s skin and fur. It is also pH balanced and alcohol free.

Check Amazon for this shampoo.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Wahl Shed Control Pet Shampoo for Animal Shedding & Dander

Contains oatmeal, sage, lemongrass, and aloe vera
Best for a healthy coat & skin
Produce a rich lather, easy to rinse off
pH balanced and alcohol free

Check Amazon

Blue German Shepherd Training

Blue German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs so training sessions won’t be full of misery and grief. They pick up cues quickly and excitedly. These dogs are eager to please which makes them perfect as working dogs. They are used in the military, in the police force in K9 units, and as service dogs.

These dogs love reward-based training sessions that involve treats and praise when they do something right. They don’t thrive with punishment or negative reinforcement such as yelling or chastisement. A positive learning environment is key to training your blue pup.

Blue German Shepherd Exercise

Blue German Shepherds have an active history as herding dogs guarding sheep, so trust that they will be very energetic. These dogs love to play, hike, run, jog, and swim. They will need an owner who spends a lot of time doing these things as well. Not only will it create a good bonding experience between you two, but it will also provide them with the daily exercise they need. They need 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity per day.

Blue German Shepherd Puppies

Blue German Shepherds need to be properly socialized, especially while they’re young. This will help them be more gregarious when they get older. They should be exposed to unfamiliar situations, strangers, and other animals. They have a high prey drive so if you have other small pets such as cats, or mice then you need to make your Blue German Shepherd familiar with them in a safe and controlled environment.

Blue German Shepherds are easily taught and trained so this won’t be an issue as long as they learn to mingle.

Dogs Similar to Blue German Shepherds

Belgian Shepherd: Belgian Shepherds are similar to Blue German Shepherds because they are both herding dogs. They are also highly energetic and make great companions.

English Shepherd: The English Shepherd sheds just as profusely as the Blue German Shepherd. They are both herding dogs and they make excellent guard dogs as well.

Rottweiler: These dogs are similar to the Blue German Shepherd because they are both used in service to the police force. They are special K9 unit dogs that work in detective departments, security, and transportation.

Popular Names for Blue German Shepherds

Steel
Cobalt
Fog
Azul
Luna
Bella
Jacob
Echo
Hunter
Wolf
Roman
Trojan

View all 285 animals that start with B

About the Author

Rose Okeke

Hi! I am a writer, actor, and filmmaker. Reading is my favorite hobby. Watching old movies and taking short naps are a close second and third. I have been writing since childhood, with a vast collection of handwritten books sealed away in a duffel bag somewhere in my room. I love fiction, especially fantasy and adventure. I recently won the James Currey Prize 2022, so now, naturally, I feel like I own words. When I was 11, I wanted to be a marine biologist because I love animals, particularly dogs, cats, and owls. I also enjoy potatoes and chocolate in all their glorious forms.

Blue German Shepherd FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the lifespan of a Blue German Shepherd?

Blue German Shepherds usually live for 9 to 13 years.

Are Blue German Shepherds dangerous?

No, these are not dangerous dogs. They have protective instincts towards their loved ones and might come off as intimidating to strangers. However, Blue German Shepherds are very playful, gentle, loving, and can be friendly even to strangers when raised properly.

How much does it cost to own a Blue German Shepherds?

The rare blue color of the Blue German Shepherd makes them an expensive dog to acquire. Buying a Blue German Shepherd will set you back about $1,200 to $1,500.

Are Blue German Shepherds good with kids?

Blue German Shepherds are amazing with little kids. They make excellent playmates. However, they need proper training first, and so do the kids on how to interact with big dogs. They should be supervised around much younger children.

What is the difference between a Blue German Shepherd and a regular German Shepherd?

The Blue German Shepherd has a set of genes that dilute the black pigment of its body, including its fur, feet pads, and nose. They are gray with a bluish tinge to their fur and sometimes have light-colored eyes. The more popular German Shepherds are black and tan.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/
, Available here: https://upstategermanshepherds.com/what-is-so-special-about-blue-german-shepherds-heres-all-you-need-to-know/
Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd