How does the undercoat of a black sable typically differ from that of a solid black German Shepherd?
Answer
The black sable's undercoat is often visibly lighter or tinged with gray/tan.
A key method for distinguishing between a black sable and a solid black German Shepherd involves a careful examination of the undercoat, especially compared to the guard hairs. For a true solid black dog, the undercoat typically matches the guard hairs, exhibiting a deep, almost bluish-black coloration throughout. Conversely, in a genuine black sable, even if the guard hairs are tipped heavily in black, the undercoat often reveals its true underlying color, showing lighter tones such as gray or tan pigmentation. This difference in the underlying coat color provides strong visual confirmation that the banding dictated by the Agouti gene is present.
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