What specific feature defines a black sable coat pattern on the individual hair shaft?
Answer
Predominantly black banding with lighter coloration in the undercoat/base.
A true black sable German Shepherd is characterized by a complex banding pattern on each individual hair shaft. While the predominant tipping or overlay of the hair appears black, creating a dark overall impression, the underlying base or undercoat of that same hair shaft exhibits lighter coloration, often gray or tan. This interplay of dark tipping and lighter base color creates the shadow effect and complex appearance unique to sable dogs. This visual structure is genetically defined by the active Agouti gene, resulting in the multi-pigmented banding that differentiates it from a genetically solid black coat.
Related Questions
What function does the Agouti (A) series of genes control in German Shepherds?Which dominant allele typically causes solid black coloration by overriding the Agouti gene?What specific feature defines a black sable coat pattern on the individual hair shaft?What visual characteristic creates a primary source of confusion between a black sable and a solid black GSD?What is suggested about the historical prevalence of the sable coat color in German Shepherds?What detail should an observer look for on the guard hairs along the back ridge to distinguish a black sable?Why does only one copy of the dominant E^D gene cause a dog to appear solid black?What are the two main reasons cited for the high perceived rarity of the black sable German Shepherd?What effect does a breeder focusing on uniform solid black dogs have on their litters?How does the undercoat of a black sable typically differ from that of a solid black German Shepherd?