The basic colors are sable, black and tan, and solid black. The vast majority of German Shepherd Dogs are some variation of black and tan with a black mask. The tan markings can vary in color from pale fawn and silver to rich red and mahogany. Most fall somewhere between these extremes. The gradation of colors in the tan points is quite arbitrary and not distinct.
All shades are acceptable but the richer shades are generally preferred.
The amount of tan markings also varies a great deal, with some dogs having very few markings and appearing almost black, to other dogs that have very little black. The sable in German Shepherds is the color that is genetically known as agouti or wolf gray. The sable or wolf color, can also vary a great deal with dogs that are almost silver in color with black tipping to the hairs, to dogs that are gray, golden or mahogany sables. All of these sables have guard hairs that are banded in color and tipped with black. Solid black is also a very acceptable color, but it is less often encountered.