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.
It is seldom completely solid, with most dogs showing at least a few tan hairs between the toes and around the rectal area, under the tail. White markings are frowned upon, though a small white spot on the chest is usually not penalized. All white dogs are disqualified from conformation competition, though they can be shown in performance events. The eye color should be dark, or at least blend well with the color of the dog. Light eyes are especially unattractive in dark or black dogs.