Markings and Color Considerations
When choosing a new puppy from a litter of healthy german shorthairs it is often hard to decide on a color. When they are first born they are distinctly white or liver in color and more often a combination of the two colors. After a few weeks the puppies true colors and markings start to show up. A primarily white puppy at two weeks old can easily turn to a heavily ticked or almost roan in a matter of a few weeks. It is amazing the changes that the puppy goes through during the first 6-8 weeks of life, not just mentally but physically as well.
In the Southwest and high desert country many hunters prefer dogs that are mostly white simply because they are less likely to overheat when hunting in the late Summer. Some people avoid all liver or dark colors because they seem to disappear in the shadows and are difficult to spot when they are on point. Largely it is a matter of personal preference and has less impact than factors like pedigree and temperment. But, this dog will be apart of your life for 12-16 years so it is important that you like how she looks.
The picture above is the Sire to the puppy I am purchasing at the end of December. The male is heavily ticked with a liver head and white-tipped tail. On the other side of the coin the Dam of the litter is a solid liver color with very little white markings. I am waiting to see if the mostly white female in the picture below will morph into a more ticked dog or will stay heavily white. I am also curious to see how the white on her muzzle will turn out. I will go for another visit at 6 weeks old where I will be able to get a pretty good idea of where her color and markings are headed.