As one of America’s favorite breeds, the German Shepherd is a truly impeccable ball of fluff. This is thanks to his work ethic, devotion, loyalty, loving nature, elegant coat, and endless kisses he has to offer.
But like any other breed, German Shepherds come in a variety of coat colors and patterns, one being the panda coloration reminiscent of a panda bear.
Panda German Shepherds are similar to any other GSD in all aspects with exception of color. The panda GSD coloration is a unique pattern characterized by random white markings on sections of the coat. These white markings can occur in any coat color or pattern including black and tan, liver, black, blue, and so on.
Panda German Shepherds have symmetrical white patches with somewhat irregular edges. These white markings are often on the face, forehead, muzzle, neck/collar, chest, underbelly, and tail tip.
No two panda GSDs are alike as the white patches are random and vary from dog to dog. Some panda GSDs have white split faces, while others have a white blaze from the muzzle extending between the eyes to the forehead. Others have small white facial markings while others have ticking on the white areas. The white on the neck can cover part of the collar or occur as a full white collar around the neck.
This panda pattern is visually similar to piebald but the two are caused by a different gene. Piebald or S-locus white spotting is caused by a mutation of the MITF gene while panda is caused by a mutation of the KIT gene.
Panda GSDs are not recognized by any major kennel club since white markings are considered a serious fault.
For more on this unique coloration including its genetics, Scroll on.
Panda German Shepherd Genetics
The panda coloration is caused by a recent but rare loss of function mutation of the KIT gene. This mutation is believed to be a random mutation although it might have existed earlier.
The first recorded instance of the mutation was on a purebred female GSD, Lewcinka’s Franka von Phenom born of non-panda parents in 2000. It was the only unusual-colored puppy in a litter of four. All panda GSDs today can be traced back to her.
Kit gene is an essential gene involved in several crucial cell functions and development including survival and migration of melanocytes to the skin and coat during early embryo development. Melanocytes are pigment-forming cells that produce either black eumelanin pigment or red pheomelanin pigments responsible for all coat colors.
A loss of function mutation in the KIT gene partially restricts pigment-forming cells from reaching the skin and hair shaft. As a result, the hair shafts are filled with air instead of color pigment causing them to appear white. Areas of the skin or coat where melanocytes fail to arrive appear white instead.
This mutated gene is denoted as capital “P” since it is a dominant gene. As such only one copy of this mutant gene is required to block the pigment cells from reaching certain sections of the coat. This is because the gene cannot be carried or “hidden” without visible effects
Two copies of this gene “P/P” are yet to be observed and it is presumed to be embryonic lethal where the pup dies before birth. This is probably because the kit gene is essential for embryo development and 2 non-working copies are detrimental to proper cell growth, division, survival, and migration. At least one functional copy of the KIT gene is required to make these crucial processes possible.
For this reason, all panda GSDs are “P/p” with one working and one nonworking KIT gene.
- Note: Similar mutations have also been observed in humans causing a lack of pigment in sections of the skin. The mutation was also found in a Weimaraner that was dismissed as a crossbreed and neutered and thus could not reproduce.
What Panda German Shepherds look like
The actions of the mutant KIT gene are random causing varying amounts and random distribution of white marking. These white markings vary from one GSD to another such that no two pandas are alike.
The white spotting can range from minimal to extensive. It’s thus not possible to put a number or percentage on the number of white markings due to the huge variations.
Sections of the face as a blaze, half split face, or most of the face. The blaze is a strip of white hairs from the muzzle extending to the forehead between the eyes
On part or the entire collar/neck
- The chest
- Legs particularly on the lower and inner legs
- The underbelly
- Tip of the tail
- White markings may extend to cover most or part of the dog’s back/saddle
The white patches tend to be symmetrical with often irregular edges.
Some Panda German Shepherds may have blue eyes due to the absence of pigment on the iris. What’s more, on rare occasions some may have pink spots on the noses (butterfly noses) where the KIT mutation causes either pigment to be absent.
Some Panda GSDs may have ticking spots developing in the white-spotted areas. Ticking are small flecks or spots of the darker pigment. Panda GSDs are born with clear white patches with the spots appearing in two to eight weeks after birth. The spots vary in amount and density between dogs and can range from minimal to heavy ticking.
Color variations
Not all panda puppies are white and black. The white markings can occur on GSDs that are liver, blue, isabella, black and tan, black and red, silver and tan, liver and tan, sable, and so on.
White spotting can affect German Shepherds of any color or pattern. Some of the common color combinations are;
- Black and tan panda German Shepherd or tricolor German Shepherd: Features white marking on a black and tan coat.
- Blue Panda German Shepherd: Features white markings on a steel blue to pale blue coat.
- Black Panda German Shepherd: Features white markings on a black coat
- Liver Panda German Shepherd: Features white markings on a light brown to chocolate coat.
- Sable Panda German Shepherd: Features white markings on a German Shepherd with banded hair (sable).
- Isabella Panda German Shepherd: Features white markings on a pale brown coat.
- Red Panda German Shepherd: Features white markings on a black and deep mahogany red coat.
Piebald German Shepherd
Panda German Shepherds are sometimes referred to as Piebalds due to their visual similarities. Unlike pandas, the typical piebald pattern is caused by the piebald gene on the S-locus denoted as Sp.
The piebald gene is a mutation of the MITF gene. This mutation is not known to exist in German Shepherds, unlike the KIT mutation.
Though it would be somewhat accurate to refer to the panda GSD as a piebald as the two patterns share a lot of resemblances, the pattern that many typically refer to as piebald is different from the panda coloration. The panda pattern only occurs in German Shepherds a breed that does not traditionally have pure white markings.
In addition, piebald markings tend to have more regular and rounded edges.
Panda German Shepherd price
As Panda GSDs are quite rare, they can be quite expensive compared to traditional color variations. The price can range from $1000 to $3000 depending on the breeder, your location, the line puppies, pedigree, and so forth.
Finding a Panda GSD breeder can be a huge undertaking. In some instances, you may not find a breeder at all and there may be a waiting list in case you are lucky enough to find one.
But before making a purchase, ensure the pup is from a reputable breeder that takes great care of the animal’s welfare and that can produce the parents’ health certificates. It is also important to ask for health guarantees in the signed contracts.
How to get a Panda German Shepherd puppy
The panda coloration is caused by a dominant gene that is embryonic lethal in a homozygous state (two copies).
As such to produce panda GSD puppies, it is best to mate a panda German Shepherd (P/p) with a non-panda (p/p) of any color or pattern. This gives you a 50% chance of panda offspring.
Breeding two pandas may reduce the litter size since any pup that inherits two copies of the gene (P/P) will not be born.
Some ivory white German Shepherds with reduced pheomelanin intensity may hide the panda appearance as pure white on ivory white not be very visible. This is something to consider as a breeder.
Punnett Square 1: Panda X Non-panda mating
| Panda (P/p) X Non Panda (p/p) | p | p |
| P | P/p (Panda) | P/p (Panda) |
| p | p/p (Not panda) | p/p (Not panda) |
Punnett Square 2: Panda X Panda mating.
| Panda (P/p) X Panda (P/p) | P | p |
| P | P/P (Embryonic death) Will not be born | P/p (Panda) |
| p | P/p (Panda) | p/p (Not panda) |
Recognition
White markings on German Shepherds are considered a fault for showing. Because of this, the Panda German Shepherd is not officially recognized by any of the major kennel clubs including AKC. However, it may be possible to register a panda German Shepherd under AKC for events such as agility, herding, and other competitions.
In addition, many German Shepherd fanciers dismiss the Panda spotting GSD as a crossbreed dog which is not the case.
FAQ
Are panda german shepherds rare?
The Panda German Shepherd is as rare as they come. Finding one of these dogs can be difficult and their availability is not always guaranteed even among specialized breeders due to the rarity of the mutant KIT gene.
Are panda German Shepherds purebred?
The Panda German Shepherd is a purebred dog and not a mixed or designer dog which he is often assumed to be. These balls of fluff share all the standard German Shepherd characteristics with exception of color.
What causes a Panda German Shepherd?
The panda GSD coloration is caused by a loss of function/amorphic mutation of the KIT gene on chromosome 13 (CFA 13). This is a dominant gene that restricts pigment-forming cells from reaching certain sections of the skin and coat causing them to appear white.
How big do panda German shepherds get?
Since the Panda German Shepherd is a purebred dog, he can get as big or as small as any other German Shepherd. Expect these dogs to weigh between 50 and 90 pounds and to stand at 22 to 26 inches.
Are panda German Shepherds good dogs?
The Panda GSD is as good a companion and worker as any other color variation. As of now, the gene responsible for the panda pattern does not seem to affect the dog’s temperament or overall health.
With proper training, socialization, and overall care, you can expect the panda GSD to serve you well as a companion and family dog.
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There you go, WOOF!
