HOME | DD

Description
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions and confusion about the panda coloring in German Shepherds, so this is the first graphic of a four part panda series! The second graphic will include information about the min and max range of panda.

What is Panda and how is different from normal white markings?
Panda coloring is a result of a mutation of the KIT gene, resulting in loss of pigment. Despite popular myth, panda is not related or caused by the piebald gene, and panda dogs do not have to black/tan (aka bicolor). Any webpages claiming that Panda GSDs must be black and tan are referencing a defunct "breed standard" someone wrote up for Panda Shepherds to become their own breed. There has not been actual movement to make pandas their own breed, especially since all pandas are related through this dominant gene.

Most residual S locus markings that occur in German Shepherds are incomplete dominant. Panda is genetically distinct and different from both solid white German Shepherds (which are actually light cream), and from the known white "S" gene that occurs in all other dog breeds. There are likely many other undiscovered white-causing genes, but so far KIT has only been discovered in two dog breeds: German Shepherds and Weimaraner. Mutations of the KIT gene are actually extremely common and even breed standard in horses and cattle.

Description
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions and confusion about the panda coloring in German Shepherds, so this is the first graphic of a four part panda series! The second graphic will include information about the min and max range of panda.

What is Panda and how is different from normal white markings?
Panda coloring is a result of a mutation of the KIT gene, resulting in loss of pigment. Despite popular myth, panda is not related or caused by the piebald gene, and panda dogs do not have to black/tan (aka bicolor). Any webpages claiming that Panda GSDs must be black and tan are referencing a defunct "breed standard" someone wrote up for Panda Shepherds to become their own breed. There has not been actual movement to make pandas their own breed, especially since all pandas are related through this dominant gene.

Most residual S locus markings that occur in German Shepherds are incomplete dominant. Panda is genetically distinct and different from both solid white German Shepherds (which are actually light cream), and from the known white "S" gene that occurs in all other dog breeds. There are likely many other undiscovered white-causing genes, but so far KIT has only been discovered in two dog breeds: German Shepherds and Weimaraner. Mutations of the KIT gene are actually extremely common and even breed standard in horses and cattle.