Ever wonder what’s the deal with solid GSPs? They come in solid liver and solid black and you don’t see them all that often. In truth they are just another pattern within the German Shorthaired Pointer breed.
When the breed was first developed, this coloring pattern was always in the breed. It was preferred over white and comparable with roan. The white was thought to not provide enough camouflage for the dog when hunting and stalking.
What are the Genetics?
GSPS have piebald pattern, which is white with patches, and when there is the absence of a double copy of the piebald gene, then the dogs are solid colored. You’ll often find that the solid GSPs have a patch of color on their brisket (chest) and their toes, this is because many of the solid GSPs have a single copy of the piebald gene (such as if they have a piebald parent, who has a double copy and will always give one copy of the piebald gene to their offspring).
In essence, we would say that solid is dominant, but in truth, it’s the absence of a double copy of the piebald gene that’s dominant.
When looking at a breeding pair, if one parent is solid and the other is piebald (which can be roan or white), then the solid parent will determine the patterning of the offspring. If the solid parent carries no copy of the piebald gene, because it had two solid parents and received the solid gene from both instead of any piebald genes, then all of this dog’s offspring will be solid.
If the solid parent, has a piebald parent, then, statistically speaking, half of the solid’s offspring will be solid and half will be piebald when bred to a piebald dog.
If both parents are solid and they both carry a single copy of the piebald gene, then their offspring will be approximately 75% solid and 25% piebald.
Because many people either love or hate solids, I have chosen to breed solids only to piebalds and only retain solids who carry a copy of the piebald gene.
What I Love About Solid GSPs
My favorite thing about the solid GSPs is their look. They are regal. There is something so sleek about the look of a solid.
No Optical Illusions
There are no patches to distract the eye and create optical illusions. For example, Nikki, one of my foundation moms, had a blaze that draped sideways off her face, it always made it look like her muzzle had a bend in it and it was a little distracting. You never have this with the solids. In fact, when their coat is healthy and glossy, their muscle tone catches the light and shows off all their contours, it’s a sight to see!
Their shedding is less noticeable
One thing that sucks about the white and roan GSPs is that no matter what you wear, the color of your furniture, or your truck interior, their hair will show up. That’s because you always have white hairs and colored hairs. So white pants or black, it all shows up. This is frustrating and can make it hard to feel like your couch is clean. I find myself constantly going to Mister Car Wash to vacuum my vehicle after moving my roan and white dogs, the hair is so noticeable on my black interior, despite the amazing black Carhartt seat covers.
This is never a problem with the solids, their hair is essentially one dark color, black or brown (liver) and so it doesn’t catch your eye like the lighter hairs.
I don’t trust myself with white clothes, I simply enjoy spaghetti too much, so I’ve opted for a primarily darker wardrobe and the solid dogs work perfectly for me.
Their Coats are Often Softer
Rusty was our first solid GSP and his coat is by far the softest coat I’ve ever felt with a GSP and his offspring are similar. There is something about that solid coat that’s short, and dense, but the follicles aren’t as thick or coarse, making his whole body as soft as the back of his ears. I’ve never found a white or roan as soft as my solids.
Gallery of Solid Livers
Here are some photos of solid livers from our breeding program. We love them all!
