Puppy Color Coding | Dire Wolf Project

Color coding the puppies is more than just a way to tell each pup apart from one another because they all look so similar. Color coding is also put in place by the American Alsatian breeder as a way to keep an eye on the potential of each pup. Listed below you will find out what each color signifies and why.

Collar Colors	Signification	Our Thoughts
Black White	Black/white indicate the best male/female in temperament and correct proportions. These pups are thinkers, very mellow and do not mind quick movement nearby, unfamiliar sounds, or being ruffled (such as turned upside down or placed alone in an unknown territory). We perform these temperament tests in order to check the RAW pup™. These pups are also correct in proportions per standards. This means that they have broad heads and are solidly built. These pups are large and their muzzles and tails are correct lengths.	These two colors may not always appear in a litter if there is no pup to fit this description. There may be a white and no black or a black and no white as well. These two colors indicate an exceptional pup beyond the other pups in the litter. Remember that our breed holds an excellent companion dog temperament far superior to looks. This pup will be an excellent breeding choice if someone is wishing to go in this direction. We may also want to keep this pup to further the lines in the next generation. The price on this type of pup will be the highest in the litter.
Blue Pink	Blue and pink indicate the best male/female in conformation only. These pups are the prettiest male/female in the litter. They may not always shine in temperament compared to black or white, but they have nice coat color, with silver wolf gray as the preference, light eyes and beautiful proportions as mentioned above for black/white. The skin pigmentation is dark, with minimal white showing. These pups may have lighter muzzles. They are solid, broad, and heavy pups. They would be the most potential show winner if our shows were only about looks. (But they are not. The top winning dogs also include temperament testing scores and clean bill of health.)	These two colors are always present within each litter. We pick the closest Dire Wolf looking female/male pups in each litter and present them with these colors. But do not pick your puppy based on these two colors alone. Make sure you check out their temperament scores to be sure this puppy fits with your needs.
Green Red Brown	Green, red, and brown indicate nice solid all around pups. These pups have many of the qualities we look for in our dogs, such as heaviness, stockiness, and large bone structure. They may not be the heaviest, the best coat color, or the best temperament, but they have a lot of potential to rise to the occasion. They have solid temperaments and will be mellow and laid back, perhaps not as much as black/white. These pups may be more independent or exhibit more movement, such as wandering around the pen. They should still be quiet and observant, but may not be a light silver gray or have lighter muzzles or yellow eyes. Still overall great pups. Potential for show/breeding quality remains in these pups.	Please note that Ch. Jojo from Washington was labeled green. These pups may surprise you because this category includes both adequate temperament and adequate looks, puppies in this category can be a very good choice indeed.
Yellow Purple	Yellow and purple indicate pups who may be lighter in weight or have longer muzzles or tails than we ultimately desire. These pups may also be more independent, somewhat stubborn, more vocal or mouthy and/or more on the energetic side. Although quite nice overall, these pups are not show/breeding quality. They will require you to eventually spay/neuter and will be sold as pet quality only. This does not mean that these pups are not solid, wonderful, caring pups that will make great companion dogs. Don't misunderstand. They are just not the closest per American Alsatian standards.	Still overall nice companion dogs, these pups will be slightly lower in price. If you are not looking for a show/breeding quality pup and want an excellent companion dog, these are the pups to get. We will give our reasons for this placement on the descriptions of each pup at the time we've placed them with these colors so that you are aware of what these pups lack and possess.
Orange Lt Blue Gray	Orange, gray, and light blue indicate very similar pups to yellow and purple. These pups will be pet quality only as they do not necessariy fit the standards of the breed in either temperament and/or looks. They will need to be spayed/neutered to eliminate any potential for reproduction.	Still overall nice companion dogs, these pups will be lower in price. If you are not looking for a show/breeding quality pup and want an excellent companion dog, these are the pups to get. We will give our reasons for this placement on the descriptions of each pup at the time we've placed them here so that you are aware of what these pups lack and possess.