Some GSD's may have very few markings with a lot of dark color as in the case of a bi-color saddle back German Shepherd (consider a "blanket" as opposed to a "saddle") while other GSD's may display the more traditional saddle back coloration with a lot of tan, red or silver and much less black on the body with a dark mask.

When born, a saddleback black and tan (or red) GSD puppy is much darker than they will be at adulthood. Oftentimes they may even be so dark as to appear to be solid black at birth - but this is not the case. When the German Shepherd puppy later dries off it's real marking colors will really be evident - especially around its anus and on the hairs on the puppies feet.

As a saddleback black and tan (or red) GSD puppy grows up the lighter ground color will spread all over it's body - over its legs, chest area, abdomen and around it's face and ears. It has also been my experience with black and tan German Shepherds in particular, that as they age (especially in senior GSD's) they lighten up more and more color wise, and the saddle back marking can fade quite considerably.

Saddleback marked German Shepherd's can appear in many variations of coat colors - from very little black on the GSD other than the saddle and muzzle, all the way to the next extreme, very dark German Shepherd's that appear almost black.

Saddleback German Shepherd's can also have "stripes" (aka Salt & pepper) which run through their coat near their neck, around the shoulder area, across the withers and on their backs. This salt & pepper coloring can vary widely from GSD to GSD.