Assuming that the seller is an AKC Breeder, (don't go anywhere else) that person should know the colors of the animal going back a couple of generations. If a bloodline has considerable occurence of black & bi-color factors, the breeder should know.
You are looking for a puppy with intense black, NO white; a void a puppy whose black looks "dusty". Above all, look at both parents.
In general the very light dogs are merely faded versions of the proper color. Check around the puppy's nose, bases of the ears, around the muzzle.
In the bloodlines that will end up with large areas of tan or cream, these colors will spread as the puppies grow up.
Yow will know the true color by 1-1/ years.
You should not be worried about color: what you need to focus on is temperment and x-rayed hips & elbows by the OFA on both parents.
Above all don't buy an all white animal --- this is a genetic fault that will be accompanied with other genetic faults.
Plan to spent $600.00 or more, maybe a lot more, for a descent animal. You will soon forget the price but will live with the dog for many years.
My hope is that you will take the dog to training classes early on --- a big, unruly, untrained animal is no fun to live with. Training is not costly, it's easy & fun.
Good luck!!
Ralph
Caralon Kennels
St. Louis, MO
