| Colors & Markings |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| To most of the general public there are maybe 2 colors of cocker spaniels as they have been the most commonly observed. Buff and or Black. Myself back before falling in love with the breed in the early 90s never knew they came in 'parti' and had the hardest time understanding a tricolor. (to the uneducated you assume it simply means 3 colors to the coat) It's taken years for me to learn and comfortably use the 'correct terminology' for color and my hopes for this web page is to make it simpler for others to understand what we are talking about. At the bottom of the page I will go into 'mismarks' which isn't anything wrong with a cocker spaniel other than its 'not a desired color' or pattern according to the standard. Often 'mismarks' make the most adorable or striking dogs and are great pets. To make this fairly simple I am going to begin by listing all the approved colors (those allowed for and desired by the Breed Standard) and then will list the acknowledged colors and then the unaccepted or controversial colors (there is an entire set of pages devoted to the Sable and then Merle Cocker Spaniel). We will discuss Pattern after that. |
| This website contains our photos and info about our Breeding Program and some other related information. We invite you to check out our website to learn more about us and the cocker spaniels here. Please use the links on the left or upper portion of each page to navigate this website. For those on slower speed connections we have a plain text Directory Page for your convenience. Kattery Kennels is owned and operated by Kat & Terry Reck and is not affiliated with any other identity. The graphics and material found within is the sole property of Kattery Kennels and is watermarked and copyrighted to Kat. Requests for further information should be directed to Info@KatteryKennels.com Please view our Conditions of Use Page. |
Patterns and or Markings
Parti~ the piebald gene in most other dogs and or species is considered a pattern
but because of the history of the Cocker Spaniel predating our understanding of
genetics it is actually considered a color vs a pattern (See above).
Roan~are classified as parti-colors and may be of any of the usual roaning
patterns. When registering with the AKC you list the color (see above) and then
the marking as Code 036 ROAN.
Sable~ is a complex gene that actually interacts with the tan points in cocker
spaniels in an as of yet not completely understood manner. There are 2 options
when registering a sable. Either a Sable Solid Code 164 or a Sable and White
(Parti) Code 165
Merle~ is not allowed currently as an option for registry and so we have created
pages all about that topic.
Parti~ the piebald gene in most other dogs and or species is considered a pattern
but because of the history of the Cocker Spaniel predating our understanding of
genetics it is actually considered a color vs a pattern (See above).
Roan~are classified as parti-colors and may be of any of the usual roaning
patterns. When registering with the AKC you list the color (see above) and then
the marking as Code 036 ROAN.
Sable~ is a complex gene that actually interacts with the tan points in cocker
spaniels in an as of yet not completely understood manner. There are 2 options
when registering a sable. Either a Sable Solid Code 164 or a Sable and White
(Parti) Code 165
Merle~ is not allowed currently as an option for registry and so we have created
pages all about that topic.
Next you need to understand the difference between a solid and a parti.
- A solid is one color (excluding tan points) and the most desired (correct
markings) has no white whatsoever, tho the standard does allow for (as
minimal as possible) some white on the throat and neck of a solid colored
cocker.*will discuss more in depth in 'mismarks'* - A parti is two or more solid, well broken colors, one of which must be white.
Primary color which is ninety percent (90%) or more shall disqualify *will
discuss more in depth in 'mismarks'*. So at least 10 percent of the dog is
either white or the other color. Thus you get your black and whites, buff and
whites, chocolate and whites, sable and whites, Tricolor (normally black and
white with tan points) and Chocolate Tricolor (brown and white with tan
points).
- In partis (tricolors) tan points can be minimal and are not often seen
on the feet, or chest as those areas are usually 'white'.
Color
Black, Buff, Chocolate(Brown), Red
Black & Tan & Chocolate & Tan (tan points *above the eyes, on the cheeks,
under the ears, on the chest, under the tail and on each paw* do not appear on
buff/red cockers).
Roan (all the above colors can have be 'roan' which is a pattern not a color
actually)
Sable (can be properly registered but not shown for conformation) which is also a
genetic pattern but incorrectly referred to as a color in cockers.
Merle (controversial, not recognized by the ASC thus not an option when
registering with the AKC.
Black, Buff, Chocolate(Brown), Red
Black & Tan & Chocolate & Tan (tan points *above the eyes, on the cheeks,
under the ears, on the chest, under the tail and on each paw* do not appear on
buff/red cockers).
Roan (all the above colors can have be 'roan' which is a pattern not a color
actually)
Sable (can be properly registered but not shown for conformation) which is also a
genetic pattern but incorrectly referred to as a color in cockers.
Merle (controversial, not recognized by the ASC thus not an option when
registering with the AKC.
| In the future we will have a photo of each color of cocker spaniel mentioned here. We prefer to use our own cockers for copyright reasons and so it will take time to do this. |
| Mismarks~ in a world where not all is created equal and in fact competition and rivalry is deeply seated (Dog Fancy) we have a certain set of criteria to meet and or achieve. Some of this is based on science (bone structure, genetic health) and some of this is based on preferences (color, coat quality etc). A mismark is simply put something that is not marked as would be preferred and is specified in the breed standard. In any other arena than conformation in the dog ring this wouldn't mean anything. But when competitors are looking for any way possible to make their dog better than the next person, mismarks matter. The term and the way it is often used amongst dog breeders sort of implies there is something wrong with the dog~ one might even assume if you had no idea what it was that the dog in question was an abomination. This isn't really the case and it actually saddens me when pet owners who adore and love their 'mismarked' cocker spaniel are put down by breeders simply because their pet doesn't exceed in what color it was born with. Some breeders need to remember that not everyone feels the value of their cocker is in being better than anyone elses cocker spaniel. Some of the cutest (and yes I realize cute is NOT in our breed standard) cocker spaniels (just as pure bred as that show dog you cherish) cocker spaniels result as mismarks. Now I am not encouraging everyone to toss aside the breed standard (shocking especially to those who hate Merles) but instead asking that you recall that once the difference of the cocker spaniel vs the spring spaniel was simply size and that many top of the line show quality lifetime devotees to the breed have created mismarks and that the soundness and other qualities of the 'mismark' are probably more important (at least to me and others who care about the health of the breed as well as its place in American Life). |
Terminology sometimes associated with cocker spaniel colors or markings:
|