IDENTIFYING CARDIGAN CORGI COAT COLORS
FOR
AKC REGISTRATION PURPOSES
Descriptions of Cardigan Corgi Coat Colors (now with photos)
Cardigans Without Points
Brindle and White (Primary)
Brindle is a pattern of striping upon a background color. All
dogs exhibiting the Brindle "striping" pattern on a base color of any
yellow-red-black (which may appear shaded) pigment are identifiable as this color. The
base color descriptor is not significant from a genetic identification viewpoint and is
not necessary as an AKC coat color identifier. The Brindle and White (059)
"color" identifier should be circled on the blue slip. When appropriate, a
"Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Brindle Merle and White (Secondary)
Also referred to as a "ginger merle", remembering that
a Merling is referred to as a dilution of pigment that would have otherwise been black or
liver color, forming randomly distributed grey patches throughout the dog, the Brindle
Merle and White has a chestnut hue where the black hairs in the brindle pattern have been
modified by the merle gene. The brindle Merle and White is disqualified under the 1983
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed Standard and is considered to be a merle other than blue merle.
Brindle Merle and White is written on the blue slip. When appropriate, a
"Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Red and White (Primary)
A Red and White dog displays little or no black pigmentation in the guard hairs of the coat. The Red and White (146) "color" identifier should be circled on the blue slip. When appropriate, a "Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Red Merle and White (Secondary)
The "red merle" or the red that has been given a merle gene from one of its parents, is the so-called "hidden" merle. Since the merle gene expresses only on black based pigment (black or liver color) by definition the true "homozygous red" Cardigan will not display any merle pattern since it has no black pigment. The Red Merle and White is disqualified under the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed Standard of 1983 as a merle other than blue merle.
Identification may be extremely difficult for registration purposes. When identified, "Red Merle and White" should be written in on the blue slip. When appropriate, a "Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Sable and White (Primary)
The Sable and White displays a varying degree of black tipping on the guard hairs of the red coat. The black tipping in a Sable and White forms a pattern which may include a widow's peak on the head, a body saddle and/or on the tail.
The Sable and White (165) identifier should be used on the blue slip when appropriate. When appropriate, a "Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Sable Merle and White (Secondary)
The
merle gene only will be exhibited to the extent that the sable and white would exhibit
black in the guard hair. Sable Merle and White has in the past been called a
"cinnamon merle". It exhibits no striping pattern as compared to the Brindle
Merle and White since it does not carry any brindle gene patterning. A disqualified color
under the 1983 Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed Standard, the Sable Merle and White is
considered a merle other than blue merle.
"Sable Merle and White" is written on the blue slip. When appropriate, a "Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Black and White (Primary)
Most
breeders who have examined the question agree that no genotypical Black and White Cardigan
probably exists within the gene pool. The apparently black and white dog is usually either
a Black and White with Brindle Points which has had the pointing obliterated by white
flashing or an extremely black Brindle and White. Thus, if upon careful examination of the
black and white dog, any brindle hairs, striping or coloration is found in other
than the normal point locations, (see below) the dog is a brindle. Otherwise the
apparently black and white dog is a Black and White with Brindle Points.
If, notwithstanding the above, a dog is to be registered as a Black and White, the (019) descriptor alone should be used on the blue slip. When appropriate, a "Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Blue Merle and White (Primary)
Merling is referred to as a dilution of pigment that would have
otherwise been black or liver color, forming randomly distributed grey patches throughout
the dog. It has been described as similar in appearance to "tie dye" on a pair
of blue jeans. Again, as with the Black and White, it is most likely that a careful
examination of the dog will reveal at least some point coloration. Experience dictates
that most Blue Merles which appear to have no points are indeed Blue Merles with Brindle
Points.
If, notwithstanding the above, the dog is to be registered as a Blue Merle and White the 051 "color" identifier should be circled on the blue slip. When appropriate, a "Markings" identifier is used on the blue slip.
Markings
Points are where separate coloration (either red\yellow or brindle) is observed in most or all of the following areas on the dog: cheeks, chest, eyebrows, inside ears, fore feet, rear feet, stifle and the underside base of tail.
Tan Points (Primary)
The Black and White with Tan Points is often referred to as a
"tri-color" or a "classic tri". The shade of the yellow/red pointing
in this and in the Blue Merle with Tan Points will vary in depth.
The red based point colors are often associated with red or brown
undercoats throughout the body. At times the "red undercoat" may "show
through" the top coat in other then the point areas. Further, the point areas in tan
pointed dogs may extend through to the top of the skull and behind the ears. This
distribution of point coloring is of no consequence. When this occurs in the blue merle
with tan points it has been confused with a merle other than blue merle.
The Black and White with Tan Points is described on blue slips as (019) color + (029) markings while the Blue Merle and White with Tan Points is identified as (051) color and (029) markings.
Brindle Points (Primary)
Identical
to the Tan Pointed dogs except that the color within the point areas is the brindle
pattern.
The Black and White with Brindle Points is described on blue slips as (019) "color" + (046) "markings" while the Blue Merle and White with Brindle Points is identified as (051) "color" and (046) "markings".
Liver and White (Secondary)
The existence of
the liver variation of the black gene has been established, although as a rarity, in the
breed. As an aid to identification, think of the genetic difference evidenced in the
appearance between a black Doberman and a red Doberman. (The same liver dilution can be
found in a Cardigan). A liver and white dog invariably has a liver colored nose and eye
rim pigment. These dilutes are disqualified for show purposes. Liver and White is written
on the blue slip, along with any other applicable "markings" description.
Grey and White (Secondary)
A gray dilute gene has been identified in the Cardigan gene
pool. It, like the liver pigment gene, is disqualifiable under the breed standard. The
gray dilute in a Cardigan yields a coloration similar to a Weimaraner. It will exhibit a
grey flesh nose and eye rims. The Grey and White should be registered as AKC code 105,
along with any other applicable descriptors.
Predominantly White (Secondary)
A dog which is
predominantly white should be registered as such and is a disqualification under the 1983
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed Standard.
(Shown at left a homozygous blue merle)
Ticking (Primary)
The Ticking marking is the "freckling" found in some Cardigans, usually isolated to the front legs and feet, and in the head and face. (It is perfectly acceptable for the show ring).
Any Cardigan previously described, including all of the Secondary colors, may exhibit the Ticking "marking" and each of the previously discussed color combinations and registrations may have the (013) Ticking "marking" added to it for registration description purposes.
Black Mask (Primary)
The Black Mask marking can be observed, like Ticking, in any
color Cardigan. It appears as individual black hairs (as opposed to black tipping as in
the Sable) and is most commonly observed around the muzzle and eyes, between the white and
body color along the shoulders and legs, and/or on the tail. The (004) identifier should
be used.