Page 70 - Chow Life - Summer 2017

THE FALLACY OF ‘RARE” OR “EXOTIC”

COLORS IN THE CHOW CHOW

by Dr. Carmen Blankenship

Every recognized breed of purebred and the black color to blue. These five These colors are neither rare nor exotic.
dog has a written standard that defines colors are the only correct colors of Cinnamon and blue puppies may
and describes the characteristics of that purebred Chows and the only colors have a decided transitory silver sheen
breed. While some standards allow that will be produced in a purebred when they are born and for the first
all colors and patterns, most standards litter. The gene that produces the color few weeks. As the coat grows and
contain very specific descriptions of the called liver or chocolate is not present lengthens, this silvery hue diminishes
allowable colors and patterns (descrip- in the Chow breed and this color does until it is only readily apparent on the
tion of the distribution of color in dogs not exist in purebred specimens of the dog’s muzzle. Another variation on the
of more than one distinct color) for that breed. “exotic color scheme” is sometimes used
breed. The reason is simple. Color Purebred Chows are always a solid, to describe these silvery cinnamon and
and/or pattern are one of the most single color. The color may be uniform blue puppies as silver, platinum, dove
defining and easily observable (even over the entire dog (self-colored) or the gray, pink, lavender or lilac. Again, just
to the untrained eye) traits of most color may be shaded which means there creative names for the standard blue or
breeds of purebred dogs. Think of is a lighter shade of the body color (nev- cinnamon colors. Quite simply, these
Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retriev- er a different color) in the ruff, feather- are just various shades of the five ac-
ers and Weimaraners which are always ing on the front and back legs and in the ceptable colors. One color is as easy to
solid colored dogs of specified colors. tail (shaded color). Some puppies are breed as the next; no color is rarer than
Think of the four Setter breeds (Irish, born with a black mask (black cover- the other colors.
Gordon, English, and Red & White), ing the muzzle) but this mask generally
which are similar in appearance but fades and vanishes before the puppy is All purebred dogs exist today solely
are clearly distinguished by their color. six months old. With the exception of because those who love and cherish
For pattern examples think of Dober- the temporary mask, a purebred Chow a breed created a written standard
man Pinschers, Cavalier King Charles is never more than one color. Coats to specifically describe the defining
Spaniels and Dalmatians as just a few containing multiple colors such as black characteristics of the breed. They then
examples. Color is one of the very and tan, brindle, parti-colored or coats plan their breedings to strictly adhere to
easiest traits to change simply by cross with two or more distinct colors should this written standard, eliminating from
breeding to a different breed. or mixed never appear in the purebred Chow. If their breeding program those dogs who
breed. A dog which deviates from the they do, it is clear evidence the dog is stray too far from the standard. Breed-
color or pattern specified for its breed not purebred. These dogs make fine ing purebred dogs is fundamentally
is not “rare”. It is wrong. Novel colors pets but they should never be used for about preservation of their established
or patterns are clear evidence the dog breeding and the breeders who insist on physical and mental characteristics
is not pure-bred because color is such breeding them should not be supported and abilities. Breeding purebred dogs
a strong indicator or the purity of the if you respect the antiquity and unique- is about uniformity, it is not about new
breeds that have specifications for color. ness of the Chow breed. and different. Without strict adherence
It would be very easy to breed a black to the breed’s standard, the characteris-
Golden Retriever – but then it really is The red color comes in an infinite tics that define any breed would gradu-
not a “golden” retriever. range of red shades from very rich, dark ally disappear or be so diluted it would
mahogany “Irish Setter” red to a red so be difficult to separate one breed from
The Chow Chow is one of the oldest light as to pass for platinum blonde or another. Those who intentionally cross
dog breeds, documented to have existed even cream. Since the dilution gene breed to create new characteristics and
in China hundreds of years prior to acts equally on all of these red shades, “designer breeds”, are simply chipping
the birth of Christ. Historically, it has there is also an infinite range of cinna- away at the very traits that define a
always been a solid, single colored dog mon shades from dark red/cinnamon to breed, thereby slowly contributing to its
of one of five colors: red, black, cream, the palest cream beige. All of these col- deterioration while producing mixed
cinnamon or blue. The AKC stan- ors are just varying shades of red or cin- breed puppies of no breed that are the
dard for the Chow bows to this history namon. Many fanciful or exotic names fad of the moment until the fickle public
listing the five historic colors of the have been applied to these shades from moves to a newer fad. The very ancient
Chow. There are three primary colors: blonde, champagne, brown, tan, beige, and venerable history of the Chow com-
red, black and cream. Chows also may fawn, gold or golden – let your imagina- bined with its unique traits, require the
have a dilution gene which, if tion run wild. Regardless of the fanciful preservation efforts of all whom admire
present, dilutes the red color or exotic color monikers applied, they this breed. Odd colors or patterns are
to cinnamon (also called fawn) are all just shades or red or cinnamon. not any part of this preservation effort.
68