ABOUT SABLES
This page is meant as a brief explanation of the sable coloring on a Cocker Spaniel. For a more intense discussion, please see my website link page, and go to the link for“Sables are Cockers Too,” a website devoted to the discussion of sables.
The sable coloring, however rare, is generally thought of as a very old and original Cocker color, and it is simply stunning. The "shaded sable" coloring comes in many varieties, from the bluest gray to the darkest red. Sable puppies are often born with very dark pigmentation, and as they age and their coat grows out, they become lighter and lighter. The shaft of the hair is banded in such a way that the tips of the hairs on the coat are normally much darker, black or brown, depending on whether the dog is a chocolate sable or a black sable. The root of the hair shaft remains lighter, a golden, red, brown or blue color. The contrast is gorgeous, especially in the partis. These are puppy pictures of Meg. Notice how dark she is as a newborn puppy, compared to how much lighter she is at five months of age. This represents typical sable color development.
THE GENETICS OF SABLE
Sable is a color that is generally thought to be controlled by the “A” Locus on the color chromosome. It is represented by the letters “ay.” A dog that has two “ay” genes is technically a sable; however, this dog will not look sable. It will instead look buff. A dog that simply carries one “ay” is carrying sable, but also does not look sable at all. A dog will only look sable if the “ay” gene pairs with an “at” gene, “atay”. This “at” gene is the color gene responsible for whether or not a dog receives tan points. Tan pointed dogs have two “at” genes. It is possible for a dog to carry tan points and just have one “at.” But again, this dog will not show tan points. Thus, you see, in order for a dog to arrive as a sable that looks sable, the conditions have to perfect. Just because a dog is sable, does not mean that dog will have sable puppies. That dog must be bred to the right genes in order to reproduce the sable coloring. This has a lot to do with why this color is so rare. It is very easy to see why it is possible for the sable gene to hide for generations upon generations of Cockers.
SABLE AND THE AKC
In America, sable colored American Cockers are a bit controversial because the AKC standard doesn’t permit this color to show. The AKC recognizes the color on its registry papers, but it has been an illegal show color since the 1970’s when the standard defined solid colored dogs with great rigidity. Sable Cockers are shown all over the world however. Many show breeders in the United States take their sables up to Canada to show them where they are better appreciated. In Germany, sables are hands down the most popular Cocker color, and it is easy to see why. There are many American breeders who would love to see our country change their position on the definition of a solid Cocker in order that these beautiful dogs can be paid the credit they are due and be made more available to the public eye.
Copyright 2005 M's Cockers