I know the DDB carries 'bb' because of the nose colour, but I've just seen a crossbred litter advertised with black and tan pups in the litter. So the DDB must carry 'at' but it is hidden by the 'ee' that brings out the red/cream in the breed? Is this right? Also if they are a chocolate based red, is it the dilution gene 'dd' which causes them to become cream? I've always been interested in colour genetics, but dogs are slightly more confusing and different to cats and small furries.

*EDIT* Actually, just read that the bitch is not full DDB, but a cross, so that answered the 'at' question I guess! I didn't think they carried it, but then again, I don't KNOW. Still interested on the cream part of the question though, also if anyone knows a good book? Thanks. :)

It's not my breed, but it seems entirely possible that they have the tan marked gene. Tollers are the same colour, and there have been instances of liver & tan pups popping up in litters. Always with the tan, so I guess most if not all Tollers are tan marked but have the markings hidden by ee. Crosses with Tollers are often tan marked too.