I feel like a complete fool but I cannot grasp the different colours of this breed,

Can anyone tell me the difference between black and white, roan, blue roan, dark blue and light blue. It's like another language and I'm apprehensive about looking for a puppy when I don't understand the lingo!

Even the four books I've brought seem to assume a certain knowledge of the colours.

Many thanks.

Hi Guest - the colours can seem a bit confusing - but all Roan means is that where the white hair is present it is well mixed in with the other colour. "Blue" is when you have black and white mixed so that it looks a grey colour. The depth of the grey can vary enourmously depending if there is more white or black coat. Thats where you get Dark blue - like my older boy who is almost black, he has very little white, and then through to Light blue, which can be almost white as there is very little black. You still usually get some solid patches on a roan although not always. Black and White is very clearly marked and you can get what's called a "ticked" coat where the black looks a bit like paintbrush splodges.
Did you know you can also get Orange and Liver roans also although they are harder to come by and there is even a blue roan and tan - with tan markings on the face and paws usually. There are also solid color Cockers too - black, red/gold and again Liver and Black and tan.

There are some good websites that you can visit that can show you the different colours but we're not usually allowed to put the links up here. If you would like to e-mail me privately - I'd be happy to send you some details.

One thing to note though - you can't always tell how dark an adult a pup will become.It is somewhat easier with Oranges, yet another colour, as their pad pigmentation gives a clue - blues, as far as I know, have black pads so give nothing away there.

Hope this helps a little anyway. Do let me know if I can help anymore.

Pam n two mad cocker boys - one blue the other Orange

>>There are some good websites that you can visit that can show you the different colours but we're not usually allowed to put the links up here.

Pam please feel free to post the links if they are educational. We only disallow self-promotional links.

Thanks Admin

Horror of Horrors, the site I really wnated to show you is no more, It was great, had a page with a picture of a cocker from each of the colourways, instead here are some sites with piccies that will help you see the different colours -

Blue Roans, Blacks and red/goldens

mainly light blues but also some Liver roan and a black

- Blues and Orange Roan

Blue, Blue and Tan and Orange Roan

Some of these sites belong to people I know. if you would like to know anymore, please do ask.

Regards

Pam n co

Leigh Note: Edit on links

Hi Pam

Here are a couple of general Cocker sites that contain photos illustrating the various colours, all are still online as far as I know.

English Cocker Spaniel World Website
English Cocker Spaniel Rainbow
English Cocker Spaniel Colours

Jane

Hi Jane

Thanx - I couldn't get the first one to work - but I've added the other two to my list :)

Pam

Hi Pam

Don't know what's wrong with the first site this morning - it was working fine last night. Maybe a server problem? Anyway, when it is back online, it's worth a look as it has hundreds of links to Cocker sites & masses of photos.

Jane

Hi Jane

It's working now - great thanks. :)

Pam (PS Are you at LKA on Saturday? We are - bench no's 7350 & 7351)

Hi Pam

Yes I'm hoping to get to LKA (dog sitter willing!). Our bench nos are 7387 & 88.

See you there - glad we haven't got a Minor Puppy with the 9am start :-)

Jane

Good Luck Girls and if you see Sue Rihoy there - she will be with Lorraine Rackett if you know her Jane, just rib her about being 40 :-) hahaha Just a shame that I won't be there really never mind it will soon be Crufts ...

Derryn :-)

I have - Buddy's first in - boo :(

See you there

Pam