Bi-Color Registration

[Whiteshepherds]

Bi-colors - I noticed they weren't a color choice on the AKC registration until 2001. Have they been around a long time being registered as another color combo or is the pattern something new? Just curious, they're beautiful.

Hope this is in the right place.

[KZoppa]

to my knowledge, bi-colors were registered as black and tans. but dont take my word for it!! thats only what i've read. I'll see if i can find the site again and post it if i do.

[GSDElsa]

Well, you hit the nail on the head. It's a pattern, not a color So yes, they are registered as a black and tan COLOR and are a bi-color PATTERN.

[Chris Wild]

Actually there is a lot of debate with regards to bi-color being a color vs a pattern of black/tan. Jury is still out on that, though Willis' maintains it is a color (like black/tan, sable, self colored, etc..) from a genetics perspective and NOT merely a pattern of black/tan.

But yes, before it was an option on the AKC registration they were just registered as black/tan.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Chris Wild

But yes, before it was an option on the AKC registration they were just registered as black/tan.

Got'cha. So are most bi-colors black and tan then?

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

Got'cha. So are most bi-colors black and tan then?

I believe all bi-colors are black and tan, but not all black and tans are bi-colors.

[Chris Wild]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

So are most bi-colors black and tan then?

I don't really understand the question. Are you speaking from a laymen's standpoint, or a genetics standpoint? From a genetics standpoint, as I said there is debate as to whether bi-color is a color or if it is a pattern of the color black/tan.

From a laymen's standpoint yes bi-colors are black and tan in that they have a mostly black body with tan markings. The tan pigment can of course come in different shades, often termed "silver" or "cream" or red", just as it can in a black/tan or sable dog. And the black can of course be diluted to liver or blue, just as can happen in any other color.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Chris Wild

I don't really understand the question. Are you speaking from a laymen's standpoint, or a genetics standpoint? ...snip...
From a laymen's standpoint yes bi-colors are black and tan in that they have a mostly black body with tan markings. The tan pigment can of course come in different shades, often termed "silver" or "cream" or red", just as it can in a black/tan or sable dog. And the black can of course be diluted to liver or blue, just as can happen in any other color.

That answered my question, thanks.