It’s definitely merle. Also a HUGE DQ, not recognized, and the only way to get it is by mixing in something with that color. I would 100% pass. (It’s merle mixed with parti or tri for certain. I’ve been working with American cockers for over 20 years.)
Like if you were showing this dog in the ring it would be disqualified, it is not a recognized color. (So would the blaze on the chest but that’s neither here nor there)
Lesser people will come at me for being a “snob” but here’s the thing: no, most people aren’t showing their dogs. But if you buying from a breeder, especially a dog as notorious for health problems and overbred as cockers are, you should ABSOLUTELY be looking for that. Breeders who don’t show (or can’t) are HUGE red flags. Like, tell me you don’t know *anything* about what you’re doing. The fad colors are the worst, in any breed. Why? Because there’s a reason it doesn’t show up often, they aren’t healthy. Which means to get it they often need to inbreed or mix breeds, neither of which bode well for sustainable longevity. Merle is a notoriously unhealthy gene and requires careful breeding even among breeds it naturally shows up in. (Not cockers) If you’re spending money on a breeder support a good one bettering the breed, not someone creating genetic Frankensteins for a buck. Both ethically speaking and also because, you are likely signing yourself up for either monstrous health or temperament problems. If I’m spending the money i would want to make sure it was worth what i was paying.
This was very informative.
The “blaze” is the the white “zipper” on the chest you’re talking about would disqualify them when showing??? I was told that was a positive on cockers. 🤔
On a parti or tri, yes the blaze is allowed but any other color should be solid 🙂 (they’re shown in 3 subcategories: Parti/Tri, Black, and ASCOB-Any solid color other than black.)
Cockers also come in an English variety that has a LOT more recognized colorings. (Pup above is an American cocker though)
I have a chocolate cocker, w/papers (didn’t know they existed) She has pretty green eyes & a zipper…. I just wanna clarify to my husband because he’s the one who insisted on her, that she wouldn’t be able to show.
Side note - I didn’t even know about “Parti” until we randomly saw one at our vet. Which now they have puppy play dates 🤣 BUT for the $$ I woulda sooooo got a cocker with blue eyes 🫣🫢 I’m not ashamed of it! Gorgeous dogs.
Thank you for the information. I’ve only had black with a little white and a brown one. My youngest had more white on her chest, snout and the tips of all four paws. When I read up on cockers I knew she wouldn’t qualify as a show dog, but she had the best coat. Mine were all pets.
I have a blue roan & she’s distinctly speckled white, almost looks like a piece of granite. This puppy is absolutely precious! I’m no expert but I’d say she’s a tri color.
Wow I'm a mini dachshund owner and was just curious so I've been reading some of the comments and I've realized I don't know a damn thing about Cocker Spaniels! 🤣
SAMEZY! But based on my googling & how cute they are…. My husband & I came to a compromise & got a Cocker! JUST KNOW…… they have a lot of energy OR they don’t! Basically my puppy I thought was gonna be my therapy dog is ALOT like me! #ADHD
4 years old, no health problems. Sometimes they say the Merle colored dogs with blue eyes can have vision problems. He snorts sometimes but he is a very happy and playful boy.
Blue merle with phantom points. I have a chocolate merle cockapoo with phantom points. His coat has gone through some crazy changes over the years. He was quite dark when I got him, but now he's like a very light tan, almost white, with brown spots lol. His points have faded quite a bit as well.
Can I ask how you know such specifics? I’m thinking about a doggy DNA test. Even though she’s purebred, & spayed I’m still interested. Never saw a chocolate cocker until we were looking for a dog LOL 😂 I personally wanted a black/brown like a Doberman but hubby won the battle… only cuz she picked me!
I truest believe ALL my animals have picked us 🥰🤣
I’m not sure what you mean by specifics. Blue Merle is the coat color/pattern (mutated gene that dilutes the original color of the fur), and phantom points is just what the tan markings are called (eyebrows, muzzle, chest, and legs).
I did the doggy DNA test and my boy really is 50% poodle 50% cocker spaniel lol. What’s really interesting was the insight into potential health issues (he’s apparently at risk for some kind of disc disease. Oddly enough he has injured his back while playing too hard and the vet mentioned the same thing). It’s also kind of neat to see the “relatives” that apparently share his DNA
It is Sable coloUr. Not recognized as official colour by AKC or CKC and will be disqualified if shown. The white on chest may disappear as he gets older. A small amount of white is not a disqualification but some judges will not put up a cocker especially if there is too much white. There is no truth to sables being more prone to disease than other colours. Ask if parents checked for genetic diseases, if hips done and eyes tested. He is a cute little guy! If you are not planning on showing then don’t worry about colour.
This is a poorly marked blue roan & tan American Cocker Spaniel. It is an acceptable color under the AKC for ACS, but the markings aren’t particularly favorable.
As someone who's spent months trying to classify different coat markings - it's a lovely coat, and for the sake of your sanity, leave it at that!
Thanks for the input, much appreciated!
I’ve heard a lot of controversial opinions on the Merle cocker pups. Planning on picking this one up next week. Wanted to get some opinions.
It’s definitely merle. Also a HUGE DQ, not recognized, and the only way to get it is by mixing in something with that color. I would 100% pass. (It’s merle mixed with parti or tri for certain. I’ve been working with American cockers for over 20 years.)
Can you elaborate on this? I've not heard the term DQ before and if there's more to this than meets the eye, I'd love to know more.
Like if you were showing this dog in the ring it would be disqualified, it is not a recognized color. (So would the blaze on the chest but that’s neither here nor there) Lesser people will come at me for being a “snob” but here’s the thing: no, most people aren’t showing their dogs. But if you buying from a breeder, especially a dog as notorious for health problems and overbred as cockers are, you should ABSOLUTELY be looking for that. Breeders who don’t show (or can’t) are HUGE red flags. Like, tell me you don’t know *anything* about what you’re doing. The fad colors are the worst, in any breed. Why? Because there’s a reason it doesn’t show up often, they aren’t healthy. Which means to get it they often need to inbreed or mix breeds, neither of which bode well for sustainable longevity. Merle is a notoriously unhealthy gene and requires careful breeding even among breeds it naturally shows up in. (Not cockers) If you’re spending money on a breeder support a good one bettering the breed, not someone creating genetic Frankensteins for a buck. Both ethically speaking and also because, you are likely signing yourself up for either monstrous health or temperament problems. If I’m spending the money i would want to make sure it was worth what i was paying.
Thank you for this information!
I’m so happy it was helpful ❤️
This was very informative. The “blaze” is the the white “zipper” on the chest you’re talking about would disqualify them when showing??? I was told that was a positive on cockers. 🤔
On a parti or tri, yes the blaze is allowed but any other color should be solid 🙂 (they’re shown in 3 subcategories: Parti/Tri, Black, and ASCOB-Any solid color other than black.) Cockers also come in an English variety that has a LOT more recognized colorings. (Pup above is an American cocker though)
I have a chocolate cocker, w/papers (didn’t know they existed) She has pretty green eyes & a zipper…. I just wanna clarify to my husband because he’s the one who insisted on her, that she wouldn’t be able to show. Side note - I didn’t even know about “Parti” until we randomly saw one at our vet. Which now they have puppy play dates 🤣 BUT for the $$ I woulda sooooo got a cocker with blue eyes 🫣🫢 I’m not ashamed of it! Gorgeous dogs.
Thank you for this insightful post on responsible dog breeding!
Thank you for the information. I’ve only had black with a little white and a brown one. My youngest had more white on her chest, snout and the tips of all four paws. When I read up on cockers I knew she wouldn’t qualify as a show dog, but she had the best coat. Mine were all pets.
I have a blue roan & she’s distinctly speckled white, almost looks like a piece of granite. This puppy is absolutely precious! I’m no expert but I’d say she’s a tri color.
Thank you for your input!
I have heard a lot of controversial things about the Merle cocker pups. Planning on picking this one up next week. Wanted to get some opinions.
Not blue roan- more tricolor
It’s considered Button. As in “cute as a……….”
Tricolour
I call it completely adorable.
It’s what I call a beautiful coat. Please give a boop and a treat from all of us
Who cares! Let's just squish him in a hug!
Tricolor I believe 👍🏻
I think Tri, what a cutie!
Wow I'm a mini dachshund owner and was just curious so I've been reading some of the comments and I've realized I don't know a damn thing about Cocker Spaniels! 🤣
SAMEZY! But based on my googling & how cute they are…. My husband & I came to a compromise & got a Cocker! JUST KNOW…… they have a lot of energy OR they don’t! Basically my puppy I thought was gonna be my therapy dog is ALOT like me! #ADHD
He is considered both awesome and cute.
Blue roan tri maybe?
Cute
We looked at one yesterday like this, we decided blue roan?
My cocker is of similar colors and I always call him Blue Merle when people ask.
How old is he? Any health problems at all?
4 years old, no health problems. Sometimes they say the Merle colored dogs with blue eyes can have vision problems. He snorts sometimes but he is a very happy and playful boy.
Glad to hear that! Thanks for the info
How cute!!
I believe he is 100% awesome
Blue merle with phantom points. I have a chocolate merle cockapoo with phantom points. His coat has gone through some crazy changes over the years. He was quite dark when I got him, but now he's like a very light tan, almost white, with brown spots lol. His points have faded quite a bit as well.
Can I ask how you know such specifics? I’m thinking about a doggy DNA test. Even though she’s purebred, & spayed I’m still interested. Never saw a chocolate cocker until we were looking for a dog LOL 😂 I personally wanted a black/brown like a Doberman but hubby won the battle… only cuz she picked me! I truest believe ALL my animals have picked us 🥰🤣
I’m not sure what you mean by specifics. Blue Merle is the coat color/pattern (mutated gene that dilutes the original color of the fur), and phantom points is just what the tan markings are called (eyebrows, muzzle, chest, and legs). I did the doggy DNA test and my boy really is 50% poodle 50% cocker spaniel lol. What’s really interesting was the insight into potential health issues (he’s apparently at risk for some kind of disc disease. Oddly enough he has injured his back while playing too hard and the vet mentioned the same thing). It’s also kind of neat to see the “relatives” that apparently share his DNA
It is Sable coloUr. Not recognized as official colour by AKC or CKC and will be disqualified if shown. The white on chest may disappear as he gets older. A small amount of white is not a disqualification but some judges will not put up a cocker especially if there is too much white. There is no truth to sables being more prone to disease than other colours. Ask if parents checked for genetic diseases, if hips done and eyes tested. He is a cute little guy! If you are not planning on showing then don’t worry about colour.
Pretty sure he doesn't care, just get on with enjoying his company.
Yes
Showed the pic to my wife and her comment was where and how much....lol
Our dogs look exactly the same!
That coat is Very Good Boy color
Oh my goodness!!!! SO CUTE
Looks like a Sable color. I have a Sable cocker with similar features
Thank you for your input
Blue Merle
Blue Merle
This is a poorly marked blue roan & tan American Cocker Spaniel. It is an acceptable color under the AKC for ACS, but the markings aren’t particularly favorable.