Definitions

DEFINITIONS
A sable coat is one that shows a pattern of black hairs "penciled" upon a
red coat.  The presence of a few black hairs in an otherwise red individual
does not make that individual a sable.  The sable coat will show a PATTERN
of penciled black hairs over the withers, and/or along the top of the back,
and/or on top of the head (forming a Juliet's cap or widow's peak if you
will), and/or outlining the ruff, and/or edging the ears.  Sometimes the
"penciled" black will consist of black hairs, but frequently it will consist
of red hairs tipped black at the outer edge.  It is this "penciled" effect
that differentiates the sable from the tri, whose black is solidly filled
in.  [Note:  the red headed tri, who nearly always "reddens up" or loses
much of the black in the areas of head, neck and legs, and who may therefore
appear "penciled" in those areas, will nevertheless have a area of solid
black even if it's just a small saddle.]

In our quest to better understand the genetic inheritance of the sable coat
color, we have differentiated among the sable coats themselves.  To that
purpose we speak of "full" or "classic" sables (we use these terms
interchangeably) as those individuals who show the black "penciled" pattern
on the head, ears, ruff, withers, AND back.  We use the term "red headed
sable" for those whose sabling is limited to the area of the withers and
back (none on the head, ears, or ruff); and the term "sable headed sable"
for those whose sabling is limited to the head, ears and often the ruff, but
who lack sabling on the withers and back.  The red headed sable and the
sable headed sable are also called "part" sables, to further distinguish
them from the "full" sables.

Types of Sable Colors

One last definition.  In our discussion of the inheritability of the sable
coat color, we will be talking about black headed tris.  To insure that we
are all reading from the same page, we define the black headed tri as one
whose head black extends below and around the eyes, much like the Lone
Ranger's mask.  They are not to be confused with the red headed tri who
carries black on the top of his head and from the forehead to the lower edge
of the ears on the outside of the eye.  These red headed tris are often
called "hooded" tris as the black area of the head resembles a hood that has
been pulled up.  These red headed "hooded" tris frequently lose much, if not
all, of the black hair in the "hood" area as they grow older.

Examples of Color Changes


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