Red & White Color Genetics in the Russian Salon Dog

Red-range Russian Salon Dogs may also exhibit areas of white spotting. These dogs belong to the same overall red color family as solid Red, Fawn, and Cream dogs, with white spotting creating the additional pattern.

The underlying colored areas may be Red, Fawn, or Cream, while the amount and distribution of white can vary considerably from dog to dog.

When Is a Dog Considered Red & White?

A predominantly Red, Fawn, or Cream dog may have small white markings without being classified as a parti-colored dog.

When white comprises more than approximately 10% of the coat, the dog is described using both the white and underlying coat color.

Registration colors may include:

• Red & White / White & Red

• Fawn & White / White & Fawn

• Cream & White / White & Cream

The color listed first represents the predominant color of the dog.

For example, a dog that is predominantly red with white markings would be registered as Red & White. A predominantly white dog with red patches would be registered as White & Red.

The same convention applies to Fawn and Cream.

These dogs remain part of the red color range and may be bred with other dogs within the red range.

White Spotting

White spotting can vary significantly in Russian Salon Dogs, from relatively small areas of white to dogs that are predominantly white with colored patches.

The placement of white may occur on the:

• muzzle and face

• head and neck

• chest and underside

• legs and feet

• tail

• body

Markings may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and colored patches may be large or small.

For RSDCA registration purposes, dogs are described according to the predominant visible color, rather than being assigned a separate designation based upon the degree of piebald spotting.

Therefore:

Predominantly Red → Red & White
Predominantly White → White & Red

Predominantly Fawn → Fawn & White
Predominantly White → White & Fawn

Predominantly Cream → Cream & White
Predominantly White → White & Cream

Understanding the Colored Areas

The Red, Fawn, or Cream portions of a white-spotted Russian Salon Dog follow the same color characteristics seen in dogs without extensive white spotting.

Red

Red areas may range from warm red to deep, richly saturated red.

Fawn

Fawn represents a lighter or less saturated expression of red.

Cream

Cream identifies the recessive-red color associated with e/e at the E locus.

This distinction remains important in dogs with white spotting. A very pale Fawn & White dog and a Cream & White dog may appear similar while having different underlying color genetics.

Darkening and Sable Shading

Red & White and Fawn & White puppies may be born with darker shading within their colored areas.

As with solid sable dogs, this darkening may change considerably as the puppy matures.

Darkened hair tips may gradually grow out and be removed through normal coat growth and grooming. Some dogs retain darker shading into adulthood, while in others it may almost completely disappear.

The presence of white does not alter the underlying genetics responsible for the Red or Fawn portions of the coat.

Masks

Red & White and Fawn & White dogs may also express a mask when the appropriate genetics are present.

A mask can only be visible where pigmented coat occurs on the muzzle. If white spotting covers the area where the mask would normally appear, the mask may be partially or completely hidden.

Cream dogs that are genetically recessive red (e/e) do not express an eumelanin mask in the coat.

Color May Change With Age

The intensity of Red, Fawn, and Cream areas may change as a Russian Salon Dog matures.

A puppy may be born with intensely colored red or sable patches that gradually become lighter. The reverse may also occur, with lighter pigmentation becoming richer as the adult coat develops.

In some dogs, lightening can be dramatic enough that pale Cream or Fawn areas eventually have very little visible contrast against the dog's white coat.

The colored areas have not genetically become white; rather, the intensity of the red pigment has changed as the coat matured.

Breeder's Note

White spotting should be considered separately from the dog's underlying coat color.

A White & Red dog and a Red & White dog share the same basic Red and white color components. The registration description simply communicates which color is predominant.

When identifying a Russian Salon Dog's color, consider:

1. The underlying color: Red, Fawn, or Cream

2. The presence of white: whether the amount of white warrants inclusion in the registered color

3. The predominant color: whichever color covers the majority of the dog is listed first

This approach provides a simple and consistent method for describing the wide variety of Red, Fawn, and Cream dogs with white spotting found within the Russian Salon Dog.

To learn more on white spotting genetics in Russian Salon Dogs Click Here