Dog Registration - Help Needed Describing Colour

[Sayreovi]

Honestly I would go and put chocolate or brown, because too most people that would be what colour he looks like, when I think "red" I think of one of my dogs who is actually a darker red, not a red/tan Kelpie.

[koalathebear]

I would just call him red as it is his main pigment colour.

Sounds like red is in the lead

I didn't realise you already had your new addition. He is lovely looking Kelpie. How old is he and where did you end up buying him from?

Thank you! After having a lot of chats to lots of people, we ended up getting him at 3 months old from a smaller breeder recommended by the WKC. We had it confirmed that there's no HD or ataxia in his 'family and in any case the breeder would take him back if there were any health problems or if he didn't get along with Elbie.

He had a monumental journey from Kempsey to Sydney, then Sydney to Canberra and then the car trip home but was very sanguine and relaxed despite how traumatic that must have been. He has settled in well - almost completely house-trained now, very calm and zen and despite never having been in a car before he's a lot more relaxed in a car than Elbie is. We're hoping his zenness will rub off on Elbie. There are more photos and video clips of him here.

My biggest worry was the socialisation element given that he was already 3 months, grew up on a farm and that sort of thing but he's very well-adjusted. Totally unphased by electric mixers, dryers, washing machines and all that sort of thing. Given that Elbie doesn't normally like playing with other dogs and the two are playing, he's doing very well. Elbie's a bit puzzled that the new puppy doesn't understand commands yet but we've been very happy with how well-behaved Elbie's been to try to compensate. You'll see from the link above that Elbie's definitely been very patient and long-suffering with our new monster.

Now I just have to figure out what colour he is for the registration form.

Edited October 23, 2010 by koalathebear

[Mim]

I would put him as brown. If somebody unfamiliar with kelpies/dogs saw him out and about I think they'd call him brown (and cream/tan) rather than red. If he had gotten out and you were door knocking asking if people had seen a red kelpie, again I think they'd think "not a red kelpie" because I don't think the general public would call that red. Most likely the rangers would call him a brown dog too.

As tollersowned said, I think people see "red" in dogs more like the red of a toller or a corgi or borders.

[Jed]

Red,chocolate, or brown. He is (whatever the colour is called in Kelpies) red (?) and tan. I don't think he is a tricolour, tricolours is most breeds need a lot more white.

Parkeyre, I think the dog in your sig is a tricolour - from what can be seen on the head and neck

[lanabanana]

Im going with the brown option...or brown and tan if oyu can put that.

Like others have said most people wouldnt think of that colour as being red, even though it is.

For example, even though I would recognise it as red, when I picture a red dog I picture one with that boxer reddy colour

[RuralPug]

I would have said he was a liver tricolour, but I might well be on my own there.

Tabby as a dog colour is , ummmm, interesting - I guess the closest I could think of is some of the tiger striped brindles? Greyhounds, for instance...

[Kaffy Magee]

I would also say brown/chocolate (and tan, alhtough I didnt see an option for that). Most people would look at him and say he is brown. It might not be technically correct but you want the colour that most people would say he is.

ETA: He is gorgeous btw. I have a soft spot for kelpies, I just love their intelligence and loyalty and I will have one oneday, a choc and tan one . (I used to have a kelpie x lab)

Edited October 23, 2010 by Kaffy Magee

[OSoSwift]

I would say brown as most people I have seen with red Kelpies have the solid reds and other than that many call them Brown/tan.

I have a Blue Brindle and White and a Fawn Brindle. Yes they both have stripes but look quite different. On their rego's they are Brindle and White and Brindle and fawn. Seems they cannot extend their explanation of a colour.

Good luck!

[Lesley]

I would go chocolate and tan too!

[moosepup]

I have no idea but he is a serious cutie-pie. I wanna play with his ears.

[Kavik]

From those choices I would say either chocolate or brown.

At least I don't have those problems with black dogs

[Max#1]

Methinks you guys give the government too much credit. I reckon that description, rather than to help find your lost puppy, is for them to check that the dog wearing the tag, is the dog that has been paid for....

[AmandaJ]

Methinks you guys give the government too much credit. I reckon that description, rather than to help find your lost puppy, is for them to check that the dog wearing the tag, is the dog that has been paid for....

I agree - most council animal control officers would have trouble identifying a third of common pure breeds anyway. I'd just go for red.

[koalathebear]

At least I don't have those problems with black dogs

But aren't your doggies black and tan? Still two-tones! Although there is an option for black and tan.

[oakway]

Your dog would be classed as a liver. with tan points.

[Greytmate]

My dogs have never matched the council's computer options anywhere I have lived.

Your dog is brown or chocolate mostly. I wouldn't put red, as the dog does not appear red, nor is it genetically red. It has mostly dark pigmented hair.

Colour labels used in ANKC breed registration don't always make sense, and neither do council colour options.

The important thing is that if your dog is ever picked up, it can be easily identified.

[koalathebear]

Your dog is brown or chocolate mostly. I wouldn't put red, as the dog does not appear red, nor is it genetically red. It has mostly dark pigmented hair.

You haven't seen him in the sun! You'd swear the vain thing had put a henna rinse through his fur.

Thanks for the input all - given that the red and tan Kelpie is a very popular colour among working lines, it's a bit weird that the database doesn't have the combo!

[Miss B]

The important thing is that if your dog is ever picked up, it can be easily identified.

I agree. I'd go with Chocolate or Brown.

[asal]

yes your boy is defiately a chocolate and tan.

i had a red kelpie and there is no comparison between red and chocolate.

if you put red, the majority of people who assesed him if he ended up in a pound or rescue, would tell you.. no reds here.

[jesomil]

Beautiful puppy!!

He is a very handsome red and tan but most non dog people would say brown and light brown so I would go with Brown, not red.

He is not tri, lots of Working Kelpies have a few white hairs on their chest but they are still red and tan.