Page 21 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

SKIN AND COAT

as the Chow Chow (see p.112), this dual layer attractive dogs, such as the Cocker Spaniel the dog’s entire body. Natural genetic
can be immensely thick. With such insulation, (see p.222) and English Setter (see p.241), have mutations have resulted in several hairless
traditional sled dogs of the northern semi-long coats combining silky-textured breeds. Dogs like the Xoloitzcuintli (see p.37)
hemisphere, such as the Greenland Dog (see body hair of moderate length with longer and the Chinese Crested (see p.280) have
p.100) remain impervious to the most bitter feathering on the tail, underside, and legs. been around for centuries, but it is only in
cold. Even the feet of these dogs are protected Some short-haired dogs have sleek, modern times that hairlessness has been
by long hairs between the toes, which also firm-textured coats that often consist of deliberately perpetuated by selective
give them excellent traction on snow and guard hairs only. The Dalmatian (see p.286) breeding. Some hairless dogs have
ice—and adaptations of the blood vessels in and some pointers and hounds are typical. a few wisps of hair on the head and feet, and
the feet (see p.14) help to prevent heat loss, too. In wire-haired dogs, largely the terrier group, sometimes a plume on the tail.
Dogs with extravagantly long hair are bred the guard hairs are kinked, giving a coarse, As any owner can testify, all dogs shed
today for appearance alone, although some springy texture. These coats are serviceable a certain amount of hair. Shedding is a
originally needed their heavy coats for an in cold weather and stand up well to an natural seasonal response to the hours of
outdoor life. For example, the Afghan Hound energetic terrier lifestyle of digging or delving daylight, and reaches a peak in the spring
(see p.136) is a sight hound from the cold, through undergrowth. Breeds with curly as the coat thins in readiness for warmer
high mountains of Afghanistan, and the coats are uncommon, the best known being weather. In double-coated dogs, whether
Bearded Collie (see p.57) has a working the Poodle (see p.229, 276), sometimes seen long- or short-haired, hair loss can be
background as a herding dog. On the other clipped in fantastic style for the show ring. considerable as the thick undercoat falls
hand, the silky, flowing coat of the diminutive In a few rare breeds, including the Komondor out. When dogs live largely indoors in
Yorkshire Terrier (see p.190) has probably (see p.66) and Puli (see p.65), curls are taken well-heated houses, the shedding pattern
always been more decorative than functional, to extremes, developing into long cords may change, with the dog losing a little hair
despite the breed’s long history. Some very resembling dreadlocks that virtually obscure throughout the year.

COAT COLORS

Some dogs have just one color or one color Red; red merle; ruby; stag-red; deep red Gold and white (either color may
combination, but many have two or three ginger; sandy-red; red-fawn; red-brown; predominate); white and chestnut; yellow
chestnut-brown; lion; orange; orange roan and white; white with orange; sable and
color variations, or more. Where applicable,
white; orange belton; lemon belton
the breed descriptions in this book include color
swatches that match as closely as possible the Liver; bronze Chestnut, red, and white; red and white;
coat colors recognized in a breed. These are in red and white spotted
addition to the colors that can be seen
in the photographs of the dog.
A swatch may represent a range of colors. Blue; blue merle (blue-gray); ash Liver and white; liver belton; brown and
The swatches listed in the key are as specified white (either color may predominate);
in the various breed standards but different red roan; roan; white with liver spots
names may be given for the same color: for
example, while red is used to describe many Dark brown; bos (brown); chocolate; Tan and white (either color may
breeds, ruby is used for English Toy Spaniels dead leaf; havana predominate)
and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. A final
generic swatch is used to represent breeds
that have a limited variety of colors, or those Black; nearly black; dark gray Black and white (either color may
that can have any color. predominate); piebald; black and white
spotted; sesame; black sesame; black
and silver

Cream; white; white-beige; blonde; yellow Black and tan; vieräugl; karamis; King Black, tan, and white; gray, black, and tan;
Charles; black grizzle and tan; black white, chocolate, and tan; Prince Charles;
and brown (all also known as tricolor)

Gray; ashen-gray; slate-gray; steel-gray; Blue mottled with tan; blue and tan Brindle; black brindle; dark brindle;
gray brindle; wolf-gray; silver fawn brindle; pepper and salt; range
of red brindles

Gold; russet-gold; apricot; biscuit; wheaten; Liver and tan Variety of colors or any color
sandy; light sand; mustard; straw; straw-
bracken; Isabella; all shades of fawn; pale
brown; yellow-red; sable

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