The difference in Tri verses Piebald pattern in Rat
Terriers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tri patterns verses piebald pattern is probably one of the most
misunderstood patterns in the Rat Terrier breed. MOST breed registeries tell
you to list the dog with the predominant color first and then second and third
colors following. This is, in my opinion, a very poor way to list dogs and an
impossible way for future breeders to be able to look at pedigrees and clearly
know what the ancestory was. The use of patterns clearly and concisely labels a
dog according to color and the pattern that it shows. A TRI patterned dog is one with a BASE color of
black, blue, red, lemon, pearl, chocolate, apricot, lemon or liver with minimium
white patches and tan markings. The minimium white means just that. It could be
white patch on chest or white tipped toes. If the dog is obviously body SPOTTED
then it is NOT a tri.
A PIEBALD patterned dog has a
white BASE coat with colored spots. Piebald means "WHITE SPOTTED" so when you
use the term piebald you use the other colors on the dog and piebald as the
pattern by which it is marked up. A black/tan Piebald would be a dog with a base
color of white with colored spots and tan markings on the face, legs and around
base of tail. Don't feel bad if you have been mislabeling your dogs since the
registeries have encouraged you to do it for years. Unfortunately the
registeries aren't trying to breed dogs by a pedigree nor are they genetic
experts. You will also find some TOP Breeders who are able to spout off every
dog in a bloodline from the beginning of time but are oblivious to the pattern
of which their dogs are. I know JUDGES of dog shows who when asked about
colors or patterns will tell you that the color or pattern means nothing unless
it affects eye appeal.
INHERITANCE OF PIEBALD
Piebald to Piebald will produce ONLY piebald
offspring. Piebald to Tri will produce tri puppies and Piebald puppies IF the
tri carries the gene for piebald. Tri to Tri will produce tri puppies and
Piebald puppies IF BOTH parents carry the gene for piebald.
I've had many a breeder of Rat Terriers as me how I get my solid
body Rat Terriers. Many do not know anything about genetics and it's factors on
what colors and patterns of puppies that can be produced from 2 parents based on
their genetic make-up.
To get solid body puppies then one parent MUST be
solid bodied. Piebald to Piebald can ONLY produce piebald offspring.
