Cocker Spaniel Coat Colours

Cocker Coat Colours/Patterns

The show strain cocker spaniel comes in 18 officially recognised colours/patterns; the solids have a deeply pigmented base colour of black, liver or red (gold). All colours can have ‘tan points’, however generally these are not visible on gold/red cockers due to the base coat colour masking their appearance.

The Roan’s share the same base colours, however they are referred to as Blue Roan, Liver (Chocolate) Roan and Orange Roan. Lemon Roan or Lemon & White are not a common colour in Show strain Cockers. Blue, Orange and Liver Roans can vary from a deep colour to lighter shades.

Parti-colours are the solid base colour ‘and white’, that is the base colour with open white areas as opposed to roan or they can be ‘ticked’ – this is flecks of base colour intermingled in the white areas. Bi and Tri-Coloured dogs have ‘tan points’.

Sable and sable roan (pattern) also exists within the breed, however in 2011 the Breed Council declared this coat pattern to be undesirable.

For an example of how the “roan” pattern develops on blue roan puppies click here & for orange roans click here. Click on an image to enlarge.

Parti-Colours (Roans & Open Marked)
Dark Blue Roan		Blue Roan		Steel Blue Roan
Mid Blue Roan		Mid Blue Roan		Light Blue Roan
Dark Blue Roan & Tan		Steel Blue Roan & Tan		Silver Blue Roan & Tan
Light Blue Roan & Tan		Black & White Ticked		Black, White Ticked & Tan
Black & White		Black, White & Tan (Tri-Colour)		Orange Roan
Orange, White & Ticked		Orange & White
Lemon & White		Dark Liver (Chocolate) Roan		Liver Roan
Light Liver (Chocolate) Roan		Light Liver (Chocolate) Roan & Tan		Liver (Chocolate) White & Ticked
Liver (Chocolate) & White		Liver (Chocolate), White & Tan		Sable Roan
Solid Colours
Black		Black & Tan		Red/Golden
Golden		Light Gold		Liver (Chocolate)
Liver (Chocolate) & Tan		Dark Sable		Sable