Scottie Coat Colors

Coat Colors

by Ginger McAfee

McDuff always struck a handsome pose. Anytime we were out together, people would comment on how ‘old’ he looked. Or ask what kind of “Schnauzer” he was. Actually he was a beautiful silver brindle Scottie. When you mention Scotties, most people automatically think of black. Many are amazed that they even come in other colors, and ask, “Are they like ‘real’ Scotties?”

There has always been controversy over what was the original and natural color of our Scots. I am of the opinion that the original working Scottie was not kept at all for the color of his coat but how he performed his duties.

 Dr. Fayette Ewing, author of “The Book of the Scottish Terrier”, copyright 1932, revised edition 1949 states that in Volume I of the Stud Book of the Scottish Terrier Club of Scotland, published in 1895, there were 531 registrations, only 56 were registered as black with no other markings. Being very careful to identify each color, the registry had 39 color variations of which were descriptions such as ‘Grayish brindle, Brownish brindle, and ‘Nearly’ black.

The Standard of points of the Scottish Terrier Club of America, adopted in 1993  states  color as follows:
            Black, wheaten, or brindles of any color. Many blacks and brindle dogs have

            sprinklings of white or silver hairs in their coats which are normal and not to

            be penalized. White can be allowed only on the chest and chin and that to a

            slight extent only.

So how do we get these colors and why do we never see a spotted Scottie? According to Jill-Marie Jones’ article “Coats of Many Colors”, Dog Fancy magazine, May 1991,  Dogs have two major types of pigment, yellow and black. The color of our dog’s coats, is determined by genes controlling the amount and extent of distribution of these two colors. 

Pigment is formed by the interaction of two types of substances. First is the chromogen, or the color base. The second is an enzyme or catalyst; it can be limited, varied or inhibited in it’s effect. Together these two form the granules of pigment called melanin, which is distributed in differing amounts throughout the hair. The variations in this distribution are what account for the different colors and patterns in our Scotties.

Mrs. Dorothy Caspersz who contributed to the written history of Scotties was quoted by Muriel P. Lee in “The Official Book of the Scottish Terrier”, copyright 1994, page126. Ms Lee states, “Mrs. Capersz noted that there are three absolute self-colors in the breed; black, red, and wheaten.”

Black seems to be the dominant color in most any color scheme. And is the color that most first time Scottie owners seem to prefer. Black Scotties are also quite dashing in the show ring or out on a leisurely stroll, with their person. I think too, that because we see Scotties in silhouette so often that the public gets the image of Scotties as being black.

The Brindle pattern, which can be loosely described and having more than one color in the coat,  is quite complex in it’s action. The brindle coat is usually harsher and easier to maintain. Some coats seem to have a brindle genetic base but because the two colors involved are closely related, the brindle is hardly visible. I have seen Scotties who only show their ‘brindle’ when clipped very closely on the back. Other brindles have almost a distinct pattern that is nearly evenly distributed over the entire body. McDuff has a very even pattern to his coat, except around his face which is much darker. From a distance his coat looks gray but on closer inspection you can see the different, individual colors in the coat.

The brindle gene is recessive. Generally speaking either one parent must be a brindle or both parents carry the  gene in order to produce a brindle Scottie. There is still much research needed to positively identify all the modifiers and possibilities of other genes that could determine the different colors of brindles that we see in our breed. It does appear that certain dogs have the tendency to pass on genes that produce certain colors. There are also some who think that the receptors and mutations to the brindle gene can cause the different color patterns.

Wheaten, according to the AKC “Definitions of Unusual or Special Colors”,  is “a dull, lowly-saturated yellow.”  Not a particularly attractive way to describe our beautiful ‘wheatie’ Scotties. I prefer to call them, ‘the color of golden, ripe wheat’. All colors of wheaten are acceptable but the lighter, nearly white, coat is undesirable. The wheaten gene is also  recessive,  meaning that in order to produce a wheaten, both parents must carry the gene. The parents could be black or brindle but each have a wheaten gene to pass on to the offspring, creating a wheaten puppy. This is called heterozygous, each dog having two different type genes. Or you can breed a homozygous wheaten ( one who has two wheaten genes) to a black or brindle and produce a wheaten puppy. It still amazes me that you can breed a wheaten Scottie and a black Scottie and not get spots or stripes, but then it is all mapped out in that genetic code that we hear so much about these days.

It is my humble opinion that the color of your Scot’s coat is not nearly as important as who he is. Beneath those ‘coats of many colors’ beats a heart that is as true and loyal as the rugged Highlanders of old Scotia.

Many thanks to Dr. Rick Oliver, medical technician, in Nashville, TN for his help in putting together this article.