Bringing back the original colors.... understanding genetics

According to May 23, 2023 cavalierhealth.org blog titled "WHY DO CAVALIERS' COAT COLORS MATTER?"

"Among 18 cavaliers registered with the UK’s club in May 1945, two were brown-&-whites and one was a black-&-white, comprising 17% of the registrations. And, these off-color cavaliers even were registered and shown in UK conformation shows as late as the 1970s. In 1971, Mrs. Amice Pitt of the UK club wrote of her preference for the now-recognized four color combinations, and since then all CKCS breed standards have adhered to her choices."

This mean one person's preference became the governing decision on what was "acceptable" in colors. The original registered cavaliers had all the genes needed to make the other colors, including black and white, solid black, brown and white, brown and tan, brown tricolor. Some of these colors are also depicted in the paintings of the early cavaliers. The article, with pictures is linked: "Cavalier Health" tab

With genetic testing, these color genes are found in the classic colored dogs.

Pictured here are Chia, Solid black cavalier and Laverne, black and white cavalier. These two colors are related, the only difference being the S locus. Chia is SS and Laverne is SpSp.

Solid Black "Chia"

Bring back the brown and white cavalier!

This little cutie was born at Peaceful Garden's on August 9, 2023. One of very few, and now a growing number of brown and white cavaliers!

Solid Brown Cavaliers

This AKC SOLID CHOCOLATE, Chocolate Lady Godiva, was born to Beretta and Thor in March, 2022. She resides with Donna! She is a solid black cavalier with two copies of the brown gene. Her solid brown brother, Tucker, lives with Jeanne and Dwaine.

Brown Cavaliers

The chocolate color is caused by a brown gene. The brown phenotype will only be visual if both parents contribute a "brown" gene to the puppy. This gene must be tracked in non-visual (brown carrier) classic colored dogs in order to create and maintain diversity in the chocolate brown colored offspring. Our chocolate/brown cavaliers are 100% cavalier, AKC registered, and very carefully bred, tested and tracked. Here is Count Chocula, OFA CHIC Certified Brown and Tan male.

Brown Tricolor "Theo"

Theo is a Eessbb CHIC certified Chocolate Tricolor Cavalier! Look up his testing on www.ofa.org and search "Theobroma Cacao" for all of his health testing and clearances. Theo is now enjoying retirement with his very own family!