Win CENS ProFlex DX5 earplugs worth £1,149 – enter here
A friend has been gundog breeding and a Labrador bitch has had a litter of six black pups - but all of them have been born with odd splashes of white either on their chests, or on one of their paws.
Both dam and sire are KC registered, totally black, so what has gone wrong? Should I go ahead and still get one, or should I steer well clear?
GUNDOG BREEDING
Peter Blatch
I am not sure that anything has gone wrong here because a bit of white often shows up in some of the best bred puppies ? usually a dash on the front of the chest which dims from sight as the dog gets older.
I once had a very well bred pup in for training with just such a mark and its owner was most concerned about it but I told him ?a good dog has not got a bad colour.?
It?s a saying I have used for years and it has never once proved me wrong.
You might not get the use that you would have expected if you plan to breed from this dog in future but so what ? the best yardstick to a dog?s worth and value is how it performs in the field, not what colour it is.
Get the latest news delivered direct to your door
Discover the ultimate companion for field sports enthusiasts with Shooting Times & Country Magazine, the UK’s leading weekly publication that has been at the forefront of shooting culture since 1882. Subscribers gain access to expert tips, comprehensive gear reviews, seasonal advice and a vibrant community of like-minded shooters.
Save on shop price when you subscribe with weekly issues featuring in-depth articles on gundog training, exclusive member offers and access to the digital back issue library. A Shooting Times & Country subscription is more than a magazine, don’t just read about the countryside; immerse yourself in its most authoritative and engaging publication.