Pictures of colors

*Only a breeder who has done there research on dogs genetics and has tested there dogs will know what color dogs they can produce. As well as what to look for when identifying a puppy as a certain color(ex. silver). They will also know which colors can be registered. *

White or Cream: They are born this color. Cream is defined by a yellow tint. They are dilate red on the intensity loci and ee on the E locus. They can have black(BB or Bb on B locus), brown(bb on locus), or dilate(dd on D locus) nose, paws, eye rims, etc. They are only solid in color. Some creams may show white markings(SS, Ssp, or spsp on the S locus)

Apricot: They are born this color or sometime white/cream and turn this color by 1/2 weeks old along with there white markings, if no white markings by then they are solid.  If  the puppy takes 1/2 weeks to show this color this color then it will fade back to the color it was born at birth. Apricot is defined as a yellow/orange color or tan.   They are intermediate red on the intensity loci and ee on the E locus. They can have black(BB or Bb on B locus), brown(bb on locus), or dilate(dd on D locus) nose, paws, eye rims, etc. They can have white markings(SS, Ssp, or spsp on the S locus) or be solid colors. 

Red: They are born this color or sometimes white/cream/apricot and turn this color by 1/2 weeks old along with there white markings, if no white markings by then they are solid. If  the puppy takes 1/2 weeks to show this color this color then it will fade back to the color it was born at birth. Red is defined as reddish/brown color. To bright to be brown but to dark to be apricot.    They are intense red on the intensity loci and ee on the E locus. They can have black(BB or Bb on B locus), brown(bb on locus), or dilate(dd on D locus) nose, paws, eye rims, etc. They can have white markings(SS, Ssp, or spsp on the S locus) or be solid colors. 

Tri-color: This is a dog that has many colors in its fur(more than two).  They are EE or Ee on the E locus, KBky or kyky on the K locus, SS or Ssp or spsp on the S locus. Tri-color can be mixed with any color besides the ee(white, cream, apricot, or red)! Note: AKC does not have this as registrable color however CKC does have the tri-color option.

Black: They are born this color along with there white markings. If no white markings at birth they are solid. They are EE or Ee on the E locus, BB or Bb on the B locus, and KBKB or KBky on the K locus. They can have white markings(SS or Ssp on the S locus) or be solid colored. 

Brown:  They are born this color along with there white markings. If no white markings at birth they are solid. They are EE or Ee on the E locus, bb on the B locus, and KBKB or KBky on the K locus. They can have white markings(SS or Ssp on the S locus) or be solid colored. 

Brindle: They dogs are born this color. Black, Brown, Sable, wolf/grey, phantom, or parti with strips. Brindle means they have strips on the body kind of like a zebra/tiger; the strips can be various different colors of "red"; sometimes it's just tan colored hairs in certain areas, such as the legs. Sometimes it's hard to know rather it's brindle or a secondary color. Brindle is hard to identify.  They are EE or Ee on the E locus and KBky(normally) on the K locus. You can tell brindle very well on a sable(most brindles are sables). The brindle coloring shows whatever is on the A locus so sable(AY), agouti/wolf grey(aw) or Tan (at) along with the brindle. They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus). Note: This is not a registerable color. The genetic testing company I use, does not test for the brindle gene. 

Ghost Tan/Sable/Agouti/wolf grey: Shows faint tan markings(at) or makes the hair banded aw(means different color on the base of the hair vs the color on the tip) . They are born a solid(black or brown) color but show tan markings or banding around 4-8 weeks old, some are born this color. They are EE or Ee on the E locus, KBky on the K locus, and atat(ghost tan), AYat(ghost sable or ghost tan), AYaw(ghost sable or ghost agouti/wolf grey), awat(ghost agouti/wolf grey or ghost tan), or awaw(ghost agouti/wolf grey) on the A locus. They can be black or brown. It is unknown what causes some dogs to show this while others don't. It is though that the KB is "faulty" (brindle). They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus). Note: This is not a register able color(the term ghost tan is not a color option). 

Seal: Makes a black dog look brown/red. They are born this color but often have a black stripe down the back. They are EE or Ee on the E locus, KBky on the K locus, and AYAY on the A locus. It is unknown what causes some dogs to show this while others don't. It is though that the KB is "faulty" (brindle). They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus). Note: This is not a register able color(the term seal is not a color option). 

Sable: "Red" with black or brown hairs. They are born "red" with black hairs. Only way to know a true sable from a true red dog is sables produces black hairs where red dogs can not produce any black hairs at all and testing. Let me also be clear that many breeders that call there dog/puppy "sable" are really agouti/wolf grey not truly sable. You can get true sable poodles. They are EE or Ee on the E locus, AYAY or AYaw or AYat on the A locus, and kyky on the K locus or sometimes KBky, thought to be a "fautly" KB(brindle). They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus). Note: This is not a registerable color(the term sable is not a color option).  

Agouti/wolf grey: Hairs are banded. Has different colored hair from the base to tip.  It causes banded hairs, mostly covering the back and head (the legs, chest and underside are usually clear phaeomelanin)You can tell a dog is agouti/wolf grey by the coat. The dog will have white and greying and tan color before 8 weeks. Some are born this color, they look like a wolf as they get older.  Grey wolves come in many different shades of colorings. They look similar to a phantom but instead of being black, brown, blue, or cafe-au-lait they are grey in color.  They are EE or Ee on the E locus, awaw or awat on the A locus, and kyky on the K locus sometimes KBky, thought to be a "fautly" KB (brindle). They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus) but it will be covered up as they age due to the agouti/wolf grey(aw) gene. Sometimes get called sables as well however they are not sables but agouti/wolf grey. Note: This is not a register able color(the term agouti/wolf grey is not a color option). 

PHANTOMS: They have tan points found above the eyes, side of muzzle to cheecks, on the front of the chest, on the lower legs, and as a patch under the tail. Phantoms poodles are born this color they do not change over time! The only color that will change over time in a phantom is the Cafe-au-lait and Blue which is dilated black and brown. But they will be born black and tan or brown and tan. If a silver phantom they will also be born black and tan but will completely turn silver which will cover up the phantom. Brown and Tan phantoms are bb on the B locus. Cafe-au-lait and Tan phantoms are bb on the B locus and dd on the D locus. Black and Tan phantoms are BB or Bb on the B locus. Blue and Tan phantoms are BB or Bb on the B locus and dd on the D locus. They are EE or ee on the E locus, kyky on the K locus sometimes KBky, thought to be a "faulty" KB(brindle), and atat on the A locus(can not be combined with anything else on the A locus; anything else changes them from a phantom to the more dominant A; ether sable(AY) or agouti/wolf grey(aw)). They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus). Note: This is not register able color(the term phantom is not a color option). 

Abstract/tuxedo/Irish spotting: All  mean the dog has white markings, normally found in multiple areas(head, chest, feet, etc.).  They are normally born with there white markings but in lighter colors such as apricots and reds it can take a week or two to show there white markings. These dogs are not called parti because parti is a nearly solid white with colored markings. Where Abstract is color with white markings. They test Ssp on the S locus or sometimes SS(in genetic terms residual white when SS). The S locus does not explain all white markings. This is why a dog can test SS but still have white markings as well as a dog can test Ssp and have no white markings. Note: This is not register able color(the term abstract/tuxedo/Irish spotting is not a color option). 

Blaze/Mismark: This means a dog has a small white patch, normally just one spot(head or chest or foot). They are normally born with there white patch but in lighter colors such as apricots and reds it can take a week or two to show. They test SS on the S locus or sometimes Ssp. The S locus does not explain all white markings. This is why a dog can test SS but still have white markings as well as a dog can test Ssp and have no white markings. Note: This is not register able color(the term Blaze is not a color option).

Parti: They are born mostly white with colored spots of fur(normally colored head, base of  tail, and on the body anywhere),spots are rarely found on the legs.  Brown spots is bb on the B locus and Black spots are BB or Bb on the B locus. They are spsp on the S locus sometimes Ssp.  If ee on E locus it can be hard to tell they are a parti due to the lack of pigment being produced by the ee. ee Partis will likely have less spots and there spots will be a shade of "red" rather than the traditional black or brown spots. They can be mixed with any color. Note: AKC does not have this as register able color however CKC does. 

Blue: They are born Black and lighten over time.  To tell a true blue from a black or silver or grey is by the nose. The nose lacks the black pigment on black or grey/silver. The eye color is also lightened. Let me also be clear here most breeders that call there dog/puppy "blue" is not truly blue but a faded black due to the greying gene(Gg). You can get true blue poodles. Black dogs born with the dilate trait. They are dd on the D locus. They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus) or be solid colored. Best way to know for sure is testing. 

Cafe-au-lait: They are born brown and lighten over time. To tell a true cafe-au-lait from a brown, silver beige, or grey is by the nose. The nose lacks the brown pigment on brown, silver beige, or grey. Let me be clear most breeders that call there dog/puppies "cafe-au-lait" or not true cafe-au-lait but a "red" dog with a brown nose. You can get a true cafe-au-lait poodle.  Brown dog born with the dilate trait. They are dd on the D locus, bb on the B locus, and EE or Ee on the E locus.  They can have white markings (SS or Ssp on the S locus) or be solid colored. Best way to know for sure is testing.

Merle: They are born with there merle coloring(dilated color ranging from very pale "powder blue" to dark grey). They are normally mostly a blue/gray with black or brown patches. To tell the difference between a merle and silvers and other dilate colors is by the eyes: one or both eyes can blue(not always the case) or the nose; the nose will be partly or all pink or they will have a spit face.  Not all merles have blue eyes or pink noses though, and merles with heavy dark patching are more likely to have normal eye and nose pigment. Merles have patches of there normal color which can range from very few patches to the merle being covered up by the normal color.  Merle is a tricky gene and can be hidden this is why testing is important. They are Mm or MM on the M locus. Some dogs may test Mm but not show any merle coloring at all. This is why genetic testing is so IMPORTANT when breeding dogs! They can have white markings or be parti (SS, Ssp, or spsp on the S locus).  Note: This is not a AKC register able color.  There are A TON of BREEDERS not there that will call there puppies a blue merle. They are not blue but black with greying because of the merle gene. Therefore they are a black merle. Merle is dominant so you can have any color merle! A true blue merle is dd on the dilate locus! Testing will provide true color naming of individual dogs/puppies! *Some people believe that merle poodles are not true bred poodles but a cross between breeds. What I do know is that there are both CKC and AKC registered merle poodles. I also know that all dogs come from only a few common ancestors. The merle gene could have stayed hidden for years given that a dog can test Mm and not show ANY merle AT ALL! Also that colors on paperwork where picked based off the best options for colors at the time. I also know that out crossing is sometimes necessary to avoid inter breeding(inbreeding) issues.       

Silver: They are born black but slowly start to silver over time before 2(before the normal greying with age).  Hard to tell if  they will be a silver or not until they get older or by shaving the face/looking at the paws around 6-8 weeks. If born from one or even two grey carrying parents it is likely they will be silver. They are EE or Ee on the E locus, BB or Bb on the B locus, and GG or Gg on the G locus.  The greying gene is not the same gene as the dilate gene, so these dogs are not dd on the D locus. They can have white markings(SS or Ssp on the S locus) but they will fade out as they silver. Note: The genetic testing company I use, does not test for the greying gene. 

Grey: They are born black/brown with a white or black mask but start to turn agouti/wolf grey(grey) before 8 weeks. Greys have lots of white mixed in with there grey. Some can be born grey.  They are EE or Ee on the E locus, awaw or awat on the A locus and kyky or KBky on the K locus. They can have white markings(SS or Ssp on the S locus) but it will be covered up as they age due to the agouti/wolf grey(aw) gene. If they are not aw on the A locus then they are silver.

Silver Beige: They are born brown but slowly start to silver over time before 2(before the normal greying with age). Some can be born silver beige. Hard to tell if  they will be a silver beige or not until they get older or by shaving the face/looking at the paws around 6-8 weeks. If born from one or even two grey carrying parents it is likely they will be silver beige.  They are EE or Ee on the E locus,  bb on the B locus, and GG or Gg on the G locus. The greying gene is not the same gene as the dilate gene, so these dogs are not dd on the D locus. They can have white markings(SS or Ssp on the S locus). Note: The genetic testing company I use, does not test for the greying gene.

White mask: The muzzle is white. They are born with the mask. They test Eg on the E locus, In order for the Eg to show threw they must be kyky or KBKy on the K locus or they simply just have white markings(Ssp) and no Eg. White masking is also common in agouti/wolf grey dogs. 

Black mask:  Anything from the end of the muzzle to the whole muzzle is black; can even cover the ears and eyebrows. They are born with the mask. With a sable black mask can cover the chest and even the tip of the tail. They test Em on the E locus in order for the EM to show they must test KBky or kyky on the K locus,. Black masked dogs can also have white markings(SS or Ssp on the S locus).

The E locus: The E Locus determines if and where a dog can produce dark (black or brown) hair. Dogs with two copies of the recessive e allele do not produce dark hairs at all, and will be “red” over their entire body. The shade of red, which can range from a deep copper to yellow/gold to cream, is dependent on other genetic factors including the Intensity loci.  In addition to determining if a dog can develop dark hairs at all, the E Locus can give a dog a black “mask” or “widow’s peak,” unless the dog has overriding coat color genetic factors. Dogs with one or two copies of the Em allele usually have a melanistic mask (dark facial hair as commonly seen in the German Shepherd and Pug). Dogs with no copies of Em but one or two copies of the Eg allele usually have a melanistic "widow's peak" (dark forehead hair as commonly seen in the Afghan Hound and Borzoi, where it is called either “grizzle” or “domino”). 

EE or Ee dogs can be black, brown, phantom, sable, agouti/wolf grey, brindle, or merle. An ee dog will be anywhere from a white to a deep red color. They are unable to produce ANY dark hair at ALL! An ee dog will hide sable, phantom, brown, merle, agouti/wolf grey, and sometimes parti. They will not show any other color but white, cream, apricot, or red some with white markings.  Em is dominant over all other the other extensions so the dog only needs one to express it but has to be kyky or kbrky for it to show(see K locus).  

There are six known alleles on the E (Extension) locus - Em (eumelanin mask), E (normal extension), EA (Northern domino), Eg (sighthound domino/grizzle), Eh (Cocker sable), and e (recessive red).

*- Em produces a eumelanin mask on the muzzle and/or ears. Sometimes this may also spread to the tail and the front of the chest.

*- E (normal extension) has no effect on the phenotype.

*- EA, g, and h are known as grizzle or domino. Their clearest expression is on tan-pointed dogs, but they also have a complex interaction with other genes including the K locus.

*- e is recessive red, which turns all eumelanin in the coat to phaeomelanin. Recessive red dogs will always be solid red (with or without white), regardless of which alleles are present on the other loci, meaning recessive red can even mask merle. It is genetically impossible for a recessive red to have any black/liver/blue/isabella in its coat, although eumelanin in the eyes and nose is generally unaffected.

The Intensity loci: Areas of a dog's coat where dark (black or brown) pigment is not expressed either contain red/yellow pigment, or no pigment at all.  Dogs with a result of Intense Red Pigmentation will likely have deep red hair like an Irish Setter or "apricot" hair like some Poodles, dogs with a result of Intermediate Red Pigmentation will likely have tan or yellow hair like a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, and dogs with Dilute Red Pigmentation will likely have cream or white hair like a Samoyed.

Diluate Red means the dog is likely cream or white. Intermediate Red means the dog is likely yellow or tan(apricot in poodle terms). Intense Red means Red. This loci only has an effect on dogs that are ee(white, cream, apricot, or red), kyky(sable, agouti/wolf grey, or phantom), Ssp, or spsp(Parti). 

The K locus:  The K Locus KB allele “overrides” the A Locus, meaning that it prevents the A Locus genotype from affecting coat color. For this reason, the KB allele is referred to as the “dominant black” allele. As a result, dogs with at least one KB allele will usually have solid black or brown coats (or red/cream coats if they are ee at the E Locus) regardless of their genotype at the A Locus, although several other genes could impact the dog’s coat and cause other patterns, such as white spotting. Dogs with the kyky genotype will show a coat color pattern based on the genotype they have at the A Locus. Dogs who test as KBky may be brindle rather than black or brown. 

A KBKB dog will be dominant black. A KBky dog carriers one dominant and one recessive black, they can show ghost tan/agouti/sable (a dog who is atat on the A locus ghost tan. AYat on a locus Ghost sable or ghost tan. AWat on A locus Ghost agouti or ghost tan, AWAW on the A locus Ghost agouti; see A locus) or seal (a dog who is AYAY on the A locus; see A locus) colors. Sometimes dogs will also show sable, agouti/wolf grey, or phantom even though they test KBky("faultly KB/brindle Kbr) rather than kyky. KBky may also be a brindle(kbr) which is striped! If kbr(brindle) they will show whatever is on there A locus. With kbr(brindle) some cells to show KB while others ky this is why most brindle dogs will test KBky. A kyky will be whatever color is on it's A locus.   

The K locus in dogs has three alleles: KB (dominant black), kbr (brindle) and ky (non-black).

Dominant black dogs (KBky or KBKB) are solid eumelanin all over, with or without white markings. The eumelanin can be modified by other genes to liver, blue, isabella or even merle, but there can't be any red/tan (phaeomelanin) in the coat except for bronzing, which is discolouration or bleaching.

kyky dogs are "non-blacks". A kyky dog will display whatever it has on its A locus (sable, tan points or agouti), which will usually be a mix of eumelanin and phaeomelanin. A kbrky or kbrkbr dog will also display whatever it has on its A locus, but any phaeomelanin in the coat will be brindled.

Most black dogs have the dominant black gene, but there's also another, less common gene that can cause solid black too - recessive black (a on the A locus).

Seal and ghost tan are caused when the A locus seems to "show through" on a dominant black dog, possibly caused by a faulty KB allele(brindle).

The A locus: The A Locus controls switching between black and red pigment in hair cells, but it will only be expressed in dogs that are not ee at the E Locus and are kyky or Kbrky at the K Locus. Sable(AY) (also called “Fawn”) dogs have a mostly or entirely red coat with some interspersed black hairs. aw: Agouti (aw) (also called “Wolf Sable”) dogs have red hairs with black tips, mostly on their head and back. Black and tan (at: tan ponits) dogs are mostly black or brown with lighter patches on their cheeks, eyebrows, chest, and legs. Recessive black dogs have solid-colored black or brown coats.

A locus ONLY affects dogs that are kyky/Ee or EE and sometimes also dogs that have a "faulty" KB or kbr(brindle) when KBky. A sable(AY) dog is kyky/AYAY or AYat or AYaw. Sable(AY)  is dominant over ALL other a locus. Sable(AY) can be clear, tipped, or shaded. A clear sable is a completely red dog with just a FEW dark hairs. They are almost impossible to distinguish from an ee dog! A tipped sables are red dogs with dark hairs, usually on the back, head, ears and tail. A shaded sable are red dogs with brown and black hairs covering the top of the head, ears and back. It doesn't matter rather a dog is a clear, tipped, or shaded they are still a SABLE! An agouti/wolf grey dog is kyky/awaw or awat this is the next extension after sable.  Agouti/wolf grey(aw) causes banded hairs, mostly covering the back and head. This means that as the fur is growing, first the cells produce one type of pigment (dark colored pigment) and then they switch to another type(red). Another distinctive feature is the "spectacles" of tan that often appear around the eyes. In poodle terms these dogs are grey/silver beige or tri-colored(black, red, and white) often these puppies are called "sables".  Tan points(at) next extension after agouti/wolf grey: for this to show a dog must have two copies of the tan point gene in order to express tan points, so their A locus genotype must be atat! Called a phantom in poodle terms! There is no such thing as a sable phantom the dog is ether sable or phantom not a sable phantom. There is also no such thing as a cream/apricot/red and tan phantom, in order for the dog to be phantom it HAS to be EE or Ee this is because ee(red) dogs can not produce any dark hairs!  

There are four known alleles: Ay (sable), aw (agouti/wolf grey), at (tan points), and a (recessive black), as well as a currently untestable tan point allele in border collies (tests as aw). The Agouti locus is only expressed when a dog does not have a dominant black (KB) allele on the K locus, as dominant black overrides all of the agouti patterns.

Sable (Ay) is the top dominant. Sables can be clear (solid phaeomelanin), tipped or shaded (with eumelanin). These are often combined with a mask (Em), which may also increase the amount of shading present. Shading generally occurs on the back, top of the head and ears (with a distinctive "widow's peak"), and the tail.

Agouti/wolf grey (aw) causes banded hairs, mostly covering the back and head (the legs, chest and underside are usually clear phaeomelanin).

The tan point allele (at) causes phaeomelanin to be restricted to the legs, under the tail, front of the chest, muzzle and above the eyes. It is more recessive than sable or agouti, so most tan-pointed dogs are atat.

The tan point pattern is sometimes modified to "saddle" or "creeping" tan, by the RALY gene. Saddle and creeping tan dogs are born with the usual tan point pattern but the eumelanin retreats as the dog ages.

Recessive black (a) is a rare allele only found in a handful of breeds. Recessive black dogs are unable to make any phaeomelanin pigment.

Note that any of the Agouti locus patterns may come with any of the eumelanin pigment colours - black, blue, liver or isabella - as well as brindle, white spotting, merle, etc.

The B locus: Dogs with two copies of the b allele produce brown pigment instead of black in both their hair and skin. Dogs with one copy of the b allele will produce black pigment, but can pass the b allele on to their puppies(carrier). E Locus ee dogs that carry two b alleles will have red or cream coats, but have brown noses, eye rims, and footpads. “Liver” or “chocolate” is the preferred color term for brown in most breeds.

A BB or Bb dog will be Black. Only a bb dog will be brown! An ee(see E locus)/bb dog will be a "red" dog with brown nose/pads. 

The D locus: Dogs with two d alleles, will have all black pigment lightened (“diluted”) to gray, or brown pigment lightened to lighter brown in their hair, skin, and sometimes eyes. There are many breed-specific names for these dilute colors, such as “blue”, “charcoal”, “fawn”, “silver”, and “Isabella”. 

In poodle terms a dd/BB or Bb dog will be blue and an dd/bb dog will be a Cafe au lait. An ee dd dog is already dilate only difference is there nose and eye color is a different. If a sable, phantom, or agouti/wolf grey is also a dilate the colors will fade out over time. 

The S locus: The S Locus determines white spotting and pigment distribution. Dogs with one copy of variant(sp) will have more limited white spotting and may be considered flash, parti or piebald. Dogs with two copies of variant(spsp) will likely have breed-dependent white patterning, with a nearly white, parti, or piebald coat. This variant does not explain all white spotting patterns in dogs and other variants are currently being researched. Some dogs may have small amounts of white on the paws, chest, face, or tail regardless of their S Locus genotype.

An SS dog is likely to be solid colored however some dogs have a small white patch somewhere on them(normally head, chest or toe) called residual white or in poodle terms a blaze. Some dogs that test SS will have a lot of white. An Ssp dog is likely to have white patches(normally on the chest, feet, and head). If a dog is SS but has a lot of white or an Ssp with white markings, it is called an abstract poodle. Also some Ssp dogs have no white at all! Some Ssp dog are solid white with colored patches(parti poodle). spsp dogs are parti poodles. The S locus DOES NOT explain all white patterns in dogs! An ee(red) dog can have white markings however an spsp(parti) ee dog is hard to tell is a parti poodle due to the lack of any dark color being able to show which can cause extreme white. 

The M locus: Merle leads to mottled or patchy coat color. Dogs with an M*m result are likely to be phenotypically merle or could be "non-expressing" merle, meaning that the merle pattern is very subtle or not at all evident in their coat. Dogs with an M*M* result are likely to be phenotypically merle or double merle. Dogs with an mm result have no merle alleles and are unlikely to have a merle coat pattern.

This gene can remain hidden without genetic testing!  Not all merles have blue eyes or pink noses though, and merles with heavy dark patching are more likely to have normal eye and nose pigment!

The Greying gene: is not yet testable. However we know that it is common in the poodle for a dog to fade over time, before normal greying from age. They are working on making this a testable thing in the future. However what we do know now about this is that it is dominant. So a dog only needs one cope to express it. One copy would be faded but still showing the normal color of the dog when clipped. A dog with two copies on the gene would express it as a silver dog, clipping would not show the true color of the dog. Silver dogs are born any color(except ee "red") but fade before 2 to completely silver. The effects on an ee(red) dog would be expressed in fading to varies degrees depending on if they have one or two copies of the gene. For example a red faded to apricot or cream or even white. Or an apricot faded to a cream or white. Even a cream faded to a white is all ways that an ee(red) dog would express the greying gene with both copies of the gene. 

There are other locus and extensions to current locus that can affect coat patterns and colors that are still under research.  I will add information as I can!