| Roan Cocker Spaniels |
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| Roan is a coat pattern in the American Cocker Spaniel and several other AKC recognized breeds. The list that is associated with this page is a list of Roan American Cocker owners that are interested in promoting the health, welfare, and education of this beloved pattern. Roans are considered Parti colored Cockers, i.e. "roaning" occurs in the areas of white giving an overall mottled appearance to the white areas, like cream being stirred into black coffee. Roan coloration can easily been differentiated from Merle even by the novice because merling only occurs in the areas of color, and nothing appears in the white - the exact opposite placement of color changes from a roan. Roans are genetically different as well - the Roan gene is a recessive, therefore at least one true roan parent is necessary to have any roan puppies in a litter. Roans can be bred with other roans, with sables, and partis without dire consequences. Merle genes, however, have often been paired with roan genes in the minds of those that have not investigated either to any degree. Merle genes are dominant and can be carried for generations without "showing" themselves in a Merle pattern but can still effect the offspring. Merle genes have been shown to cause a myriad of health concerns as well, and a dog with Merle genes should never be bred to another dog that has Merle genes. Unfortunately, since the ASC will not allow the AKC to put merles on a Z-list or mark them in any way as Merle, many merles are being registered as roans - even more cause for those who are promoting and protecting roans to be ever more vigilant about their pedigrees to insure that no merles enter their breeding programs, even if they appear visually to be another "type" of cocker. The roan pattern was prevalent in English Cockers and stayed in the breeding programs and was nurtured by a small group of people in the fancy when the English Cocker and American Cocker split and became two breeds. Roan lovers have nurtured and promoted the pattern in both the conformation show and agility rings for years. Finally, the roans are beginning to become more well known and appreciated by those in the fancy. Due to this recent upsurge in popularity though, those who own roans must become more vigilant in their protection of the pattern and insure that it is not lost and that the quality of roan dogs does not fall. Feel free to browse around and e-mail us if you have questions or comments. |
| Site Owner & Administrator: Genji Bailey Last Updated: 11.13.07 |
