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Mismarks or not?
Wednesday, 19 May 2004

There are some normal marks on Labrador puppies. Can we agree on their impact?  Most would agree that we can't agree. 

 

White on the chest

 


 
Permission for use from
breeder obtained

The Standard says:"A small white spot on the chest is permissible, but not desirable. " "Small"-- interesting word. Rather subjective, no? -- exactly... that's the problem with a word like that. To some, a few hairs is too big. To others, a spot the size of a thumbprint is "small". Are the examples above "too big"? Probably. I would say that the puppy on the left has far too much white. The puppy on the right might grow into his, but I doubt it.
 




Too much for the
show ring?
Probably yes.
Too much white
to love?
Heck no!
 
 

The bottom line is, that you can show a dog with a white spot on its chest if it is "small", however, that spot will be penalized to some degree by some judges. A "large" spot will be penalized by most if not all, and a "blaze" or white front would definately be penalized by all, and would be considered a mismark.
What is small and what is large, is up to the individual judge.

 
Too much white to show?
Perhaps for some,
but most would consider
this a small white spot,
and if the puppy is
conformationally nice,
would show it.

 
 

Is white a mismark? If it is confined to the chest (or "Bolo marks"). Not really.

 Many blacks normally have some white in the groin as well, and breeder-judges would not likely consider this a "mismark" unless it showed when the dog was standing: 

However, there is a point, at which white on a black must be considered a true mismark:

 

Image This sweet boy is 100% Labrador.

 

 
And another...

Permission for use from breeder obtained- mother Light yellow, Father Chocolate. Both AKC Registered.

 

Still, they make wonderful pets, they love you just the same, and they are still Labradors, regardless of the mismarks on their bodies.

 

Bolo Marks

 

Note the white spots behind the front feet of these two puppies. These are called "Bolo Marks". Named after English Dual CH Banchory Bolo, who, as legend has it, produced this mark in many of his puppies. The mark often goes away, and/or is hidden by black hairs as an adult, and becomes virtually undetectable. This is not considered a "mismark", and it is often thought that these marks are an indicator of a puppy who will have an exceptional coat as an adult.

 

Were these marks to be visible as an adult, it *could* (but not necessarily) be considered a mismark in the show ring. Many breeder-judges understand the mark as being normal, and would likely ingnore it, depending on the size of the mark, and the whims of the individual judge.

 
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