Tan patches on back of neck- A fault?

[ljbrd33]

I have a 5 month old Male Rottie, Zeus, and he has tan patches on the back of his neck. They are approximately 4 inches by 4 inches on either side of his neck ( he is already 62 pounds, and has a large neck already). I was wondering that if I decide to show him, will this be considered a fault in the show ring? I have owned three other Rotties and none of them had any patches on their necks, they were all jet black. My vet says not to worry about it, but having spent a considerable amount of money on him, I'm curious to know if anyone has any information about this matter. He has all the correct markings, and has a GREAT! disposition, which is most important to me. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[diane]

Originally Posted by ljbrd33

I have a 5 month old Male Rottie, Zeus, and he has tan patches on the back of his neck. They are approximately 4 inches by 4 inches on either side of his neck ( he is already 62 pounds, and has a large neck already). I was wondering that if I decide to show him, will this be considered a fault in the show ring? I have owned three other Rotties and none of them had any patches on their necks, they were all jet black. My vet says not to worry about it, but having spent a considerable amount of money on him, I'm curious to know if anyone has any information about this matter. He has all the correct markings, and has a GREAT! disposition, which is most important to me. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi i have a 15week old bitch rottie (whitney) and she has tan marking on the top of her ears, i was wondering if this is ok as i am worried that she isnt a pedigree. Can you please help.

[Nishasmom]

I do not show, and am not a confirmation expert. From what I have learned, a pedigree means nothing. Your dog can be AKC registered with a pedigree, and still have incorrect markings. Some full blood rotties (as well as other breeds) have incorrect markings; it is just that, incorrect. It does not mean he doesn't have a pedigree.

As for the markings on the neck; I haven't seen any show dogs with it. I don't think it is in the AKC "standard"; if its not, then I assume it would be considered a fault.

[nlavett]

I would think that the tan patches on the back of the neck would be a fault according to the AKC Standard. I have included a link.

American Kennel Club - Rottweiler

As for the 15 week old pup, my Xasha had small patches of tan on the tops of her ears as well. I brought this concern up to the breeder the day we picked her up. She assured me they would darken to black. She is 8 months now and they are gone.

[Hawkblack]

Coat
Outer coat is straight, coarse, dense, of medium length and lying flat. Undercoat should be present on neck and thighs, but the amount is influenced by climatic conditions. Undercoat should not show through outer coat. The coat is shortest on head, ears and legs, longest on breeching. The Rottweiler is to be exhibited in the natural condition with no trimming. Fault--Wavy coat. Serious Faults--Open, excessively short, or curly coat; total lack of undercoat; any trimming that alters the length of the natural coat. Disqualification--Long coat.

What you may be seeing is the undercoat showing through. It also could change as this is a a puppy that still has puppy coat. Enjoy your puppy let them grow and all will be good.

As for the puppy with the tan on ears this usually like the neck goes away. it is usually puppy fur. Most of my puppies that I have raised have had this on their ears. Sometimes as the puppy coat gets ready to blow or shed out it can look red tint.

[ljbrd33]

Thanks for the information. I'm hoping the patches will go away in due time.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by ljbrd33

I have a 5 month old Male Rottie...he has tan patches on the back of his neck....if I decide to show him, will this be considered a fault in the show ring?...My vet says not to worry about it, but having spent a considerable amount of money on him, I'm curious to know if anyone has any information about this matter....

Why not ask your puppy's breeder? Your breeder should be the first person to whom you turn with any concerns.

[OnyxGold1]

I had a pup from my first litter that had huge tan patches on both sides of his neck as well. It was an enigma to me until I saw the pup in handling classes what his owners were referring to. What had happened is that the pup was wearing a choke chain 24/7 and what the chain was doing was breaking the guard hairs on his coat and that all that was visible was the undercoat. I had his parents stop making him wear a choke chain and within 6 weeks or so he was back to normal.

They have chain collars that you see frequently at Sieger shows 'fur saver' collars which don't break the guard hairs as well as some of the wider banded collars.

Perhaps this is what has happened with your boy??

Heather

[warriec]

My rottie had a red tint of her head fur until she is 7 months old, i was worried but i realised it was just a stage that they pass thru.

Tan patch and white patches for me is a night mare. they may go as the pup gets older or may stay put. I wouldnt take a chance cause once i get attached to a pup i cannot let them go so I am looking at a life time of pain.

[ljbrd33]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Why not ask your puppy's breeder? Your breeder should be the first person to whom you turn with any concerns.

I'm well aware of that, thanks. I just thought it would perhaps help to put the question to the audience to see if anyone else has had this happen to their puppy. I appreciate the feedback from the others who had something helpful to say.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by ljbrd33

I'm well aware of that....I appreciate the feedback from the others who had something helpful to say.

In your op you noted

Originally Posted by ljbrd33

My vet says not to worry about it....

Did I miss your posting that you'd asked your dog's breeder?

[warriec]

Sorry if i was rude, i show dogs and i always try in my level best to improve the breed so i dont take chances.

[dabigpsycho]

Whats up everybody....

I signed up because I am experiencing a similar issue with my 10 month old American bitch. About a month ago I noticed tanish gray patches and streaks appearing on the sides of her neck and by her ears. I have never seen this before and the kinda popped up out the blue and has me worried that she maynot be full blooded as her papers indicate and as her parents demonstrate. I previously had a German girl for seven years and have never saw that color pattern on her or any other Rott, should I be worried?

[OnyxGold1]

I have placed a quote from breed standard which may alleviate your mind:

Outer coat is straight, coarse, dense, medium length, lying flat. Undercoat must be present on neck and thighs.

What you are seeing is undercoat which is normal and as the above sentence states MUST BE PRESENT ON NECK AND THIGHS.

Undercoat can vary between greyish/brownish/tan streaks in the coat...normal.

If your concern is that your dog isn't a purebred then probably best to have her and her parents DNA tested to ensure that is what you have.

Heather Peters