GALLERY 6 - BELTON
The ticking gene is responsible for flecks of colour appearing in white areas of the coat. Ticking generally is not apparent at birth. Ticking can be very light or very heavy; markings varying in size from tiny wisps of colour to small patches. It develops over the months as a puppy matures with small freckles appearing on the skin followed by the hair in those areas becoming coloured where it used to be white. It may come as an unexpected surprise to owners, leading more than one (me included) to worry that the puppy is suffering from some strange skin disease. Not to worry. If your puppy has the ticking gene, this is very normal.
Ticking matches the coloured portions of the coat with black ticking on a black belton and brown ticking on a chocolate belton. A colour ticked coat is called Belton or Parti Belton. The appearance may be more familiar if you look at hunting dogs such as English Cockers and English Setters. See the explanation of the ticking gene in the definitions section.
BLACK PARTICOLOUR
Judah is owned and loved by the Herefords. At first, he looked like a typical particolour puppy with black patches on a white coat. BUT.....
BLACK PARTI BELTON
Horacio, a pampered pet owned by Shawna Griggs started showing his ticking when he
was very young.
BLACK PARTI BELTON
The Brown family's Penny shows a close up
of the Belton markings sprinkled across her shoulders.
BACK ... Gallery 5
BLACK PARTI BELTON
Eight month old Judah has just had a haircut.
Much to his family's surprise, his snow white
coat is now peppered with black spots.
BLACK PARTI BELTON
This is Horacio again, a little more grown up.
The earlier the ticking starts, the heavier it is
likely to be.
CHOCOLATE PARTI BELTON
Look closely. Maya Rose has light Belton markings with only few wisps of colour in her legs and rump. Her ticking is brown to match her chocolate coat.
BLACK PARTI BELTON
Brooklyn, owned by Nancy Hennessey; her coat has been parted to show where it is threaded through with wisps of black.
BLACK PARTI BELTON
Another look at Horacio; he is a good example of what heavy ticking looks like. Would you have guessed this is the same dog?
BLACK BELTON
Ticking is easily seen on a shaved coat, but
as the coat grows out, the spots become
less distinct leaving a blurry salt/pepper look
or streaked appearance to the coat.