Parti coat contoversy...

[Karen Gaffney]

I brought this discussion up on another doodle site and it created some interesting discussion, so I thought I would give it a go here too. Many people here on this site have commented on the beautiful and distinctive Parti coats of my dogs and how relatively rare they are. What many people may not know is that this coat in the poodle world is a raging controversy. Parti coated poodles were once as common as solid coated poodles. The parti gene is a recessive gene ,but only creates coat differences. It is a poodle gene, but at some point two colored coats were not considered to be a desirable coat in a poodle. At that time the standard was changed and until relatively recently parti coated poodle puppies were destroyed, and more recently and more humanely, at the least not allowed to reproduce. This is simply a cosmetic decision and on the part of those who decide dog standard. Some doodle breeders have chosen to allow the two colored puppies to reproduce and that is why there are parti doodles. My part doodles are the same healthy, smart and wonderful doodles as all those solid coated ones out there.
http://www.partipoodleworld.com/PartiPoodleHistory.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080908110121AAlSM7y
I added a couple of articles that explain parti coats, there are many others out there including scientific genetic articles.
Karen G.

[Jessica]

Another doodle sight!? Shame on you Karen! Ha Ha! :)

[Karen Gaffney]

I was there first.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The UKC is now allowing parti-colored poodles in conformation competition, but it is still a disqualification in the AKC.

[Karen Gaffney]

I read that, Germany actually always allowed too, but they had a special category. I see it as progress a way from the silly things we do to mans best friend!
KG

[9pavxfihcp80]

I've never understood what I believe are some rediculous standards set regarding "good and bad" traits. It's like saying that if a woman's measurements aren't 36/24/36 or whatever, that she's not perfect. An antiquated comparison, maybe, but just as silly in my opinion.

I think the parti doodles are gorgeous, and I'm sure that parti poodles are beauties too. It kills me to think that anyone wouldn't agree.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The only thing I can figure out is that maybe back when poodles were hunting dogs and only black, the white or light colored markings would have stood out too much out in the field. it hardly makes sense nowadays, though. It's very common with a lot of breed standards, though...for example, white German Shepherds are disqualified from conformation competition, although allowed in obedience, agility, etc. Conformation is really just a beauty pageant.

[gkce5pjesxm9]

Hi,

I love my parti doodles that my program has produced and so do my customers! My first one, Willis Mc Parti, is a chocolate and white parti and was a complete and utter surprise. Once I realized that my dogs carried this gene recessively, I had a buff and white parti, and apricot and white and recently a black and white.

Please realize that not only do the Poodle breeds carry this gene recessively and otherwise, but so do the foundation stock Cockers/Cockapoos/Spoodles that are an intregal infusion of the lines that created the Australian Multigen Labradoodle. So MANY of the Australian Multigens have this in their recessive gene bank. You will be seeing many more of them now that breeders have seen the demand for these adorable coat patterns. I certainly am one of these breeders and I adore watching them grow along with my solids.

[Adina P]

It really is unfortunate...I learned about this a year or two ago...such a ridiculous bias. It's like the "fault" in labradors who have rose nose or liver pigment. Apparently hunters thought they looked too stark or creepy with their amber eyes and pink noses.

[Jessica]

The majority of pet owners do not show dogs so do not worry about supposed perfection. However, everyone wants a dog with a wonderful temperament! It seems ludicrous therefore, that certain breeders might have discarded a wonderfully tempered but 'imperfect' looking animal.
Good for the common folk for demanding scrappy chappies! We simply love Finny's patches, they make him so unique, like a little cow! We couldn't believe our luck when researching doggy breeds during our puppy search to stumble upon parti-doodles...and mini ones, and ones with taupe eyes and rosy noseys! (Spoon him up with sugar!)