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The English Shepherd

An American Breed

Coat Color and Pattern in English Shepherds

Black and White
The black and white pattern is regulated by two different genes -- the "dominant black" (K) gene locus, and the "white spotting" (S) gene locus.

The allele causing solid black (no tan) pigmentation is dominant, so dogs carrying at least one copy of the "K" allele will generally not have any tan showing in their coat -- with two exceptions:

if a dog ALSO inherits two copies of the recessive yellow ("e") allele, the dog will be clear sable/ no black;
pigment density may vary, and in some dogs it is possible to see a faint "ghosting" pattern despite the overall black cast to the coat.

The alleles will produce white markings are relatively recessive. The traditional white pattern in English Shepherd's is "Irish" pattern, and is requires that a dog inherit two alleles for white spotting ("s"). Dogs that carry one allele for Irish pattern and one for additional white (either piebald or extreme white) are sometimes referred to as "white factored".

Calhoun's Huckleberry