Can you Show a Liver colored EBT?

BulliesofNC

This discussion was created from comments split from: AKC Bull Terrier Proper Appearance Standards.

green2nds

Hello All, 

Im new here and new to the breed.  I see in the breed standard there is no mention of the liver colored dogs.  Does that mean they are faulted or disqualified in the show ring?  The colored standard does say "Any color other than white"  is acceptable and goes on to say  "A dog which is predominantly white shall be disqualified" , also list "blue eyes" as a disqualification, but no mention of the liver color.  I like showing my dogs (French Bulldogs) in AKC conformation shows.  If i were to have a liver Bull Terrier would we be able to participate in AKC shows.  Please advise on the liver colored Bull Terriers in regard to AKC conformation shows.     Thanks

BulliesofNC

That's a question I've heard asked many times. Your correct, technically the breed standards depict "any color than white." However, it's not the actual color of their coat that prevents a liver colored Bull Terrier from falling into the breed standards it's the fact that liver dogs carry a gene that casts out all Black colors. With this said, a liver colored Bullie does NOT have a black nose like it should. Another fault would be the eyes. The Standards are for the eyes to be as dark as possible. Liver dogs do not have dark eyes. Most are very light colored.

In the event you wish to show a Bull Terrier, a liver colored Bull Terrier wouldn't be the one you'd want to show because they would be penalized for their nose color and lighter colored eyes. Their fur color actually isn't a fault. Faults within the fur color pertain primarily within colored Bull Terriers having more than 50% white on them and with the White Bull Terriers it's considered a sever fault if they have any color on them outside their head.

I like the way Liver Bull Terriers look and so do many others but no matter how cool they look they aren't within the proper standards and deliberate breedings to produce them should not be entertained.

There was actually a lot of discussion on the Liver Colored Bullies a while back. Here's the link: http://www.bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/discussion/95/liver-colored-bull-terriers#Item_12

 

green2nds

Hello,

Thanks for the reply.  I see in the standard where it says the nose "should be black" , but it doesnt say a liver nose is a disqualification. Also the standard does say blue eyes are a disqualification (thats simple, clear & to the point) but again no mention of light eyes.  So technically it looks to me like the liver colored Bull Terriers can be shown but they would lose points for not having the preferred black nose and for light colored eyes (?). If the liver color is not show-able (disqualified) then at least 1 of its specific characteristics (like a liver nose, liver colored coat, light eyes) should be included in the standard as a disqualification or fault, dont you think?

BulliesofNC

I'm sure a liver Bull Terrier CAN be shown. My feelings are that since they currently have 22 color variations within the standards of the breed they will not entertain a liver Bullie into the standards since it creates a different color within the coat, eyes, and ears. With all three characteristics batting against what the breed should emulate it wouldn't be a good idea to accept these colors. It's a gene that creates the liver which omits any black pigment and fur color. With this being said it contradicts the dark eyes and black nose that the standards depict as being correct. Due to these faults I don't think AKC or other top kennel clubs in other countries will value the color.

Zerlett

im not sure if you can GO in the ring with a liver, maybe you can maybe the judge wont dismiss you if there nice but a liver will never gets points, will never get anywhere, sad to say cause i like livers a lot. It's not just the nose thats supposed to be black, but that the eyes on a liver bull terrier are too light, and the preferred is very very dark. if you had a liver with a black nose and yes i have seen it before, you could probably show!

Zerlett

here is a picture of a liver with a black nose.

wilfred

If liver color is a gene that ommits black pigment, how can be that some have black nose? Are they realy "liver"?

BulliesofNC

Danielle,

The photo of the dog above is a Black Brindle and White. He has no liver gene in him. Impossible to have a liver dog with a black nose. In some breeds liver dogs are excepted. I know you've heard of a Red Doberman or a Chocolate Lab. Both of these breeds except the liver pigment and have a name for their color. If you look at a regular Doberman compared to a Red Doberman it will also show you how the liver gene casted out all Black color. Same goes for the Chocolate Lab compared to a Black Lab.

 

 

 

green2nds

The color inthe photo really looks like a liver with a black nose!  The color looks like chocolate/liver with brindled tan points + white.  It doesnt look black at all.  I would bet its nose is in fact liver colored just unusually dark, giving the apperance of a black nose.  The color of the coat and the nose definitely look different in the pic. Im sure that dog is a brown/chocolate color & not black (?)

BulliesofNC

Personally I think it was just the way they took the photo which kind of shows a redish tint on the black coat. The nose looks truly black. With a Tri-colored Liver EBT there's no mistaking it for being a liver. Here's a couple photos of my Black Brindle and White female which looks no different than the photo above.

 

 

BulliesofNC

Here's some Tri-colored Liver Bullies:

 

Zerlett

i dont know...the dog looks truly liver colored to me not a trick from a camera, the nose is black but the color is brown. thats the closest thing ive ever seen to a liver with a black nose, i dont think its possible to find one though, but i heard of livers showing in other countries, truth is though, pretty or not they arent for the show ring and many fanciers frown upon it.

BulliesofNC

I totally agree - Cool looking but not going to be well appreciated in the show ring. This isn't to say a liver bullie wouldn't make the best possible pet for someone very proud to own one but for show or breeding purposes they wouldn't be a good choice. As another comparison, many love the Blue French Bull Dogs. Some will even pay more for one than they would that was within the true standard colors. However, blue frenchies are not accepted in shows and frowned on by club members and those who show. I guess you call these rare colors "Designer Dogs" and many will shell out a lot more money for one simply because of their rarity and unique look.