The amount of white that is on your dog is created by a set of genes and really is a pattern and not a color.  Each one of these genes allows definite patterns of white to occur on the coat of the dog. One gene can turn a black dog pure white by covering the black color with white. One gene makes variable spots or patches of color all over your dogs coat covering what ever base color is in the way called Piebald.  Another white gene will leave the dog mostly the base color of Tan, Black, Blue, Brindle, Chocolate etc. but decorates them with a white collar, blaze, boots and chest of white. This pattern of white is called Irish Spotting or Tuxedo.. The last white gene won't allow any white color to come onto the coat making the dog a solid color. For more information see White Chart and Ticking/Roaning.

     The Tan markings called "Tan Points"  like on the Rottweiler, Doberman Pincher or Black and Tan Hound is also a pattern. This pattern makes Tan areas of color on the legs, dots above the eyes and tan cheeks. The dog can be various colors and still have these tan markings. Sometimes these tan markings can blend with the dogs base color so that you can not see them. They can be very light and blend into a base color like chocolate or become so dark that they blend into a base color of black. They can also spread out or shrink up to small areas. These tan markings can also be hidden under colors such as Sable, Brindle or Black. The tan points vary in richness and lightness from creme to mahogany.

     There is a variation of "Tan Points" and this gene makes the tan point areas spread so far that it can turn a dog that had a black head and back area at birth almost completely tan or red leaving only a black saddle pattern.  This pattern can continue to work on the dogs coat color up to the age of almost a year. It is sometimes called "Calico".

     The color merle is really a pattern and not a color but for simplicity sake it will be considered a color. It takes advantage of dark pigment showing itself as a vast array of shapes. On tan or light pigment is has little or no effect.

     Brindle is really also a pattern but again will be considered as a color. This gene works on the color Tan to actually darken areas of the coat in a variegated striping effect. It bands or adds multiple colors to selected strains of hair that develops into a pattern. It can be seen on any color other than solid black but at times can push threw this color too. If your dog is Black and Tan you will only see the Brindle pattern in the tan areas of the dog.