The Japanese Chin Information Center

Sable

The sable chin is probably the second most recognized color in the Japanese Chin. Sable is often referred to as "red", but there is a distinct difference a true red and a sable. Sables are usually born darker, sometimes almost black, and lighten to their red color as they age. Sables also have black pigment, although they may sport a "snow nose" (the lightning of pigment with age or lack of sunlight), as they age. Most sables begin life with black hairs in their coats and some may loose all traces of black at adult hood leaving them a brilliant red, most do retain a few dark hairs, at the tips of the ears and along any saddle markings.

Note how dark this sable puppy is.

As a puppy this chin had black hairs (see left) as an adult it has faded to a clear color that could easily be mistaken for a red or "lemon".

 

 

 

 

Note the faint black on ear tips.