The Irish Spotted Newfoundland: The "M" Word, Again

In researching the effect of color on type and health in Newfoundlands, I came across the following discussion of Irish Spotted Newfoundlands:

"An Irish Spotted Newfoundland is a black Newfoundland with white markings.
These white markings are on the tips of the toes, chest, and tail.
Irish spotted is just a term used, not a color.
In reality, it is a mismarked black dog."

There are at least three "mis"understandings in those comments.

Starting with the AKC Breed Standard for the Newfoundland: "Color is secondary to type, structure, and soundness. Recognized Newfoundland colors are black, brown, gray, and white and black.
Solid Colors-Blacks, Browns, and Grays may appear as solid colors or solid colors with white at
any, some, or all, of the following locations: chin, chest, toes, and tip of tail. Any amount of
white found at these locations is typical and is not penalized. Also typical are a tinge of bronze on a black or gray coat and lighter furnishings on a brown or gray coat." (Emphasis supplied.)

It's not just white at the "toes, chest, and tail" but also the chin (and elsewhere). It's also incorrect to state that an IS "is a black Newfoundland with white markings." Any acceptable (standard) color is allowed to have white at these locations, including in the United States, a black, brown and grey Newfoundland.

The AKC Breed Standard also states: "Markings, on either Solid Colors or Landseers, might deviate considerably from those described and should be penalized only to the extent of the deviation."

Thus, white markings on a black, brown and gray Newfoundland may deviate from the specified areas, even "considerably," and should only be penalized (not disqualified) to the extent of the deviation.

Finally, a black, brown or gray Newfoundland with white markings at the chin, chest, toes and tip of tail "is typical." Such Newfies are not "mismarked" (not improperly marked) but adhere to the Breed Standard.