When RR pups are born, they often have lots of dark, blackish areas - on the back, down the tail and around the neck. Some are practically black all over!

......But they don't stay that way. Between birth and 4 weeks of age, the black color sheds out and they become more uniform in color. Since they don't start to "wheaten" until between 12-16 weeks, they will also be more uniform in color.

At around 6 to 8 weeks, some pups can become ROAN looking, ie have whitish hairs along their back and sides. This will also shed out when they start to "wheaten" and be gone by 16 weeks.

People ask me what color these pups will be as a adult - the safe answer is Wheaten.... like their Dad - pictured below. To see normal coat variations (and unusual RR colors) -CLICK HERE.