Explore Pomeranians Australia’s guide to parti Pomeranians. Learn why a white coat base with evenly distributed patches of colour defines a parti colour and how mismarks differ.
Pomeranians come in a rainbow of colours and patterns. Among the most eye‑catching are the parti-coloured Pomeranians—dogs whose coats are predominantly white with patches of another colour. These dogs have been part of the breed since the 1700s and are still bred in Australia today.
However, the U.K., Australian and New Zealand breed standards are very strict about colour markings. This article explains what a true parti-coloured Pomeranian is, why mismarks (including the commonly labelled tri-coloured Poms) are not considered proper parti‑colours, and why whole‑coloured dogs tend to be favoured in the show ring.
What the Pomeranian colour standard says:
All whole colours permissible, but free from black or white shadings. Whole colours are: white, black, brown, light or dark, blue as pale as possible. Orange which should be self-coloured and bright as possible. Beaver. Cream dogs have black noses and black eye rims. Whites must be quite free from lemon or any other colour. A few white hairs, in any of the self-coloured dogs tolerated. Dogs (other than white) with white or tan markings highly undesirable and not considered whole coloured specimens.
Royal Kennel Club U.K. Pomeranian Breed Standard U.K. Last updated April, 2025.
In parti-coloured dogs, colours evenly distributed on body in patches. A dog with white or tan feet or chest should not be considered as a parti-coloured dog.
Shaded sables should be shaded throughout with three or more colours, the hair to be as uniformly shaded as possible, and with no patches of self-colour.
In mixed classes, where whole coloured and parti-coloured Pomeranians compete together, the preference should, if in all other points they are equal, be given to the whole coloured specimens.
Any other colour or combination of colours, including merle, unacceptable.
The colour section of the Pomeranian breed standard used in U.K. Australia and New Zealand lists the permitted colours and explains how colour patterns should be distributed. Key points from the current standard include the following:
- Whole colours – The standard allows white, black, brown (light or dark), blue “as pale as possible,” orange (self‑coloured), beaver and cream. Whites must be free of lemon shading and a few white hairs in any of the other self‑coloured dogs is permissible but undesirable.
- White or tan markings – Dogs (other than white) with white or tan markings are highly undesirable and are not considered whole‑coloured specimens. Merles are not permissible.
- Parti‑colours – In parti‑coloured dogs, colours must be evenly distributed on the body in patches. A dog with white or tan feet or chest is not a parti‑coloured dog. Shaded sables must have at least three colours shaded throughout with no patches of self‑colour.
- Preference in the show ring – When whole‑coloured and parti‑coloured Pomeranians compete together, the standard states that if all other points are equal, preference should be given to the whole‑coloured specimens.
The same wording appears in the British Kennel Club’s 2025 standard, making these colour rules internationally consistent. The historical mismark clause—first added to the standard in 1909—emphasised that “dogs other than white with white or tan markings are decidedly objectionable and should be discouraged,” and that dogs with white or tan feet or chest would not be considered parti‑coloured
What is a True Parti‑colour Pomeranian?
A proper parti‑colour Pomeranian is a predominantly white dog with evenly distributed patches of another colour. Vintage and modern breed literature describe several patterns:
- Extreme piebald – The dog is mostly white, with patches of colour on the head and base of the tail. There is little colour on the body.
- Piebald – White base with patches on the head, body and base of the tail. Ideally, the head has a symmetrical blaze.
- Irish‑marked parti – Colour appears on the head and body with white legs, chest and collar. This pattern is sometimes seen in Pomeranians bred from solid‑coloured lines and is a mismark.
Regardless of pattern, all patches on a parti‑colour should be the same colour and should not be broken by ticking. Acceptable colour combinations include orange & white, red & white, cream & white, sable pattern & white, black & white, chocolate & white and other solid colours with white.
The illustration below shows the difference between a correct parti‑colour and a mismark:
In the correctly marked dog in the centre, the white base and coloured patches are roughly equal and well distributed over the body. The dog on the right is mismarked—it has a white chest and feet while the rest of its body is solid colour, which does not constitute a true parti‑colour. The dog on the left is an extreme parti‑coloured Pomeranian.
Mismarks and Tri‑colour Dogs
A mismark is a dog that carries the parti gene but does not display the proper parti pattern. Mismarked dogs may have only a splash of white on the chest, feet, or tail, or they may be solid‑coloured dogs with white feet or a white chest. The official standard is explicit that a dog with white or tan feet or chest is not a parti‑coloured dog, and the historical amendments emphasised that dogs with white or tan markings (other than white dogs) were “decidedly objectionable and should be discouraged”
Why Tri‑colours are Mismarks
Many breeders and pet owners refer to dogs with three colours—usually black, tan and white—as tri‑colour Pomeranians. Pomeranian Headquarters explains that a tri‑colour Pom is a tan‑pattern and white parti Pomeranian; instead of just two colours, the coat has three colours (e.g., black & tan combined with white). While the American Kennel Club treats this combination as an “Any Other Allowable Colour” for registration purposes, the U.K., Australian, and New Zealand standards do not, in my opinion, recognise tri‑colour patterns.
Because the standard prohibits white or tan markings on whole‑coloured dogs, a black dog with tan points and a white chest or feet is a mismark, not a correct parti. Tri‑colour Pomeranians may be beautiful and produce properly marked parti pups in breeding programmes.
Descriptions from left to right:
- Irish Marked – colour on the head and body with white legs, chest and collar; this pattern is considered a mismark, not a true parti.
- Tri‑coloured Parti – a dog with a black base, tan points and additional white on the chest and legs. Under the Australian standard, dogs with white or tan markings (other than white dogs) are highly undesirable.
- Four White Feet – a coloured dog with white tips on all four paws; such uneven distribution of white makes it a mismark.
- White Leg & Blaze – a coloured dog with a single white leg and a white blaze on the head; again, this is not considered a proper parti.
These examples illustrate how small areas of white or tan disqualify a dog from being a true parti‑colour under the Australian standard.
Why Whole‑coloured Pomeranians are Preferred in the Show Ring
The breed standard instructs judges that when whole‑coloured and parti‑coloured dogs compete together, if all other points are equal, the preference should be given to the whole‑coloured specimen. This clause dates back to early standards and reflects the long‑standing belief that solid colours (particularly orange and orange sable) best exhibit the breed’s type. Many conformation judges still adhere to this preference. Denise Leo of Pomeranian Headquarters advises exhibitors who aim for high show wins to focus on oranges and orange sables rather than parti‑colours.
The emphasis on whole colours does not mean parti‑colours are undesirable pets. Parti‑colour Pomeranians are purebred and can excel in obedience, agility and companionship. Preference in the show ring reflects the breed’s history and the clear intention of the breed standard to prioritise whole-coloured dogs when all other qualities are equal.
Breeding and owning Parti-coloured Pomeranians in Australia
If you are breeding or buying a parti-coloured Pomeranian in Australia:
- Choose breeders who understand the standard. Properly marked parti Poms should have a white base coat with evenly distributed patches of one colour. Avoid puppies with small white spots on the chest or feet if you plan to show.
- Understand mismarks. Dogs with white chests, feet or collars—often called Irish‑marked partis—are mismarks. They are valuable in breeding programmes because they carry the parti gene but are not show quality.
- Be wary of tri‑colour labelling. Tri‑colour Pomeranians (black/tan/white, blue/tan/white, etc.) are tan‑patterned partis and do not conform to the Australian standard. They may be registered as Pomeranians.
- Recognise show limitations. While parti‑colours are allowed, show success is less common because of a preference for whole colours. If show wins are your priority, focus on solid colours.
Conclusion
Parti‑colour Pomeranians add diversity and charm to the breed. A true parti has a white base with evenly distributed patches of another colour, and its markings should be symmetrical. Dogs with white chests, feet or collars (so‑called Irish‑marked or tri‑colour Poms) are mismarks and should not be considered proper parti‑colours.
The Australian breed standard makes it clear that white or tan markings on non‑white dogs are highly undesirable and that properly marked partis must have evenly distributed patches. Because whole‑coloured dogs are preferred when all other points are equal, exhibitors seeking show success often choose solid colours. Nevertheless, parti‑colour Pomeranians make delightful pets, and understanding the standard helps breeders and owners maintain the integrity and beauty of this beloved breed.
Copyright Pomeranians Australia. All Rights Reserved.
References and Further Reading:
[1] Denise Leo: The Pomeranian Handbook.
[2] Pomeranian Headquarters.
[3] Reputable Pomeranian Breeders Australia.
[4] Dochlaggie Pomeranian Australia.
The Pomeranian Handbook by Denise Leo
