The question has come up numerous times regarding, "What is a pet marked puppy?" We have included some of our Ra-Ca "pet marked" puppies for viewing. The word "pet marked" in no way infers "quality". It is used to refer to coat color only, not structure or temperament. A very small number of breeders "cull" (kill at birth) these wonderful puppies, all due to color! The other excuses are "non-showable" "betterment of the breed" "defective" "non-breedable" and "surplus"! The sad issue is there is absolutely nothing wrong with these puppies, but they will quote they are being "responsible"...10 years ago, those same "responsible breeders" practiced "culling" all mantles, as they too were also only "pet marked" puppies. Look where the mantles are today, in almost every harlequin breeding program and in the conformation ring. Ask breeders if they "cull" their "pet marked" puppies, their answer may change your whole view of them.
This was a "dilute" or blue mantle. (blue base coat with white markings)
"dilute" or blue mantle again.
"dilute" black with his black brother. (blue base coat with black hairs)
dilute black again.
white (white base coat with minimal black markings)
merles (shades of grey base coat with black spots)
white merle, merlequin, or porcelain harlequin. (white base coat with blue or merle patches)
boston merle or mantle merle (grey base coat with black patches and white markings)
mismarked black, black with white or mismarked mantle (black base coat with white markings)
light marked harlequin (white base coat with minimal black markings)
pied (white body with markings on head and rear.)