Filling Out Your Registration Application

Have you ever wondered what the color codes on the registration application are referring to as you try to decide what you should put in the “Coat Color” box? The information below is from the UPRA Normande website and it explains the French understanding of the Normande coat color.

The Normande hide

The three characteristic colors of the Normande's coat are called the three Bs, are Blanc (white), Blond (fawn/red), and Brindled (brown). The way these colors are arranged gives rise to a great variety of coats.

Three types of coat are distinguishable:

"Quail" Coat

White with scattered patches of color.

"Blond" Coat

One big patch, fawn in color, covers almost the whole of the cow's body. The belly (underneath the cow) remains white.

"Brindled" Coat

One big patch, brindled in color, covers almost the whole of the cow's body. The belly (underneath the cow) remains white.

So what does the above information from France have to do with the color codes on NANA’s registration application form? It helps us to understand what we are referring to when we assign a number for the body color. “1” would include what the French consider the “quail” and “brindle” coat. “2” would be what the French consider the “blond” coat. “3” is just what it says-basic black. “4” refers to any other color different from the previous three color numbers. For example an animal may be tan in color due to its non Normande genetics if it was registered as part of NANA’s grading up program.

How should we code our animals when it comes to spotting? The vast majority of Normande animals registered will be coded as P-Patterned. Unless the animal is completely solid in color with the exception of some white on the head, feet or belly it should be coded as P-Patterned. The above three cows would be coded as P-Patterned. The S-Solid code means just that-solid with no or very little break in the solid color.

The “Eye Markings” codes are pretty much self explanatory. If an animal has absolutely no dark hair (pigmentation) around the eyes it would be coded as N-No Pigment. If it has dark hair around the eyes then it would be coded P-Pigment.

When a registration application is filled out the “Coat Color” box should have three characters in it. For example: 1PP. Obviously, a breeder’s decision to use one “Coat Color” code and not another is somewhat subjective. But it is hoped the above information will have all of us on the same page at least.