Whats the difference between chocolate sable & a black sable in cocker spaniels? Viewpoints on merle cockers?

Question

I have two AKC registered sable cockers and both are completely different shades. I know that akc doesn't recognize merles... just wondering about YOUR viewpoint... :)

Answer 1

Those colors aren't even recognized by the American Kennel Club, and I don't think they are commonly used to describe English Cocker Spaniels.
I would guess a black sable is darker than chocolate (which would be dark brown).

Here's the official scoop on cocker spaniel standards
and the merle coloration

http://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/index.cfm

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishcocker.htm
http://www.ecsca.org/whatisecs.htmlhttp://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/index.cfm
http://merlecockers.com/aboutmerles.html

Answer 2

They are two different shades because they are two different colors, black is obviously darker than chocolate