It may take three or more years for the coat to reach its final colour. The final colour is usually a black or greyish colour. P. H. Combs, writing in 1891, complained about show wins awarded to puppies, when the dog's coat does not fully come in until three or four years old, 'and the honour of winning such a prize (for a puppy) can therefore be of but little practical benefit to the owner' since the adult dog's colour cannot be exactly predicted.